Julian Gonzalez

Julian is Rio’s Principal of Rail Engineering and will share real-world insights into what makes technology projects succeed – from leader sponsorship to the power of passion on the ground.
Garry Taylor

As the Executive Director for PTA Project Delivery,Garry will provide Horizons West participants with insights from both UK and Australian contexts, and a deep understanding of what it takes to align systems, safety and strategy across jurisdictions.
Philippa Rogers

At Horizons West, Philippa will bring history to life – connecting the dots between where we’ve been and where we’re headed, with the stories, context, and clarity that shape the future of rail.
Leland Le Bretton

With a passion for developing future leaders, Leland focuses on translating technical capability into operational success, creating lasting value for people, projects, and will be opening the first Horizons West forum.
Joe Le

With a career spanning rail, defence, aviation and automotive across Australia, Joe brings deep expertise in safety and risk management – and a reputation for delivering practical systems that work at scale. Currently Chief Health, Safety & Sustainability Officer at Yarra Trams, Joe plays a central role in keeping Melbourne’s iconic tram network moving safely […]
Dr Zoran Najdovski

Driving innovation at the intersection of robotics, automation and infrastructure, Associate Professor Zoran Najdovski is redefining what’s possible in the rail industry. At Deakin University’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI), Zoran led the team behind the world’s first autonomous rollingstock cleaning robots – a game-changing development set to transform how fleets are […]
Dr Bruce Gunn

Bruce has spent more than two decades leading innovation across manufacturing, transportation, and advanced rail systems. As Senior Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI), Bruce specialises in complex systems modelling, artificial intelligence, logistics optimisation and future-focused rail strategies. Bruce’s expertise spans industry and academia, with project leadership experience […]
Sudha Niles

Sudha is RISSB’s General Manager – Products & Innovation, where he provides strategic leadership across RISSB’s product portfolio, safety and risk systems, and management system accreditation activities. Sudha is responsible for shaping and guiding the development of nationally harmonised products and tools that support safer, more efficient rail operations across Australia. With over 20 years of […]
Michael Hopkins

Michael brings significant expertise in transport reform to his role as both the National Transport Commission (NTC) CEO and as an NTC Commissioner. Michael is focused on delivery of the NTC’s reform program through the provision of robust and independent evidence-based advice to Australia’s transport ministers. As self-described transport nerd and data geek, he is […]
Steve Sammartino

Rapid Fire Innovation – the fast, low-cost way to ‘Get Stuff Done’, idea generation, building MVPs, create the ultimate pitch Futurist Steve Sammartino is a tour de force in the field of technology. His energy and humour on stage have made him sought-after speaker around the globe. An expert in AI’s profound implications for business […]