Rotary Melbourne Lunch 31 Jan

Annual Vocational Service Issues Panel - Transformational Technologies

Panel Jenny Taing OAM, Quin Scalzo AM, Dr Elaine Saunders, Moderator Dr Nick Pelham

Topic  'AI - Managing Rapidly Changing Technologies'

Details 12.30 for 12.50 - 2.00pm at No35 Sofitel Melbourne & by ZOOM  

It is clear that rapidly emerging technologies in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Virtual reality are with us whether we like it or not and organisations face the challenge of responding to the positives of the opportunities created, but also dealing with the negatives that flow from criminal use of these same technologies.  The panel discussion promises to be an engaging and unmissable event.

Moderator - Dr Nick Pelham holds a PhD (“corporate governance, mega projects and project governance”, UniMelb), BSc (economic geography/politics, UNSW) and Adv. Diplomas of Project Management, Procurement and Contract Management. As a certified Project Director since 2005, he leads multidisciplinary teams, develops strategy and implements major change. Gateway Review Process™ national Review Team Leader (RTL) and Project Management Certification Assessor (RegPM). Nick’s career has focused on continual improvement, transformation and profitability.

Jenny Taing OAM is an award winning and recognised Lawyer and Board Director in Australia. Commencing her journey in the boardroom at a young age, Jenny is a leader of her generation.  With a refugee background, the first in her family to go to university and a strong sense of public duty, Jenny dedicates her life to serving our community and Australia. On Queen's Birthday 2020, Jenny received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the financial and investment sectors, and to the community.

Dr Elaine Saunders is a lifelong entrepreneur with a distinguished record of launching and leading high-tech companies, pioneering research, and interdisciplinary innovation programs in universities and research institutes. A hearing scientist and clinician by trade, Elaine has led major studies on hearing in children and adolescents in the UK, the US and Australia, where she has co-founded two award-winning companies that have changed the face of the global hearing industry. Elaine is recognised as one of Australia’s most courageous and hardworking entrepreneurs, with a slew of awards including the 2015 BioMelbourne Network’s Women in Leadership Award and the 2016 ATSE Clunies Ross Medal for Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2019, she was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering for her tireless support of Australian innovators and women in STEM. Her work with Bingarra partner Peter Blamey in designing a self-fitting hearing aid system has revolutionised life for thousands of people with hearing loss – particularly in rural and remote locations. Elaine is an influential mentor to students and researchers at Swinburne University, where she chairs the renowned Innovation Precinct, as well as Melbourne’s Bionics Institute and the Australian Innovation Research Group.

Quin Scalzo AM was born in a small rural farming village in southern Italy and at eight migrated to Australia with his family who were seeking a more prosperous life.  At 15 he started work as a clerk in a family run food importing business. After 15 years he had climbed as high as he could within the company. His entrepreneurial drive and passion inspired him to establish his own business in 1977 – Scalzo Foods. The small family business was originally run from the bungalow of his suburban Melbourne home but through hard work, dedication and a commitment to quality and innovation the business grew rapidly. Scalzo Foods has grown into the great food company it is today, with over $400 million in annual revenue operating across Australia and New Zealand.  Scalzo Foods is a privately owned, board run business. Their capabilities in ingredient supply, as partners to retailers and manufacturing expertise have propelled their development. An agile, growth orientated business that focuses on innovation and adding value to drive mutually beneficial partnerships. Head office is located in Kensington, Melbourne with a network of offices and manufacturing facilities and warehouses across Australia and New Zealand.

The annual Rotary Melbourne Vocational Panel aims to showcase the talents and diverse areas our members work in and to challenge us to consider opportunities in the year ahead.  

Join us for lunch, be informed and form connections.