The Trusted Allies Economy: Strengthening the NSW-Canada Economic Partnership

The Trusted Allies Economy: Strengthening the NSW-Canada Economic Partnership

A strategic dialogue on trade, investment and the future of trusted economies.

As global markets rapidly realign around trusted partners, resilient supply chains and strategic investment, the Canada-Australia relationship is entering a new phase of economic importance.

Join senior industry, investment and government leaders in Sydney for a high-level discussion exploring the evolving trade, investment and innovation corridor between NSW and Canada.

Marking the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce’s 20th anniversary year, this gathering will examine the opportunities shaping the next chapter of bilateral engagement across critical sectors including energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, AI and defence.

Featuring keynotes from both Australian and Canadian governments followed by a panel discussion of industry leaders, the event will bring together decision-makers to discuss how trusted economies can deepen commercial collaboration in an increasingly complex global environment.

Ghislain Robichaud

Consul General of Canada to Australia

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Ghislain Robichaud (BSocSC [Political Science], University of Ottawa,1996; BSocSC [Economics], University of Ottawa, 1996) joined Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in 2007 after serving in international relations roles at Natural Resources Canada and as a parliamentary page in the Canadian House of Commons. At Headquarters, he has worked in the European Union Division, Technical Barriers and Regulation Division and China Division, as well in the Invest in Canada Branch as deputy director. Overseas, he has served as counsellor and senior trade commissioner in Egypt and as science and technology counsellor in Germany. Most recently, he was regional director of the Trade Commissioner Service’s Quebec and Nunavut Regional Office.

Jason Yat-sen Li MP

State Member for Strathfield

NSW GOVERNMENT

Jason is currently the Member for Strathfield in the New South Wales State Parliament. Before Parliament, Jason was Chairman of investment firm Vantage Asia and Managing Director of corporate advisory firm YSA. Jason is also a Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Fellow of the University of Sydney Senate and Chair of the University’s Risk and Audit Committee. Jason was a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on China, a non-executive director of the George Institute for Global Health, an Eisenhower Fellow and a Governing Member of the Smith Family. He has also been a Director of the Sydney Institute, the National Centre for Volunteering, the Asia Australia Institute and Youth Chair of the NSW Ethnic Communities Council.

Petra Andrén

Chief Executive Officer

QUANTUM AUSTRALIA

Petra Andrén is a recognised leader in deep-tech innovation and commercialisation, and the CEO of Australia’s industry growth centre, Quantum Australia. With more than 25 years of international experience across advanced technology sectors, she is driving the creation of a nationally coordinated quantum ecosystem—positioning Australia as a global force in quantum innovation and impact.

Her career spans startups, global corporations, venture capital, and public policy. As CEO of Cicada Innovations, she built one of the world’s leading deep-tech incubators, supporting hundreds of science-based ventures, and created Australia’s largest early-stage deep-tech investment portfolio. Her deep-tech expertise also draws on significant leadership in the life sciences, where she established the US subsidiary of a European CRO, delivering multimillion-dollar growth and served as Australian Managing Director of Octapharma, a global biopharmaceutical company.

A mentor, investor, board member, and strategic advisor, Petra is committed to enabling the next generation of quantum leaders and ensuring Australia actively shapes, not just adapts to, the future quantum economy.

Jeff Keats

Chief Representative for Australia and Oceania

EXPORT DEVELOPMENT CANADA

Jeff Keats is Export Development Canada's (EDC) Chief Representative for Australia and Oceania. Jeff has over 19 years of EDC experience in international financing and business development. His roles at EDC have included structuring and underwriting international financing transactions, leading business development teams, including teams focused on the technology sector, and acting as EDC’s National Ecosystem lead for Canadian Cleantech.

Within his current area of responsibility Jeff leads an EDC team in Australia, supporting Canadian exporters and investors, with a focus on opportunities in sectors such as energy transition, renewable energy, infrastructure, agri-food, and mining.

Jeff has a BBA from Acadia and an MBA from Memorial University, which included an exchange semester in Germany. Prior to EDC, Jeff spent 3 years in Japan teaching English and training new teachers, and he also led a team at a call centre for a Canadian telecom company. 

Besa Deda

CHIEF ECONOMIST

Curious by nature and driven by a passion for making economics accessible, Besa Deda has built a career translating complexity into clarity. Known for her people-first leadership and engaging communication style, Besa’s strength lies in her ability to bring macroeconomic trends down to a human level; always with relevance, clarity and impact.

Her career spans more than two decades in the banking and finance sector. It includes her historic appointment at St.George Bank in 2008 as the first female Chief Economist of an Australian bank. Following Westpac’s merger, she was appointed Chief Economist across several brands in the Westpac Group. She’s earned a reputation as a respected thought leader and trusted advisor to businesses of all sizes; from small enterprises to national institutions.

Today, Besa brings that leadership and insight to William Buck, delivering context-rich analysis that helps clients make smarter, more confident decisions. She also serves as Chair of the not-for-profit organisation Australian Business Economists, where she has championed diversity, modernised operations, and expanded its reach in informing, connecting and influencing economic and policy debate in Australia.

And while many know Besa for her articulate commentary, fewer realise she’s a lover of obscure facts and trivia, always ready with a surprising insight to spark conversation.

Elli Hanson

Co-Chair

CACC NSW COMMITTEE

Elli Hanson is a Partner at Side Stage Ventures, where she backs early-stage founders building globally ambitious companies from Australia. Her path into venture spans industrial design, global brand strategy, and startup building — including roles as Global Director of Design Strategy at Ogilvy Worldwide and Co-Founder of Flaus, a consumer hardware company behind the world’s first patented electric flosser. At Side Stage, she works closely with early-stage founders across sectors, with a particular interest in human-centred design, taste, and the role creativity will play in shaping the next generation of breakout companies.

Melissa Wharton

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce

Melissa Wharton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), the peak bilateral business body advancing trade, capital flows and strategic partnerships between Canada and Australia.

She is widely recognised as a leading advocate for deeper economic integration between the two countries, working at the intersection of government, institutional investors and industry. Under her leadership, the CACC convenes senior ministers, pension funds, superannuation leaders and global corporates across priority sectors including institutional investment, critical minerals, infrastructure, energy transition, defence and advanced manufacturing. The Chamber is the only bilateral organisation with active operations and governance presence in both countries.

Melissa is a dual citizen and a recognised advocate for strengthening economic ties between Canada and Australia.

Joshua Khoddami

Co-Chair

CACC NSW COMMITTEE

As a part of Neu.Capital, Joshua helps established companies raise $5m -$100m of debt and equity outside the big 4 banks by placing them in front a vast universe of professional investors. He spends time with clients educating them on the non-bank funding world. Previous to this, Joshua spent 7 years managing a digital marketing agency in Sydney that specialises in generating leads for mid-market companies.

Originally from Vancouver Joshua has spent the last 8 years living and working in Sydney.