Our 2026 Event

Panel Speakers

2026 Panel Speakers

Panel Theme: Navigating a career with work-life balance

Martina Doblin

Director and CEO - Sydney Institute of Marine Science

Martina is a research leader with over two decades of experience in shaping impactful environmental science across academia, government, and industry. As CEO of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, she has built cross-sector partnerships, led high-performing teams, and delivered research that informs policy, strengthens coastal ecosystems, and advances climate resilience.

She brings deep expertise in Australia’s research system, spanning funding strategy, science policy, and research infrastructure, and a strong track record of securing multi-million dollar grants, fostering Indigenous collaboration and capacity building, and translating science into real-world outcomes.

Molly Walker

Environmental Engineer & Scientist - NSW DCCEEW

Molly is a Senior Water, Floodplains and Coast Officer with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) working at the intersection of science, water, and environmental policy. Her experience spans coastal management, environmental water, catchment management, water operations, and construction. Across utilities, major infrastructure projects, and government, she has built a reputation for connecting science, engineering, and people to deliver practical environmental outcomes.

A two-time University of Newcastle Faculty Medallist, Molly is a strong advocate for emerging professionals and is passionate about the future of water.

Tanya Hammond

CEO Chief Collaborator - Tailored HR Solutions

With more than 33 years of experience, Tanya is a highly accomplished management consultant specialising in business strategy, strategic HR management, workforce planning, leadership development, and HR transformation. She has worked predominantly within the Australian Government sector, leading HR initiatives focused on benchmarking, capability development, business process improvement, and strategic planning. Tanya is widely recognised as a subject matter expert in these areas, with particular strengths in workforce strategy and planning, HR service delivery, organisational culture and change management, strategy development, and the capability development of HR practitioners and leaders, as well as facilitating workshops, focus groups, and strategic discussions.

Dr Chris Owers

Senior Lecturer - The University of Newcastle

Dr Chris Owers is a Lecturer in the discipline of Earth Sciences at the University of Newcastle. Chris is a specialist in using Remote Sensing to generate critical information about environmental change. Dr Owers has broad interests using remote sensing in environmental applications including coastal science, biogeography, geomorphology, carbon storage, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Chris is keen on understanding spatio-temporal dynamics of the natural world captured through remote sensing technologies.

Chris’ research covers a number of spatial scales of analysis (e.g. continent-scale, landscape-scale, site-scale) with applications focused primarily on vegetation and water, and the interface of these ecosystems such as coastal wetlands. Being so diverse means that Chris’ research involves remote sensing, data science, fieldwork, and lab work – a great mix of settings means there’s always something to explore!