Speaker bios Welcome remarks Justine Cain, Group CEO, Diabetes Australia Ms Cain has held senior executive and Board roles with listed, privately owned, private equity backed and not-for-profit organisations in the health, human services and general insurance sectors. Justine is currently on the Board of UnitingCare Queensland. Justine’s expertise spans transformational leadership roles, strategy development and execution, customer-centric leadership, large-scale operational delivery, government relations, advocacy and complex stakeholder management. Justine has a strong understanding of the broad health, human services and aged care sectors and is committed to achieving equity in access to health services, population health improvement and judicious use of funding. Justine holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science from the Australian National University. Prof. Josephine Forbes, President, Australian Diabetes Society Professor Josephine Forbes from Mater Research-The University of Queensland is the current President of the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS). ADS advocates for, trains and supports health care professionals to deliver better and more equitable health care and cutting-edge research for people living with diabetes. Josephine has discovered novel medicines for the prevention of type 1 diabetes and complications such as kidney disease, earning her accolades such as the Commonwealth Health Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Health and Medical Research. Ann Bush, President, Australian Diabetes Educators Association Ann is President of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and a highly experienced Registered Nurse Credentialled Diabetes Educator, currently running a private practice in regional Victoria. With more than 30 years at the forefront of diabetes care, she contributes to numerous national committees and advisory groups, shaping policy and advancing clinical practice. Ann is a respected leader and advocate for the profession, committed to mentoring the next generation of educators and ensuring all Australians have access to high-quality, evidence-based, affordable diabetes care and support. Opening address Duncan McIntyre, First Assistant Secretary, Technology Assessment and Access, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Duncan leads the division responsible for providing reliable, timely and affordable access to medicines, medical devices and other health services for all Australians. This includes through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), Life Savings Drugs Program, and targeted assistance programs. Previously, Duncan worked with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Duncan has held senior leadership positions for more than twenty years, including in: Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Prime Minister and Cabinet; Communications; and Finance. He has qualifications in science, communications, and public administration and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Duncan has represented Australia’s interests with a range of international organisations over more than twenty years, including the International Energy Agency, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) the Open Government Partnership, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Universal Postal Union. Panel 1 – Australia’s Diabetes Landscape: Context, Challenges & Momentum Facilitator: Justine Cain, Group CEO, Diabetes Australia Bio above. Duncan McIntyre, First Assistant Secretary, Technology Assessment and Access, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Bio above. Nicole Lawder – Diabetes Australia Blue Circle Collective Community Advocate, lives with Type 2 Diabetes Nicole Lawder is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an experienced leader in governance, advocacy, and community services. Currently completing a PhD at the Australian National University, Nicole brings deep policy insight alongside her lived experience of type 2 diabetes, diagnosed unexpectedly during a parliamentary health screening. Nicole has held senior parliamentary roles including Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Committee Chair, and is a strong advocate for early detection, prevention, and improving outcomes for people living with diabetes. Caitlin Rogers – Diabetes Australia Blue Circle Collective Adviser – Community Advisory Council Chair, lives with Type 1 Diabetes Caitlin Rogers has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 22 years and is a Blue Circle Collective Adviser and Chair of Diabetes Australia’s Community Advisory Council. She is a committed advocate for reducing stigma, improving access to quality care, and elevating the voices of people with diabetes. Her lived experience – from diagnosis as a young person to navigating motherhood with T1D – drives her commitment to ensuring all people feel supported, informed and empowered. Brett Fenton – Chief Health Officer, Diabetes Australia Brett Fenton is Chief Health Officer at Diabetes Australia, leading national health strategy and clinical policy to improve outcomes for people living with diabetes. He brings senior health leadership experience across prevention, care quality, and system reform, with a strong focus on evidence‑based practice and population health impact. Brett has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 30 years. He is past president of ADEA and a former ADEA and DA board member. Dorota Pawlak – PhD Chief Scientific Officer, Breakthrough T1D and Director, Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network Dr Dorota Pawlak is Chief Scientific Officer at Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) and