Session Chairs

Board Chair HILT CRC, Australia

Susan has worked in the Australian renewable energy and broader sustainability sectors for more than three decades. She is a Director of the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Chair of the Additive Manufacturing CRC, a member of the SA Premier's Climate Change Council, and a former Director of The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Susan works with industry, research organisations and governments to build relationships and foster collaboration on shared goals. She develops pathways for reaching agreed outcomes from differing perspectives, informed by a deep understanding of the political environment and how governments seek and develop a national interest view. She has previously held the roles of inaugural CEO of the Australian Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA), and of the Renewable Energy Generators of Australia (REGA). Prior to 2002, she was the Climate Change and Energy Advisor to former Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill and the Member for Kingston in the Federal Parliament. 

Deputy Chief Executive, Environment Protection Authority, Australia

Amy Dennison is the Deputy Chief Executive of the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA). An environmental engineer, lawyer and public administrator, Amy has extensive experience in environmental governance, regulation, and mineral and energy policy.

Amy is passionate about building effective, evidence-based regulatory systems that support innovation, collaboration, and investment in the transition to a low-carbon economy. She is interested in driving circular economy initiatives, securing sustainable resource management, and fostering partnerships that accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and net-zero solutions.

Amy holds degrees in Environmental Engineering (University Medal) and Law from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Laws from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee (University Medal), and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University as a Fulbright Scholar.

General Manager – Business Development, Strategy and Planning, OneSteel Manufacturing, Australia

Wayne has more than 25 years’ experience in senior executive roles across Australia and internationally, spanning iron and steel, large-scale manufacturing and automotive sectors. In his current role with OneSteel Manufacturing, he is responsible for business development, planning and strategy, and is also focused on future energy, industry and stakeholder engagement, and strategic projects across Australia. Wayne holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and has been involved in the Whyalla Low Emission Iron and Steel Transformation Program since its concept phase.

Research Lead, HILT CRC, Australia

Rachelle Doyle has over 30 years' experience as a chemical engineer and senior R&D leader in diverse roles spanning alumina, energy and iron ore. She has led major technology portfolios across the resources sector with a focus on the energy transition.  She has held senior roles at Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Woodside and Chevron. Her expertise bridges early-stage innovation through to field-scale demonstration, contributing deep insight into research translation, portfolio governance, and energy transition strategy. She has a strong track record in building enduring university–industry partnerships and commercialisation pathways. A Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Rachelle is also a Chartered Professional Engineer and Deputy Chair of IChemE Australia. She currently serves on advisory boards for Curtin University and the University of Adelaide, as well as being a member of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Advisory Panel Member and the Research and Development Incentives Committee. Since 2019, Rachelle has chaired Standards Australia's Hydrogen Technologies Committee, overseeing the development of more than 30 national standards. Passionate about STEM and the future of Australian industry, she actively mentors emerging talent and contributes to national conversations on decarbonisation, innovation, and industrial transformation. 

Regional Director, Hatch Technology, Australia

Melanie has extensive global experience in business strategy and management, with a strong track record for the past 30 years as Regional Director for Hatch Technologies, and prior to Hatch as Chief Commercial Officer at GE, and as an Engineer specializing in Process and Mechanical Design of Water and Wastewater Systems and Equipment for Mining, Energy and Infrastructure projects. 

Melanie holds an MBA diploma from the University of Harvard, USA, an Executive Juris Doctor’s degree in Corporate Law from the University of Berkeley, USA and is also a Process/Mechanical Engineer with a Master's degree from the University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Bulgaria