Kristen Raison
Principal Director
High Heel Consulting

Kristen is the Principal Director of High Heel Consulting, Co-Founder of Adelaide’s Longest Lunch and Power of More.

Prior to starting her own business in 2016, Kristen led Investment Banking teams in South Australia, NT and NSW for over 20 years. Leading an extensive financial and operational business ensuring significant growth in sales and relationships within the high net worth sector. Holding a mandate of ensuring compliance, risk and governance was a daily focus with full accountability to management/board, whilst still delivering on driving sales outcomes for the broader businesses. Within this extensive portfolio, the management of day to day analysis of a client’s holdings and commitments (corporate of personal) reviewing and assessing the business for risk tolerances and credit exposure. This led to significant growth in Funds Under Management, being in excess of $1 Billion. (Made up of Deposits, Loans, Equities and investment holdings.) Working with Boards to review their operations, risks and productivities to enable credit facilities to be approved, implemented on a daily basis.

Kristen was also the National Leader for Staff Engagement, People and Culture. Fundamentally changing the way this was delivered throughout the National Private Wealth business. From project scope and design, through to delivery and implementation driving a significant change in focus, the outcome seen as best in class in the BT brand nationally.

She has over 20+ years’ experience operating at Executive levels in the Financial Services industry and over 6 years as a non-executive board director. She is also the current Chair of Governance, Risk Audit and Finance for the State Theatre Company SA.

David Reynolds
Chief Executive
Department of Treasury and Finance

My executive and management career includes more than twenty years’ experience in policy advice, financial management, and organisation and executive leadership.

In 2015, I was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF), South Australia.

At DTF, we’re working together to support the future prosperity and wellbeing of all South Australians. As Chief Executive I provide leadership and governance to the State budget, and oversee the strategic performance of government agencies across industrial relations, budget, taxation, superannuation, commercial and economics and accounting issues.

Prior to this current appointment, I held roles including Executive Director of the Budget Branch and Director of Gambling Policy.

I am passionate about improving the public sector through organisational development and a ‘staff first’ approach. I place a strong focus on gender equality and staff leadership and collaboration.

I have completed a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Adelaide, I am a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

Rilka Warbanoff
CEO
Rilka's Real Food

Cook, teacher, entrepreneur, author, radio personality –flamboyant foodie Rilka Warbanoff is all of these and more.
While still at university, she joined the family business  and was a recipient of the South Australian Tourism Award in 1982.

It was just the start of her winning ways. In the early 1990s, Rilka moved to Melbourne, where her vivacious personality, determination and sense of style ensured she made her mark.

Always an entrepreneur, Rilka established an executive placement business, acting as a global corporate headhunter and twice being named a finalist in the prestigious Telstra Business Woman of the Year awards. Her public profile blossomed as she became known as the voice of culinary culture on the high-rating Drive program on 774 ABC Melbourne.

Rilka always cuts a stylish figure, and was named Victoria’s Best-Dressed Woman by The Age newspaper. She is also well known for her contribution to the community, serving as Director of St Vincent Hospital and the Melbourne Zoo Foundation.

In the Past she has served on the board  of UNICEF ,Plan International as well as advising many NFP on how to be commercial entities as well as raising significant income.  Also chaired committees for the Property Council of Victoria.
A force to be reckoned with on many fronts, Rilka’s first love has always been food. For her, preparing and sharing meals with friends and family is a joyful act, and since returning home to South Australia, Rilka has made her mark on the thriving Adelaide food scene.

Her book, Rilka’s Feasts, was published by HarperCollins in 2012.

She made a triumphant return to radio in 2014, appearing on 5aa as the Foodie of the Nova  Entertainment Group and is heard 4 segments a week as well as on 5MU on a Thursday morning. Since Rilka became the ‘5AA Foodie’, with Adelaide listeners embracing her infectious enthusiasm and taking the show to the top of the ratings chart.

Rilkaʼs Real Food and Rilkaʼs Kitchen are her latest business ventures. Rilka is renowned for being an extraordinary host and entertainer and a seat at her table is considered an experience not to be missed.

Rilka is also on the board of Adelaide Hills Tourism and the Director of the Australian Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Creative Health and The Hospital Research Foundation and Industry Skill Council.