Leadership
At the Institute for Digital Innovation & AI (IDIA) we are supported by some of the worlds best academics and industry experts in data science and analytic capabilities.
IDIA Team
DIRECTOR (IDIA) AND PROFESSOR OF MARKETING
Ujwal Kayande is Professor and Inaugural Director of the Institute for Digital Innovation & AI (IDIA) at Melbourne Business School. He previously founded the School’s Centre for Business Analytics in 2014 and served as Director until 2021. He is a globally recognised expert in marketing analytics, AI, and digital transformation. Awarded several times for his research and teaching, he works closely with organisations to help them address the opportunities and challenges of our digital age. With his signature Data for Decision-Makers program, he has helped over 3000 senior executives change their mindsets to become more data-driven. He is an Advisor to several organisations across the world, including L’Oréal, T2 Tea, Brandcomms.ai, Lauretta.io, and Zetaris.
DIRECTOR - STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS (IDIA)
As Director of Strategic Partnerships at IDIA, Cheryl brings over 25 years’ experience helping organisations adopt technology and expand into new markets. She has held senior roles across government, industry and research, and is deeply connected to Australia’s innovation ecosystem. Formerly Commercial Director at CSIRO’s Data61, she led the establishment of Australia’s National Artificial Intelligence Centre and developed the Australian Government’s first AI Roadmap and AI Ethics Framework, shaping national approaches to digital innovation and responsible AI.
Jacob McMahon
INSTITUTE COORDINATOR (IDIA)
Jacob McMahon is Coordinator at the Institute for Digital Innovation & AI (IDIA) where he supports program delivery, events and operations, and fosters stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Prior to joining IDIA, Jacob worked at Scale Space in London, a joint venture between Imperial College and Blenheim Chalcot, where he managed events and operational activities and worked with AI and automation tools to improve efficiency. He holds a Bachelor of Business from La Trobe University.
DISTINGUISHED FELLOW AND PROFESSOR (IDIA)
Professor Jon Whittle is Australia's leading thought leader on AI for business. A former technical lead at NASA and director of CSIRO's AI capability, he also founded Australia's National AI Centre. He has a global reputation for applying AI to achieve real world impact with a human-centred approach, having worked with or advised Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration in the US, Google, Microsoft, NASA, Australian Super, Medibank, BHP, Supreme Court Justice of Victoria, state and federal governments. He has worked extensively in the US, the UK, UAE, Germany and Australia. He is author of two books on AI: Responsible AI - Best Practices for Creating Trustworthy AI Systems, and AI for Business - A Guide to AI Adoption. He also hosts the award-winning podcast, CSIRO Presents Everyday AI. He regularly appears in the media, having recently been interviewed for ABC Radio, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, The AFR, Sky TV and ABC TV.
Board
Wendy Stops
CHAIR, INSTITUTE FOR DIGITAL INNOVATION & AI (IDIA)
Wendy is currently a Non-executive Director of Coles Group, Melbourne Business School and PwC Australia’s Governance Board. She also chairs the Industry Advisory Board for the Institute of Digital Innovation and AI (IDIA) at Melbourne Business School, Chairs the Fitted for Work Future Fund, and is a member of the AICD’s Governance of Innovation & Technology Advisory panel. Wendy was until recently Chair and Non-executive Director of Fitted for Work, a Deputy Chancellor and Council Member at the University of Melbourne and has previously held board positions at Blackmores (including as Chair), Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Altium, and has been involved in advisory committees/boards with the Federal government, Kearney ANZ and Chief Executive Women.
BOARD MEMBER
Christelle Young is the Managing Director of T2 Tea and a distinguished executive with extensive experience in strategy, transformation, technology, and data analytics. Formerly the Chief Data & Analytics Officer at L’Oréal South Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa, she has led significant transformation initiatives across 33 countries.
Kee Wong
BOARD MEMBER
Kee Wong is an experienced Non-Executive Director with nearly 40 years of senior roles across various sectors, including technology, services, retail, food and beverage, and property. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, particularly in startups and growth companies globally. Kee has held multiple board positions and currently chairs the Governance of Innovation and Technology Panel for the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
BOARD MEMBER
Mihir Shukla, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of Automation Anywhere, is an innovator who has positioned the company as a global leader in agentic process automation. A pioneer of the digital workforce, he created AI agents to automate complex, repetitive tasks and free people for higher-value work. Over 20 years, Mihir has led Automation Anywhere to numerous awards and partnerships with some of the world’s largest organisations. Previously, he held leadership roles across supply chain, internet, e-commerce, and wireless markets.
BOARD MEMBER
Adam Powick is a senior executive and advisor with deep experience in professional services and technology. Most recently CEO of Deloitte Australia, he led the nation’s largest professional services firm with 13,000 people. Over his career, Adam has held senior leadership roles across Deloitte’s Asia Pacific and Global Consulting practices, growing major technology and management consulting businesses. Since retiring from Deloitte, he has returned to his technology roots, advising clients and emerging companies in Australia and Asia on growth, innovation, and AI.
