Kirsten is the National Industrial Relations Manager for the Bus Industry Confederation. At the same time, Kirsten heads up the Australian Public Transport Industrial Association (APTIA), which is the industrial arm of BIC. Kirsten has almost 15 years’ experience in people leadership roles across multiple industries. Notably, 7 years across the bus and passenger transport industry. Kirsten holds a Juris Doctor from the Australian National University, a Master of Human Resource Management (Employee Relations) and Bachelor of Management (Psychology). Kirsten is also a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and former State President and Councillor of the NT AHRI Council.

Melanie Binet became deputy president of Fair Work Commission in February 2016, and the first female to be appointed to the role. Prior to that, she was the director of legal services at Gregor & Binet specialising in employment law, employee relations, human resources, industrial strategy, workplace inquiries and mediation. Ms Binet also spent over 15 years practising employment law at top-tier national commercial law firms and has been responsible for the development, implementation & defence of industrial relations strategies on a state & national basis. She has a particular interest in human resource matters & has had extensive involvement in the development, implementation & enforcement of workplace policies and procedures including the management of performance & misconduct. Ms Binet appeared as counsel in various State & Federal courts & tribunals dealing with employment related matters, and has substantial experience in workplace training, workplace investigations, audits & inquiries including conducting of inquires on behalf of statutory investigative bodies. She holds a Bachelor of Economics (with a double major in IR&HR and Management) and a Bachelor of Laws, both from the University of WA. She is a Chartered Member & former State Convener of AHRI, a former deputy convenor of the Law Society of WA Employee Relations Committee, president of the IR Society of WA, national president and secretary of ALERA, and the Asia Pacific representative on the 16-member world governing committee of the International Labour & Employment Relations Association.

Jason O’Dwyer is the Executive Director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC), the peak representative body for private bus and coach operators in Queensland. He brings over 30 years of experience in human resources, industrial relations, and policy advocacy across multiple industries, including transport, construction, mining, health, and community services. Jason has held senior leadership roles in industry, employer associations, including Commerce Queensland, the Master Electricians Australia, and the Baking Industry Association, giving him deep insight into workforce, regulatory, and commercial issues across sectors. At QBIC, Jason leads strategic advocacy on safety, regulatory and contract reform, human resource and workforce development, and championing initiatives such as school and commercial sector funding and contracts, safety duties and operator obligations, and the transition to zero-emission buses. He is also a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion. Recognized for his solutions-focused approach, Jason works closely with government, industry, and community stakeholders to deliver sustainable outcomes for operators, workers, and passengers alike.

Madonna joined Kinetic in 2023 as Executive General Manager of People and Safety, leading specialists across People, HSE and Training. Her focus includes building internal talent pipelines, organisational change management and creating safe spaces for work – both physical and psychological. With extensive leadership experience spanning healthcare, restaurant and mining support services sectors, Madonna champions initiatives to increase female workforce participation at Kinetic and across the industry – from frontline to senior leadership roles – by breaking down the traditional barriers, particularly for working mothers. She believes that you can have it all, just not all at the same time!

Nikki Britt has spent 35 years making Australian workplaces safer, from hands-on injury support to advising CEOs and boards. She is an expert in designing and embedding values-driven, safety-led systems that deliver lasting physical and psychological wellbeing. Drawing on behavioural economics, she drives cultural change that sticks. A respected voice in personal injury and safety, Nikki has presented at national and international conferences and serves as a non-executive director of EML, chairing its Risk Committee. She holds an Occupational Therapy degree from Sydney University, an MBA from Macquarie Business School, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Matthew Brandt is the Chief Medical Officer at KINNECT and a seasoned Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM), serving over 25 years in clinical practice. Since stepping into the CMO role on 4 September 2023, he has led KINNECT’s clinical governance, medical evaluations, and continuous improvement of occupational health services. A medical graduate (MBBS, ’97) of the University of Queensland, Dr Brandt also serves as an AFOEM examiner, Inaugural Chair of the RSHQ Resources Medical Advisory Committee, and Deputy Chair of Queensland’s Workers’ Compensation Regulator Medical Assessment Tribunals. He partners with executives to develop proactive health surveillance, rehabilitation strategies, and fitness-for-duty protocols, dedicated to delivering preventive, evidence-based occupational healthcare that helps employees thrive safely at work.

Amanda Johnston is a people-first leader and strategist with more than 20 years’ experience across the health, safety, and wellbeing sectors. As Chief Operating Officer at KINNECT, she drives innovation in occupational health and injury prevention, ensuring organisations can create safer, more sustainable workplaces. Amanda’s expertise spans corporate health, business strategy, stakeholder engagement, and workforce wellbeing, underpinned by a passion for helping people thrive at work. She has held senior leadership roles across national health providers and advisory boards, bringing a unique perspective on the intersection of business outcomes and human impact. With a track record in shaping workplace health strategies, Amanda is a sought-after speaker and advisor on the future of work, wellbeing, and organisational resilience.