Merryn York
Executive General Manager System Design at AEMO
Merryn York is responsible for leading system design at AEMO, driving the collaborative and industry-wide efforts in meeting the engineering challenges of a net-zero energy system.
Joining AEMO in March 2022, Merryn brings deep industry experience in generator connections, transmission planning, regulatory investment and the delivery of major transmission projects.
Most recently, Merryn served as a Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) where she engaged widely across the industry. Prior to joining the AEMC, she served as Chief Executive of Powerlink Queensland from 2011-2019.
Bill Lilley
Chief Executive Officer at RACE for 2030 CRC
Dr Bill Lilley is a proven multi-disciplinary leader with over 20 years’ experience in research and industry. Bill delivered CSIRO’s ‘Intelligent Grid’ research program, which showcased the value of distributed energy for Australia. He was a principal advisor on the federal government’s ‘Smart Grid Smart City’ initiative which determined the cost-benefits of a commercial scale rollout of smart grid technologies and consumer applications in Australia. Bill spent the past decade working for Saudi Aramco. While there he led work on a national energy strategy and acted as head of power and water planning for the Ministry of Energy.
Andrew Kingsmill
Executive Director, Technical Advisory Services at EnergyCo NSW
Andrew Kingsmill is Executive Director, Technical Advisory Services. Andrew is responsible for the NSW Network Strategy, REZ network solutions, REZ optimisation, access scheme technical design and timely and effective connection processes.
Andrew has extensive experience in electricity infrastructure planning, operations regulation, and asset management. At Transgrid, he led the planning and economic evaluation of new transmission with a total value of $3 billion and managed technical due diligence for connection of new generators and customers totalling five gigawatts. Andrew provides technical leadership, ensuring successful and optimal integration of REZ infrastructure as part of an integrated and coordinated NSW Network Strategy - working closely with the Consumer Trustee, AEMO, Transgrid and the Distribution Network Service Providers.
Marie Jordan
Executive General Manager of Network at Transgrid
Marie Jordan has more than 35 years of gas and electric transmission and distribution operations experience. She serves as a board of director for Duquesne Light Company.
Marie was President and CEO of Peak Reliability in Vancouver, WA. Peak Reliability provided reliability coordination for transmission companies in the Western US as well as Baja California, Mexico and British Columbia, Canada.
Prior to joining Peak Reliability Marie was at National Grid, where she held a variety of positions including SVP of Network Strategy and SVP of Gas Construction and Operations. Marie started her career with Pacific Gas & Electric Company in San Francisco where she acquired an extensive knowledge of the regulatory environment and stakeholder engagement.
Marie has a passion for the mission of the American Red Cross and acted as a board member with the Red Cross in Massachusetts and was a member of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle.
John Cleland
Chief Executive Officer at Essential Energy
John Cleland is the Chief Executive Officer of Essential Energy, one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution network responsible for delivering electricity to over 890,000 customers across 95% of New South Wales (NSW) and parts of southern Queensland.
Appointed in 2016, John has led Essential Energy through significant internal transformation and energy sector change and volatility, focussing on the evolving requirements of customers across regional, rural and remote NSW.
John is Chair of Energy Networks Australia, the peak industry body representing electricity and gas networks across Australia.
John is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (CA), a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has tertiary qualifications in economics and finance.
Prior to joining Essential Energy John held senior positions in the infrastructure, resources and logistics sectors including Head of Infrastructure, Coal Division at Anglo American PLC and CEO of WestNet Infrastructure Group.
David Pointing
Chief Executive Officer at Australian Power Institute
David is an engineering-sector executive and leader with extensive experience in creating and delivering projects and initiatives that build capacity and capability in communities, with a focus on sustainable development solutions and energy systems. David has a deep portfolio of skills and experience in program development, project management, business development, stakeholder engagement, and the creation of collaborative solutions, including research and development projects, tertiary education and workforce development initiatives.
Ty Christopher
Professor/Director, Energy Futures Network, Faculty of Engineering and Information Science at the University of Wollongong
As Professor/ Director, Energy Futures Network, Faculty of Engineering and Information Science at the University of Wollongong Ty is leading and coordinating University of Wollongong energy related activities, across the spectrum from external facing stakeholder engagement and relationship building including developing substantial external funding sources, through to strategic University-wide coordination, capability development and information management. Facilitating collaboration within the University by chairing the Energy Futures Network.
Cameron O'Reilly
Associate Director at Marsden Jacob Associates
Cameron is a consultant at Marsden Jacob - an independent, national economics and financial consulting firm. Cameron is an energy and public policy specialist who has held a number of roles in Australian energy markets over the past 15 years. He joined Marsden Jacob in 2021 after holding senior energy policy roles with the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE). In 2023, Cameron led the Marsden Jacob team that conducted the Electricity Supply & Reliability Check Up for the NSW Government. The Check Up made 54 recommendations, of which 47 were accepted (in part or full) by the Government.
Peter McIntyre
Chief Executive Officer at CIGRE Australia
Peter is an experienced power system engineer and executive having been a former Managing Director of TransGrid, non-executive Director of TasNetworks, the Australian Power Institute and the Energy Networks Association. Peter also held the roles of Chief Executive Officer at Engineers Australia and most recently at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.