A huge line up of international and national place making experts has been secured to present and collaborate with you at the Melbourne Place Making Series.
International place makers
Carol Coletta, CEO of CEOs for Cities
A highly sought after speaker on the success formula for cities and creative communities, Carol Coletta is frequently interviewed as an expert on urban issues. In 2008 she was named one of the world’s 50 most important urban experts by a leading European think tank.
Most recently, she was named the recipient of the Lambda Alpha International 2009 International Journalism Award for her work with CEOs for Cities and Smart City Radio, and as one of the top 50 urban thinkers of all time by readers of PLANetizen.com.
James Kunstler, Author, The Geography of Nowhere
Well-known author of The Geography of Nowhere, among other titles, James Kunstler, has long been recognised as a fierce critic of suburban sprawl and the high costs associated with an automobile-centric culture.
Kunstler has lectured extensively about urban design, energy issues and new economies for the TED Conference, the American Institute of Architects, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Science and Technology and other professional organisations, colleges and universities.
Chris Leinberger, President, LOCUS Responsible Developers
A land use strategist, teacher, developer, researcher and author, Christopher Leinberger balances business realities with social and environmental issues. To compliment his his professional roles within the urban development industry, Leinberger has published The Option of Urbanism, Investing in a New American Dream and Strategic Planning for Real Estate Companies.
He has written for numerous publications and has been profiled by CNN, National Public Radio, Infrastructurist, and Washington Post. Leinberger was voted one of the “Top 100 Urban Thinkers” of all time in a poll conducted by PLANetizen.com.
Neil McInroy, CEO, Centre for Local Economic Strategies
A geographer who has been involved in public sector policy and delivery for over 20 years, Neil McInroy is experienced in developing partnerships and innovative policy responses to global, regional and local economic, social and environmental challenges.
Neil’s particular skills are in local economic and social research, analysis and development; policy practice, research methodologies; facilitation and strategy building. He regularly conducts work across UK and is also developing a growing first-hand experience and knowledge of creative economic and social policy in locations around the world.
National place makers
Prof Rob Adams AM, Director City Design, City of Melbourne
A champion of urban design in Australia with over 38 years experience as a practising designer, Rob Adams has been awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for services to urban design, town planning and architecture. Through this portfolio, in 1985 Rob put in place the first comprehensive urban design strategy for the city.
He has, as a designer, guided its implementation from the strategic vision of projects such as the City’s revitalisation project, Postcode 3000, Swanston Street, QV, Birrarung Marr, Queensbridge Precinct, Turning Basin and CH2 through to the detail of bluestone paving, street furniture, lighting, signage and tree planting.
Mark Bassett, Core Fund Manager, ISPT
An experience fund manager, Mark is responsible for the strategy implementation, investment performance, asset management and developments within the ISPT Core Fund as well as overseeing the investment management of the ISPT 50 Lonsdale Street Property Trust asset.
Kate Brennan, CEO, Federation Square
A driven chief executive, Kate Brennan has been CEO of Fed Square Pty Ltd since July 2005. She was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust for seven years, leading a program of significant change and growth in that time. She has made contributions to Melbourne’s arts life in her earlier role at the Melbourne City Council and in several arts organisations.
She has had extensive involvement in a range of capital infrastructure projects and was involved in the original design and activity concepts for Federation Square.
David Bowden, International Director, Jones Lang La Salle
An international director of the firm, former Managing Director for Victoria and Managing Director of Office Leasing for Australia, David has extensive international and local experience in all Australian property markets. David has been strategically involved in a wide range of major development and investment projects in Australia and has handled many major sales and leasing transactions.
He has deep knowledge of the Australian commercial markets and the major commercial owners across the country and he has worked closely with major developers advising them in feasibility plans and the marketability of major development projects.
Bruno Lancelot, Network Development and Performance Director, Yarra Trams, Australia
An experienced urban public transport professional, Bruno has 15 years experience with Keolis Downer EDI Rail who have commenced as the new operator of Yarra Trams and the Melbourne tram network.
He is also a trainer in tram systems and operations at the Keolis Academy. In his last role in France, Bruno was a key member of the team responsible for the introduction of new tram services. He was heavily involved in the development of the manpower planning approach and constructing the workforce profile to deliver the Keolis ‘Think Like a Passenger’ philosophy.
Professor John Stanley, Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney
An awarded economist, John is currently Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney. Prior to taking this role, he was Executive Director of Bus Association Victoria and Deputy Chair of Australia’s National Road Transport Commission. He is a Board member of VicUrban (now Places Victoria) and of Victoria’s Alpine Resorts Co-Ordinating Council.
John was a key organiser of the ADC Infrastructure 21 Summit in 2008 and the ADC Cities Summit in 2010. He has been awarded an Australian Centenary Medal for services to public transport and conservation.
