INTRODUCING THE TEAM CAPTAINS
Andrew Wear
Andrew Wear is City Economist and Director, Economic Development and International at the City of Melbourne, where he has responsibility for economic policy and programs, support for international students and international relationships. He has played a lead role supporting the city’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has led development and delivery of the city’s Economic Development Strategy.
Andrew is also an author who is passionate about searching the world for policy solutions that work. His books include, Solved! How other countries have cracked the world’s biggest problems (and we can too) and Recovery. How we can create a better, brighter future after a crisis.
He has degrees in politics, law, economics and public policy, and is a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Andrew is also a director of the BioMelbourne Network and a member of CEDA’s Victoria/Tasmania Advisory Council.
Leigh Holford
Leigh Holford is a Principal in Hatch’s social advisory and urban prosperity group, with extensive experience in project planning and delivery in urban and regional development, infrastructure, and the environment. She specialises in working on projects at the intersection of economic and social value which consider long-term sustainable outcomes. Leigh has extensive experience working with international institutions, including the World Bank, UN-Habitat, UNCHR, and the private, public, and charitable sectors to address problems of sustainable and inclusive community development. She has worked across the globe including in Africa, America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia.
Leigh is a Global Reporting Initiative qualified professional and holds a Master’s degree from University College London in Environment and Sustainable Development and a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland.