Craig Rothleitner

A qualified motor mechanic and heavy rigger by trade, Craig's interest in bringing solutions to problems defined his path to ARI. 10 years working in the dredging industry gave Craig firsthand experience of how vast amounts of water and sediment interact when reclaiming land at scale.

In 2005, after a flood event exposed the scale of stormwater contamination, Craig began developing what would become the ARI High Flow Poly Filter – a material that can process over 3,000 litres per minute per square metre while capturing fine particles.

Over 15 years of research and development with CSIRO and Curtin University has produced a world-first filtration technology that no other material can match.

Richard Thomas brings audit, risk, regulatory and financial expertise and experience. He was a partner with Deloitte for over 12 years, including leading the Risk Advisory practice in Perth from its foundation in 2010 to 2018. Over his career, he has worked in a variety of roles – external auditor, corporate regulator, internal auditor, management consultant, forensic accountant, investigator and risk practitioner. He achieved a first-class history degree at UCL and qualified as a chartered accountant with the ICAEW. He is a member of CAANZ & IIA and holds various senior roles at Brightwater Care Group, Identitii, Perth Markets Group, Public Trustee of Western Australia and The Whadjuk Foundation.

David is an experienced professional with over 30 years of expertise in designing and delivering stakeholder engagement programs for projects in the resources, energy, and infrastructure industries. He has worked in corporate communications and external relations roles with major operators such as BHP Iron Ore and Lanco Resources, gaining valuable experience in project management and communications. David is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Mount Eliza Business School programs. He is also an Army Reserve Officer and provides engagement and communications support to the Pilbara Regiment.

Peter has worked in Australian and international markets, with managerial positions in numerous infrastructure entities such as international airports and major infrastructure owners for over 30 years. Peter has consulted and advised overseas Governments, high net worth individuals, communities, major corporations and all levels of Australian Government on infrastructure needs and aspirations. Peter also advises not for profit First Nations organisations on a pro-bono basis on matters such as governance and Reconciliation Action Plans. Peter is a Justice of the Peace and is a commissioned Colonel in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Jörg is one of the world's foremost authorities on how water moves, mixes and carries pollutants through natural and built environments. Over a career spanning five decades, he founded and directed the Centre for Water Research at the University of Western Australia, authored over 275 journal papers and led research projects in more than 20 countries. Among his many distinctions, Jörg received the Stockholm Water Prize — the world's most prestigious water award — and is a Fellow of ten international academies including the US National Academy of Engineering and the Royal Academy of Engineering. Jörg has been instrumental in shaping the science behind ARI's approach to stormwater treatment. His deep understanding of how sediments, microplastics and dissolved contaminants behave in flowing water has provided ARI with an evidence-based foundation for its High Flow Poly Filter technology. As a long-standing scientific advisor, Jörg continues to guide ARI's research direction and help translate cutting-edge environmental fluid dynamics into practical, at-source filtration solutions that protect waterways and the communities that depend on them.

Stuart has over 30 years experience as an aquatic ecologist specialising in micro-algal ecology and taxonomy. During his extensive career, Stuart has undertaken research and consultancy on freshwater, estuarine, salt lake (coastal and inland) and marine ecosystems, as well as palaeoecological studies investigating past climate and sea level using fossil algae. Stuart's main area of expertise is harmful algae blooms (HABs) and he is internationally accredited for the identification and enumeration of harmful microalgae by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

Ggn Shrestha is a Corporate Services Manager at ARI Water Solutions, responsible for coordinating and managing the organisation's corporate, administrative, and stakeholder-facing functions to support operational efficiency and strategic growth. ARI Water Solutions is an environmental technology company specialising in advanced stormwater filtration and water quality management. In this role, Ggn oversees corporate operations, stakeholder engagement, organisational coordination, and strategic communications, ensuring alignment between executive leadership, technical teams, and external partners. He plays a central role in supporting corporate governance processes, internal reporting, partner coordination, and cross-functional project delivery. Ggn manages and maintains strategic relationships with government agencies, municipal authorities, research institutions, engineering firms, and international organisations, facilitating collaboration, agreements, and project coordination. His responsibilities include supporting contract and partnership processes, coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, and ensuring organisational activities comply with regulatory, funding, and operational requirements. Through his work, Ggn contributes directly to the planning, administration, and coordination of corporate services that enable the successful deployment of ARI Water's technologies across urban, industrial, and environmental projects. His role supports business continuity, organisational effectiveness, and the execution of ARI Water's strategic objectives at both national and international levels.

Thomas Witt is an internationally recognized sustainability and climate change leader with experience across multiple business, public and non-profit sectors globally. He specializes in sustainability, strategy, sustainable development, Environment Health and Safety Management, and sustainable supply chains. Thomas has extensive global advisory experience with major firms such as SAP, Accenture, KPMG, Wipro, TCS, Infosys, Atos Origin, and Birchman Group. Holding a Master of Science in Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics from the University of Hamburg and multiple professional certifications, Thomas has served in pioneering roles, from senior leadership positions in London and Brussels to a first national Climate Affairs Expert in West Asia, and a panelist on guidelines and leadership in a public procurement pilot with the USEPA in Washington DC. A systems thinker with a collaborative approach, he is passionate about innovation, policy development, and practical solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Professor Dr. Md Zahanggir Alam is a distinguished faculty member in the Civil Engineering Department at Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), Bangladesh. An accomplished engineer with over 20 years of international professional and academic experience, his expertise encompasses water quality management, sustainable urban drainage (WSUD), hydrological modelling, and major infrastructure project leadership. Professor Alam earned his Ph.D. from Curtin University, Australia, where his exceptional research was recognised with the prestigious Chancellor's Commendation Award. His career includes significant contributions in Australia, where he worked closely with city councils and consultancies on stormwater management and flood modelling. In Bangladesh, he has led high-profile national projects, including the feasibility study, design, and construction supervision for the upgrade of domestic airports to international standards. Combining advanced technical proficiency with a dedication to education and collaboration, Professor Alam is committed to developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions. He actively mentors the next generation of engineers while contributing to professional bodies and impactful research in the field.

Lubna Dajani is an internationally recognised futurist, systems designer, and ethical technology architect with over 25 years of leadership at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and human-centric innovation. As Founder of The Allternet and Co-Chair of Catalyst Now — a global movement advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals — Lubna brings deep expertise in cross-sectoral collaboration, regenerative systems design, and responsible technology deployment. Her career includes innovation executive roles at GE, Microsoft, Nokia, and PwC, and she currently serves as Vice Chair of the IEEE SSIT Education Committee and W3C Invited Expert on Privacy. A named contributor to multiple IEEE standards on AI ethics, environmental stewardship, and human well-being, Lubna is passionate about leveraging technology and partnership to protect our planet's most vital resources. At ARI Water, she lends her strategic vision and global network to advance the mission of clean waterways and sustainable stormwater solutions.