Nicci Rossouw is a board member and CEO of Robotics Australia Group. Prior to that she was the founder and CEO of Exaptec, a start-up company she founded in 2015 to provide service robotics solutions to the Australian market. She has provided numerous robotic telepresence solutions to educational facilities and businesses to augment communication and movement for disabled and incapacitated people.
Nicci believes that well designed application of robotics will lead to the emergence of new business models that will change the way people work and play for the better. Noted as one of six women who “rock” robotics in Australia, Nicci is a passionate educator of how robots can augment your life for the better.  Exaptec was one of Westpac’s 2018 top 200 Businesses of Tomorrow winners,  Nicci was noted as “30 women you need to know about in robotics” in 2020.  This is a global recognition and Nicci was one of two women in Australia to be awarded this accolade in 2020.
Nicci is the Co-host of Women in Robotics Group | Melbourne Chapter. She also hosts the podcast, “Let’s talk robotics” which focuses on the talented and inspirational robotics and AI community in Australia. She organised the Generate22 – a robotics & AI conference held in Melbourne on 30 & 31 March 2022.

Tim has nearly two decades of experience advising and developing policies relating to the innovation system and high growth sectors having worked in government, diplomatic, consulting and university environments. He is currently a Strategic Advisor with Amazon Web Services where he focusses on initiatives to develop the digital economy. Prior to joining AWS, Tim held a number of senior roles within the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources where he was responsible for policies relating to the development and adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing. From 2018-2020, Tim served as Minister Counsellor for Industry and Science at the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC, and represented the Australian Government throughout the United States and Canada, participating in multilateral forums such as the G20 Digital Economy Taskforce, the OCED and the Global Partnership on AI. Tim has Masters degrees in Economics (Sydney) and Commercial Law (Melbourne), and a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) (ANU).

Brenton Cunningham is the co-founder, Managing Director, and driving strategic force behind Adelaide headquartered Diverseco Pty Ltd. Founded in 1992 as Accuweigh Pty Ltd, Diverseco has evolved over the years through a steady program of acquisitions and organic growth to become one of Australia’s leading diversified measurement and automation solution providers. Starting out his professional life as a qualified fitter and machinist, Brenton has taken his technical skills and passion for sales and business development to grow Diverseco into a 50-million-dollar turnover business employing over a hundred and thirty staff in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. During this journey Brenton has completed the AICD company Directors Course in 2002, as well as the AICD Refresh Course in 2019, spent 6 years in Tec membership, completed numerous management and leadership programs, and received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Most recently Brenton has enjoyed leading Diverseco’s strategic push and go to market strategies across an exciting range of Industrial and Collaborative Robot solutions, including personally signing exclusive distribution deals with leading global brands. Over the years, Brenton has been a long term Sporting Club President, fulfilled board roles at Olympic Fine Foods and The Food Industry Association W.A, represented on CCI Member forums, been a former director and chairman of Mollydooker Wines, a former long term Strata Chairman, former Sage Advisory Board member, and currently in addition to his board duties at Diverseco, is Chairman of Extreme Land Pty Ltd, and Director at MISA (Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance). Currently attending Harvard Business School on the OPM program.

Nathan is a founding director of Robotics Australia Group. He has a proven and demonstrable track record of uncovering and imagining emerging real world, opportunities for cutting edge robotics research intentions and forging viable R&D to Deployment (R&D2D) pathways to their realisation. Over 15+ years in industry, and 10+ years in academia, initiating, shaping, establishing, driving and leading cutting-edge research driven enabling, transformative, and disruptive innovation.

Tamanna’s experience spans out from driving major initiatives including innovation programs, regional competitiveness, governance and operative models for critical industries. Tamanna developed strategic networks with key stakeholders including national and international governments, industry and academia, and corporate sectors nationally and internationally.
She has led the development and implementation of large-scale commercial, industrial and investment attraction strategies in multiple sectors including health and medtech, AI and technology, manufacturing, defence, marine, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.   Tamanna is the founder of SME Growth Centre with an aim to help connect SMEs with knowledge and networks to access global supply chains. Tamanna also founded the Women in Export, Innovation and Investment to help professional migrant women with mentoring and connections to get into workforce. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), studied MBA and Hons in Public Administration.

Angus has extensive experience in technology diffusion and the strategic development of new hi-tech industries. As the former Executive Director of a manufacturing industry association, he led the government-supported Electronics Industry Action Agenda. As the chair of the ground-breaking ‘Australian Materials Technology Network’, Angus also provided industry engagement support to the inaugural Advanced Manufacturing CRC.
A Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, he is currently coordinating the National Geotourism Strategy for the Australian Geoscience Council. Angus is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Christian has a background in Engineering and Research Management, as an Automation specialist with over 30 years experience. As the R&D Program Manager (Processing Automation of Meat & Livestock Australia, Christian has demonstrated multiple project management abilities, ability to communicate technical detail to all levels of an organisation, and strong interpersonal skills which fosters collaboration and innovation between colleagues, suppliers, and customers.

John Vial is a seasoned expert in robotics and machine learning, dedicated to the practical application of these transformative technologies. As the Project Execution Lead at Nexxis, John is at the forefront of developing advanced legged, magnetic inspection robots. His technical leadership spans across roles, including major AI initiatives at Fortescue Metals Group, where he was integral to the conception of an autonomous light vehicle project among other innovative solutions. John leverages this deep understanding of industrial applications of robotics and AI to help guide RAG to achieve its mission.

Kathie is driven by a passion for deep tech and is committed to advocating for Australia’s technological capabilities to amplify our nation’s competitive advantage.
As a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Senior Executive MBA, Kathie has significant experience as a governance and risk professional, including as a Founder, Executive, Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary. She also brings 20 years’ senior leadership and commercial experience across a range of industries including space, tech startups, coworking, health regulation and tourism.