Director of the Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network (T1DCRN). She leads strategic research programs aimed at preventing, treating, and ultimately curing type 1 diabetes, and manages national and global partnerships across government, nonprofit, and commercial sectors. Dorota joined Breakthrough T1D in 2008 and previously managed the federally funded Islet Transplantation Program. In 2012, she established and now leads the T1DCRN, overseeing a research investment portfolio exceeding $100M. Panel 2 – Closing the Gap: First Nations Leadership in Diabetes Prevention and Care Facilitator: Adjunct Associate Professor Deanne Minniecon – Group Executive, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement, Diabetes Australia Adjunct Associate Professor Deanne Minniecon is of Aboriginal (Goreng Goreng) and Torres Strait Islander (Erub) descent, with 30 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and education. She is Group Executive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement at Diabetes Australia and serves on the boards of West Moreton Health Service and the Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN. Deanne holds a Master of Health Science (Health Promotion) and a Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion and has held senior roles across government and community health sectors in Queensland. Jessica Phillips – Program Coordinator, Women’s Cultural Hub, Mala’la Aboriginal Health Service Jessica Phillips is a proud Burarra/Martay woman from Maningrida in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. As Program Coordinator for the Women’s Cultural Hub at Mala’la Aboriginal Health Service, she codesigns and delivers community-led programs grounded in culture, empowerment, education, and healing. Jessica is a strong advocate for cultural authority and self-determination and has served as a cultural advisor and co-chair of the Maningrida Healthy Women’s Project Advisory Group, as well as contributing to the Local Decision-Making Committee and the NjaMarleya Cultural Leaders and Justice Group. Adjunct Associate Professor Peter Malouf – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association Adjunct Associate Professor Peter Malouf is a proud Wakka Wakka and Wuli Wuli man from Central Queensland with more than 25 years’ experience advancing indigenous health and wellbeing. He holds a PhD in Public Health and Tropical Medicine and a Master of Public Health. As CEO of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, Peter champions culturally safe care, indigenous-led research and reforms in medical education to drive meaningful improvements in health equity. Dr Matthew Hare – Endocrinologist & Senior Research Fellow Dr Matthew Hare is an endocrinologist and clinician-researcher who also currently serves as President of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS). His work focuses on understanding and addressing the intergenerational epidemic of diabetes and related conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in partnership with community members and health services. Dr Hare is a Staff Specialist and Clinical Lead for Remote Services within the Endocrinology Department at Royal Darwin Hospital, and a Senior Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research. Coralie Cross – Nurse Practitioner; Credentialled Diabetes Educator; Diabetes Clinical Lead, Yorke & Northern Local Health Network (SA) Coralie Cross is an indigenous clinical nurse practitioner and credentialled diabetes educator of Wiradjuri descent, and a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. She brings extensive experience across rural, remote, and Indigenous health and serves as an active member and board director of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA). Coralie is dedicated to improving diabetes care and outcomes for First Nations communities through culturally responsive, community-centred practice. Panel 3 – Turning the Tide: Prevention as the Cornerstone of a Sustainable Health System Facilitator: Annette Panzera Tim Benson – Diabetes Australia Blue Circle Collective Community Advocate, Lives with Type 2 Diabetes Tim Benson is a respected diabetes advocate and lived-experience representative with more than 27 years in health consumer advocacy. A former adviser to two Federal Health Ministers, he has contributed to national and state leadership groups including the WA Diabetes & Endocrinology Advisory Group. He is also a World Health Organization (WHO) Patient for Patient Safety Champion and an ADEA Consumer Representative at ADC 2024, bringing powerful insight into prevention, early detection, and system reform. Jenna Van Der Velden – Head of Prevention, Diabetes Victoria Jenna Van Der Velden is the Head of Prevention at Diabetes Victoria, leading the statewide delivery of the Life! Program – Australia’s longest‑running and largest diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention initiative. With nearly a decade of experience in public health, chronic disease prevention, and policy reform, including roles within the Victorian Department of Health, Jenna brings deep expertise in large‑scale program design and implementation. She oversees multidisciplinary teams spanning program design, partnerships, marketing and communications, digital improvement, and operations, and is dedicated to strengthening prevention practice and supporting people to reduce their risk of chronic disease. Dr Sof Andrikopoulos – Group CEO, Australian Diabetes Society Dr Sof Andrikopoulos is the Group CEO of the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS) and a leading voice in diabetes research, policy, and clinical standards. He has held key leadership roles within ADS, including