VIC State Summit: Private Wealth Insights

Peter Evans (US)

Trusted Adviser to Legacy Families, Laird Norton Family

Peter Evans is someone who has lived the multigenerational journey from the inside out. His years of leadership within Laird Norton Company—an 8th-generation family enterprise—give him a uniquely authentic understanding of continuity, governance, and the human dynamics that shape legacy families. As a personne de confiance to families across six continents, Peter has dedicated his life to strengthening the human, intellectual, social, natural, spiritual, and financial capital that enable families to flourish across generations. His presence sets a tone of humility, wisdom, and lived experience, aligning perfectly with our PWN’s themes of unity, connection, and collective stewardship.

 

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Melissa Evans (US)

Laird Norton Family

Melissa Evans is a 5th Generation descendant of the Laird Norton family and has served on the Governing Board, the Foundation Board and the Family summit committee. Her unconventional life has followed passions in the arts, psychology and architecture. Melissa grew up with the promises and pitfalls of generational affluence and was free to pursue many interests. While raising two children, she worked in commercial real estate development utilizing her master’s degree in urban design and planning. With her subsequent master’s degree in Jungian and Archetypal Psychology, she follows her keen
interest in depth psychology, by navigating the conventional and esoteric in attending to the alchemy of inner work. As an abstract process painter, she says: “In sharing my works, I share my deepest self; to myself and others.” An avid traveler, Melissa has been to over 120 countries and is always looking for her next adventure.

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Paul Fildes

Principal, Taussig Cherrie Fildes Lawyers

Paul specialises in complex property litigation, high net worth matters, cross-border disputes, prenuptial Financial Agreements, and restructuring family property in a tax effective manner.

He also has a special interest in international property and relocation cases, involving the adjustment and treatment of assets located internationally, including Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Paul is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and has access to a wide network of family law solicitors and professionals across the globe.

Paul was a partner of K&L Gates’ legacy firm, Middletons, between 1993 and 2010. At the time he joined Middletons, it was a commercial and mercantile law firm which did not offer expertise in family law. Over the ensuing period of 15 years, Paul built a substantial practice as the head of the Family Law Practice Group, which he then merged with Taussig Cherrie & Associates in 2010, to become Taussig Cherrie Fildes.

Paul is a presenter of Case Watch on the Television Education Network which produces educational presentations and material for lawyers. He has published numerous papers and comments on current family law issues. Paul also regularly presents at seminars on behalf of various professional bodies on a wide variety of family law topics, with an emphasis on complex financial matters.

He is a qualified Family Law arbitrator and mediator, and is also a trained collaborative lawyer.

Paul was a former Chair and Executive member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. He was previously the Victorian Solicitor Representative of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, and a former Chair of the FLS National Biennial Family Law Conference and on the Board at Relationships Australia (Vic).

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Dr Anthony Chesman

Research Director, Devices and Engineered Systems Program & Quantum Technologies Program Leader, CSIRO

Dr. Anthony Chesman is the Research Director of the Devices and Engineered Systems Program in CSIRO Technology and its Quantum Technologies Program Leader.

Following the completion of a PhD in magnetochemistry and crystallography at Monash University, Dr Chesman joined CSIRO as a Postdoctoral Fellow in nanomaterials and solar cell research. Dr Chesman has held several leadership roles overseeing the development of technologies spanning renewable energy (batteries and flexible solar cells), nanomaterials, and device prototyping. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, as a Principal Research Scientist Dr Chesman is contributing to the development of nitrogen vacancy diamond (NVD)-based quantum sensors for chemical analysis, with a focus on environmental and health applications.

The Quantum Technologies Program is translating lab discoveries into practical quantum devices that deliver impact in sectors of national importance. This Program is focussed on quantum sensing, quantum-secure communication, and software and algorithms for quantum computers, which are key pillars of Australia’s national quantum strategy.

 

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Ian Finlayson

Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer, Vision Australia

With more than 35 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the not-for-profit sector, Ian is a highly regarded fundraising, marketing and communications executive with qualifications in digital marketing, customer experience strategy, and corporate governance.

As Chief Fundraising & Marketing Officer at Vision Australia, Ian leads a national team that generates over $50 million in charitable income annually and oversees the organisation’s fundraising, marketing, brand, and communications strategy. He is passionate about delivering customer-focused outcomes that advance Vision Australia’s mission to support more than 35,000 people who are blind or have low vision across Australia.

Siona Hardy

CEO, Canteen

Siona has comprehensive experience in health care leadership, operational management and strategy across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. 

Siona joined Canteen’s Executive Leadership Team in 2023. Prior to her time as the Executive Director for Services and Impact, Siona was the Statewide Director for the Queensland Youth Cancer Service, where she played a transformational role in ensuring that adolescent and young adult cancer patients received excellent medical treatment and psychosocial support. In 2022, Siona was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to investigate international models for care for young cancer survivors. 

