2026 Speakers

Below is the list of currently confirmed speakers for HNES2026. This page will be updated regularly as new speakers join the program.

Hannah_McCaughey Headshot_qD1H

Hannah McCaughey

Chief Executive Officer

EnergyCo
cef heads timbuckley

Tim Buckley

Director

Climate Energy Finance
TonyWood

Tony Wood

Energy and Climate Change Senior Fellow

Grattan Institute
Cr Gavin Morris

Cr Gavin Morris

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle

City of Newcastle
Mayor Jeff Drayton

Cr Jeff Drayton

Mayor

Muswellbrook Shire Council
Heidi Lee

Heidi Lee

Chief Executive Officer

Beyond Zero Emissions
boris novak

Boris Novak

Co-Lead

New.E - Hunter Energy
Bob

Bob Hawes

Chief Executive Officer

Business Hunter
Lexi Crouch

Lexi Crouch

Climate Change and Sustainability Program Lead

City of Newcastle
Nadia Truninger

Nadia Truninger

Manager Sustainability - Reporting - Continuous Manufacturing

Orica
Ildo Agnetti

Ildo Agnetti

Clean Energy Project Manager

Port of Newcastle
Heather Stevens (2)

Dr. Heather Stevens

Climate Change and Sustainability Manager

City of Newcastle
David Cooper Partner Banking & Financial Services Hall & Wilcox

David Cooper

Partner

Hall & Wilcox
Fiona Donaldson

Fiona Donaldson

A / Chief Finance and Operations Officer

EnergyCo
Allison Dunsdon

Allison Dunsdon

Senior Manager

Transport for NSW
Daniel Sartor

Daniel Sartor

Head of Major Projects

Ausgrid
John Burke

John Burke

Program Director Humelink

Transgrid
Amanda Wetzel

Amanda Wetzel

Principal

Way Planning and Advisory
Ian Hudson

Ian Hudson

Executive Director

ICN
Michael Frangos

Michael Frangos

Chief Executive Officer

Indigenous Energy Australia
Patrick McInerney

Patrick McInerney

Construction Operations Manager

OX2
Jesse Gartner

Jesse Gartner

Northern NSW Market Leader – Energy

GHD
Tanya Peterkin

Tanya Peterkin

Director Hunter

Net Zero Economy Authority
Seth Pathiyil

Seth Pathiyil

Generation and Energy Transition Lead - Eraring Power Station

Origin Energy
Craig Palmer

Craig Palmer

Market Leader, Delivery Phase Services

GHD
Ashwin Clarke

Ashwin Clarke

Senior Economist

CBA
Michael Ulph

Michael Ulph

Technical Director – Engagement & Communication

GHD
Andy Evans

Andy Evans

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman

Happen Energy
Professor Alan Broadfoot web

Prof. Alan Broadfoot

Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor, Industry and Engagement

The University of Newcastle
Rob Cooper

Rob Cooper

Senior Manager Corporate Affairs

AGL
Baidy Barton

Baidy Barton

Commercialisation Director

The Melt
clare larkin sykes new

Clare Larkin-Sykes

Co-Lead

New.E - Hunter Energy
Zara Crichton

Zara Crichton

Chief Executive Officer

Hunter IF
Dr. Paul Ebert

Dr. Paul Ebert

Executive Director

Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER)
Sam Wilkins

Sam Wilkins

Community Organiser

Hunter Jobs Alliance
Dani Alexander

Dani Alexander

Chief Executive Officer

NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
Pierre Gouhier NIER & TRaCE

Pierre Gouhier

Director - TRaCE, Deputy Director - NIER

The University of Newcastle
George Knight

George Knight

Chief Executive Officer

UEG Energy

Meet OUr Emcee

Mikhaila Halford

Facilitator, Emcee and Professional Leader

Mikhaila is a passionate servant leader committed to developing the skills and capabilities of the region. With a deep focus on empowering others, she leads a dynamic and dedicated team, fostering growth and collaboration in every endeavour. Mikhaila believes in inspiring those around her to reach their fullest potential, cultivating a positive and results-driven environment for both personal and professional development.

Through her leadership, she continues to make a meaningful impact, guiding her team toward success and creating opportunities for continuous growth. 

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