Careers Sessions

Alex Jenkins

Director, WA Data Science Innovation Hub

Alex Jenkins is the Director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub and Chair and founder of the Curtin AI in Research Group. With an extensive background in AI, Alex is dedicated to advancing the use of AI across Australian business, academia, and the public sector. His work emphasizes leveraging AI to enhance education and improve lives, driving innovation and practical applications in diverse sectors. Alex is committed to ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of AI adoption, elevating WADSIH to a national thought leader in AI and fostering collaboration to promote AI’s transformative potential for societal benefit. He is also known for his impactful TEDx talk, “An AI Tutor for Every Child,” highlighting the potential of AI in revolutionizing education.

Fiona Evans

Senior Managing Consultant Statistician, Data Analysis Australia

Fiona has extensive statistical knowledge and skills, with nearly 30 years of practical experience in research, government and academic roles. Fiona is highly experienced in analysing and modelling data from multiple sources, including remotely sensed, spatial and time-series data. She is particularly adept at developing new approaches that combine statistical and process models with machine learning to solve complex problems and predict outcomes. With experience in designing specific visualisations, operational data-driven web tools and mobile apps, Fiona is always keen to help clients find the best approach to analysing data to support their business decision-making. In her spare time, Fiona enjoys walking her dog, running, cycling, yoga and creative writing.

Natalia Kacperek

Chief Data Officer, WA Public Sector Commission

Natalia is the Chief Data Officer of Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Data Unit, which works collaboratively across the Western Australian public sector to use data to tackle the most complex social, health, environmental and economic issues. Prior to this, Natalia drove the strategic use of information throughout a number of roles in policy, strategy, and analytics. She is passionate about the potential data has to unlock insights that lead to better decisions. With a Masters in Statistical Data Analysis, she is enthusiastic about implementing advanced analytics in a functional way every day.

Joanne Potts

Director, The Analytical Edge

Joanne Potts is an ecological statistician based in southern Tasmania, is the director of The Analytical Edge Pty Ltd., a statistical consulting firm she has led since 2012. An Accredited Statistician with the Statistical Society of Australia, Joanne brings a wealth of expertise in survey design and data analysis across a broad spectrum of applications. Her main areas of expertise are estimating abundance invasive, rare and commercially harvested species; developing species distribution and demographic models, especially under climate change; and creating models of pest and disease spread to assess biosecurity risks. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne (2003) and a PhD in Applied Statistics from the University of St Andrews, Scotland (2011).

Theresa Nguyen

Senior Advisor, Recruitment and Talent Acquisition, Statistics New Zealand

Theresa is a dedicated member of the internal recruitment team at Statistics New Zealand, having joined in January 2022 after 16 years in external recruitment. Her passion for working with people drives her approach, and she sees her role as making life easier for her clients. Whether someone is searching for their next role or looking to expand their team within the broader whānau, Theresa ensures a positive experience. She welcomes all inquiries, valuing the relationships she builds at Tatauranga Aotearoa. Theresa is always ready to provide recruitment advice, direct searches, problem-solving, training, or just a good conversation. As a single mother of three young children and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, she is deeply committed to these values. Her focus is not only on bringing the right experience to each role but also on finding exceptional individuals whose values align with those of the organization.