Siona has also applied her highly effective strategic thinking and exceptional people leadership skills at the executive level and other senior management positions within the Mater network of hospitals and large allied health private clinics. In parallel, Siona was also a Visiting Academic at the University of Queensland. 

Siona officially started as CEO on 1 July 2025, aligning with the rollout of Canteen’s new strategic plan. Our key ambition for the next four years is to deliver one million meaningful touchpoints to ensure that every young Australian impacted by cancer can access the support and care they need. Under Siona’s leadership, we will achieve this by focusing on growing our reach, deepening our impact and amplifying our voice as an influential force in the cancer landscape. 

Adrian Kerley

Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Black Kite Partners

Before founding Black Kite, Adrian spent seven years at IFM Investors as Executive Director. Prior to this, he served as Head of Private Capital at Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC). He also spent significant time at CHAMP Ventures.

Adrian is equipped with over 17 years of experience in private equity, as both a general and limited partner and brings extensive top-tier experience across finance and private equity, having also held various operational and strategic leadership roles at Woolworths

Adrian is the Chair of PRP Diagnostic Imaging and is a Non-Executive Director of 13Sick, Splend, Tally Group and Render Networks. He previously led the successful investments in Payapps, SG Fleet, TSmarine, Macpac, APB, and Lorna Jane.

Adrian has a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Commerce (Macquarie University) and is a Chartered Accountant.

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Angela Rutherford

Partner, Family Office Advisory, Mutual Trust

Angela is a Partner in the Family Office Advisory team at Mutual Trust, assisting families with succession planning, asset protection, governance and decision-making, education and philanthropy.

Angela has over 25 years’ experience working with multi-generational families, providing leadership and direction across the design and delivery of financial and non-financial outcomes. This includes implementing strategies for managing family dynamics and guidance for succession planning, transfer of wealth and engagement of the next generation in preparation for transfer of ownership and control.

What matters most to Angela at Mutual Trust is contributing to a culture of inclusion, along with being surrounded by likeminded colleagues who want to make a difference and helping families navigate succession and the transition of family wealth and the challenges which can arise.

Prior to joining Mutual Trust in 2019, Angela was the long-term Managing Director of a prominent philanthropic Melbourne family. Angela’s role in the Single-Family Office was to meet the varied needs and expectations of the multi-generational family members including financial, philanthropic and non-financial and personal interests.

Angela is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Outside of Mutual Trust, Angela’s family matters most to her, spending time with her husband and daughters and their partners as well as her extended family and aging parents, usually over a meal.

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Carly Severino

Director of Community and Philanthropy, Australian Communities Foundation

Carly Severino is a strategic philanthropic leader known for combining visionary thinking with practical execution to drive meaningful, sustainable social impact. With deep expertise in philanthropy, intergenerational wealth, social investment and community building, she has led transformative programs across Australia’s most respected organisations. As Director of Community and Philanthropy at Australian Communities Foundation, Carly oversees three national teams and plays a critical role on the Senior Executive, strengthening relationships with more than 700 Funds and Foundations, elevating best‑practice philanthropy, and modernising the Foundation’s approach to education, engagement and storytelling.

Carly previously served as Executive Officer of the Betty Amsden Foundation. Prior to this, she spent seven years with the Private Wealth Network, working closely with families of significant wealth to deepen impact and support next‑generation engagement. Carly is a respected facilitator, speaker and advisor within the philanthropic and family wealth ecosystems. She holds a Masters in Social Investment and Philanthropy from Swinburne University. 

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Patrycja Slawuta

Behavioural Scientist and Founder, UnLab

Australia-based, NYC-educated and Poland-born behavioural scientist, serial entrepreneur and mindhacker.

I work with the complexity, nonlinearity and messiness of the human nature across the spectrum from high performing individuals to muti-generational family dynasties.

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Jeff Steiner

Partner, Head of Family Office Advisory, Mutual Trust

Jeff Steiner is Head of Family Office Advisory at Mutual Trust, where he works with UHNW families and family offices to define purpose, build intergenerational alignment, and design structures that sustain wealth over time.

His work draws on established family wealth frameworks and proven, practice-led advisory methodologies, guiding families from purpose and alignment through to strategy, structure, and execution. He partners with principals, family boards, and family office executive teams to strengthen governance, navigate complexity, and support effective decision-making across generations.

Jeff advises on the design and execution of tailored family office models, including Single Family Offices, Multi-Family Offices, Hybrid Family Offices and Family Business in-house structures. His focus is on creating efficient, cohesive functions that reinforce purpose and enable long-term wealth stewardship.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Jeff has advised many of Australia’s most prominent families, leading the delivery of integrated advice across family strategy, governance, succession, education, tax, investment, business interests, estate planning, and philanthropy.

Jeff is an active contributor to the global family office community through the Family Office Exchange (FOX) and the Ultra High Net Worth Institute. He also serves as an independent chair and board member across family and not-for-profit organisations. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Certified Practicing Accountant, a registered tax agent and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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