President and Treasurer, and has overseen major initiatives such as the Living Evidence Guidelines in Diabetes, national position statements, and the Foot Forward program. Sof has been a strong advocate for improved access to diabetes technology—including CGM and insulin pumps—and for increased Commonwealth investment in diabetes research, culminating in the launch of the National Diabetes Research Strategy. A recognised researcher in type 2 diabetes, Sof previously led the Islet Biology and Metabolism Research Group at the University of Melbourne and has authored more than 140 scientific publications. He is the recipient of an NHMRC Award for Research Excellence and a Diabetes Australia Research Trust Millennium Award. Dr Ana Svenssen – VP of Clinical, Medical and Regulatory, Novo Nordisk Oceania Dr Ana Svenssen is Vice President of Clinical, Medical and Regulatory at Novo Nordisk Oceania, where she provides strategic leadership across clinical development, medical affairs and regulatory functions to advance innovative treatments for people living with chronic disease, including diabetes. With a strong clinical background and extensive experience across the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, Dr Svenssen is deeply committed to translating scientific evidence into meaningful patient outcomes. She works closely with healthcare professionals, regulators and policy stakeholders to support evidence-based care and improve access to innovative therapies across the region. Dr Svenssen brings a patient‑centred perspective and a passion for scientific excellence to all aspects of her work, contributing to Novo Nordisk’s mission to drive change in diabetes care. Panel 4 – Are Our Policies and Systems Fit for Pace? Translating Diabetes Innovation into Equitable Care Facilitator: Prof. Grant Brinkworth, Director of Research, Diabetes Australia Dr Amandeep Hansra – Chief Clinical Advisor, Australian Digital Health Agency, and GP Dr Amandeep Hansra is a leader in digital health and innovation in Australia. She is a GP with 18 years’ clinical experience but is also known for her work as a digital health consultant, entrepreneur and investor. She has been a Digital Health Adviser with the Australian Digital Health Agency for five years and in July 2024 became the Agency’s Chief Clinical Adviser (Medicine). Amandeep previously served as the Chief Medical Officer for Telstra Health and has held senior leadership roles at Medibank, Nib and the Department of Home Affairs. She has a Bachelor of Medicine (honours) from the University of Newcastle, a Global Executive MBA from the University of Sydney, a Masters in Public Health and Tropical Medicine from James Cook University, the Australia Certificate in Civil Aviation Medicine, and is a Certified Health Informatician of Australia. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health at the University of Sydney. She is a Fellow of the RACGP & Australian Institute of Digital Health and sits on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) NSW Council. Prof. Jonathan Craig – Vice President and Executive Dean of College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Chair of MSAC Professor Jonathan Craig is a distinguished clinician researcher, paediatric nephrologist, and senior academic leader with a long-standing commitment to improving health outcomes through high quality evidence, clinical excellence, and health system reform. He is Chair of the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, where he leads major national initiatives in medical education, research translation, public health, and workforce development. Professor Craig is internationally recognised for his contributions to kidney disease research, evidence synthesis, and health technology assessment. His work has shaped national and global guidelines, particularly in chronic kidney disease, transplantation, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, where he has dedicated significant focus to reducing disparities and strengthening culturally responsive care. Tania Harris – Advocacy and Engagement Manager, WA Health Consumers’ Council Tania Harris is a proud Aboriginal woman with family connections to Bundjalung Country and has lived on Wadjak Noongar Boodja for more than 30 years. Her rich cultural identity and lived experience—including gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes—inform her strong advocacy for culturally safe, person-centred healthcare and equitable access to services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Tania leads the Engagement Team at the Health Consumers’ Council WA (HCC) and has spent the past decade championing the voices of health consumers across Western Australia. In this role, she works closely with communities, health services, and government to embed consumer perspectives into policy, service design, and system improvement. She is deeply committed to ensuring that people with lived experience—particularly those from Aboriginal communities—are heard, respected, and meaningfully involved in decisions about their care. Throughout her time at HCC, Tania has facilitated community consultations, supported consumer representatives, and contributed to state-wide initiatives aimed at improving cultural security and strengthening health literacy. Warren Bingham – Executive Chairman, Medtech International, Diabetes Australia Blue Circle Collective Ambassador, Lives with Type 2 Diabetes Warren is an industry leader, Diabetes Australia Blue Circle Ambassador, and passionate advocate for diabetes innovation. With a distinguished career spanning medical and disruptive innovation and technology, healthcare leadership, and community engagement, he brings a unique perspective on how technology and collaboration can transform diabetes care in Australia. