Global Victoria Symposium 2023

Meet our guest speakers

Holly Butler

Holly is currently based in Singapore and leads the VGTI Southeast Asia investment team to assist companies based in the region with their investments and expansion plans in Victoria.

Working with companies across all sectors including technology, energy, agriculture, health and advanced manufacturing to facilitate their Australian growth strategies and alongside the Invest Victoria team based in Melbourne, Holly takes a comprehensive approach to support investors and businesses considering Victoria as part of their growth strategy.

Read Holly's bio on Global Victoria's website

Oliver Harrap

Oliver Harrap heads up the Market Development and Global Education Network team for Study Melbourne and International Education, part of Global Victoria within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and regions, where he is responsible for supporting inbound and outbound market development activity, international students and providers.

He has over 20 years experience across Federal, State and Local Government policy, program and service delivery in tertiary education, international business, and economic development, and has consulted to the sector. 

Professor Dr Diena Lemy

Prof. Dr. Diena M. Lemy, A.Par., M.M., CHE is an active academician in the field of Hospitality and Tourism. She has produced various researches in the field of Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality Industry, and Service Management. Prof. Diena is now the chairman of HILDIKTIPARI, an Association for Tourism Higher Education for Indonesia.

She also actively involved in various programs from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia such as: Destination Management Organization (DMO), Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Council (ISTC), Sustainable Tourism Certification, and also Partnership Development between Big Business and MSMEs in five Super Priority Destinations (DSP).

Professor Charles Davidson

Charles Davidson is the Co-Founder, Chairman and Creative Director of Peninsula Hot Springs Group, Chair of the Global Wellness Institute Hot Springs Initiative, Vice President of FEMTEC (the World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy), Adjunct Professor and PhD research supervisor at Victoria University for a study looking at the social, environmental and economic impacts of hot springs on their local communities.

Felicia Mariani

Felicia Mariani has an accomplished career in the tourism and events sectors across the USA and Australia, commencing her Australian career in Melbourne in the early 90’s with Tourism Victoria.

She’s has held C-suite executive roles in the tourism industry across Australia, wth five years as CEO of Tourism Tasmania and MD at Australian Tourism Export Council.

Felicia now holds the role as CEO of the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC). Felicia is a Graduate of AICD and holds Non-Executive Director positions on the Board of RSPCA Tasmania as Vice President/Deputy Chair; the Australian Tourism Industry Council; and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

Dr Khandakar Ahmed

Dr Khandakar Ahmed is a prominent researcher specializing in cutting-edge smart technology. He focuses on addressing contemporary societal challenges and improving overall community well-being.

With unique expertise in AI and advanced machine comprehension techniques, his work spans various domains, including using AI for social good, enhancing healthcare intelligence, bolstering cybersecurity, and promoting sustainable living through AI applications.

His research is closely aligned with local governments and industries, making a significant impact. Notable achievements include ongoing contributions to Smart City development, digital health advancements, tourism insights, mental health support, and digital transformation for SMEs, involving collaborations with numerous industry partners.

Dr Colin Drake

Dr Colin Drake PhD MBA GAICD CF is a senior lecturer within the Victoria Graduate School of Business and heads the Bachelor degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management and Event Management.

He lectures in the marketing, events and tourism management disciplines and has been a visiting professor to Germany, Malaysia and Scotland and is a former Director of the VU MBA program (2015-2020).

Colin is currently the Deputy Chair of Western Melbourne Tourism Inc. a regional destination management organisation and a member of other professional bodies, he is a Churchill Fellow, a member of CAUTHE and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Prior to entering academe, Colin spent 25 years in the corporate sector in a range of management and marketing roles in the events, aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Dr Ancy Gamage

Dr Ancy Gamage is a senior lecturer at RMIT University and an adjunct research fellow at Victoria University. She specialises in building inclusive and resilient businesses and workforces.

She undertakes research across various contexts, including in the visitor economy, the outdoor sector, and the not-for-profit sector. Ancy has contributed to numerous funded projects and is a review editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism.

Ancy also serves as a board member for Africause, a not-for-profit organisation that looks after marginalised communities in Victoria.

Dr Marcela Fang

Dr Marcela Fang is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Higher Education at William Angliss Institute, Melbourne, Australia, where she lectures across graduate and undergraduate programs, including leadership, leadership development, strategy, and entrepreneurship.

Her experience includes leadership coaching, design, development, and evaluation of leadership development programs for higher education and industry settings, and the design of higher education curricula. Marcela’s research focuses on leadership, leadership development, and online learning.

She has published in high-quality journals like the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, the Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, and the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice.

Marcela has coedited the books entitled “Case Based Research in Tourism, Travel, Hospitality and Events” (2022), Springer, and “Case Based Research in Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality - Rethinking Theory and Practice” (forthcoming), Springer