ACS Think Tank: Cryptocurrency (In-Person)

Technology advocate dedicated to advances in Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Cyber Security, Image Processing, and Long Range Wide Area Networks, combined with research and academic engagement in Business, Governance, Information Technology, International Relations, Security, Virtual Reality, Agricultural Data management, and Education.

Mohammed is a digital transformation expert who successfully led and delivered complex large digital transformation programs, devised and executed IT strategy to have a higher level of alignment with business, streamlined business operations and functions by reengineering business processes and implementing integrated business systems.Mohammed is a TEDx speaker and a Board Member of several renowned organisations like the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management ANZAM and the Centre for Islamic Economics Australia CIEA.Mohammed is certified in Project Management (PMP), Information Systems Audit (CISA), Information Technology Management (ITIL), Building Internet Applications (OCP) and cloud technologies. He holds a Masters degree in Information Technology Management, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering. Mohammed is due to complete his PhD in emerging technologies from the University of Western Australia by the end of 2021. 

Wayne is considered a true generalist with a heavy IT background and has an extensive business career spanning over 30 years of integrating technology with business processes and people. With an early career in IT later broadening to general management both in the private and public sectors, the range of industries and sectors Wayne has engaged with includes Information Technology, Software Development, Media, Marketing, Advertising, Political Campaigning, Property Management, Property Development, Printing, Tourism, Hospitality, Local Government, State Government, Federal Government, Retail, Venture Capital, Marine Industry, Professional Services, Financial Services, Auctions and Valuations. Waynes passion currently is the expansion of underlying Blockchain technologies into wider commercial and societal use for the betterment of business and the community via education, training and skills development within the IT industry specifically and the wider community more generally. Waynes overarching philosophy is that *Ideas are nothing without implementation* - a creed that has served him well throughout his career.

Founder, Blockchain Collective

Austin Lewinsmith is a founder of Blockchain Collective, a blockchain technology education firm. He is a strategic leader with a passion for enabling people and organisations through emerging technology. With a focus on cultivating, upskilling, and reskilling in technologies and ideas that will change the world, Austin has made a significant impact through global keynote speaking at events such as Mumbrella in Sydney, and San Beda University in the Philippines.

Over the last years, Austin has been instrumental in ideating, developing, and deploying three Diplomas and an Advanced Diploma, as well as creating and executing partnerships, including successful lobbying of the government for federal funding Austin's skills revolve around creating strategic relationships and mentoring individuals across many demographics. He has secured federal funding for various initiatives, including the Advanced Diploma of Applied Blockchain NAT 10747, the Diploma of Applied Blockchain NAT 10849 (with units in AI and Big Data), and the Diploma of Applied Blockchain merging Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence 10991 NAT. 

Austin's skills and expertise have earned him a reputation as an industry expert, and he is regularly consulted in this capacity. In addition, he has achieved significant success as a former Senior Vice President with a top 10 Global networking company, ACN, having developed and trained close to 100k people in his 17 years with the company. Through his work and leadership, Austin has demonstrated a deep commitment to using technology to empower individuals and organisations, and to help create a better world for all.
 

Founder & CEO, Blockchain Collective 

As a Founder and the CEO of Blockchain Collective, Nathan Burns is a leading innovator in the emerging technology education space. With accredited courses such as the Diploma of Applied Blockchain, Diploma of Applied Blockchain merging Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, and the Advanced Diploma of Applied Blockchain, as well as technical short courses, Nathan and his team are working to bridge the skills gap and build a pipeline of talent for the future technology workforce.

Drawing on his expertise in business, fintech, blockchain, and decentralised systems, Nathan is a strategic thinker who excels at problem-solving. Known for his ability to think outside the box and simplify complexity, Nathan has identified common challenges across multiple industry verticals and provided holistic solutions that benefit the broader tech ecosystem. For instance, he has created various industry-training and employment programs that help alleviate the skills shortage and support positive job growth in the technology sector of Australia. 

With a passion for lifelong learning and a belief in the power of technology to drive positive change, Nathan is dedicated to making a real impact in the emerging technology industry. He is committed to providing accessible and practical education that empowers individuals and organizations to succeed in the digital age.
 

Founder & Director, Emerging Tech Talent

Karen Cohen aka “blockmum” is the Founder and Director of Emerging Tech Talent, a company that helps humans connect to Emerging Technology. She is the Founder of AlgoHUB the Algorand Foundation’s developer hub for Asia Pacific.

She is the Founder of Women in Emerging Tech and Previous Deputy Chair for Blockchain Australia. She is Community Champion for Algorand Foundation. She is the 2022 Blockies Award winner for community leader and 2021 winner of the Lift Off Awards for Diversity and Inclusion Tech Leader and a founding member of Women in Blockchain Australia.