WA State Summit: Private Wealth Insights

Neil Sahota (US)

IBM Master Inventor, AI Adviser, United Nations and Co-Founder, AI for Good

Neil Sahota is a globally recognised AI expert, United Nations AI Adviser, IBM Master Inventor and Co-Founder of the UN's AI for Good initiative.

He works with governments, Fortune 500 companies, boards and family offices to identify the opportunities and risks emerging technologies create before they become mainstream. Rather than focusing solely on AI itself, Neil helps leaders ask better questions, recognise asymmetric opportunities, and make more informed strategic decisions in an increasingly complex world.

His insights challenge conventional thinking and provide a practical framework for understanding where the next generation of value may be created.

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Joanne Woods

Co-Founder & Director, AOJ Woods Foundation

Joanne Woods is Co-Founder & Director of the AOJ Woods Foundation, a Western Australian family foundation focused on improving the lives of children and young people through thoughtful, purposeful philanthropy.

Drawing on more than 20 years working with children and families as a paediatric speech pathologist, Joanne brings both professional experience and a deeply human perspective to giving. She is particularly interested in how philanthropy can move beyond simply funding good work to using capital, relationships, influence and lived experience to help create lasting change.

Joanne believes wealth is most powerful when it is put to work with intention. A passionate advocate for giving while living, she is interested in what becomes possible when we stop thinking only about what we might leave behind and start asking what our resources — our money, time, skills, networks and influence — can change today.

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Arun Abey AM

Executive Chairman, Walsh Bay Partners

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Tom Hill

Hill Tribe Family Office

Tom Hill is a committed advocate for values-driven investment and community development in Western Australia. Drawing on a rich heritage shaped by a family business that prioritised people and principles in conjunction with executive hospitality experience, Tom brings a grounded and purpose-led approach to impact investing.

As a founding member of the Hill Tribe Family Office, established in 2024, Tom is dedicated to advancing the well-being of Western Australia and contributing to global progress for future generations. The Family Office is guided by a clear mission: to foster a vibrant community where integrity informs decision-making, empowerment drives opportunity, and happiness remains central to sustainable growth.

Tom currently works to position the family office investment portfolio to achieve long term systemic change, using the philanthropic principles of Time, Talent, Testimony, Ties and Treasure to achieve sustainable returns while eliciting an excess for impact.

 

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Rachel Cook

Co-Founder, Cook Group Family Office

Rachel is a pioneering technology and operations executive with a foundational background in early-internet enterprise architecture and digital transformation.

A major career highlight includes her pivotal role as Second in Command (2IC) at the start-up Business Web from 1999 to 2003. Beginning her tenure as a self-taught web engineer at just 22 years old, Rachel was instrumental in creating the operational ecosystem required to execute a unique digital business model during the dawn of the global internet economy. In this capacity, she spearheaded the automation and digitization of the nascent search industry, acting as the crucial bridge between visionary concepts and scalable technical execution.

Drawing on her deep technical and operational expertise, Rachel architected comprehensive workflows that transitioned traditional paper-based methods into sophisticated digital solutions. She led the prototyping of order fulfillment systems using Visual Basic and database solutions, ultimately laying the strategic groundwork for a proprietary, browser-based intranet system. Her foresight in e-commerce strategy was critical in automating manual, international payment processes prior to the advent of modern payment gateways. She operationally designed technical roles, customer data capture protocols, contract architectures, and robust communication templates, all focused on maximizing the online cart experience and ensuring continuous system uptime.

Beyond technical systems, Rachel is a proven leader in human capital and financial oversight. She actively managed the hiring, training, and administration of cross-functional teams, expertly troubleshooting the intersection of human, digital, and business platforms. Furthermore, Rachel actively designed the firm’s fiscal expense culture, implementing stringent process controls that yielded deep insights into operational success, sourced systemic efficiencies, and seamlessly integrated human workflows with digital fulfillment processing.

