Imagine Melbourne

Philipp Ivanov

CEO, Asia Society

Philipp Ivanov commenced as CEO of Asia Society Australia in January 2015. Philipp is a China specialist with extensive experience in policy, education and research and a commitment to building an Asia-connected Australia. Previously, he was a policy officer and manager of the Australia-China Council at the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade where he was one of the principal authors of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper – China Country Strategy. Previously, Philipp was Acting Director and Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney, advised the University of Sydney on China strategy and managed La Trobe University’s partnerships in the Gulf States, Vietnam and Thailand. Philipp spent over 6 years in China and is the recipient of the ‘Rose Award’ by Shenyang Municipal. Government for his contribution to Shenyang City. He is a board member of the Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue, Asia Recon, Haymarket HQ and Sydney City Council’s Chinese New Year Advisory Panel. He grew up in Vladivostok on Russia’s Pacific coast and is a fluent Chinese and Russian speaker.

Abbie McQueen

Principal Consultant — Energy Advisory, AECOM

Abbie is a strategy specialist who leads AECOM’s Energy Advisory team. She has 10 years of experience in the infrastructure industry, with a specific emphasis on the energy sector. Abbie has experience in regulatory reviews, strategic asset management and condition monitoring. She has a background in electrical engineering and has delivered technical roles on award-winning, major infrastructure projects across Australia. In 2011, Abbie steered her career towards management consulting, specialising within the infrastructure sector. Her current role combines her technical skills with her business and commercial acumen to provide pragmatic solutions for her clients. Her passion is delivering better outcomes through the development of capital planning processes, underpinned by financial analysis and risk-based prioritisation of project portfolios.