Electric Aviation: Latest Developments and Opportunities in Advanced Air Mobility

Clem Newton-Brown is CEO and founder of Skyportz, the only Australian business developing a network of landing sites for a future air taxi network. Clem’s background as a former Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Member of Victorian Parliament and barrister specialising in planning and property development has put him at the forefront of this emerging industry. Clem serves on several Federal, State, industry and international committees advancing the development of the rules and regulations around establishing a whole new era in clean, green electric aviation.The success of the industry depends on these changes along with a network of Skyportz sites from which air taxis will operate.

Freshta Farzam has more than 10 years of experience in the green hydrogen and aviation industries. At LYTE Aviation, Ms Farzam as CEO & Founder, is pioneering a game changing hybrid-hydrogen 40seater e-VTOL with tandem tilt-wings that expand the horizons of known and unexplored use & business cases, stretching current dimensions, shapes and opportunities. “Whatever you dream, begin it, for boldness has genius, power and magic in it” (Goethe) – that is the philosophy by which Ms Farzam enters into one of the highest regulated industries, the aviation industry, and yet, expands the existing technologies and ecosystems with her bold mindset. Freshta Farzam founded the company LYTE Aviation and has global leaders and investors of the aviation industry backing her up with her visionary venture.

Luciano Froes is Partner & Chief Marketing Officer for UP.Partners, working to advance the firm’s mission of transforming the moving world and helping connect entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and professionals who are also committed to reshaping the future of mobility. Prior to UP.Partners, Luciano worked in public and private markets across a variety of aerospace and financial sectors. With over 20 years of experience at Embraer S.A. — one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial, executive, and defense aircraft — Luciano drove high-impact results and performed in multiple senior roles, including Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Investor Relations and Project Manager, leading Embraer’s greenfield facility expansion in Melbourne, Florida, for the buildout of the company’s Global Headquarters of its Business Jets division. Also prior to joining UP.Partners, Luciano served as Co-President of One World Services, helping grow the company into one of the largest digital assets proprietary trading firms in Latin America. Luciano received his bachelor’s degree in business from Florida Atlantic University and studied Executive Sales & Marketing at Kellogg Executive Education. He brings to the UP.Partners team an expertise in marketing, branding, public relations, communications, and investor relations — with experience in multicultural and international markets.

Matheu Parr is the Customer Director in the newly formed Rolls-Royce Electrical group. Leading the sales and strategy teams he is well positioned to provide a powertrain supplier view of the exciting AAM market development and challenges to be overcome. With a background in electrical engineering across aerospace and marine markets Matheu recently led the Rolls-Royce attempt to build the world’s fastest electric aircraft setting five world records last year.

Ziad Abdelnour is the CEO of Blackhawk Partners and the founder of the Financial Policy Council. This Wharton graduate is a radical Wall Street financier, dealmaker, best-selling author, public speaker, and activist, who has over 30-year experience on Wall Street backing over 125 companies & serial entrepreneurs worth in aggregate over 20 billion dollars in the private equity, high yield bond, and distressed debt markets. Abdelnour was recently recognized as one of the Top 10 Disruptors to Watch Out for in 2023 by LA Weekly.