The Speakers
Bernard Desmidt
Leadership and Executive Coach
'Succession – A Strategic Imperative'
Bernard works with organisations to cultivate the leaders and teams needed for today’s evolving business landscape. As a leadership coach, facilitator, trainer, and speaker, he partners with CEOs, Managing Directors, and executives to foster high-performing, collaborative cultures where leaders and teams thrive—both in the quality of their working relationships and the impact of their results.
With over 20,000 hours of executive and team coaching experience, Bernard has delivered leadership learning programs across the globe. He was a lead facilitator for one of the most highly rated executive leadership programs at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management in Sydney and is recognised as one of the top-rated facilitators for the Academy Global Emerging Leaders Program.
Bernard is also the author of two leadership books:
-
Inside-Out Leadership: How to Master the 4 Principles of Effective Leadership and Become the Leader Others Choose to Follow – Endorsed by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s #1 leadership thinker, who praised the book: “Inside-Out Leadership is laden with common sense—leaders will read this book and wonder why they're not already doing this.”
-
Team Better Together: The five disciplines of high performing teams
_foto_sylvy0071.jpg)
Dr. Gerhard Pariser
Vice President, SMR - Steel & Metals Market Research
'Stainless: More than a century old, and not a bit wise | Geopolitics reshaping the global industry'
For more than twenty years, Gerhard has been active in the steel and raw materials industry. In 2024, he joined SMR – Steel & Metals Market Research, the leading market intelligence provider for the stainless and specialty steel industry. Prior to this, Gerhard spent seven years in the stainless recycling sector, holding senior roles at two leading international scrap recycling and raw materials companies, including Group Sales Executive and Vice President of Strategy. From 2017 to 2022, he represented the recycling segment on the Industrial Council of the International Chromium Development Association. Gerhard is a well-known expert in steel raw materials and recycling. He is a metallurgical engineer by training and holds a PhD from RWTH Aachen University.
Peter Munckton
Chief Economist and Head of
Market Strategy, Bank of Queensland
'Economic Outlook and Globalisation: What it Means for Australian Industry'
Peter is the Chief Economist and Head of Market Strategy at the Bank of Queensland (BOQ). He has worked at the Federal Treasury in Canberra, as well as senior economic roles at the Bankers Trust and CBA. He has co-authored reports on the Australian and Chinese financial systems that gained significant domestic and international media attention.
Warren Beard
CEO, Pantheon IQ
'LLMOps, ChatGPT, in Manufacturing: Transforming Stainless Steel Operations with Autonomous Agents'
Warren Beard brings over two decades of experience in professional services, with deep expertise in Data & AI, Robotic Process Automation, and Business Transformation. Prior to founding Pantheon IQ, Warren led the Data and AI capability at Accenture New Zealand, delivering advanced analytics and automation strategies across multiple industries. He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer in Information Systems at the Auckland Institute of Studies and is pursuing a Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Otago. Warren combines real-world execution with academic rigor, helping organisations embrace intelligent technologies to drive meaningful transformation.
Pantheon IQ helps organisations successfully implement ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ADVANCED PROCESS AUTOMATION, and INTELLIGENT ANALYTICS.
Glenn Darley
Marketing Director Tube APAC, Alleima
'Advanced material solutions for a sustainable future'
Glenn Darley leads Alleima's marketing across the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on seamless tubular stainless steel and high-performance materials for demanding industrial applications. Based in Shanghai, Glenn has over a decade of experience in regional sales leadership, market development, and customer engagement across the energy, chemical, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Alleima (formerly Sandvik), originating in Sweden, is a global developer and manufacturer of advanced materials, with a fully integrated production chain from recycled green steel melting in Sweden to final tube production in its world-class regional mills in China and India.
Nathan Larkin
Managing Director, Verbotics
'Robotic Welding Automation for High-Mix Production'
Verbotics develops world-leading automatic robot programming software, unlocking welding automation for high-mix low-volume manufacturing.
%20(1).jpg)
Amanda Greer
General Manager - Business Development, Stainless Steel Wire and Mesh (SSWM)
ASSDA Young Professionals Network Discussion Panellist
Amanda Greer is part of the second generation leading SSWM, a family business established in 2002 with a dedicated focus on stainless steel. The Greer family's involvement in the wire industry dates back to 1849 through their original company, Greer Industries. Amanda’s journey began over 25 years ago in that very business, where she gained valuable hands-on experience during school holidays. Since joining SSWM 14 years ago, Amanda has brought a fresh perspective and strategic direction to the business, blending heritage with innovation.
