Judging Panel

Joel Abraham

Chair, 40 Under 40 Program
Growth Specialist
ThincLab, Adelaide University

Joel Abraham is a highly experienced business leader, investor and advisor with more than 20 years of commercial experience supporting Australian SMEs to grow profitability, enterprise value and leadership capability. He has held senior roles as a business owner, CEO, director and coach, working with hundreds of owner-operators across a wide range of industries and growth stages.

From 2005 to 2018, Joel served as Joint CEO of the Australian Institute of Business, leading its transformation from a small training provider into Australia’s largest MBA institution and a leading private higher education group. In 2016, he led a successful private equity transaction and continued as CEO until 2019, remaining on the board through the business’s subsequent global acquisition.

Today, Joel works closely with SME owners through coaching, board roles and strategic investments, and mentors emerging entrepreneurs through Australia’s leading scale-up incubator. He is degree qualified, has studied at Harvard, Stanford and Columbia, and is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course.

Alex Sinclair

Director, Programming
Adelaide Festival Centre

An experienced arts professional, Alex Sinclair has worked across Australia’s major cultural institutions and independent sector, with senior roles at Sydney Opera House, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and alongside leading independent promoters. She has served as Executive Producer of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and on the Executive Council for Live Performance Australia, the peak body for the live performance industry in Australia. She is currently Director, Programming at Adelaide Festival Centre, overseeing the Centre-wide program of performing and visual arts.

Carmen Garcia AM

Founder and CEO
Community Corporate

Carmen is the founder and CEO of the national certified social enterprise Community Corporate, which operates in the niche space of corporate social responsibility. The company activates and implements customised workforce solutions in diversity and inclusion to facilitate recruitment with a social conscience and drive social impact. Community Corporate has supported its employer partners such as IKEA, Woolworths Group, OTR, Accor Hotel Group, and various state governments to access a hidden pool of talent by coaching and training hundreds of refugees, migrants, youth and women to secure meaningful work across Australia.

Carmen was listed in the inaugural 2018 Top 40 Under 40, was awarded the individual State Contribution Award, and helped establish the 40 Under 40 Alumni. Community Corporate won the 2020 National Social Enterprise of the Year at the Australian Small Business Champions Awards and Carmen’s 20+ year career has been recognised as the 2020 winner of the Governor’s Multicultural Awards for Individual Outstanding Achievement, 2023 SA Women’s Honour Roll and in 2024 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the multicultural community through diversity and inclusion.

David Simmons

Deputy Editor, Business Editor
InDaily

David is the Deputy Editor and Business Editor at InDaily with more than nine years of experience in business reporting, covering a variety of topics including entrepreneurship, economics, technology, space, retail and hospitality. He has a keen interest in the arts and music scene and is an advocate for a thriving creative industry.

With a Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Laws (Hons), David is across the machinations of business from the start-up stage through to the scaleup process and is passionate about seeing young South Australians succeed in their creative and business endeavours.

Jo Thomson

General Manager of Partnerships and Sales
Adelaide Oval

As Adelaide Oval’s General Manager of Partnerships & Sales, Jo Thomson is at the forefront of South Australia’s major events, business events, hospitality and tourism industries. 

Her team is responsible for millions of dollars in revenue across events, corporate hospitality, partnerships and Adelaide Oval Hotel. She is committed to upholding the global standards that Adelaide Oval sets for itself as it strives to be Australia’s most iconic provider of world-class, unmissable experiences for all.

Jo is passionate about growing South Australia’s business events, tourism and hospitality economy, as well as identifying and nurturing the next wave of home-grown talent.

Joann Skene

Executive Manager Brand & Partnerships
Credit Union SA

With leadership experience spanning 25 years across marketing services, not for profit, finance and retail sectors, Joann has led teams to achieve positive commercial results and positive cultures. Taking pride in developing talent within her teams, Joann also focuses on creating meaningful impact that benefits SA and the broader community.

