ALGIM Inc - Speakers

Our Learning Exchange Speakers

Keynotes

Dr Catherine Ball

Adjunct Professor, Dr Catherine Ball is an award-winning, company director, bestselling author and futurist working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs.

Working to protect the natural environment and empowering all members of society through mutual education and respect are core aspects of her chosen projects.

As well as supporting start-ups and leaders from all generations across the globe; Catherine is particularly passionate about social mobility and equity.

Catherine is proud to be an advisor to a broad range of enterprises and philanthropic organisations including being an XPRIZE visioneer and member of their Global Brains Trust.

Catherine is also proud to be a member of Australia’s Robotics Advisory Council, and an advocate for xFoundry, supporting the NEXPLORE2040 series of global conferences. Catherine holds a BSc Honours (Environmental Protection), a PhD (Spatial Ecology, Descriptive and Predictive Statistics) both from the University of Newcastle- upon-Tyne in the UK, and recently was awarded a DSc (Doctor of Science Honoris Causa) from Worcester Polytechnic in Massachusetts, USA. Catherine operates globally with headquarters in Singapore, London and Sydney.

Dr Jonathan Reichental

Dr Jonathan Reichental is the founder of Human Future, a global business and technology advisory, investment, and education firm. Previous roles have included senior software engineering manager, director of technology innovation, and he has served as chief information officer at both O’Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California. In 2013 he was recognized as one of the 25 doers, dreamers, and drivers in government in America. In 2016, he was named a top influential CIO in the United States and in 2017, he was named one of the top 100 CIOs in the world. He has also won a best CIO in Silicon Valley award and a national IT leadership prize. Reichental is a recognized global thought leader on a number of emerging trends including urban innovation, smart cities, sustainability, blockchain technology, data governance, the fourth industrial revolution, and digital transformation. He holds several degrees including a Ph.D. in Information Systems. He is an adjunct professor in the School of Management at the University of San Francisco and instructs at several other universities. Reichental regularly creates online video courses for LinkedIn Learning and Coursera. Reichental is a popular global keynote speaker and writer. He writes for Forbes and has published many books including: Smart Cities for Dummies, Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids, and Data Governance for Dummies.

CEO Panel

Our CEO panel topic is 'The Future of Local Government: Ready or Not?'. We will explore a broad range of topics from Ai, LG working conditions, Importance of cyber security and emerging technologies. Hosted by Dr Jonathan Reichental.

Jacqui Weatherill, CEO City of Greater Dandenong

Jacqui Weatherill is an accomplished public sector leader with over 20 years of senior executive experience in not-for-profits, local government, and the broader public sector. Currently, Jacqui is the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Dandenong City Council, where she has been leading since 2022. She is an energetic and visionary senior executive with a passion for positively influencing organisational leadership and corporate culture to achieve enterprise-wide transformation and change. Jacqui has held Board and Executive roles across Local Government, State Government, and the Not for ProfitSector. She is deeply committed to working with diverse communities and making a meaningful difference.Jacqui is also dedicated to promoting community health and wellbeing. Her work in this area is driven by a belief in the importance of supporting healthy, thriving communities through accessible and inclusive health programs. In 2017, Jacqui was honoured to be named one of the Top 50 public sector women in Victoria. Jacqui's qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Sports Science, a Masters in Business Administration, and she is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sam Johnson OAM, CEO City of Launceston

Sam Johnson OAM is the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Launceston and a nationally recognised local government leader with two decades of experience spanning local government, community leadership, and corporate banking. Sam has served the sector as a Councillor, Mayor, and Chief Executive across regional and metropolitan councils in South Australia and Tasmania, giving him a deep, lived understanding of governance, service delivery, and the evolving expectations placed on councils and their workforces. In his current role, Sam is leading major organisational reform focused on sustainability, capability, and culture, including positioning the City of Launceston as Australia’s first council to implement a genuine four day working week, embedding productivity, wellbeing, and attraction and retention at the centre of workforce design. Sam holds numerous formal qualifications, with a strong emphasis on local government, leadership, governance, and management. He is a recent graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he completed executive education focused on public leadership, organisational performance, and leading reform in complex systems. Sam is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and brings deep financial and commercial acumen shaped by his earlier career in corporate banking. Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for distinguished service to local government and regional communities, Sam is known for his collaborative, reform driven leadership style and his strong advocacy for innovation, fairness, and future fit local government. He brings a practical, evidence-based lens to the challenges and opportunities shaping the future council workforce, making him a compelling contributor to today’s discussion.

Gail Gatt, CEO Horsham Rural Shire Council

Horsham Rural City Council welcomed Gail Gatt as its new Chief Executive Officer in May 2025.
Gail Gatt brings a wealth of experience in local government leadership, having held senior roles across regional Victoria.
Previously, she served as General Manager Strategy and Effectiveness at Surf Coast Shire, led key portfolios at Latrobe City Council and also worked at Wellington Shire Council.
As CEO, Ms Gatt leads the organisation’s day-to-day operations and works with Councillors to implement policy and deliver services that are consistent with the Council Plan.

Council Case Studies

Shane Conserdyne, Geospatial & Data Manager City of Newcastle

Data Strategy & Governance journey

Emma Hatch, Centre Services Coordinator, Maribyrnong City Council Aquatics Centre

Emma has over 20 years of aquatic and recreation industry experience prominently in senior management roles within not-for-profit organisations. Emma’s career has taken her around Australia and overseas from Canada as the General Manager of Community Relations for the YMCA of Greater Vancouver to Darwin as the Senior Manager of Community Recreation for YMCA Northern Territory and other cities in-between. Emma holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Greenwich, London UK and was a member of the City of Vancouver, Premier Sporting Destination Strategic Committee leading into the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Emma’s favorite pool is at the AshnilSamburu Camp set in the spectacular backdrop drop of the Mighty Ol Olokwemountain fronting Ewaso NyiroRiver in Kenya. The pool offers stunning views of the African savannah and an abundance of wildlife.

Cosimo Cirillo, Application and Integration Specialist, Mildura Rural City Council

Cos Cirillo is currently the Application & Integration Specialist at Mildura Rural City Council. He got his start in the IT industry way back in 1987 as an apprentice radio electronics technician repairing business equipment. After computers became mainstream in the mid-90s he started several business ventures with his wonderful and very patient wife, before taking an opportunity 14 years ago joining the team at Mildura Rural City Council. Initially as part of network infrastructure and now with the business applications team. Cos gets excited about solving problems using technology and understanding the underlying workflow. He often asks, “Why does it need to be done that way?” Occasionally he can be seen wearing a colourful shirt…

Bruce Eaton, GIS Coordinator Mildura Rural City Council

Process first, Technology second

Lightning Talks

Andrew Downie, Manager ICT and Digital Transformation Golden Plans Shire Council

Andrew is a digital transformation leader with over 25 years’ experience helping organisations get real value from technology. As Manager ICT and Digital Transformation at Golden Plains Shire Council, he delivers practical initiatives that improve services and outcomes for the community.Andrew has previously held senior technology roles in Local Government and as a Consulting Practice Manager across the APAC region for a multinational software company.He’s known for his pragmatic, down-to-earth approach, focusing on what works and helping organisations successfully navigate change.

Alison Edwards, Team Leader Information management Cardinia Shire Council

Alison Edwards is an experienced Information Management professional who began her career in 1986. After two decades at the City of Greater Dandenong, she joined Cardinia Shire Council in 2006. She has held a range of roles across Records and Information Management and has contributed to significant change initiatives, including the application of AI tools to support document registration in EDRMS. Alison brings a strong combination of strategic thinking, practical experience, and a user-focused approach.