Stu van Rij is an expert in influencing and negotiation. He helps his clients bring their best to the conversations that matter. His approach has been shaped by the late Jim Camp, who masterminded negotiations worth billions, and whose system has been drawn on by Fortune 500 companies and the FBI Hostage Crisis Negotiation Training Unit. Appointed as Jim’s coach for Asia Pacific in 2013, Stu melds this experience with the commercial acumen gained from over two decades as a specialist IT lawyer. The result? A human-centric approach that elevates performance and amplifies influence.

Stu helps his clients to influence, negotiate, pitch and partner. Stu’s clients include agencies like Australia’s Department of Defence and New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment through to commercial entities such as WSP, Dentsu and Meridian Energy. His experience spans “David and Goliath” type commercial negotiations through to lobbying officials, influencing stakeholders and dealing with the stubborn, sceptical or stuck.

As Global CEO of one of the world’s fastest growing non-profits, Sally’s mission is to inspire and support the World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) team and global community to collectively drive recognition and excellence in Commercial and Contract Management.

She is an experienced and accomplished commercial and contracts management professional, holding senior commercial positions at a range of corporate and multi-national organizations. Her focus is on the creation of positive and successful business relationships, constantly striving to ensure that businesses realize their true potential and value.

In 2019 Sally was invited to become Chair of the Board for the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) and in 2021 she was appointed Professor in Practice in Strategy and Innovation at the University of Durham Business School.

Gene leads legal automation firm LawHawk, which helps lawyers and businesses improve and automate their processes. He was a corporate & finance partner at Buddle Findlay before founding LawHawk in 2015. He is a Fellow of World Commerce & Contracting, is on the Advisory Board of the Centre for Legal Innovation and holds an MBA (Distinction) from Victoria University.

Aditi Cook is a forward-focused and adaptable procurement leader with over two decades of experience spanning procurement, commercial strategy, and programme/project leadership across multiple government agencies. As Chief Procurement Officer at Te Tahuhu o te Matauranga | Ministry of Education since July 2021, Aditi is driving transformational change in commissioning and procurement practices, championing high-trust relationships and is a keen advocate of growing procurement capability within the system.

Her career includes senior roles at the Ministry of Defence, Inland Revenue, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Aditi is known for her ability to lead complex, multi-agency initiatives, influence stakeholders at all levels, and deliver strategic outcomes aligned with national priorities.

Aditi holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Exeter. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (FCIPS) and was the recipient of the Leadership in Procurement Award and the overall Supreme Award at the 2024 New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum Award.

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!