Join us for an engaging session that brings asset management to life through the stories, insights and experiences of industry professionals. People, Purpose & Perspective will explore how effective asset management is driven not only by systems and technical decisions, but by the people, culture and shared purpose behind them. From crisis response and risk-based decision-making to career journeys and strategic objectives, this event will offer fresh perspectives on building resilient assets, stronger organisations and better outcomes for the communities we serve.
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Presentations:
What a Drinking Water Crisis Taught Me About Risk, Assets and Culture
The Havelock North drinking water contamination incident fundamentally changed how New Zealand’s water sector thinks about risk, public health, and asset management. Drawing on more than a decade of experience supporting Hastings District Council following the incident, Carly Price-Hopgood will reflect on the lessons learned about the relationship between technical systems, organisational culture, and decision-making.
This presentation explores how asset management extends beyond maintaining infrastructure, requiring organisations to understand and communicate risk effectively. Carly will share insights into translating complex technical information into meaningful conversations that enable better decisions, build resilience, and support long-term improvements in water services.
Carly Price-Hopgood is a water industry professional with more than 25 years of experience across New Zealand, New South Wales, and South Australia. Having worked for water suppliers, regulators, and consulting organisations, she brings a unique perspective on the challenges of balancing technical, regulatory, and operational priorities. For the past decade, Carly has been closely involved in the transformation of water management practices following the Havelock North drinking water contamination incident in NZ, supporting improvements in asset management, risk management, compliance, and organisational culture. She is particularly known for her ability to translate complex technical information into accessible insights that support confident and informed decision-making. Alongside her technical expertise, Carly is a professional workplace coach who believes that lasting improvements in asset management are achieved through both strong systems and strong people. She is passionate about helping organisations better understand risk, build resilience, and deliver safe and sustainable water services for their communities.
Asset Management Objectives and my Journey
The joy of seeing asset management objectives start to embed through the business and the possibilities it creates for people to embrace the value of asset management as a result.
Ali Walsh has over 10 years experience at SA Power Networks leading both operational and engineering teams. She is passionate about ensuring that decisions made today will stand the test of time which is the fundamental goal of good asset management. Her current role as Manager Expenditure Forecasting allows her to bring together business and asset management knowledge to ensure that the forecast of required expenditure to deliver good customer outcomes in the short and long term can be well understood and supported by the Australian Energy Regulator.
My Career Journey
Excerpts from the various trials and tribulations that have shaped and developed me as an asset management professional.
Emily Mboya is a Principal Engineer in Electrical safety at BHP, where she has spent four years driving critical risk management and safety assurance across Olympic Dam in SA. With a background in Electrical Engineering and a focus on capital project oversight, Emily has worked across project scope development, contractor management, and risk-based decision making. Her work sits at the intersection of operational safety and asset integrity, both which drive effective asset management. Emily is passionate about embedding risk thinking into how Olympic Dam plans, executes and sustain their asset management practices.
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