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Param Singh

Founder, Soul House and Founding Partner, Bloom Capital

Param is an entrepreneur, investor and founder who believes truth is the enduring foundation of leadership, enterprise and multi-generational legacy. Having built, scaled and exited companies across two continents, he brings hard-won entrepreneurial experience to the work of clarity,
expansion and lasting impact.
Today he channels that experience through four interconnected platforms. Through Soul House, he provides high-touch advisory to a select group of founders and leaders navigating critical business decisions. Through The Origin, delivered in partnership with INSEAD’s Wendel
International Centre for Family Enterprise, he guides next-generation leaders of family enterprises through a structured journey from truth to expansion, centred on purpose, venture creation and legacy stewardship. Through Bloom Capital, he invests in high-growth SMEs with conviction and empathy. As the founder of the TARA Awards, he honours first-generation migrant founders who have built businesses of enduring significance against the odds.
Param’s philosophy is simple yet uncompromising: truth is the scarcest resource and the only competitive advantage that cannot be copied. His work is further informed by the non-dual philosophy of Classical Tantra, which he has studied and practised for many years as a rigorous
path of direct self-recognition.

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Annie Hill

Hill Tribe Family Office

Annie Hill leads The Hill Tribe Family Office, a philanthropic investment group dedicated to empowering Western Australian communities by supporting pathways to employment.

From French Fries to Philanthropy, Annie is driving positive change in Western Australia through connecting entrepreneurs and Not-For-Profit to achieve sustainable social empowerment. Her journey began in 1984 as a ‘Fry Chick’ at McDonald’s in South Australia. Throughout her career, Annie has been a passionate leader, building strong partnerships between community groups and businesses. She is well-remembered in Kalgoorlie for her drive and community spirit, founding the first regional Ronald McDonald House Ball in 2001

Drawing on her extensive business and leadership experience, Annie actively support various charities and social enterprises that empower youth, foster diversity, strengthen local communities, and aim to tackle critical issues in our community.

Through The Hill Tribe Family Office, Annie is expanding this impact by developing a Community Hub at its Malaga premises. Home to organisations including 12 Buckets and LOOP Upcycling, the hub is designed to foster meaningful collaboration, innovation, and inclusive employment pathways that empower people from diverse backgrounds to thrive.

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Kristy Binns

Director - Perth, RSM Australia

Kristy's motivation stems from her deep understanding of the challenges businesses face and her dedication to supporting their needs holistically. She uses a comprehensive approach and structured service offering to address every aspect of a business' requirements. Her commitment to this all-encompassing support is what drives her to deliver exceptional service and solutions tailored to each unique business situation.

Kristy is an expert in the Private Group Tax, advising private businesses of all sizes on various facets tax. Her expertise includes advice on Small Business CGT concessions, Division 7A and Trust matters.

Kristy's passion for helping businesses navigate the complex world of tax regulations is evident in her hands-on approach with clients. She takes the time to truly understand their specific needs and goals, providing personalised guidance and strategies to optimise their tax position. 

One of Kristy's many assets is her ability to maintain her composure in almost any situation, skilfully uncovering positive outcomes even amid complex matters with clients. Her knack for remaining calm and highlighting the silver lining allows her to effectively navigate intricate challenges, fostering trust and delivering strategic solutions that align with her client's goals.

Before joining RSM, Kristy worked for a Chartered Accounting firm for over 20 years. She started her career there as a university graduate and, through her dedication and expertise, worked her way up to the roles of Director and Practice Manager. Her extensive experience in the firm equipped her with a deep understanding of the industry and a wide array of experience that she now brings to her current position at RSM.

Outside her work commitments, Kristy loves watching all sports, particularly Netball and AFL. She finds great joy in cheering on her daughters in their many sporting activities, revelling in their achievements and the excitement of the games. 

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Julian Butler

Partner, (Family Office & Trustee) and Head of Western Australia, Mutual Trust

Julian enjoys working with a diverse client base which includes ultra high-net-worth families, Traditional Owners and not-for-profit organisations. He also has operational responsibility for Mutual Trust’s Perth site, managing a highly competent team which helps clients identify what matters most to them.

Furthermore, Julian leads Mutual Trust’s engagement with Traditional Owners. In this capacity, Julian oversees all aspects of trust administration and service delivery to support Traditional Owner Communities, including attending committee, council and community meetings and interacting with beneficiaries on a daily basis.

Julian is the Responsible Person on numerous Charitable Trusts, an Independent Director of their Trustee Companies and a Trustee Representative on all of Mutual Trust’s Native Title Trusts.

