Criterion Conferences

Anthony Molinia was appointed to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Newcastle (UON) in October 2016, having previously served in a consultancy capacity for four years in his role as a Director and Principal of Strategic Development & Design (SDND).

Anthony brings over twenty years of global experience in Information Technology and Business Management, predominantly in the Financial Services sector, with deep practical experience in Australian, UK, Switzerland and US markets. Prior to joining the UON, Anthony held a broad range of senior leadership roles including Head of Business delivery at AMP Financial Services, Senior Program Manager at BNP Paribas Securities Services and Senior Vice President in Information Technology at Credit Suisse.

Through his expertise in leadership, execution strategies and bias to action, Anthony is accountable for driving the transformational and digital agendas across the Academic, Research and Professional functions at the University. As the leader of the Digital & IT Strategy, Anthony’s passion for collaboration, instilling a positive work culture, commercial aptitude and value-add innovation is a key enabler and contributor to the UON’s Organisational goals.

As a senior Information Security professional, Tony has worked extensively around the world supporting Tier 1 organisations with their strategic and tactical IT solutions.

In-depth experience across Management Consulting Practice, Financial, Higher-Education and Telecommunications industries. Accountable for 150+ resources spread across Australia, India, Singapore and HK. Including multi-million dollars operating budgets.

Tony’s international experience includes Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, UK, USA, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and NZ.

Suthagar Seevaratnam is the inaugural Chief Information Security Officer for the Australian National University. He was appointed to this role, upon the recommendation of the Australian Cybersecurity Centre, in October 2018 following the first breach of the University’s network. Since that time he has been accountable for developing the ANU’s information security strategy and led the team which detected and disclosed the second breach reported in June 2019. Suthagar is also the strategic security advisor to the ANU Cyber Institute – a new initiative designed to build a world class cyber masters program and research hub. Prior to joining ANU, Suthagar was the General Manager of IT Operations and Chief Information Security Officer for the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. His appointment to the Bureau came at a time of extensive cybersecurity uplift in the wake of the organisation’s breach in 2016. In this role he was responsible for the development and guidance of the Bureau’s strategic cybersecurity direction. Suthagar was also the Head of Cryptology for the Australian Signals Directorate where he was responsible for Australia’s intelligence and cybersecurity cryptologic mission. During this time he initiated the ASD joint facility on ANU’s campus – the first such open academic facility in the history of the ASD and is a key investment in helping to greater Australian STEM capability. Suthagar holds a Bachelor of Economics and Master of Commerce both from the University of Sydney. He is married with one child.

Teresa Finlayson is the Deputy Chief Information Officer at Monash University, with oversight of a large division that delivers strategic projects across the institution, while embedding contemporary project and business change methodologies.

She is an experienced change management practitioner with over 14 years’ experience in advising, executing and managing the alignment of strategic goals to the culture and values of large, complex organisations. She has been named as one of the finalists at the 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards in Victoria for Public Sector and Academia.

Teresa’s approach to change management is by ‘working differently and working together’. She facilitates business transformation through practical application and coordinated action. Teresa empowers business leaders to translate objectives to action.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Applied Computing, Teresa moved into change management with the global professional services consulting firm, KPMG before finding her home at Monash University. As a key member of the CIO Portfolio, Teresa is responsible for driving significant strategic ICT reform agenda to deliver new ways of working across the University.

When not online, Teresa enjoys reading – for both professional development and relaxation – and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresafinlayson/
Twitter: @FinlaysonTeresa