Opening Address from The Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport, Rob Stokes

Rob was first elected as the parliamentary representative for Pittwater in 2007. He holds a double degree in arts and law from Macquarie University, a Masters of Science from the University of Oxford and a PhD in planning law completed under a Commonwealth scholarship. Outside Parliament, Rob is an Honorary Fellow with Macquarie Law School, has been a director of the Sydney Centre for Innovation in Learning at Duffy’s Forest and an Assessor with the Northern Beaches Branch of Surf Life Saving Australia.

MC: Barrie Barton
CEO, Right Angle

Barrie Barton is co-founder and Group CEO of Right Angle, Golden Age and Paramount Recreation Club. A lawyer by qualification, an entrepreneur by nature and an urbanist by profession, he has spent most of his adult life thinking about the relationship between the places where we live and the sorts of people we become as a result. In late 2019 he was named one of Harper’s Bazaar’s Visionary Men for his contribution to city life.

Qianyi Lim

Founder & Co-Director, Sibling Architecture

Qianyi helms an architectural practice that works across residential, civic and commercial projects with a focus on producing socially-engaged outcomes. Currently leading a range of projects across NSW, Qianyi is interested in creating inclusive, equitable and ecologically sustainable environments that are culturally enriching for diverse communities. Qianyi is also an architectural educator and critic, where she is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney and a member of the NSW State Design Review Panel. In 2022, Qianyi was the recipient of the NSW Emerging Architect Prize and Wilkinson Award for Residential architecture.

Jess Miller
Former Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney

Jess’ work as a freelance Impact Strategist confronts and overcomes the most complex and intractable problems facing people living in urban places. By designing and facilitating collaboration between governments, businesses and communities, these actions influence outcomes that make places liveable and people healthy, safe and prosperous. As a public speaker, presenter, ambassador and communicator, Jess has built a reputation as a strategic influencer at the local, state, national and international levels.

Sacha Coles

Director, ASPECT Studios

Sacha is a globally-renowned design leader with a record of excellence in creating projects of transformational change. His projects aim to delight and embody a positivity which challenges a ‘business as usual’ approach. Sacha is a collaborator who delivers innovative design within a social framework, reinforcing the role that cities can p lay in creating economic, social and creative opportunity. Through his work, Sacha promotes uplifting quality of life, encouraging social equity and elevating the human spirit through design.

Michaella Solar-March

Michaella is a Sydneysider who spent 13 years working in NYC, most recently as CMO for Rockefeller Center where she led the rebranding and revitalisation of the iconic 32-acre landmark. Before that, Michaella was the global director of programming and experience for Soho House, where she led placemaking initiatives, cultural programming and events across the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. Michaella loves the night and is happiest on a dance floor under the light of a disco ball, but now finds herself more active in the day thanks to her two young kids and office–casual corporate life. 

Samuel Davison
Creative Director, Right Angle

Sam oversees strategy, design and communications projects for Right Angle, weaving innately human elements through complex deliverables to engage a wide set of audiences. He is experienced in developing brand strategy, crafting unique storytelling devices and working closely with Right Angle’s design team to execute delivery.  He brings more than a decade of publishing and communications experience to Right Angle, and holds a MA in Publishing & Communications from the University of Melbourne.