Blockchain Committee
The Blockchain Committee within the Australian Computer Society (ACS) stands as a pioneering force in exploring the transformative potential of blockchain technology across various sectors. Comprised of distinguished experts, researchers, and industry leaders, this committee is dedicated to advancing the understanding, adoption, and responsible application of blockchain within the Australian ecosystem.
Blockchain, originally popularized as the underlying technology behind cryptocurrencies, has evolved into a versatile platform with far-reaching implications. Its decentralized and immutable nature offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation in areas such as finance, supply chain management, healthcare, and beyond.
The primary mission of the ACS Blockchain Committee is to promote awareness, education, and collaboration in the field of blockchain technology. Through strategic partnerships, research initiatives, and knowledge-sharing activities, the committee aims to demystify blockchain, explore its potential applications, and address key challenges such as scalability, interoperability, and regulatory compliance.
By convening stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society, the Blockchain Committee serves as a catalyst for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration. Whether it's exploring use cases for smart contracts, improving data integrity, or enhancing transparency in transactions, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize how we exchange value and trust in the digital age.
The ACS Blockchain Committee is committed to promoting ethical, sustainable, and inclusive practices. Through informed discussions, policy advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives, the committee aims to ensure that blockchain technologies benefit individuals, organizations, and communities while upholding principles of integrity, security, and societal well-being.
MACS
Ms Karen Cohen
Chair – Blockchain Committee
Karen Cohen aka “blockmum” is the Founder and Director of Emerging Tech HUB, a company that helps humans connect to Emerging Technology. She is the Founder of Women in Emerging Tech and Previous Deputy Chair for Blockchain Australia. She is the Community and Events Manager for Stables. She is the 2022 Blockies award winner for Community Champion. Karen is the previous program manager for Inspiring Rare Birds where she ran the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office for Women mentoring scholarship program. She also ran females in Fintech program for Stone and Chalk sponsored by LaunchVic . She founded and ran AlgoHUB the Developer and Student Community Hub for Algorand Foundation.
MACS - CP
Mr Stefano Tempesta
Vice Chair – Blockchain Committee
Stefano Tempesta is a technologist working at the crossroad of Web2 and Web3, to make the Internet a more accessible, meaningful, and inclusive space. Stefano is an ambassador of the use of AI and blockchain technology for good purposes. A former advisor to the Department of Industry and Science, Australia, on the National Blockchain Roadmap, he is also a technology advisor to Aetlas, a decentralised climate action and sustainability network with a mission to source Verified Carbon Units for liquidity and carbon asset monetisation.
Stefano is a lecturer at RMIT University on courses about AI and blockchain technology, and he has co-authored the book "Blockchain Applied" for Taylor & Francis.
AACS
Dr Andrzej Gwizdalski
Member
Dr. Andrzej Gwizdalski is a pioneering academic and leading expert in the integration of blockchain technologies within the Web 3.0 economy, specialising in open public blockchain applications for business, including DeFi, DAOs, NFTs, the Metaverse, and cryptocurrency. Holding a Master of Science and executive education in blockchain from the University of Nicosia and Oxford Saïd Business School, Dr. Gwizdalski launched the first graduate course in Western Australia, 'BUSN5001 Blockchain and DLT in Business,' at the UWA Business School in 2018, reflecting his dedication to academic excellence and innovation. Renowned for his award-winning curriculum design and teaching, Andrzej is also deeply invested in research, focusing on sustainable fintech and the adoption of Web3 and blockchain by SMEs. As a cofounder and driving force behind the Western Australia Web3 Association (WAWEB3), he has significantly contributed to promoting Web3 technology awareness and adoption in the region. His commitment extends to empowering local startups, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and artists through Web3 technologies, alongside providing strategic advisory to organisations and governmental bodies, including the Commonwealth Treasury on digital assets regulations. Dr. Gwizdalski's efforts in community building and leadership in the blockchain space are recognised both nationally and internationally.
AACS
Ms Christy Jie Liang
Member
Christy is the founding director of Data Visualisation lab and executive committee member of Visualisation Institute at University of Technology Sydney. She was a recipient of UTS University Medal with First Class Honours, Capital Markets CRC scholarship and Australian Postgraduate Awards. She had global appointments, including IBM Australia in Strategic Data Analysis, and Peking University in Visual Analytics Research. She contributes significantly to a balance of theory, applications, and teaching/training. She was well-recognised for creating novel data visualisation and applying visual analytics technology in data science. Her research works have been supported by millions funding, including two ARC Linkage programs. Her research has been widely applied to the domains, including blockchain, finance, food safety, bio-medical, smart city, and social media. She holds four intellectual properties. Her research outcomes have led to the creation of a series of applications and development of the next-generation technology in the domain, in partnership with well-known international enterprises (e.g. Boeing, Cisco), government (e.g. NSW Health Department, Department of Primary Industry, Sydney Water), and professional organisations (e.g. Australian Information Industry Association Survey Visualisation). She has supervised thirteen HDRs to completion (six as principal supervisor and seven as co-supervisor). She develops and coordinates a number of new enterprises and educational learning online courses, including short courses, and micro-credentials in data visualisation field.
