Speakers

Chris Kohler is one of Australia’s most respected voices in business and economic reporting. With a career spanning more than a decade in television, radio, and print journalism, Chris has built a reputation for delivering breaking financial news with clarity, authority, and a relatable edge. His work demystifies complex economic issues, helping audiences understand how market movements, policy decisions, and global events impact everyday Australians.

Today, as Finance Editor at Nine News, Chris draws on this wealth of experience to report from the trading floors, boardrooms, and economic frontlines of Australia and abroad. From dissecting federal budgets and corporate shake-ups to covering seismic shifts in property and global markets, he brings unmatched depth of knowledge, balanced reporting, and a clear, compelling delivery.

In addition to his on-air work, Chris has built a highly engaged and loyal social media following, where he shares timely insights, breaking news, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on the stories shaping Australia’s financial landscape. His ability to connect with audiences across traditional and digital platforms has cemented his place as one of the country’s most influential finance voices.

Chris’s career has spanned some of the country’s most respected media outlets. He began as a Financial Markets Reporter at The Australian, covering the highs, lows, and breaking developments of global and domestic markets. He then moved to Sky News as a Business Reporter, delivering live coverage, interviews, and analysis on corporate, economic, and policy news. Chris went on to become National Business Editor at Domain, where he specialised in the housing market, property trends, and the economic forces shaping one of Australia’s most closely watched sectors.

As a regular presence on Australian screens, Chris combines deep financial knowledge with a talent for storytelling. Whether on the newsroom floor or on our social media feed, he brings energy, insight, and a passion for making finance accessible to all.

Chris is also a sought-after keynote speaker and event host, where his ability to translate complex financial concepts into engaging and relevant insights has made him a favourite with corporate, government and industry audiences alike.

Dr Gemma Munro is an award-winning transformative speaker and leadership coach with a PhD in performance psychology. For more than two decades, she has worked with leaders and changemakers globally, helping them clarify their purpose, elevate their courage and lead with greater energy and impact. She has inspired over 77,000 people worldwide, and her keynote at Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters was live-streamed to every Google office across the globe. She has spoken to audiences at organisations including Google, Amazon, Qantas, Vodafone, PayPal and the NHS in London. A two-time Telstra Businesswoman of the Year finalist and winner of the Duncan Prize for Speaking, she is widely recognised as a powerful catalyst for positive change.

Gemma is also a classically trained singer, and has performed in Westminster Abbey, Radio City Music Hall and as a backing vocalist for the Rolling Stones.

Ryan is the Director of the Australian Centre for Business Growth at the University of South Australia and the Chairperson of Southern Angels. He has held several CEO, Managing Director and Executive positions across a broad range of sectors including Group CEO of Unlimited, a private equity backed accelerator housing 16 investee companies and CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, the largest cinema chain in Africa with almost 2,000 employees. Ryan has held several Chair and Board roles since 2008, and in addition to Southern Angels, currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Ster-Kinekor Theatres and is also member of the Advisory Board for MarketEase, a leading digital marketing consultancy based in Adelaide. Ryan is an active angel investor in Australian businesses.

Georgi Roberts has spent more than 20 years helping businesses cut through the noise and get their marketing working. As owner and digital marketing strategist at Pitstop Marketing, she works with small and medium businesses every day, so she knows the challenges they’re facing. Her sessions are practical, direct, and light on jargon. You'll leave with a clearer brand, a sharper focus, and marketing ideas you can action.

Catherine Sayer joined Family Business Association (FBA) as the CEO in August 2023. FBA is the peak body for family businesses in Australia and New Zealand, helping them to grow and thrive. FBA advocates for a sector that plays an integral role in our economy and social fabric, accounting for 70% of all businesses and 50% of the workforce in Australia. Previously Catherine was the CEO of Food South Australia, representing food and beverage manufacturers for over 13 years. Catherine has served various boards, particularly in the agribusiness sector.

Dan van Holst Pellekaan commenced as South Australia’s Small Business Commissioner in August 2025. A former Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy and Mining, he represented the regional electorate of Stuart for 12 years.

With seven years’ experience as an owner‑operator of outback roadhouses, Dan brings a practical understanding of the challenges faced by businesses across metropolitan and regional South Australia. Dan is committed to supporting, advocating and collaborating for small business across South Australia, ensuring owners are heard, supported, and empowered to grow.

Paulette Kolarz is recognised as one of Australia’s leading authorities in Human Resource Management and Leadership Development.

Paulette believes “you cannot have good HR without great leaders” and that these areas both go hand and hand.

Paulette helps business owners, boards and CEO’s attract, retain and grow their leaders and build high achieving, engaged teams.

With more than 20 years working in HR, she has significant experience in providing end to end people solutions.

Having been awarded the Telstra Business Women of the Year, The PricewaterhouseCoopers Young Business Women of the Year and the Hudson Private and Corporate Business Women of the Year in South Australia, she has spoken to thousands of people on the topics of effective leadership, building strong cultures, team effectiveness and HR trends to name a few.

Today, Paulette leads the BespokeHR team in the areas of HR Consulting, Recruitment and Training and Development, with a mission of continuing to shape Australia’s greatest places to work.

AI educator and consultant supporting local businesses to build confidence, capability and readiness with AI. Yolanda works with business owners and operators to identify simple, safe and useful ways to reduce everyday admin and make better use of the tools they already have. In this session, she will share examples relevant to South Australian small and family businesses, with a focus on practical changes that can save time.

Chris Plummer has more than 15 years’ experience across brand, marketing and creative leadership. As part of the team responsible for developing and evolving South Australia’s destination brand, he works across strategy, creative development and content to help bring the State’s story to life for domestic and international audiences. Passionate about the intersection of strategy, creativity and customer experience, Chris helps organisations uncover what makes them distinctive and translate that into meaningful brand and customer experiences.

Kristen Eckhardt is a senior marketing leader with an MBA (Marketing) and AICD qualifications. Prior to her current role as Associate Director for Brand SA, she has driven growth, brand excellence, and audience engagement across major sporting and cultural institutions, including Port Adelaide Football Club, Adelaide Festival Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria, achieving record results in membership, brand value, revenue, and digital transformation.

Cassandra Ryan is a marketing and communications professional, responsible for creating a consistent and strong state brand in her role as Marketing Lead at Brand SA. Prior to Brand SA Cassandra worked in agency, working on brand strategy, implementation and content creation for brands including the Adelaide Football Club, Adelaide University and Toop + Toop.

Mark Kemperman is Manager, Skills Initiatives at Skills SA within the South Australian Department of State Development. He leads programs that support workforce development, industry engagement, and access to vocational education and training (VET). With extensive experience across government and skills policy, Mark works closely with employers, training providers, and stakeholders to strengthen skills pathways and address workforce needs. His role focuses on driving strategic initiatives that improve access to subsidised training and enhance industry participation. Mark is passionate about connecting people to practical learning opportunities that build capability, productivity, and long-term economic growth for South Australia.