News

Natalie Reiter is the Deputy Secretary of Strategy and Precincts at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. In her conversation with host Michelle Batsas, Natalie shares her invaluable insights on the future of public transport, emphasising the need to increase accessibility and reduce car ownership. Discover Natalie’s unique journey in transport planning and leadership, shaped by her experiences in private consulting. Uncover the secrets of leadership growth and challenging traditional hierarchies, as Natalie encourages listeners to embrace paradigm shifts for professional success. Join the conversation on work-life balance and gender dynamics, where Natalie candidly addresses discrimination and highlights the ongoing battle against gender bias.

Natasha Zulkfili is a globally recognised change-maker in the public transport sector. Her inspiring career includes studying in Kuala Lumpur, New Zealand and London, extensive experience in Malaysian public transport, running the Malaysia-Europe Forum (MEF) and representing Malaysia on USAID and ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) initiatives. She is currently a Director at YTL Construction, part of the project team that is building the new 192km electrified double track rail link for the Malaysian Government in the state of Johor. In 2017 Natasha founded Women in Rail Malaysia, a not-for-profit entity that supports and promotes equality and diversity within the Malaysian rail industry.

Get to know PTAANZ’s new Chief Executive, Lauren Streifer, in her inspiring interview with Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning and a PTAANZ Ambassador. Lauren has built an incredible career by getting to know as many people as possible, creating a diverse network of mentors and taking every opportunity she can. Lauren also shares her passion for public transport, especially big infrastructure projects and the legacy of investment decisions made now for future generations. Hear how Lauren is breaking down gender barriers, managing executive life and preparing to have a baby. As Lauren says, “You can be a leader, be a woman, have a baby and work it out”!

Joanne (Jo) McDonald is the Chief Legal and Risk Officer at Kelsian Group, Australia’s largest integrated multi-modal transport provider and tourism operator, which also has bus operations in Singapore, London and the Channel Islands. Jo shares unmissable advice on developing strategic influencing and management skills, how she has built a sustainable career and key lessons she’s learnt along the way. Jo emphasises that for her, working in public transport is so satisfying because it’s connected with people’s everyday lives, it involves systems and is purpose driven. Tune in now to hear Jo’s interview with Jamie-Lee Owen, a PTAANZ Emerging Mobility Leader and Passenger Experience Lead for the Level Crossing Removal Project at Metro Trains Melbourne.

Katarzyna (Kat) Stapleton is the Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail, the integrated customer and rail infrastructure business that manages Queensland’s railways and train services. Kat has an inspiring discussion with Sally Stannard, PTAANZ Chair and Deputy Director-General (Translink) at the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads. Kat shares insights on her diverse role that involves being an ambidextrous rail operator, focusing on the local croquet club, the economy, community connectivity and working to eradicate gendered violence. Kat also takes us on her professional journey from starting her career in the Canadian Navy, to joining telecommunications in the 1990s and early 2000s, when that sector was going through a fascinating period of change driven by fast-evolving technology, to ending up in rail where she believes there’s no better place to work.

Alana Newbrook is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SYSTRA ANZ. In her interview with Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Alana shares how she’s harnessing SYSTRA’s global insights and applying them to Australia and New Zealand’s public transport sector. Alana discusses her passion for delivering city-shaping and life-changing projects, relishing how her role allows her to make tangible contributions to creating more equitable communities.

The Hon Catherine King is Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and the first woman to hold the transport portfolio at the national government level. In her interview with member host Michelle Batsas, Executive Director of Future Mobility at the Victorian Department of Transport, Minister King shares insights on Australia’s fast rail future, reflections on her 20-year political career and advice for aspiring politicians and policymakers.

Samantha Gain is Kaiwhakahaere Matua Metlink / General Manager of Metlink, the public transport agency for Greater Wellington Regional Council in New Zealand. She is interviewed by guest host Sally Stannard, Deputy Director-General (Translink) at Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads and Vice Chair of PTAANZ’s Board of Directors. Sam trained as a lawyer and loves the legal complexities of delivering public transport services and projects, as well as the diverse range of people she gets to work with and the community service it provides. Sam also shares fun and actionable advice about leadership and building the career you want.