The Speakers 2025 ~ Session One

Kitty is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry of WA (RCCIWA). Kitty has  previously held the positions of Presidents of both the RCCIWA (2005 – 2010) and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI) (2003-2005) and has owned two small businesses in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the first one at the age of 21.

Kitty’s involvement with a regional Chamber of Commerce began in 1991, and she is a strong and driven advocate for regional business communities. Until November 2018 Kitty was the Chair of the Board of the Small Business Development Corporation and currently sits on the General Council of CCIWA and is a Non – Executive Director on the Board of Keystart Home Loans.

Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley

Stephen was born in Dublin and first came to Australia in 1986 on a family holiday. 3 years later In 1989 he and his family migrated to Australia. Stephen studied to be a French and Drama teacher at Edith Cowan University and in 1995 he joined the Labor party at the University orientation day. Stephen was elected to represent the Mining & Pastoral Region at the 2013 state election. He served as Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions before being promoted to the position of Shadow Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services and Child Protection in September 2013. Stephen has been a Chief of Staff to a number of Government Ministers in Western Australia and Victoria and immediately prior to his election to Parliament, he worked as the WA State Manager for Essential Media Communications. During the McGowan Government’s first term in 2017 Stephen served as the Minister for Environment; Disability Services; Electoral Affairs. Following the March 2021 state election Stephen was appointed as the Minister for Mental Health; Aboriginal Affairs; Industrial Relations. In December 2021, a Cabinet reshuffle saw Stephen appointed as Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Medical Research; Volunteering.

In December 2023, new Premier Roger Cook announced a refreshed and experienced Cook Cabinet team which saw Stephen appointed as Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Science; Medical Research; Minister assisting the Minister for State and Industry Development; Jobs and Trade. Stephen is the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Rob Cossart has been CEO of the Wheatbelt Development Commission since March 2020. As CEO, Rob is committed to establishing industry and government partnerships and ensuring the WDC is a respected partner in guiding policy and investment decisions for the region. His advocacy for the Wheatbelt promotes the region as a place to live, work, visit and invest. In January 2023, Rob was appointed as the State Recovery Coordinator to lead the State  Government’s recovery and reconstruction taskforce in response to widespread destruction caused by flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie in the Kimberley region. A key achievement in this time was working with the Fitzroy Valley community, Native Title groups and State, Commonwealth, and local governments to deliver an ambitious infrastructure and community rebuild agenda.

Aaron Morey is the Chief Economist and Executive Director of Marketing, Campaigns and Strategy at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA. Prior to joining CCIWA Aaron was the political, economics and commercial adviser to the WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt, managing significant projects including the historic 2018 GST reforms, the $1.4b Landgate asset sale, WA’s trade relationship with China, and the successful Bell Group negotiations. In his final year in the office Aaron assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Staff.

 Jai Thomas is the Deputy Director General – Coordinator of Energy, leading the Energy Policy WA (EPWA) group within DEMIRS. As Coordinator of Energy, Jai oversees Western Australia’s energy policy and regulatory framework, and provides advice to the Minister for Energy on policy development and navigating the energy transition. 

Driven by a passion for keeping rural, regional, and remote communities connected, Rachael brings over 25 years of experience in business development, stakeholder engagement and digital communications. At the Regional Tech Hub, Rachael is dedicated to empowering people in rural, regional, and remote Australia with the tools, knowledge and support they need to navigate and improve their digital connectivity.   

  Naomi has over 20 years’ experience working in regional communities across the resource and telecommunications industry. Through working with corporate organisations such as Woodside Energy, Shell Australia, Telstra and nbn, Naomi understands the importance of engagement and building strong relationships to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes. In her current role with nbn as Head of nbn Local, Naomi works with regional communities across WA to lift digital skills and ensure communities and businesses understand how connectivity can be an enabler to increasing social and economic well-being. 

Cr Brown has lived in the district of Trayning for 34 years and is involved with the running of her family broad acre farm, which is third generation. Serving on the Shire of Trayning Council for the past ten years with the last eight as Shire President, Cr Brown is an active member on various Council committees as well as Deputy President of the WALGA Great Eastern Country Zone Committee, she has been President of

the NEWROC for two years and is on the Kununoppin Medical Practice Committee.   

 Alexandra is an architect based in Northam with her partner and young family. She has worked for a number of reputable Perth and Melbourne architect practices since qualifying in 2010. This exploration into residential infill in Wheatbelt town centres began in 2021 working at Office of Regional Architecture in Brookton WA. It's been a team effort looking for smart solutions to the vacancy rates and housing crisis. She is currently collaborating with Guide Architects. 

 Linda Vernon is the Tourism Officer for the North Eastern Wheatbelt Travel Association (NEWTRAVEL), where she works with local governments, businesses, and community groups to promote and develop tourism across the region. With a deep passion for regional development, she has played a key role in enhancing visitor experiences, supporting tourism businesses, and driving initiatives like the Wheatbelt Way self-drive trail. Linda has had a long experience in community engagement, marketing, and strategic tourism planning, ensuring the Wheatbelt remains an emerging tourist destination. She is committed to expanding tourism opportunities beyond traditional markets, strengthening events, and addressing industry challenges. 

Jimmy is one of the animating forces behind the formation of the Town Team Movement. Studying marketing and music, he graduated becoming a prominent music and festival  promoter co-founding Upbeat Events in 2010, working with councils and Town Teams to produce large scale community events such as the Subiaco Street Party and the Mt Hawthorn Streets and Lanes Festival. A City of Vincent Councillor (2015 -2019), he chaired the Arts Advisory Group that set a new vision for Vincent to become the Arts Capital of WA. In 2023 Jimmy was named WA Local Hero by Australian of the Year Awards. 

As Executive Director Strategy, Corporate and State-wide services, Jeff Healy is a key member of an executive team leading the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) to support small business owners throughout Western Australia. In this role, Jeff oversees strategy, marketing and communications, business advisory services, business skills development and corporate services of the SBDC. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Business from ECU.

 Nicole has worked in the apprenticeship industry for over 15 years and is currently the Field Operations Manager for Perth and surrounds at MEGT. MEGT is Australia's largest single Apprentice Connect Provider which has helped more than 700,000 apprentices complete their qualifications, and over 450,000 businesses strengthen their workforce. In WA, they have supported over 80,000 apprentices. Nicole is also a member of the local jobs taskforce for the Great Southern and Wheatbelt. 

  Danielle Baker is the dedicated Team Leader in Specialist Mentoring Services in WA for Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA), leading a team of mentors to support apprentices, trainees, and employers statewide. With a passion for mentorship, her team ensures training contracts are successfully completed by providing expert guidance, practical solutions, and connections to external support services. Mentoring services help employers navigate the apprenticeship journey, from commencement to completion and provides outcomes for both businesses and apprentices, fostering long-term success in the workforce. 

 Based in Northam, Leonie Knipe is the Dealer Principal of Avon Valley Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Isuzu UTE. She has over 40 staff members and is continually looking for ways to grow and improve her business. Leonie is one of only a handful of female Dealer Principals throughout Australia, including being the only one for Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan in Western Australia, and the only one nation-wide for Isuzu UTE making her mark in the traditionally male dominated industry. Leonie wears numerous “hats” in her role as Farmer’s Wife, Mother to 4 sons, volunteer and business owner & operator. Leonie is passionate about business including the benefits of diversity, retention of staff, flexible work options and sharing her skills & knowledge. She believes that successful businesses help build happier workplaces and thriving communities. In 2019, Leonie was awarded the WA Telstra Business Woman of the Year.