Victorian Ambassador Network

The Victorian Ambassador Network brings together leaders who shape Victoria’s industries, ideas and global influence. Supported by government and industry partners, our ambassadors help attract major business events and position Victoria as a destination for innovation and knowledge.

Ambassadors networking at a business event

Victorian Ambassador Network

The Victorian Ambassador Network has the support of the Melbourne Convention Bureau and the Victorian Government to help attract international events to our state. Our ambassadors are leaders with extraordinary expertise who give back to the community. Together, they strengthen Victoria’s reputation for academic and business excellence, leadership and global standing.

Since 2005, the program has helped secure more than 150 international events, generating over $1 billion in economic benefit for Victoria. These include the World AIDS Conference, the World Diabetes Congress and the World Congress of Cardiology.

Want to find out more about how it works – or interested in joining?

For more information, contact us at ambassadors@vcet.com.au.

Our Ambassadors

With over 80 ambassadors that are setting the standard for innovative and inspiring thinking across industries and sectors, you’ll be in exceptional company here.

Medical

Victoria is a global leader in health technology, with Melbourne-based health tech firms worth a combined $149 billion. This is our highest-value export sector at $3.2 billion annually.

The pandemic emphasized the importance of this industry. We excel in advanced manufacturing of pharmaceutical and medical technology products, including mRNA.

And the health tech industry has support from the Victorian Government to innovate and improve global health outcomes.

Alfred Health

  • Associate Professor Bronwyn Levvey

Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch

  • Associate Professor Neil Hewson

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

  • Professor Jonathan Shaw

Burnet Institute

  • Professor Brendan Crabb AC

Cancer Council Victoria

  • Mr Todd Harper AM

City Cancer Challenge

  • Professor Sanchia Aranda AM

Cartherics

  • Professor Alan Trounson AO

East Melbourne Ultrasound

  • Dr Andrew Ngu

Epworth Freemasons Hospital

  • Professor Helen O'Connell AO

La Trobe University

  • Professor Simon Crowe
  • Professor Meg Morris

Melbourne Health

  • Professor Stephen Davis AO

Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc)

  • Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM

Monash University

  • Professor John Bertram
  • Professor Arthur Christopoulos
  • Associate Professor Vincent Cousins
  • Professor Susan Davis AO
  • Professor Peter R Ebeling AO
  • Professor Gabor Kovacs AM
  • Professor Robert L. Medcalf
  • Emeritus Professor Phillip Nagley AM
  • Professor Luk Rombauts
  • Professor James Whisstock
  • Professor Ian Meredith AM

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

  • Professor Ravi Savarirayan

National Heart Foundation of Australia (National Head Office) (Victoria)

  • Professor Garry Jennings AO

Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health

  • Professor Patrick McGorry AO

Sinclair Dermatology

  • Professor Rodney Sinclair

St Vincent's Hospital

  • Associate Professor Anna Boltong

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

  • Laureate Professor Peter Doherty AC
  • Professor Sharon Lewin AO
  • Professor Peter Revill AM

The Royal Melbourne Hospital

  • Professor Anthony Costello AM
  • Dr Malcolm Hogg
  • Associate Professor Julie Miller

University of Melbourne

  • Professor Jose Villadangos
  • Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO
  • Laureate Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO
  • Professor Stephen O’Leary

Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre

  • Professor Bruce Mann
  • Professor Grant McArthur

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)

  • Professor Suzanne Cory AC

World Gastroenterology Organisation

  • Professor Geoffrey Metz AO

Western Health

  • Associate Professor Shane Hamblin

Independent

  • Mr John Bartlett AM
  • Professor Rodney Hicks
  • Ms Mary Lawson
Science

Victoria is a leading global centre for innovation and development, thanks to our ongoing investment in science and research capability.

By focusing on research infrastructure, skill development, and talent attraction, we continue to lead as a knowledge economy.

In 2020-21, our professional, scientific, and technical services industry earnings grew by $6.4 billion (19.2%). By investing in biotechnology, we’re ensuring a healthy future for all Victorians.

AAM Group

  • Dr Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed-Ghouse

Austin Health

  • Professor Andrew M. Scott AM

CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) ACT

  • Dr Cathy Foley AO

Monash University

  • Emeritus Professor Milton Hearn AM

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

  • Professor Kathryn North AC

The Royal Society of Victoria

  • Ms Emma Coath

University of Melbourne

  • Professor Geoffrey Taylor
Engineering and manufacturing

Victoria is known for leading edge, high-quality products, expertise and skilled engineers in various manufacturing fields.

With a strong focus on engineering excellence, the state is home to a diverse network of design, engineering and advanced manufacturing firms, plus research organisations.

These contributed to a $6.4 billion growth in mining industry earnings for 2020-21.

