SLSC Forum

Werner de Wolf is a high-energy, entrepreneurial executive who has built a global reputation for innovative and strategic leadership in technology-driven industries, particularly in Telecom/ICT. He has a strong business acumen and a track record of executing on his vision to drive innovation and change. He inspires organisations, builds strong teams and attracts/develops talent.

With a Master of Science in Engineering, Computer Sciences and an MBA from leading universities, including the University of Pennsylvania - The Whaton School and Vlerick Leuven-Gent Management School, he has held executive leadership roles at top-tier companies across Europe and the US, including CommScope, TE Connectivity, Tyco International and Raychem Corporation. At TE Connectivity, in his role as Vice President and General Manager EMEA-Latin America of the Broadband Network Solutions sector, he managed a unit of 2,400 employees with six plants and sales of 750 million dollars, and increased profits by 10%. He also worked as a Researcher and Sales Engineer at KU Leuven and Unisys, respectively. Werner has been CEO of Schréder since 2018.

Jonathan Jones is Head of Education at IPWEA. He has 2 decades of experience in adult education and learning and development across the finance, not-for-profit and education sectors.

Arushi Galhotra completed her Master of Business Analyst from La Trobe University before joining Schreder Australia as a Category Specialist ANZ for Shuffles within the Smart Cities division. Over the last three years, Arushi has been responsible for product management, which also includes presenting solutions to designers, architects, urban planners, councils, utilities, developers, and end-clients.

Dan Evans is Senior Director of Product Management at Itron, where he defines the product roadmap for the Smart Cities and Smart Lighting business unit. Dan joined Itron through their acquisition of Silver Spring Networks where he had built the product, processes and team who took Silver Spring Networks’ installed base from 5,000 units to over 27 million. Dan has over 30 years of experience in the networking space in a variety of roles at SkyPilot Networks, Excite@Home and NASA.

With a career spanning over 36 years within the lighting industry, Keith has held positions with Bristol City Council where he had responsibility for the apron and car park lighting at Bristol airport, Signify and Telensa, where he delivered CMS solutions in partnership with CU Phosco for several airports including Stansted Airport.

Jiri is Council Manager Lighting & Smart Solutions at Ausgrid and has over 13 years of experience in lighting industry. He is currently managing delivery of smartest LED rollout in Australia – upgrading over 60,000 luminaries to smart LED in Ausgrid network. Previously, he managed one of first rollouts including Zhaga certified luminaires in Palmerston, NT and worked on various LED projects, including sport lighting in Western Australia and ACT.

Noel Peters is the Director of ITS and Electrical Technology at the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. He leads a team of dedicated engineers and technologists who are delivering on a commitment to reduce the department’s carbon footprint by replacing all road lighting with LED luminaires and, at the same time, deploying a smart lighting system to monitor and control all LED luminaires state-wide.

Experienced lighting industry professional, David brings 23 years of expertise to the table. Specialising in exterior lighting and smart lighting control systems. David is dedicated to illuminating cities sustainably whilst enhancing public spaces. He’s excited to share his insights and experiences at the SLSC forum.

Dinu Tepes career started in telecommunications management and he is now the senior account manager with Flashnet, a Romanian company part of the Lucy Group with 1200 employees. Flashnet has a history of almost 20 years in streetlighting controls systems. This part of the IoT world has shown him how quick technology can evolve and impact our lives. Let’s engage in a discussion about what future might look for you.

David has extensive lighting experience having spent more than 15 years working in the industry. He is currently the Global Sales & Marketing Director at Telensa, part of the Signify family of brands. David also has a wealth of experience in working with utilities and local authorities to turn their smart city ambitions into realities.

Based in Singapore, Yong Liang is currently Signify’s Segment Manager for the Cities segment. He is responsible for Road & Street Systems and Services propositions globally. Yong Liang has 23 years of experience in the lighting industry and is currently in his 13th year with Signify. His professional career spans across sales, product management and business management positions.

Having over 20 years experience in the engineering sector has allowed me to understand all aspects of city planning. With an European background and therefore a strong focus on sustainability I have become very passionate making a difference in the way we see and operate street lighting in Australia.

Liam is CCO at SAPHI, an Australian tech-agnostic solution provider, specialising in in delivering complex urban projects. From seed spreading systems for mangrove forests in the UAE to the world's first microclimate control project combatting urban heat in Western Sydney. His passion lies in finding ways to build innovative cities.

Graham works for independent consultants, Next Energy Lighting, on a wide variety of street lighting, smart controls and smart city projects. He has worked with more than 75 local councils as well as road authorities, IPWEA, ALGA, the NSW Government and the Commonwealth Government.

Paul has three decades managing public lighting networks for UK councils and running a public lighting contractor in the UK. In Australia, he is best known for his work leading the City of Sydney’s pioneering and highly successful deployment of LEDs and multi-function poles. Paul sits on two key Standards Australia lighting committees.

Harrison is a local government engineer with civil engineering background. He has worked at the City of Canada Bay in the engineering team since for 4 years and has been involved with Council’s asset management, the management of lighting, drainage and marine assets, floodplain management, and development engineering.

Anthony Wright currently serves as Tridonic's local technical expert, drawing on two decades of electrical contracting experience to offer technical and solutions-based support to OEM manufacturers, engineers and contractors throughout the lighting industry, in addition to participating in a number of national and international standards committees for luminaires and related equipment.

Johnson Philip is an Electrical Engineer based in Sydney, Australia, who specializes in public domain electrical lighting projects and asset management. He was also actively involved in developing lighting solutions based on renewable energy sources in the Oceania region. Johnson has been working with the City of Sydney as a ‘Senior Engineer -Electrical and Lighting Assets’ for more than a year.

Ms. Schulz has a background in law and economics and has over 10 years experience in the Commonwealth public service in areas of human rights and climate change, as well the Aboriginal land rights sector. Recently, Ms Schulz has focused on clean energy in the First Nations space and has recently moved to the AEMC to lead the Unlocking CER benefits through flexible rule change.

Grace is a dynamic and visionary professional with a passion for leveraging technology to enhance communities and drive positive change. She thrives on pushing boundaries and transforming ideas into impactful initiatives that benefit the community and the organisation at large. Her track record boasts pioneering initiatives that have significantly improved community welfare while enhancing organizational value.

Michael leads the Smart Christchurch Programme and manages the unit that supports the Councils vision to make Christchurch a city where anything is possible through trialling innovative technology and approaches as well as inspiring fresh thinking. He is focused on supporting organisations and communities to implement positive change and believes smart solutions, innovation and sustainable technology are critical to our future.

Peter has 35 years of sector experience working for both local government and engineering consultants. He has an honours degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. As Chief Engineer at the City of Sydney, Peter leads infrastructure asset management, construction and maintenance services, as well as traffic operations and public land development works.