With a professional background as a landscape architect working interstate and overseas with multidisciplinary firms, Amanda developed a strong commitment to sustainability. She champions stainless steel as a material of best practice for a number of applications due its durability, performance and environmental benefits, summed up in SSWM’s guiding principle: “The lasting decision, built to last.”
Amanda plays a pivotal role in shaping the customer experience and brand identity of SSWM, ensuring the company remains future focused while honoring its legacy. Amanda joined the ASSDA Board in 2024, this reflects her dedication to advancing the stainless steel industry in Australia through education, engagement and market development.
As a leader in a multi-generational family business, Amanda brings a unique perspective to the panel discussion on succession. She understands that strategic succession planning is not just about continuity, rather it is about evolving with purpose. Being a family business SSWM thinks in generations and stainless steel is part of their solution for a sustainable future for generations to come.
.jpg)
Cameron Clough
Group General Counsel,
Midway Metals
ASSDA Young Professionals Network Discussion Panellist
Cameron Clough was born in Vancouver, Canada. After completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations from the University of British Columbia in 2012, he spent a year traveling before moving to Australia in early 2014.
Pursuing his passion for law, Cameron obtained a Bachelor of Law from Griffith University in 2016. Following his graduation, he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and embarked on a career in private legal practice in Brisbane, before finding his niche as a commercial law solicitor, where he practiced for five years.
During his tenure in private legal practice, Cameron gained extensive experience in contracts law, transactions, debt recovery, and insolvency. His expertise and dedication saw him rise to the position of Senior Associate, where he led a small team. In mid-2023, he transitioned out of private practice and took up the role of General Counsel with Midway Metals. His role later organically expanded to include Prochem Pipeline Products following their acquisition by Midway Metals in late 2023.
Cameron's journey at Midway Metals has been diverse and enriching. He considers himself grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to immerse himself in various departments, beginning his hands-on experience in the warehouse where he was able to gain stainless steel product knowledge, starting by packing orders, before moving on to Midway Metals’ plasma department, slitting line, and then into sales. This comprehensive exposure has provided him with a holistic understanding of Midway Metals’ operations, systems, and processes.
Currently, Cameron wears many hats. He serves as the Group General Counsel and is also the stand-in Human Resources Manager while the incumbent is on parental leave. Cameron's commitment to excellence is evident in his passion for systems and process improvement. Through his initiative, he has successfully championed numerous projects and initiatives across both Midway Metals and Prochem Pipeline Products, with the primary goal of enhancing safety, efficiency, and the experience of employees.
In mid 2024, Cameron joined the ASSDA Young Professionals Network Committee as a Committee Member, representing Midway Metals and Prochem Pipeline Products. As a Committee Member, he has contributed to the planning and organisation of YPN events and initiatives. As a relative newcomer to the stainless steel industry, he has found immense value in the knowledge and connections he has made through the YPN and cannot recommend it enough to all young professionals who wish to learn more about the industry and make new connections.
Jackson Treverrow
Sales Manager Newcastle,
Atlas Steels
ASSDA Young Professionals Network Discussion Panellist
At just 30 years old, Jackon brings a diverse professional background to his role in the stainless steel industry, with early experience spanning hospitality and aviation. He entered the steel distribution sector a decade ago and has spent the last six years immersed in stainless steel through his work at Atlas Steels Newcastle.
As the Sales Manager, Jackson leads the local sales team and focuses on growing and fostering customer relationships. Drawn to the stainless steel industry by its broad range of applications and dynamic product landscape, Jackson recognised early on that it was a rewarding field with strong potential for career growth. His passion for the industry continues to be driven by the opportunities it presents and the tangible impact it offers young professionals.
Jo Mosur
Associate Director - ESG, Sustainability & Impact, KPMG
'Understanding Climate Reporting: Challenges, Insights and Opportunities'
Jo Mosur is a Melbourne-based ESG, Sustainability & Impact leader, specialising in advisory services for mid-market and private enterprises. With nearly 7 years at KPMG across audit, accounting, and advisory roles, Jo brings a well-rounded perspective to sustainability challenges. Jo also draws on a professional background spanning both the UK and Australia to offer a global lens on environmental and social impact work.
Jo has led major sustainability initiatives, including sustainability reporting readiness across sectors such as energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and construction helping organisations embed climate resilience and sustainable practices into their operations. Jo combines technical depth with a collaborative mindset to deliver solutions that are both actionable and strategically aligned.
Passionate about aligning business strategy with long-term environmental goals, Jo empowers teams to drive meaningful change and unlock fit-for-purpose opportunities that emerge from sustainability.
.jpg)