Yehudi Blacher, Secretary, Department of Planning & Community Development (DPCD)
A distinguished contributor to the Victorian Public Service, Yehudi Blacher has a keen interest in public policy and is a Victorian Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. Yehudi has been Secretary of DPCD since the Department was created in 2007 by the new Premier of Victoria. As Secretary of DPCD, he is responsible for overseeing the restructuring of Melbourne from a monocentric to a polycentric city and the building of strong, well-designed and sustainable communities.
Yehudi has spoken internationally on the issues of planning reform and urban development, most recently in the USA in June 2010.
John Daley, CEO, Grattan Institute
An esteemed CEO, John Daley, heads up the Grattan Institute, an independent, non-aligned and evidence-based think-tank focused on Australian domestic public policy. Its current programs include Productivity Growth, School Education, Cities, Energy and Water. John has 20 years’ experience spanning policy, academic, government and corporate roles at the University of Melbourne, the University of Oxford, the Victorian Department of Justice, consulting firm McKinsey and Co and most recently at ANZ.
John’s current research and publishing interests include government prioritisation, the objectives of government, the situations in which government intervention is justified and the limits to government.
Professor Ian Harper, Director, Access Economics Australia
One of Australia’s best known economists, Ian Harper has worked closely with governments, banks, corporates and leading professional services firms at the highest level. As a member of the celebrated Wallis Inquiry, Harper was at the forefront of financial market reform in Australia.
In 2008, he joined Access Economics, following a 25-year academic career. Harper is sought after as a commentator and public speaker on economic and financial issues. He has been described as “one of those relatively rare academics who can communicate with both the business community and the academic community”.
Jane-Frances Kelly, Cities Program Director, Grattan Institute
A policy strategist, Jane-Frances Kelly has been Cities Program Director at the Grattan Institute, an independent public policy think tank since 2009.
Jane-Frances has worked as a senior adviser to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Boston Consulting Group, the Vice-Chancellor at Melbourne University and the Victorian and Queensland Premier’s Departments.
She played a central role in the 2020 Summit and previous to this, worked at the UK Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.
Andrew MacLeod, CEO, Committee for Melbourne
An acclaimed senior international humanitarian official, emergency management specialist and post disaster recovery expert, Andrew MacLeod currently works as CEO of Committee for Melbourne to enhance Melbourne’s reputation as the world’s most liveable and prosperous city.
Andrew develops strong relationships with key decision makers in business, government at all levels and within member organisations. Previously, Andrew was recruited by the International Committee of the Red Cross to deal with military factions in Yugoslavia and Rwanda and has been a Senior Adviser on Disaster Management for the United Nations.
Gordon Noble, Deputy CEO, Committee for Melbourne
A respected policy and business adviser, Gordon Noble has held a variety of roles including policy adviser for Senator Stephen Conroy, in a national policy and business development role with industry super fund Cbus, and for the Secretariat of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Previously Gordon established his own consulting business focused around sustainability and investment and has worked with international fund managers and industry associations to implement analysis of sustainability performance and capability building into institutional investment practices. He has established a global online Responsible Investment Academy; a process to benchmark sustainability reporting of ASX 200 and analysis of mining and construction sectors sustainability performance.
Pru Sanderson, former CEO, VicUrban
Pru is an architect and property professional who specialises in creating new benchmarks in urban planning, sustainable developments and public infrastructure. She has held senior roles in the development of the Melbourne Museum and Melbourne’s Federation Square and has worked internationally, managing property affairs and the delivery of major infrastructure in South Africa and Malaysia. At VicUrban, she drove new achievements in environmental planning, the delivery of affordable housing, urban design excellence and the creation of effective communities. Pru is a Director of the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board of Victoria and serves on the Board of the Committee for Melbourne and the National Advisory Board of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.
George Savvides, Managing Director, Medibank Private
An experienced executive with 20 years experience in the Australian health care industry, George Savvides was appointed Managing Director of Medibank Private, Australia’s largest health insurer, in early 2002. In that time the organisation has delivered record membership growth and strong financial performance. Medibank’s revenue has grown to over $4.0 billion per annum with a customer base of 3.7 million people.
Prior to this he was Managing Director of Sigma Co Ltd and Smith+Nephew Pty Ltd, Australasia. George has 15 years Board experience and is a recent gold medallist in the 2009 World Masters Games.
David Rolls, COO, Lend Lease Development, Australia Institute
An authority within the property, construction, design and development arenas, David has 25 years of experience in industry with a particular focus on complex major mixed use development projects.
David has been with Lend Lease for 21 years and was appointed to his current role in May 2007. Starting his career in engineering and construction management, David quickly progressed into the project management of complex landmark projects.
Russell Walley, Vice President Property, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
A leading real estate lending professional, Russell Walley works within Institutional Banking where he is responsible for a portfolio of large real estate clients in the investment and development sectors.
Clients include fund managers, listed and unlisted property trusts as well as large privately held groups.
Russell has over 20 years banking and financial markets experience. He has a Bachelor of Science from Monash University, is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), Senior Associate with FINSIA and has undertaken postgraduate studies in Commercial Bank Management.
