Innovation Advisory Council (IAC)

Aaron Birkby is the cofounder of Tribe Global Ventures, an investment fund that empowers ambitious technology companies to enter the UK or US markets. He also currently serves as an Entrepreneur In Residence at the Queensland University of Technology and at James Cook University, and is a member of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur’s Innovation Advisory Council.

Amelia St Baker is a serial entrepreneur who has owned and been instrumental in the growth of various early stage ventures since the age of 17. Amelia has extensive experience navigating the start-up ecosystem as a young person in Queensland, perfectly placing her to represent the interests of young people in the council.

Professor Harch brings an in-depth understanding of what it takes to commercialise research. She is the Executive Director of the Institute for Future Environments (IFE) and Professor of Applied Statistical Science at QUT, and is highly regarded for driving industry–research collaborations and helping to establish regional innovation hubs and accelerator programs that support farmers and agtech startups. 

Christine is currently Chair of the Board of Life Sciences Queensland Limited. She took on this role in 2020, having left the Queensland public service in 2018 after 22 years in a number of very different positions. Most recently she was the Acting Queensland Chief Scientist where she was accountable for science policy, providing strategic guidance across a range of government departments, and was also involved with a number of reviews and enquiries.

As Assistant Director-General, Science, Christine worked in close partnership with other government agencies (state and federal), universities, other research groups and industry, a role she continued to perform and expand upon from the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist.

She is passionate about the role science can play in improving lives here and abroad; the role citizen scientists can play in collecting information; and the key role that women have in achieving better outcomes in STEM and business.

Prior to joining the Queensland Government, Christine was an academic at Queensland University of Technology and The University of Queensland where she was responsible for teaching statistics and econometrics. She is an economist, with a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Queensland and a Master of Philosophy from Oxford University.

Dan Argent is the Co-founder and CEO of UrbanX. With almost 20 years of real estate experience, he has established himself as an industry thought leader and disruptor. After working as both a leading agent and business owner throughout his career, Dan realised that the traditional model was broken. Since launching UrbanX, he has quickly positioned himself as the figurehead of the real estate revolution in Australia and is excited about what the future holds for Australia’s best agents.

In September 2022, Andrew took on the role of Acting Director-General, Tourism Innovation and Sport (DTIS) and is leading the government’s key objectives to grow and strengthen the state’s visitor economy, innovation agenda and participation in sport and recreation.

Andrew joined DTIS in late 2021 as the Deputy Director-General, Tourism Recovery, Olympic Engagement and Legacy, with the focus of championing Queensland’s visitor economy, bringing the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s Action Plan for Tourism Recovery to life and working in lockstep with Tourism and Events Queensland as well as industry.

Prior to taking up this role with DTIS, Andrew has spent over six years in executive roles in the Northern Territory, most recently as the Deputy CEO in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, leading the teams at Tourism NT (inc. StudyNT), Screen Territory and Liquor and Gaming and Racing.

With an extensive background leading high performing teams in the tourism, major events, entertainment, sport and cultural industries in Australia and internationally, Andrew has led teams to deliver an increase in visitation, industry investment, successful major events, and projects. Having worked in both the public and private sectors, Andrew is well versed in working with stakeholders to find new ways of working together while overcoming roadblocks along the way.

Julia Spicer built and runs her business, Engage & Create Consulting from Goondiwindi, South West Queensland. Engage & Creates’ focus is to support the viability and vibrancy of businesses and community organisations across regional Australia.  Julia works with regional communities across the country on a range of projects, with the focus on identifying needs in business and implementing creative solutions to address them. Her passion lies with small businesses, sustainable agriculture and regional women in leadership.  

In 2018, Julia was honoured to be one of the 100 Faces of Small Business for Queensland Government and listed as one of the Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence Award.  In 2017, Julia won the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote business owner of the year.  Julia was listed as one of the 100 Women in Australian Agribusiness in 2014 and was a finalist in the community contribution category.  She has completed the AICD Company Directors Course, is a board member on Regional Development Australia for Darling Downs South West Queensland, and a member of the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council.  

Monica is a non-executive director with sustainability, technology and investment experience.

Her expertise accumulated over decades and across continents has its foundations in the industrial sectors of trade and logistics, followed by a decade in professional services predominantly in government reform and most recently in technology, impact investing & early-stage capital.

The cornerstone of Monica’s executive career was her ability to deliver revenue growth, new business formation and digital transformation in challenging and uncertain environments.

Monica held leadership, sales, operations, and strategy roles in New York, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane. She managed P&L to 200m, sales budgets to 500m and program budgets up to 300m. She has deep experience in technology, machinery of government, investment funds and global food sourcing, trading & logistics.

At the board table Monica contributes opportunities and risks of the changing environment, that help inform growth, strategy design, capital attraction and transformation investment decisions. 

Nicholas is a Principal in the QIC Private Capital (QPC) team and has been part of the QPC team since 2009.

Currently sitting on the Investment Committee and Management Committee, Nick also heads the qualitative and quantitative portfolio monitoring business operations and client informational needs.

Joining QIC in 2003, Nick was appointed Acting Financial Controller & Head of Management Reporting of QIC Corporate, accumulating over 16 years’ experience in investment banking and funds management, with an additional six years’ experience in logistics management, working previously with UBS in London and Mayne Nickless.

Nick is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business (Commerce) from the University of Technology in Australia.

Professor Rowena Barrett is an expert in thinking innovatively and being entrepreneurial to get things done. She leads QUT’s priority for entrepreneurship creating the environment in which entrepreneurship amplifies discipline expertise for students, staff and alumni. As a global expert on work and employment in smaller entrepreneurial firms, she brings academic and practical understanding of motivations and drivers for action in leading QUT Entrepreneurship.

Rowena is the Chair of the Queensland Government’s Innovation Advisory Council, working alongside the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur.