Else Bright has 29 years of experience as Commercial and Contracts Management practitioner specialising in Defence and IT industries in acquisition, services and as-a-service contracting, most recently working for BAE Systems’ Aircraft Sustainment and Training line of business in Williamtown, NSW focusing on the Joint Strike Fighter Program. Else has been a member of WorldCC for many years, and a WorldCC Council Member in Australia representing Aerospace and Defence. Else commenced her role as Senior Director Member Engagement ANZ in April 2022.

Hanelie Lategan is a highly respected procurement leader with over three decades of experience across government and private sectors, spanning Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. She currently serves as the Director of Procurement at Queensland Government, where she drives procurement strategies that reflect her commitment to ethical, sustainable, and culturally responsive practices. With a proven ability to lead high-performing teams and negotiate complex contracts, Hanelie has shaped procurement processes that deliver not only value for money but also positive social outcomes.

Born and raised in a small semi-desert town in South Africa, Hanelie learned the importance of community and resilience early on, helping her mother run a local shop. This experience instilled in her a strong work ethic, adaptability, and a passion for supporting others—values that continue to guide her today. Her career journey has taken her to New Zealand, where she worked on a range of high-impact procurement projects, particularly in government and housing sectors, strengthening her strategic leadership and deepening her expertise in managing large-scale contracts.

A sought-after speaker and a self-described serial optimist, Hanelie loves procurement and enjoys sharing her knowledge on the topic. She has presented at numerous international conferences, including the World Commerce and Contracting Conference, where she shares her insights on vendor relationship management, risk mitigation, and innovative procurement strategies. She is also passionate about mental health, regularly speaking on how mental well-being intersects with procurement leadership and fostering a healthy workplace culture. Hanelie is currently writing two books: one that demystifies procurement for everyone involved in the lifecycle and another that addresses mental health in the workplace. Her work has earned her several procurement awards in the Asia-Pacific region, recognising her leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Hanelie is passionate about giving back and making a meaningful impact. Her personal journey—from small-town beginnings to driving transformative procurement strategies - reflects her dedication to persistence, community, and ethical leadership.
 

Rene´e Giarrusso is a highly sought-after communication, leadership & mindset expert. She is a speaker, International 4-time award-winning author, facilitator, educator and coach (PCC). She works with leaders, teams and organisations to energise mindset and accelerate communication, collaboration and leadership to lift performance and culture. Her sole purpose is to make workplaces exceptional places to work.

In 2006 she founded RG Dynamics after working for 12 years in a global company in a variety of senior leadership, sales management and brand roles.

With over 25 years leading teams and working within hundreds of organizations across 24 industries, Renée and her team have a strong reputation of passionately delivering results and are known as a dynamic, relatable, dedicated and experienced professionals. Renée’s diverse experience is mirrored in the network and clients she works with.

Industries include; building & construction, telco, FMCG, food & beverage, professional services, retail, real estate, manufacturing, telco, NFP, barcoding, consumer durables, government (job services), automotive, electronics and many more.

She is obsessed with working with individuals and their teams to realise and achieve what is possible which results in increased performance and success. She passionately helps people to achieve their goals and believes everyone is limitless in their abilities.

Her expertise is in growing and developing capability and behavioural change around leadership, mindset, communication and creating leadership presence which leaves her clients inspired, re-energised and with improved results.

Organisations who want to be limitless and live their legacy trust in Renée to deliver interactive, informative, thought provoking and relatable programs that bring learnings to life that are transformational, not transactional. With her highly developed skills in the area of learning reinforcement back on the job, she has the experience and understanding of what it takes to lead and create a high performing team and organisational culture.

Renée has published three books with her first book Limitless Leadership followed with the Leaders of Influence anthology.

In 2021 she published her third book: Gift Mindset. This book won the USA Living Now Silver Medal & Bronze Award in the Personal Growth & Leadership category. It also won two finalist awards at the global Indies Book awards and is being translated and published in Vietnam, India and the Middle East.

Renee is also the co-creator of the 2 Sides IN 2 Minutes Team communication game.

Renée regularly shares her message on radio, podcasts, TV and is a columnist for publications such as: CEO World magazine, Thrive Global, Woman’s Agenda, The CEO Institute, Retail World and many more.

She is also the host of The Limitless Leaders podcast.