Steven Maarbani is a corporate lawyer with PricewaterhouseCoopers who has been advising the venture capital industry and high growth businesses for over 10 years.

Steven specialises in early stage funds management, venture capital and the commercialisation of innovation. Steven has given presentations across the country, and written many articles, on the tax-free ESVCLP program and is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading advisers on the program. He is regularly called upon for specialist advice in this area by the funds management sector, government and industry associations. Steven also sits on the management committee of the Sydney Angels, Sydney's leading angel investment group. Steven recently advised on the establishment of Australia's first venture capital 'sidecar' fund.    
                           
 

Joanne Russell is a Director with Accrutus Capital Management, a boutique corporate advisory firm assisting small to medium enterprises to fund innovation, expansion and acquisition.

Joanne is an experienced financier with over 15 years in the Banking, Business Finance and Property sectors. Joanne has worked on a number of capital raising deals and from that has developed the ‘Investor Ready Program’  to assist and prepare the business owner to access alternative sources of investment funding. Joanne works with a wide network of investors around Australia from angel groups, venture capitalist, private equity and overseas investors to source the appropriate funding partner suitable to the business.

Michael Dowling is currently Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance NSW/ACT for National Australia Bank.

Michael has over 20 years experience in banking having worked for a number of large global financial institutions before joining NAB in 2005. Michael's career has been primarily involved with trade finance and in business development roles covering all market segments including SME, Corporate, Institutional and Financial institutions. Michael heads a team of 23 people in Sydney office.

Maria Auditor is currently Senior Manager for Supply Chain Finance nabBusiness NSW & ACT for National Australia Bank.

Maria has been with the NAB for over 20 years working across various segments of the bank such as retail and business banking with most of her expertise involving international trade & cash flow finance for the SME market. Maria has an Accounting Associate Diploma and has been providing specialist advice and structured trade finance solutions for both importers and exporters working capital needs. Maria provides assistance in structuring letters of credit, trade & invoice finance solutions to provide access to funds to match the client’s trade cycle and specialist advice on complex international trade transactions to manage international trade risk.