Advisory Board

Swati Dave is an experienced CEO and non-executive director with a distinguished track record of leading and transforming organisations across domestic and international markets.

Most recently, she served as Managing Director and CEO of Export Finance Australia from 2017 to 2022, where she successfully led a significant business and cultural transformation to make the organisation more impactful, customer-focused and inclusive.

Swati brings over 30 years of banking and financial services experience across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, natural resources, energy and utilities, renewable energy and property. Throughout her executive career, she held senior leadership roles with National Australia Bank, Deutsche Bank, AMP Henderson Global Investors, Bankers Trust and Westpac.

Swati currently serves on a number of prominent boards and advisory bodies. She is a member of the Governance Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Deputy Chair of Treasury Corporation of Victoria, and a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. She is also an Independent Member of the QIC Global Infrastructure Investment Committee, a Member of the Trade 2040 Taskforce, and an Advisory Council Member of Asia Society Australia.

Her previous board and advisory appointments include serving as Deputy Chair of Asia Society Australia, a member of the Advisory Board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, and a Director of State Super, Australian Hearing, Great Western Bancorp, Inc. (USA) and the NAB Wealth Responsible Entity Boards.

Swati is widely recognised for her expertise in governance, finance, infrastructure investment, international engagement, organisational transformation and strategy.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM is a visionary producer, distributor, and cultural connector whose work has transformed the presence of Indian cinema in the Pacific region. As founder of Mind-Blowing Films and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and Indian Film Festival of Sydney, she has championed stories that bridge cultures and celebrate diverse voices. Under her leadership, Indian films entered the Australian mainstream, with record-breaking box office success and historic festival milestones. Mitu serves on the boards of Vic Screen, the Centre for Australia-India Relations and was appointed to the Premier’s Business Council in 2023. Her contributions to the screen sector have also been recognised with the Jill Robb Screen Leadership Award and the Member of the Order of Australia (AM).She continues to be a powerful advocate for inclusive storytelling in the global screen industry

Amrit Gill was previously the Creative Program Lead at the City of Melbourne and the Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Amrit also previously worked at the Australia Council for the Arts as Director of International Development, leading on international strategic investment across artforms, implementation of the agency’s first international arts strategy, expanding engagement and investment in Asia and global First Nations exchange.

Catriona Jackson is a highly experienced foreign affairs journalist and higher education expert. She presently serves as Editor and Chief Executive of the public affairs journal Pearls and Irritations. She was formerly the lead advocate for Australia’s University sector, Chief Executive and a Board Director of Universities Australia. Prior to this appointment, she was University Australia's Deputy Chief Executive leading the policy team in developing sectoral policy. Catriona was previously Chief Executive Officer of Science and Technology Australia, Director Communications at Australian National University and Media Advisor for the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Catriona serves on a range of government and other boards, focused on education trade in our region, and has a special interest in women’s empowerment and equal opportunity through education

Robin Khuda is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AirTrunk, a hyperscale data centre specialist that provides a scalable platform for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data-intensive customers across the Asia Pacific and Middle East region. AirTrunk develops and operates data centre campuses with industry-leading innovation and best-in-class energy and water efficiency.

Khuda has received global recognition for his leadership, entrepreneurialism, influence, and philanthropic contributions to the broader community. His commitment to creating long-term community impact is reflected through the Khuda Family Foundation, which has donated A$100 million to the University of Sydney, the largest gift in the University’s history, to fund an ambitious 20-year program creating pathways for girls from Western Sydney into STEM education and careers.

Khuda’s commitment to long-term social value is evident both in his philanthropy and in his leadership of AirTrunk, where responsible digital infrastructure is embedded across the company’s development and operations, with a focus on supporting communities, safeguarding shared resources and creating lasting value as data centres become increasingly essential to everyday life.

Dr Helen Nugent AC has been a Chairman and company director for over 30 years in sectors as diverse as financial services, energy, health, the arts, disability and education. Helen is currently Chairman of Ausgrid, Senior Independent Director of TPG Telecom, a Non-Executive Director of IAG, and a member of the Global Advisory Board of UST. She is also Chairman of the Order of Australia Association Foundation and a member of the Australia Olympic Foundation. Helen previously served as Chair of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and in 2022, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia. She has a PhD in Indian history, and previously taught Indian history and culture at the University of Queensland.

Faz Pollard is Director of Adarsh Australia and Afaridan Plastics, Western Australian advanced manufacturing businesses specialising in engineering, product development and manufacturing. He has extensive experience across advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, plastics, additive manufacturing and the commercialisation of new products, working across sectors including mining, agriculture, construction, medical technology, automotive and consumer products. Faz has worked with organisations ranging from multinational companies to start-ups, helping develop and manufacture new products from concept and prototyping through to commercial production and international markets. He has extensive business and market experience across Asia and the Middle East, including India, and a strong interest in strengthening collaboration between Australian and Indian businesses, particularly in advanced manufacturing, technology and supply chains.

Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO is a world-leading pioneer in recycling science and materials sustainability. Known internationally as the inventor of green steel, Professor Sahajwalla is the founding Director of the Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) Centre at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) where she leads her team in creating innovative environmental solutions for the world’s biggest waste challenges. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2025 for distinguished service to science as an engineer and inventor, to sustainable materials research and technology and waste management and received the Indian Government's Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest award for a member of the Indian diaspora, in 2011.

Amit Singh is Managing Partner for the economics and strategy advisory firm, Mandala. He was previously Managing Director at Accenture and Global Head of Economic Policy for Uber in San Francisco. Amit previously served as a Senior Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister. Amit was a founding director of Responsible Technology Australia (now Reset Tech Australia). Recently, he was appointed by the Federal Government to undertake a review into myGov and government digital services. In 2021, Amit was named on the list 40 under 40 Asian-Australians.

Steve Waugh AO, former Australian cricket captain, is one of cricket's most legendary and revered players. World renowned for his sporting achievements, business acumen and commitment to philanthropy, his accomplishments continue to earn him accolades and recognition worldwide. He is only one of three Australians invited to join the prestigious Laureus World Sports Academy and just the fourth cricketer to receive this honour. Steve has long championed strengthening ties between Australia and India. His deep connection with India began during his first tour in 1986, when he was captivated by the country's vibrancy. After retirement, Steve fulfilled his dream of documenting India through photography, selecting 220 favourite images from tens of thousands captured. His book 'The Spirit of Cricket: India' celebrates his quest to capture the essence of the game and the passion of cricket-loving people across the subcontinent.

Jan Adams AO PSM was appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 1 July 2022. Prior to this, Ms Adams was Australia’s Ambassador to Japan from November 2020 to June 2022 and before that Australia’s Ambassador to China from 2016 to 2019. In 2016, Ms Adams was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to international relations through the advancement of Australia's diplomatic and free trade relationships. In 2007, she was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding public service in pursuing Australia's international objectives on trade and the environment.