Samantha is a senior veterinarian and leader with extensive experience in managing complex biosecurity programs, and leading animal disease emergency preparedness and response activities. She has worked in government veterinary roles as well as rural clinical practice in New South Wales, and South Yorkshire, England.
Samantha has expertise in strategic thinking, policy development, stakeholder engagement and problem solving; underpinned by her strong clinical and technical background in veterinary science. She strives to model great leadership and inspire teams to achieve beyond expectation.
Having stated she has her “dream job”, Dr. Claire Madden is currently employed by Village Roadshow Theme Parks as their Head Veterinarian, where her role oversees all the work at Sea World, Sea World Foundation and Paradise Country.
Graduating with a veterinary science degree from the University of Queensland in 2013, Dr. Madden has held veterinary roles at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, and Zoos Victoria.
During this time Dr. Madden gained membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine and specialises in Australian Wildlife Medicine. She has extensive experience in rehabilitation, chemical restraint, preventative health programs, zoonotic disease, and threatened species programs in a wide range of species.
However, biosecurity and animal health aren’t just her only passion, and she is also extremely passionate to inspire the next generation as well. With an Instagram following of more than 25,000 and having been involved in TV series such as Channel 7’s Gold Coast Rescue, we have asked Dr. Madden to give us her perspectives on how she is getting the younger generation engaged in conservation, marine issues and of course biosecurity, through her current work with SeaWorld, the Foundation and protecting marine life.
Having produced & filmed some of the world’s most famous wildlife and environmental series; Planet Earth 1 & 2, Wild Arabia, Frozen Planet and Seven Worlds One Planet which, combined, have won over 20 Emmys and Baftas, this is a keynote not to be missed.
Dr Hunter is not just known for his role in the development of the Planet Earth series with Sir David Attenborough, but prior to working with the Discovery Channel also completed a PhD on primate behaviour, where he had to dodge armed bandits and survived brain parasites while studying gelada baboons in the highlands of Ethiopia. He also spent 3 years in the Arctic and Antarctic directing the Frozen Planet series where he learnt that minus 40C was cold enough to freeze his eyes shut, and became known as ‘the guy covered in bat poop’ for his starring role in Behind the Scenes of Planet Earth.
Most importantly Dr Hunter is a producer, director and visual storyteller and uses compelling footage and imagery to create key messages to large and diverse audiences using mainstream platforms.
Dr Hunter’s presentation will mix spectacular visual adventure with hilarious anecdotes, and look at whether the major Attenborough series can help the environment and drive behaviour change.
Adam is an authority on behavioural economics and the author of The Advertising Effect: How to change behaviour (Oxford) and Stop Listening to the Customer: Try hearing your brand instead (Wiley). No stranger to the TV screen of Australia, Adam is a regular panellist on the Gruen Transfer, 7’s Sunrise, and 10’s The Project. Adam also founded Thinkerbell, an agency that creates ‘measured magic’, and was ranked 2021 number one Creative Agency in the world by industry publication BestAds – the first time awarded to an Australian agency.
As a keynote speaker, Adam will bring his experience working with many of Australia’s and the world’s top brands to introduce unconventional, award-winning and effective ideas, combining his passion for creativity and expertise within behavioural science.
How do we get 25 million Australians living and breathing biosecurity- Adam will give us some insights into how!
Mr Andreas Glanznig is the CEO of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS). CISS is the successor to the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, also led by Mr Glanznig between 2010 and 2017, Australia’s largest integrated invasive animals research and innovation collaboration.
Over its 12-year life, the IA CRC developed a suite of new pest control products including rabbit and carp biocontrol agents, new genetic surveillance techniques, new wild dog, fox and feral pig toxic baits, and strategic knowledge and planning tools to strengthen collaborative regional scale integrated pest management.
Mr Glanznig’s 30 year career has traversed executive science management, policy analysis and advocacy, and strategic communications. Former roles include leading the World Wildlife Fund’s advocacy team on invasive species legislative and policy reform, and an Australian Government policy analyst.
Mr Glanznig has also served as a Director of the Weeds Cooperative Research Centre and the Global Invasive Species Program. He has degrees in Science and Letters, and a Masters of Business Administration.
Andrew has more than 25 years experience serving the natural environment and leading environmental organisations and was appointed as CEO of the Invasive Species Council in 2014 after serving as its president for two years.
He has led community-based campaigns to protect threatened bushland areas, worked for the National Parks Association of NSW as its executive officer, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Trust for Nature (Victoria) and is a respected participant in Australia’s conservation sector.
Andrew believes that invasive species, along with climate change, is one of this century’s two greatest threats to Australia’s natural environment yet invasive species are without the high-level attention they deserve.
Dr Jo Luck leads the development of collaborative, cross-sectoral plant biosecurity research for investment. Prior to this she was the Research Director at the Plant Biosecurity CRC, supporting plant biosecurity research and capacity-building. Jo is also a director on the Vinehealth Australia board. Her scientific career, as Associate Professor in plant microbiology at Agriculture Victoria and La Trobe University, focussed on the effects of climate change on pests and diseases of major food crops.
Rob is a veterinarian who worked in mixed and small animal practice in Australia, England and Hong Kong and as a government veterinarian in NSW before joining Animal Health Australia in 2012. Rob manages livestock biosecurity and animal health projects with a focus on endemic diseases. He is passionate about working with AHA’s members to make positive changes in animal health and welfare on farm which will benefit Australia’s livestock industries.
Rob has completed a Master of Veterinary Public Health Management, a Diploma of Leadership and Management and is a Member of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
Malcolm Letts is currently a Board Director of Animal Health Australia,
Malcolm has worked with the Queensland Government for 27 years, with the last 20 years in senior executive roles including as Deputy Director-General, Agriculture. He has extensive experience in agricultural policy and industry development and for five years he was also responsible for the trade and investment area in the department.
He has previously been on the Board of Safe Food Production Queensland and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds undergraduate qualifications in environmental science and post graduate qualifications in extension.
