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.

Helen Millicer

Principal – One Planet Consulting
National President of ATA, Alternative Technology Association

Helen Millicer has depth and breadth on energy, materials, waste and water, and insightful perspectives on future directions for industry and society. Her consulting practice, One Planet Consulting, supports clients such as the ACT, NSW and Victorian Governments, local/regional groups and industry bodies on sustainability strategies, market research and effective program design. Helen is the National Recycling Strategy Manager for the Vinyl Council of Australia and an Expert Panel member for the Victorian Government’s $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund. In previous roles in government and industry, Helen has successfully led and been engaged in industry innovation, strategy planning, change management and communications. She is also a Director of the Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group and national President of the Alternative Technology Association, which advocates for sustainable living and liveable homes. Helen’s expertise is sought for radio, magazines, conferences and seminars and she presents for the UN Global Cities Program to visiting Chinese Government delegations on sustainable futures. She holds qualifications in business management from Monash University, carbon accounting from Swinburne University and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Helen has also won a number of scholarships and awards, the most recent being an international travelling Churchill Trust Fellowship on how Australia can shift to a more sustainable and circular economy.