AIIA Women in International Affairs: Building Queensland's connections in Asia

Women in International Affairs: Building Queensland's connections in Asia

Our three panelists will offer their insights on how the Queensland Government and the state's cities and businesses are connecting to Asia; what's been successful to date, and how Queensland might move forward and stay engaged in the new post-Covid world.

This event on Thursday, August 13, 2020, is online only. After registering, on August 13 you will receive a follow-up confirmation email containing further details on how to join the webinar which will commence at 6pm AEST (Brisbane. Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra time). If you have not received an email by early afternoon, please check your junk folder. This is event is free for AIIA members from all states. Non-members pay $10 and student non-members $5.

To register, click here

Our panelists

Ms Wen Gu, CEO, Australia China Business Council Queensland

Wen is the first Chinese national to have held the CEO position at the Australia China Business Council. Wen’s professional experience spans a variety of industry sectors, both in Australia and China. Her keen interest to advance bilateral relations and bring businesses together has seen her make meaningful impact on the Australia and China business community. She is passionate about fostering understanding and inclusion between the business communities of Australia and China. As a former international student from Monash University, Wen is also passionate about supporting international students to better integrate into Australian society. In 2016 she led the inaugural career fair in Shanghai for Chinese nationals graduated from Australian universities and has been a mentor in the Connect Mentoring Program at the University of Queensland. Before moving to Brisbane in 2017, Wen worked as the Senior Business Engagement Manager for 3 years at AustCham Shanghai, the largest Australian Chamber of Commerce in China and was responsible for creating and developing the newest and fastest growing Business Engagement Department in the Chamber. Prior to joining the Australia China Business Council Queensland, Wen managed the China program in the Lord Mayor’s International Relations and Multicultural Affairs Unit at the Brisbane City Council. Wen has also worked in higher education with Navitas Professional in Melbourne and held the position of Legal Consultant at ShiMao Group in Shanghai. Wen holds a Bachelor of Law from DongHua University in Shanghai and Masters in Communications and Media Studies from Monash University in Melbourne.

Nicole Andronicus, Director, International Relations and Multicultural Affairs, Brisbane City Council

Brisbane City Council is the largest local government authority in Asia-Pacific region. With an annual budget of $3.4 billion, an asset base of more than $20 billion, and employing over 8000 people, Brisbane is sometimes regarded as a city-state capitalising on a dedicated International Relations & Multicultural Affairs unit.  

Nicole leads this team of culturally and linguistically diverse specialists within the International Relations and Multicultural Affairs portfolio, responsible for facilitating and enhancing economic and social outcomes for Brisbane businesses and industries through the city’s international partnerships. The team achieves this through a range of programs including tailored business introductions to organisations in Brisbane’s nine sister cities, Lord Mayoral Business Missions to international markets, International Business Forums, the International Internship Program and the biennial Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum. In conjunction with the international business program, Nicole’s team also administers the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Round Table, which provides business training and mentoring opportunities to Brisbane residents from multicultural backgrounds.

Nicole is currently on secondment with Brisbane’s Economic Recovery Taskforce which has been established to bolster and rebuild Brisbane’s economy in the wake of coronavirus and will drive Council’s contribution to the city’s recovery.  

Julie-Anne Nichols, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, China, Trade and Investment Queensland

Julie-Anne has held a range of Australia and Asia-based private and public-sector positions.  Her public-sector career has focused on international trade and investment promotion and facilitation, working for State and Federal-level Australian government agencies in Australia, Greater China and South- East Asia, including a decade assigned overseas on diplomatic assignments.

She has accrued over 20 years of engagement with Greater China in both private and public sector roles.  She has led regional and national teams, working across a broad range of industry sectors, to assist Australian businesses navigate market opportunities and secure commercial outcomes.

Julie-Anne holds undergraduate qualifications in International Business and Chinese language from Griffith University and an MBA from the Queensland University of Technology

Kind Regards,

David Costello

Secretary

AIIA QLD

0403 777 541

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