MEET OUR SPEAKERS


DR KARL KRUSZELNICKI AM

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM just loves science to pieces, and has been spreading the word in print, on TV and radio, and online via social media for more than thirty years. The author of 48 books (and counting) Dr Karl is a lifetime student with degrees in physics and mathematics, biomedical engineering and medicine and surgery. 

He has worked as a physicist, labourer, roadie for bands, car mechanic, filmmaker, biomedical engineer, taxi driver, TV weatherman, and medical doctor at the Children’s Hospital in Sydney. 

Dr Karl's new television show "How Things Work" which can be viewed on ABC TV and ABC iView lifts the lid on how some of Australia's best loved products are made. 
 Dr Karl was named the 2025 NSW Senior Australian of the Year. 
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki appears by arrangement with Claxton Speakers International.


DR CATHERINE BALL

Associate Professor, Dr Catherine Ball is an academic, company director, bestselling author, futurist and visioneer working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs.

Catherine’s latest business ventures span angel investments and advisory across the broad emerging technology sector, from insect protein to personalised brain health through AI and neuroscience. Her internationally recognised work on drones and robotics community engagement via the World of Drones and Robotics Global Congress continues and is evolving. 


KATHERINE MANSTED

Executive Director of Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX and a Senior Fellow at ANU's National Security College. Katherine is a leading expert on cybersecurity, disinformation, and foreign interference, and she advises leaders across sectors and has featured in top publications and parliamentary hearings.


BRENDAN DOWLING

Appointed in May 2023, Brendan is Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, leading international engagement and building regional resilience. With a distinguished career, he has headed the Cyber and Critical Technology Coordination Centre and served as First Assistant Secretary for Digital and Technology Security Policy. Brendan has also held senior roles at Australia’s Embassy in the US, overseeing engagement across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.


MARK ARENA

Mark Arena is the owner and CEO of the Perth Wildcats. Mark is a graduate of Edith Cowan University (Software Engineering) and founded and ran cyber threat intelligence firm Intel 471 from 2014 to 2023. Prior to that, Mark worked at iSIGHT Partners (now a part of Google) and the Australian Federal Police.


PROGRAM COMING SOON 


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The CyberWest Summit is proudly presented CyberWest Hub, The WA Cyber Security Innovation Hub. CyberWest Hub is co-funded through the WA Government’s New Industries Fund, Edith Cowan University and City of Joondalup.