2021 National Conference Welcome and Session One: Emerging Leaders Panel

Host Partner: King & Wood Mallesons

Gold Sponsor: ANZ

Silver Sponsor: Sydney Stock Exchange

Media Partner: ANZ bluenotes

Join us as we explore what it means to be an emerging leader in the midst of a global pandemic, shifting politics and an adaptive workforce.

Facilitated by Diana Liu

Diana is a Senior Associate at King & Wood Mallesons specialising in intellectual property disputes including copyright, trade mark and consumer law litigation. She also advises clients in the healthcare, retail and consumer goods sectors across regulatory and brand protection matters.

She currently balances a busy private practice workload with a part-time secondment at Woolworths Group Limited. Diana is an ambitious, results-oriented self-starter with a passion for gender and cultural diversity.

In 2020, she was recognised as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards in the Intellectual Property category.

Enya Cai

Enya Cai is a Senior Policy Adviser for the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector (CGEPS) at the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. Her role is focussed on implementing the Gender Equality Act 2020, a first of its kind legislation for Victoria which aims to drive gender equality in public sector workplaces.

Prior to this role, Enya was the Oceania Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at EY (Ernst & Young) where she developed policies, strategies and initiatives across gender, cultural diversity, diverse abilities, LGBTIQ+ and more, to make EY a more inclusive place. Enya originally joined EY in the Consulting service line, working on process improvement projects for Government and Health clients, which laid the foundations for her purpose-driven career.

A proud LGBTIQ+ ally, and advocate for cultural diversity, Enya has featured in a number of videos, podcasts and articles to inspire diversity of thought. Enya holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting, and outside work she can be found stimulating Melbourne's economy through the arts and food.

Giancarlo de Vera

Giancarlo de Vera (he/they) is a non-binary, queer, disabled and proud Filipino-Australian. Currently, Giancarlo is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at People with Disability Australia and President of the Australian LGBTI Multicultural Council, the two national peak bodies representing all people with disability and Australia's LGBTIQA+ multicultural and multifaith communities. Giancarlo is also a Director of the Australian Centre of Disability Law, Operations Director of Democracy in Colour and the National Director of Community Partnership and former Deputy CEO of Out for Australia.

In these roles, Giancarlo is passionate about creating a world where people with disability, LGBTIQA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are empowered to reach their full potential. Previously, Giancarlo worked in international law, international development and international affairs at the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations and the Governments of the Philippines, India and the Solomon Islands. He also has a background in brand strategy and communications, working at global advertising firm, Ogilvy & Mather.

Giancarlo holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Development and Globalisation Studies) from the University of New South Wales. They're also passionate about modern art and are a young patron at the Art Gallery of NSW. They're really into low-fi wines and being a champion of Filipino arts, food and culture in Australia.

Celia Tran

A highly motivated individual who possesses a diverse range of skills obtained through various work experience across the different sectors. An excellent collaborator, skilled in policy writing, strategic communications, community and stakeholder engagement.

Celia has a strong passion for social policy and working to support our diverse communities. Currently Senior Community Engagement and Policy Advisor at the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

Recognised as someone with boundless energy and an award winning community leader, Celia was awarded the 2015 Victorian Multicultural Commission Ambassador Award for Multicultural Excellence, the 2016 Australia Day Maribyrnong City Council Youth Leadership Award, the prestigious 2016 Premier’s Volunteer of the year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award and a finalist in the Australian Human Rights Commission – 2017 Human Rights Medal Award.

In 2020, Celia was named the youngest recipient of IPAA Victoria 2020 Top 50 Public Sector Women.

Yasmin Poole

Yasmin is an award winning speaker, writer and youth advocate. She is currently Plan International's National Ambassador and frequently appears on prominent Australian media programs to discuss the role of diversity in social change.

Yasmin is the Non-Executive Board Director of OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue charity and YWCA, a national feminist organisation that has supported women and girls for 140 years. She has also represented Australian youth at APEC and the G20.

In 2019, Yasmin was the youngest member of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence and Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians.

Non-Member ticket price: $75 + GST per attendee

Follow the Project on LinkedIn