MACS
Ms Danielle Marie
Member
Danielle Marie is a seasoned Blockchain Educator, Crypto Enthusiast, and Community leader who was awarded Australian Blockchain Leader of the Year 2023. She is the founder of the Women in Digital Economy initiative fostering female empowerment and a founding member of ALL THINGS BLOCKCHAIN a non-profit association focused on growing the local blockchain ecosystem.
AACS
Mr Scott Waller
Member
Scott Waller is a technology professional with over 20 years’ experience supporting businesses implementing digital and transformation agendas within finance, capital projects, supply chain and manufacturing environments. Scott’s passion is in the use of technology to drive business model innovation and ensuring technology risk is effectively managed. Scott leads EY’s Oceania blockchain business that is focused on supporting clients with blockchain solution development and digital assets related trust services. Scott brings an entrepreneurial spirit to solving corporate technology challenges and is a co-founder in a number of Web3 start-ups.
MACS
Mr Wayne Moran
Member
Wayne is considered a true generalist with a heavy IT background and has an extensive business career spanning over 30 years of integrating technology with business processes and people. With an early career in IT later broadening to general management both in the private and public sector, the range of industries and sectors Wayne has engaged with includes Information technology, Software Development, Media, Marketing, Advertising, Political Campaigning, Property Development, Printing, Tourism, Hospitality, Local Government, State Government, Federal Government, Retail, Venture Capital, Marine, Professional Services, Financial Services and Auctions and Valuations. Wayne’s passion currently is the expansion of underlying Blockchain technologies into wider commercial and societal use for the betterment of business and the community via education, training and skills development within the IT industry specifically and the wider community more generally. Waynes overarching philosophy is that ‘ideas are nothing without implementation’ – a creed that has served him well throughout his career.
MACS
Andrew Collins
Member
An internationally experienced ICT senior leader with 23 years of experience in the commercial, government and health care sectors. A strong drive to use technology to improve peoples lives and business has seen my leadership of numerous transformation programs throughout my career establishing new business capabilities and transforming others.
AACS
Rachael Jones
Member
Rachael has a robust background in economics, finance, and blockchain technology. At Cavalry Consulting in Brisbane, she employs technology to streamline business processes in the Oil and Gas sector, demonstrating a keen ability to apply the latest technological advancements to industry challenges. Her approach is informed by a solid theoretical foundation, acquired through a Master’s degree in Financial Economics and a Diploma in Applied Blockchain. Additionally, Rachael's practical experience is enriched by her internship as a Project Coordinator at BlockConsult, a premier Web3 consulting company, where she played a pivotal role in project management and strategy development in the blockchain space. Her engagement in the blockchain community is evident in her roles, including Secretary for Blockchain Australia and contributions to All Things Blockchain. This involvement underscores her dedication to leveraging technology in business for innovative and sustainable growth. Rachael's career is a testament to her commitment to excellence and her skill in harnessing technology to enhance business operations and drive development.
MACS - CP
Dolly Brtan
Member
Dolly is a FinTech professional with over three decades of experience, blending technology projects with financial expertise. She ventured into entrepreneurship, where she became a licensed fund manager specialising in alternative investments. Passionate about merging technology and finance, Dolly focuses on business strategy, utilisation of artificial intelligence and the creation of digital assets, aiming to revolutionise digital finance delivery. Her educational background includes Information Technology, Financial Services and Blockchain studies. Dolly is the Chair of the ACS Blockchain Community of Interest in Victoria. She also sits as a member of the of the Professional Standards Board. The Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee including the Technical Advisory board for the Blockchain committee.
MACS CT
Simon Callaghan
Member
Simon is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer for MOOPS Tech, a middle office operations SaaS and consulting business. He currently advises several organisations on business development, government relations, and strategy.
He was CEO of Blockchain Australia until Blockchain Week 2024, and led the Cambridge Digital Assets Programme at the University of Cambridge prior to this. He has held senior leadership positions within global crypto businesses, and led blockchain and fintech at the Australian Consulate in New York.
Simon holds Masters degrees from Cambridge University, Brown University and Carnegie Mellon University, along with an MBA from AGSM.