CEO Summit 2025

Paul Bloxham is HSBC’s Chief Economist for Australia, New Zealand and Global Commodities and is a Managing Director. He is chief spokesperson for HSBC on forecasts and trends for the Australian and New Zealand economies and their interaction with global financial markets and international economies and a key spokesperson on HSBC’s unique view on global commodity markets.

Paul is a regular commentator on local and international business television and a frequent contributor of opinion editorials to the Australian newspapers. 

Nicole is a highly accomplished Chief Executive Officer and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years of experience at the C-suite and Board level. She has worked across various industries in business-to-consumer (B2C) sectors and multi-site operations, including retail, hospitality, leisure, entertainment, fitness, professional services, car-sharing, franchising, and executive coaching.     

Nicole’s Board experience includes serving as a Non-Executive Director and committee member for Crown Sydney, Non-Executive Director for GoGet, and Board and committee member for Collective Wellness Group. She was the chair of the Compono Executive Leadership program and a Board member for several industry associations.

Therese Tarlinton knows how to transform brands into powerhouses of profit and credibility by leveraging the magic of strategic partnerships. She built a $10 million global business by securing licenses with iconic brands like Jeep, Sesame Street, and United Colors of Benetton, and now she shows other businesses how to unlock the same growth—without blowing their budgets on traditional marketing.

Mentoring over 300 founders and coaching start-ups for 17 years, Therese knows how to spark growth. Her clients range from ambitious entrepreneurs to established brands, and she’s the marketing mentor at Macquarie University’s incubator.

Dr Leanne Elich, PhD., GAICD, is L.E.C.’s Chief Executive Officer and an award winning Sales Psychology and Business Strategist, leadership coach and author of Solving the Sales Equation. A graduate of the University of Sydney, Harvard Business School and Harvard Medical School.

Leanne is a pioneering thought leader in the field of psychology and neuroscience applied to sales and a sought-after expert in bridging the gap between science and business.

Simon Kuestenmacher is a Director and Co-founder of The Demographics Group based in Melbourne, Australia. Simon holds degrees in geography from leading universities in Berlin and Melbourne and worked for several years as a business consultant with KPMG Australia.

In 2017 Simon, together with Bernard Salt, co-founded The Demographics Group. The group provides specialist advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business. Simon has presented to corporate, government and industry groups across Australia on demographic trends, consumer insights and cultural change in Australia.