For the last five years, Joann has led teams at Credit Union SA. Prior to this she launched the OTRGive community partnerships program at OTR and has further marketing experience at Anglicare SA and the Flinders Foundation. Joann also held the role of General Manager SA/NT at Salmat, a marketing services organisation for over 12 years.

Matthew Illman

Partner
William Buck

Matthew is a Business Advisory Director of William Buck, specialising in tax and business advisory services for small to medium business. He works across a range of industries including primary production, property, health and professional services. Matthew thrives on working closely with his clients to achieve outstanding results.

Throughout his career, Matthew has been a regular contributor to the profession through various speaking engagements and networking programs.

Dr Peta Spyrou

Program Director
Adelaide University Business School

Dr Peta Spyrou is a socio-legal researcher and Lecturer in Law at Adelaide University, and an external affiliate of QUT’s Centre for Inclusive Education. She is a member of the Australian Discrimination Law Experts Group and the Berkeley Center for Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law, and serves on the inaugural Hearing Tribunal of the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability.

Her research focuses on disability discrimination, dispute resolution, and education policy, informed by her experience as a support worker. She is also the Program Director of Pathways to Politics for Women at Adelaide University, Australia’s most comprehensive and award-winning political training initiative, which equips diverse women to boldly pursue political leadership and shape Australia’s political landscape.

In 2025, Peta translated her research into policy impact by advising Members of the South Australian Legislative Council and collaborating on inclusive education reforms.

Sally Pottharst

Director
Terrace Floors + Furnishings

Sally Pottharst is the co-founder of Armadillo, which was founded in 2009 and became the first Australian and American rug brand to become a certified B Corp in 2021. Originally from Zimbabwe, she now resides in Adelaide where her family run business Terrace Floors + Furnishings has been operating for 25 years. Her work is guided by a deep connection to nature, sustainability and an enduring respect for craft. With a discerning eye and a quiet sense of purpose, she shapes each collection alongside co-founder Jodie Fried, balancing a refined take on antipodean design with ethical integrity. Sally’s commitment to sustainability and social impact extends beyond the loom, reflected in her thoughtful philanthropy and the communities she continues to empower.

Sam Davies

Managing Director
KWP and Partners

Sam Davies is Managing Director of KWP+Partners, where he leads a national team working across advertising, brand and digital experience. He’s known for building people-first agencies that balance commercial performance with creative ambition, and for exploring how creativity and instinct hold up in an increasingly automated world.

Speaking of which – Sam also hosts the Humans Aren’t Robots podcast, diving deeper into where technology, humanity, and good work actually intersect.

Sam Morphett

Special Counsel
Piper Alderman

Sam Morphett is a Special Counsel in Piper Alderman’s national Private Client Services team, advising individuals, families and business owners on succession planning, asset protection, complex trusts and estate administration. He has significant expertise in probate disputes, family provision claims and broader estate‑related litigation, bringing a pragmatic, commercially minded approach to resolving sensitive issues. With a strong commercial background, Sam supports clients and emerging leaders to protect their assets, plan for growth and build enduring legacies.

Dr Shu Lam

Chief Business Development Officer
CMAX Clinical Research

Dr. Shu Lam is the Chief Business Development Officer at CMAX Clinical Research, one of Australia’s most well-established and experienced early-phase clinical trial units. Since joining in November 2024, she has been at the forefront of driving strategic business development initiatives both locally and internationally. Shu’s role involves leveraging her expertise in clinical research, strategic planning, and business development to foster strong partnerships and support innovative clinical trials.

A passionate advocate for clinical trials, Shu holds a deep appreciation for Australia’s pivotal role in global research. Her extensive career includes serving as Director of Business Development for the Asia-Pacific region at ProPharma, as well as Head of Business Development at Linear Clinical Research. Additionally, she held strategic planning, consulting, and business development roles at IQVIA.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Shu gained international recognition for her academic research at the University of Melbourne. Her work in antimicrobial drug development has been published in leading journals, including Nature Microbiology.