Speakers



Dr Henning Soller
McKinsey & Company, Inc

Henning Soller leads McKinsey's global research on quantum technologies and advises banks across Europe and the Middle East on IT strategy, architecture, and large-scale digital transformations. He drives innovation by addressing legacy challenges, modernizing core systems, and leveraging cloud and API programs. Holding a PhD in Physics and multiple degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Business Administration, Henning bridges cutting-edge research with practical applications for clients.


Flavia Tata Nardini
Fleet Space

Flavia Tata Nardini, Co-founder and CEO of Fleet Space, is a rocket scientist and former European Space Agency engineer. She led Australia’s first LEO satellite constellation and now pioneers real-time 3D imaging and AI for global mining. Flavia chairs the Australian Space Agency’s Leaders Forum and serves on Austmine’s board.


Prof Robert Fitridge
Royal Adelaide Hospital

Rob Fitridge is Professor of Vascular Surgery at Adelaide University and a Vascular Surgeon at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He is co-chair of the Peripheral Arterial Disease guideline of the International Working Group for the Diabetic Foot/ESVS/SVS (2023-2027) and steering committee member of the Global Guidelines for Chronic Limb-threatening Ischaemia. 


Andre Luiten
University of Adelaide

Andre is CEO and co-founder of QuantX Labs, and Chief Innovator at IPAS, and Chair of Experimental Physics at the University of Adelaide. A Fellow of ATSE and AIP, he has raised over $50M for research, co-founded QuantX Labs, and received multiple national awards for innovation and industry impact.


Dr Larry Marshall
Fortescue & Nanosonics

Dr Larry Marshall is the Lead Independent Director of Fortescue, Chairs the ICs of Fortescue & Nanosonics, and is on the Board & Finance Committees of ANU and GBRF.

He formerly chaired the American Chamber of Commerce, & is the longest serving Chief Executive of CSIRO, and led a transformation which achieved the first growth in 30y, doubled the value delivered to stakeholders, & made CSIRO the first Australian entity to be Thompson Reuters rated in the Global Top 20 Innovators, beating NASA.

Larry co-founded & led 6 companies in Biotech, Telecom, Semi, & Venture Capital. He has a PhD in Physics & has been honoured for both his business acumen as a Fellow of AICD, but also his Technology & Engineering acumen as a Federation Fellow, & Fellow of AIP & ATSE; & an inaugural Male Champion of Change for STEM.

He is the author of the 2023 book, Invention to Innovation, which charts a course for Australian businesses to disrupt their Market, defeat competition and accelerate economic growth by using science driven innovation. He has 100 publications & conference papers, holds 20 patents, & has served on 20 boards of high-tech companies operating in the US, Australia & China.


Dr Cathy Foley
Chief Scientist, Australia  

Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM became Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist in January 2021 after an extensive career at Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, including as the agency’s Chief Scientist.

Dr Foley is an internationally recognised physicist with major research achievements in superconductors and sensors which lead to the development of the LANDTEM sensor system to locate valuable deposits of minerals deep underground.

Dr Foley’s scientific excellence and influential leadership have been recognised with numerous awards and fellowships, including election to the Australian Academy of Science in 2020, and an Order of Australia for service to research science and to the advancement of women in physics. She received the Australian Institute of Physics Medal for Outstanding Service to Physics in 2016. She is a Fellow of Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (2008) and an honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics (2019).

Dr Foley is an inspiration to women in STEM across the globe and focused strongly on equality and diversity in the science sector.

QAC 2026 |