Rob is a passionate commercial and contracts professional with over a decades experience of program delivery, procurement, and commercial management at both buy and sell side in the United Kingdom and Australia. Rob is a Bachelor and Master of Laws from the University of Manchester, Dean’s Honours listed Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, and recently awarded Fellow of World CC. Rob’s previous experience in the consulting industry spanned numerous sectors including government and defence, transport and infrastructure, health and human services, as well as commercial consumer facing sectors. A specialist in the Aerospace and Defence sector, Rob is currently the Director of Contract Management for Thales Australia, following Commercial Management roles on some of Australia’s major defence programs with various international Primes.

Rob is passionate about the continued cross-sector professionalisation of Contract and Commercial Management as its own, distinct professional career path, and the enhancement of Commercial Management as the golden thread that facilitates effective commerce between organisations.

Renée Giarrusso is an award-winning communication, leadership, and mindset expert dedicated to helping leaders and teams achieve their potential. As the CEO and founder of RG Dynamics and Limitless Leadership, she brings over 30 years of leadership experience across 24 industries, spanning sectors such as construction, FMCG, real estate, and government. Renée’s expertise in leadership, communication, and behavioural transformation has earned her accolades, including the 2024 Leadership Coach of the Year and the 2023 Most Transformational Corporate Leadership Consultant Award.

A Professional Certified Coach (PCC), master facilitator, and sought-after speaker, Renée inspires organisations to enhance collaboration, performance, and workplace culture. Her mission is to make workplaces exceptional by fostering limitless potential and growth. Known for her relatable and energetic approach, she works closely with clients to develop high-performing teams and sustainable organisational cultures.

Renée is the author of three acclaimed books, including Limitless Leadership and Gift Mindset, the latter earning international recognition with four awards including the USA Living Now Silver Medal. The book is currently being translated for publication in Vietnam, India, and the Middle East. She also co-created the innovative 2 Sides IN 2 Minutes Team Communication Game to enhance team dynamics.

She is a regular columnist for CEO World Magazine and host of The Limitless Leaders Podcast. Passionate about inspiring others, Renée’s programs are tailored to the client and are transformational, not transactional. She energises individuals and teams to unlock their full potential, believing everyone is limitless. Her interactive and thought-provoking sessions leave clients inspired, re-energised, and equipped with actionable strategies to drive success.

Organisations seeking to elevate performance and live their legacy trust Renée and her team to deliver exceptional results.

Sharon is a passionate advocate for driving shared values and positive change in the world. She recognises the advancement of the capabilities of our commercial, procurement, contracting, supply chain, and legal professionals as integral to building a better future for people, prosperity, and the planet.

As the Group Regional Head of APAC at WorldCC, Sharon spearheads the association's activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Her commitment extends to supporting the WorldCC Foundation, where she actively champions sustainable and inclusive contracting practices.

With over two decades of executive experience in Australia and internationally, particularly in the non-profit membership space, Sharon has played a pivotal role in advancing global procurement and supply chain expertise, while ensuring diversity and inclusion are top of mind. Whether as the Director of Global Programs at Procurious or as General Manager for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, Sharon has consistently aimed to elevate the capabilities and profile of the procurement and supply chain profession across the region.

Sharon is dedicated to driving positive change in the world—one contract at a time!

Sara Pendashteh is an experienced professional with a background in engineering, project management, and contract management. After moving to Australia in 2005 with an engineering degree, she began her career in engineering design before transitioning into construction and project management. Over time, she developed a keen interest in contract management, which has become her focus.

Currently, Sara works at Metro Trains Melbourne as the Head of Contracts and Compliance within the Infrastructure division. She oversees contract management practices, ensures compliance, and supports achieving value for money in contractor engagements. With experience across roads, water, telecommunications, and rail, Sara brings a collaborative and adaptable approach to her work, contributing to meaningful projects that benefit the community.

Rachel has 8 years of recruitment experience in procurement and finance, and has successfully placed 130 candidates into procurement, contracts & supply chain roles in 2022. Rachel has recruited a wealth of executive and specialised roles in procurement, including supply chain excellence, governance or ESG focused roles, and Head of Procurement positions. Her expertise includes partnering with clients in chairing their panel interviews, ensuring bias-free and diverse appointments. Rachel is passionate about giving back to the procurement community, supporting candidates to enter the profession through managing official graduate programs. When she is not out meeting clients or candidates one on one, running panel interviews, or mentoring her team, Rachel is a regular attendee at multiple networking events nationwide, including WorldCC, CIPS and SCLAA. 

Lexia Laracy is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, and Head of Procurement Excellence at APA Group.

Her team at APA is responsible for managing procurement and contracting capability, governance, and supply chain risk at an enterprise level, whilst embedding responsible and sustainable procurement practices across a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of spend.

Throughout her 20-year career, she has had the opportunity to work in multiple industries, including Energy, Telecommunication, Mining and State Government, and has developed a deep understanding of enterprise processes and systems, and supplier relationship management.  

Based in Melbourne, Lexia is passionate about driving sustainable practices and is committed to driving positive environmental and social impact through procurement, commercial and contracting practices, which she believes starts with empowering practitioners with the right training, tools, processes, and technology.

Tertiary qualified with experience in developing and leading high-performing teams, Lexia has served on several industry steering committees and working groups for the Australia Pacific Region, has been a judge and mentor for Procurement and Supply Chain Future Leaders and Excellence Awards and works with tertiary institutions on Procurement and Supply Chain course content to cultivate future skills within the next generation of Procurement practitioners.