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of MedTech International and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) and has held numerous industry and advisory positions, including Chair of the MedTech & Lifesciences Subcommittee of the Australia‑Israel Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia Industry Council, and Adjunct Fellow at Macquarie University. Warren’s contributions have been recognised with multiple honours, including the MTAA Outstanding Achievement Award (2021) and AusBiotech’s Outstanding Contribution to AusMedtech (2018). Panel 5 – Care That Connects: Integrating Services Around the Person Facilitator: Professor David Simmons – Chief Medical Officer, Diabetes Australia and Professor of Medicine, Western Sydney University Professor David Simmons is the Chief Medical Officer of Diabetes Australia and a distinguished Professor of Medicine at Western Sydney University’s Macarthur Clinical School. He is Deputy Head of Endocrinology at Campbelltown Hospital and District Advisor on Diabetes for the South Western Sydney Local Health District, bringing extensive leadership experience across diabetes care, research, and health systems. David has held senior clinical and academic roles internationally, including Lead Diabetes Consultant at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Foundation Chair in Rural Health at the University of Melbourne. He is a former President of the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and has contributed significantly to national and international guidelines, clinical trials, and models of care. A practising endocrinologist, David continues to run weekly diabetes in pregnancy clinics, ensuring his work remains grounded in direct patient care. His career reflects a deep commitment to improving diabetes prevention, management, and outcomes for diverse communities across Australia and globally. Melanie Gates – Chief Executive Officer, Diabetes WA Melanie Gates is the Chief Executive Officer of Diabetes WA, where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen diabetes prevention, care, and support across Western Australia. A senior health executive with experience spanning hospital, community, and system level settings, she brings deep expertise in clinical governance, health technology, and integrated models of care. Melanie’s work is centred on early intervention and building community-based approaches that help people stay well, reduce complications, and prevent avoidable hospitalisations. She works closely with clinicians, government, and community partners to improve outcomes and equity across the health system, with a strong focus on person-centred, sustainable models of care. In addition to her role at Diabetes WA, Melanie is Chair of the Health Consumers’ Council of Western Australia and a Nonexecutive Director at St John WA, contributing strong consumer, safety, and system perspectives to governance, strategy, and reform. Natalie Wischer OAM – Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Diabetes Centres Natalie Wischer OAM is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Diabetes Centres (NADC) and Director of the Foot Forward program. She brings extensive leadership experience across acute tertiary hospitals, aged care, primary health, and remote First Nations communities. Natalie led the development and launch of the NADC Diabetes Service Standards and Accreditation Program in 2012, which has since expanded to include standards for High-risk Foot Services, Diabetes Technology, and Diabetes Centres of Excellence. She is also the founder and convenor of the Australasian Diabetes Advancements and Technologies Summit (ADATS). A strong advocate for quality improvement and integrated systems of diabetes care, Natalie works nationally with clinicians, services, and policymakers to strengthen models of care and improve outcomes for people living with diabetes. Dr Amira Howari – Senior Clinical Optometrist and Primary Care Diabetes Society of Australia Board Director, Diabetes Australia Blue Circle Collective Community Advocate, Lives with Type 1 Diabetes Dr Amira Howari is a passionate diabetes advocate, lived-experience leader, and senior clinical optometrist who has dedicated more than three decades to championing the rights and wellbeing of people living with diabetes. Living with type 1 diabetes for over 32 years, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her advocacy, using her own experience navigating complex, multidisciplinary care to drive system improvements and strengthen community understanding. Amira is a strong voice for reducing stigma, improving early detection, and ensuring culturally responsive and person-centred care. As a board director of the Primary Care Diabetes Society of Australia, she advocates nationally for equitable access, improved health literacy, and the meaningful inclusion of people with diabetes in policy, research, and service design. Dr Konrad Kangru – General Practitioner; Rural Health Advocate Dr Konrad Kangru is an experienced Australian‑trained GP with 25 years of clinical practice in rural Queensland, bringing a strong commitment to rural health, continuity of care, and community‑driven healthcare. He has a special interest in chronic disease management, particularly diabetes, and holds advanced skills in skin cancer management. Dr Kangru is an active contributor to rural health policy and advocacy and is a long‑standing member of the RACGP Rural Faculty Council. He is also deeply committed to training and mentoring the next generation of rural doctors and contributes to research aimed at improving health outcomes for regional and remote communities.