With over 30 years of professional and financial services experience, Julian’s knowledge and expertise ensures the intricacies of intergenerational wealth and the complexities of intangible asset transfer are successfully navigated to help clients achieve their Purpose of Wealth.

Julian has under-graduate qualifications in Finance, Investment and Banking, as well as Post Graduate Investment Qualifications. He is a FINSIA Fellow, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary designee, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has successfully completed the Executive Leadership program at the Haas School of Business at the University of California (Berkeley).

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Jo Eastwood

Peer Group Chair, PWN

With a background in team leadership and customer relationship management within the insurance industry, Jo has spent the past three years engaged in the study of philanthropy. She has mentored the younger generation in the Eastwood Family Group, co-creating their family foundation with a focus on fostering lasting relationships and shared purpose. Jo is passionate about sharing knowledge on philanthropy and family wealth, helping families build stronger connections and make informed, values-aligned decisions for future generations.

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Caitlyn Fogarty

Executive Director, Fogarty Foundation

Caitlyn has been a Trustee of the Fogarty Foundation since 2008 and became Executive Officer in 2018. She worked closely with the Fogarty EDvance Program following her teaching experience and commercial studies. As Executive Director, Caitlyn has a strong connection to the UWA Fogarty Scholarship program and Scholars, wanting to support their endeavours to be wide reaching. Caitlyn enjoys speaking and presenting at a range of events, proudly sharing the impact of the Fogarty Foundation.

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Philip Pryor

Specialised Family Adviser, CEO & Founder, Family Business Central

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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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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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Jeremy Walker

Former Broadacre Farmer, Family Enterprise & Legacy

Jeremy Walker is a former broadacre farmer and emerging advisor with a passion for family enterprise and legacy.

With over 18 years in Australian agriculture, including more than a decade leading a 6,000-acre mixed farming enterprise in Western Australia, Jeremy made the difficult decision to step away from the business. That experience reshaped his understanding of success, legacy and what it truly means to prepare the next generation—not simply to inherit wealth, but to develop the agency, purpose and capacity to steward it well.

Today, Jeremy is studying counselling and psychotherapy while investing in and supporting purpose-driven ventures. His work explores the intersection of family enterprise, leadership, legacy and human flourishing, drawing on both lived experience and ongoing study.

Jeremy believes the greatest inheritance we can leave is not simply wealth or assets, but people with the agency, character and capacity to steward them well.

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Stuart Wesley

Peer Group Chair, PWN

Stuart Wesley is a highly experienced leadership coach and organizational development consultant who specializes in empowering family enterprises to achieve both commercial success and rich, harmonious family relationships. With deep expertise in culture development, leadership coaching, and conflict resolution, Stuart operates on the foundational philosophy that "human interaction is a core business process." He is particularly adept at cultivating relational maturity and refining human dynamics within complex business structures.

Stuart’s understanding of the unique highs and lows of family enterprises began early in his life while working in his family’s glass and aluminum window business. Driven by a passion for supporting the growth and development of others, he initially pursued a successful vocation in pastoral ministry. In this capacity, his natural talents for public speaking, coaching, and leadership flourished, leading to active roles in the national leadership of his denomination and the establishment of new faith communities. Driven by a desire to bring his expertise to the broader commercial landscape, Stuart transitioned into corporate consulting, bringing together his lived experience in the family business with his profound understanding of human dynamics.

To support his consulting practice, Stuart undertook rigorous university-level education and specialized training in coaching and organizational development. He holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Sydney College of Divinity, alongside a Diploma of Professional Coaching and a Graduate Diploma of Ontological Coaching. Furthermore, he is a Human Change Management Certified Professional (HCMBOK) and an accredited practitioner in several advanced behavioral and vocational frameworks, including the Integrative9 Enneagram, Pro-d Vocational Assessment, and DISC Personality Assessment.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Stuart and his wife, Carolyn, enjoy a rich and fulfilling family life with their four adult children and a growing band of grandchildren.

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Laura Whiddon

Co-Founder, Pith News

Laura is Co-Founder and CEO of digital news startup, Pith News. Formerly COO at The Minexchange, having started her career at global pre-seed, venture capital firm, Antler, in London. She informally works as a next-gen in the Lagral FO, with early stage and alternative deal flow and diligence. Laura also co-founded the initiative Eldest Daughter, supporting the next generation of women leaders stepping into family office responsibilities.

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