AMTIL (Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited)

  • Ms Lorraine Maxwell

AusIMM (Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy)

  • Mr Stephen Durkin

CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation)

  • Professor Bronwyn Fox

Federation University Australia

  • Professor Yousef Ibrahim

Industry Capability Network (Victoria)

  • Ms Dianne Smith

Swinburne University of Technology

  • Professor Jugdutt Singh
  • Professor Leon Sterling

University of Melbourne

  • Professor Anthony N. Burkitt
  • Professor Pierluigi Mancarella
  • Professor Thas Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas
  • Professor David Shallcross
  • Professor Alistair Moffat

Victoria University

  • Dr Horace King
Agriculture and environment

Victoria's agricultural industry is worth $17.5 billion annually, making us Australia's largest food and fibre exporter. This group makes up almost 50% of all goods exported by Australia.

Sustainable animal industries are vital to our economy and job market, with Victoria employing the most people in agriculture and food industries.

Our regions are particularly strong, providing over 75% of all agriculture production jobs.

Australian Association for Hydrogen Energy (AAHE)

  • Dr Attilio Pigneri

Centre for AgriBioscience

  • Professor German Spangenberg

Dairy Australia

  • Professor Paul Wood AO

HQ Group

  • Mr Matthew Jackson

University of Melbourne

  • Professor Richard Eckard
  • Professor Frank Dunshea
Business and community

Victoria actively supports business creation and development, providing resources, grants, and incentives to foster business growth and attract investments. Our state serves as a gateway for businesses seeking to access both domestic and international markets.

We foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Business initiatives support innovation, collaboration, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to job creation and economic dynamism. Industries such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, professional services, information technology, and tourism play vital roles in driving economic prosperity too.

Victoria also hosts a diverse range of community groups, providing platforms for individuals to come together, share their ideas, and work collectively for the betterment of their communities. Volunteer organisations and community service groups also play a crucial role in fostering engagement and providing opportunities for people to make a positive impact on their communities.

Australia Business Events Association

  • Peter King

Cato Brand Partners

  • Dr Kenneth Cato AO

Djirri Djirri Cultural Services

  • Mandy Nicholson

Mark Stone Advisory

  • Mr Mark Stone AM

RMIT University

  • Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill OAM
  • Professor Anne-Laure Mention

Solar Victoria

  • Mr Stan Krpan PSM

University of Melbourne

  • Professor Ian Freckelton AO KC

Victoria by Farmers Daughters

  • Alejandro Saravia

Victoria University

  • Professor Hans Westerbeek
Infrastructure and technology

Victoria holds a commendable capacity to deliver a steady stream of infrastructure projects. These enhance the mobility and liveability of its major cities.

Our ambassadors in this sector represent the organisations and institutes driving transport, energy and technology infrastructure across the state.

Department of Defence (Australian Capital Territory)

  • Dr Arvind Sinha

HMI Technologies Pty Ltd

  • Mr Dean Zabrieszach

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

  • Dr Greg Adamson

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Australia

  • Mr Brian Negus

Solar Victoria

  • Mr Stan Krpan PSM

World Road Association PIARC

  • Mr Colin Jordan
Alumni

Alumni have transitioned into an advisory capacity, providing guidance to current and future Ambassadors, and collaborating with the Club Melbourne Manager to improve the program.

AusBiotech Ltd

  • Professor Jan Tennent

Australian Synchrotron, ANSTO

  • Dr Dean Morris

Cartherics

  • Professor Richard Boyd

Deakin University

  • Emeritus Professor Danuta Mendelson

Department of Human Services (DHS) (Victoria)

  • Professor Euan Wallace AM

Epworth Healthcare

  • Associate Professor Laurence Harewood

Epworth Rehabilitation

  • Professor John Olver AM

International Association of Applied Psychology

  • Professor Lyn Littlefield OAM

La Trobe University

  • Professor Jenny Graves AC
  • Professor Nick Hoogenraad AO

Monash Biomedical Imaging

  • Professor Gary Egan

Monash University

  • Professor Abdelmalek Bouazza
  • Professor Peter Cameron
  • Dr Michael Knowles
  • Professor Paul Martin OAM
  • Associate Professor Geoff Sussman OAM
  • Emeritus Professor Napier Thomson AM
  • Professor John Zalcberg OAM

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

  • Professor Katrina Allen

Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health

  • Professor Helen Herrman AO

Precedence Health Care

  • Professor Michael Georgeff

Primary Care Diabetes Society of Australia (PCDSA)

  • Associate Professor Mark Kennedy

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

  • Professor David Cantrill

Science in Public

  • Mr Niall Byrne

Swinburne University of Technology

  • Professor Linda Kristjanson AO

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

  • Professor Graeme Jackson

The University of Melbourne

  • Professor Hugh Taylor AC

The University of Newcastle

  • Professor Brian Jolly

University of Melbourne

  • Professor James Angus AO
  • Emeritus Professor Philip Batterham
  • Professor Graeme Pearman AM
  • Emeritus Professor Frances Separovic AO
  • Professor Peter Taylor

Western Sydney University

  • Professor Paul James
Ambassador award recipients at a Victorian Ambassador Network event
Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Wadawurrung people, of the lands on which we operate our venues in Narrm and Djilang. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and seek to honour the long-standing tradition of building community and exchanging ideas on these lands. We extend our respect to the broader Kulin Nation and the Traditional Owners of all First Nations communities across Victoria and Australia. 

Our venues