The Speakers

Bernard Desmidt

Alastair Lynch

Alastair Lynch is a former AFL footballer, author, television commentator and businessman who enjoys speaking to multitudes of audiences about his experiences. He is acknowledged as one of AFL’s greats, with a career that spanned over 17 years and consisted of 306 AFL games.

His career began in Tasmania, with his AFL career split between, Fitzroy, Brisbane Bears and Lions. He was a powerhouse full forward and a one-time All Australian fullback, and Lion’s co-captain between 1997-2000.

In late 1994, he suffered a career threatening illness which was later diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Not only did he return to the game after missing all but 1 game in 1995, he became an inspiration to those who also suffered from the condition. Feeling inspired after a potential end to his football career, Alastair never took his health or sport for granted again and played some of the best games as the oldest player in the competition.

In three consecutive years, 2001, 2002 and 2003, Alastair was a key member in taking the Brisbane Lions to a 3-peat of AFL premierships. This performance took the Brisbane Lions into the AFL history books and they are regarded as one the best teams of all-time.

He became the 23rd player in AFL history to kick 600 goals, the 43rd player and the 1st Tasmanian to play in 300 AFL games. He also ranks equal 6th in all-time AFL finals goals. His extensive football resume has been recognised through the renaming of the former William Leitch Medal, to the Alastair Lynch Medal, Tasmania’s highest individual Football honour. He was also chosen in the Fitzroy Team of the Century and the Tasmanian Team of the Century, as well as been inaugurated into the Tasmanian and Queensland Football Hall of Fame.

In 2005, Lynch authored a biography, titled ‘Taking Nothing for granted’, detailing his fight against CFS and his football career.

His business career has been a natural progression for someone with a passion for Health and High Performing Teams. He is a Director of his own Health and Wellbeing Company, an Executive Director of Gravitas Leadership Group, a Director and Board member of the new Tasmanian AFL Football Club, a Director and Board member of Home Front Projects supporting ADF veterans, an Advisory Board member with the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, a part of the College of Health and Medicine at the University of Tasmania, an Ambassador for St.Lukes Health, and a regular presenter within QUT’s Business School.

Markus Moll

Managing Director, SMR - Steel & Metals Market Research

Since mid-1994, Markus has been the Managing Director and Senior Market Analyst at SMR - Steel & Metals Market Research, providing market intelligence in the form of single- and multi-client studies to the specialty steel industry in Europe, the USA and Asia.

SMR currently employs 19 people and is located in Reutte county of Tyrol - in the “Heart of the Austrian Alps” which is a perfect location to monitor the global specialty steel market!

Before SMR, Markus spent five years as a market analyst with a German market research firm, emphasising on stainless steel long products and nickel alloys, and four years with PLANSEE (marketing and sales), a world market leader in refractory metals (molybdenum, tungsten).

Peter Munckton

Chief Economist, BOQ

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 economics 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.

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Warren Beard

CEO, Pantheon IQ

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.