Optias is a highly networked organisation, capable of bringing together and leading substantial resources to address major problems. We have a long record of success in commercial ventures, and in the support of public sector initiatives. The leadership below brings a vast array of skills in science, economics, finance, social sciences, health, law and information technology. We believe that science and technology have wrought great benefits to humankind, but with substantial risks. By bringing together the best minds, Optias seeks to capitalise on the benefits of science and technology whilst minimising the risks.
Dr Ian Smart
Managing Director
Ian combines the creative and the analytical to develop compelling reasons for action in the face of complex problems. This approach has been applied to more than 75 projects with a total investment value in excess of AUD 6 billion. Ian has been involved in successful technology commercialisation and is very active on the interface between technology and society.
Sandy Forbes
Director
Sandy is an experienced consultant in public policy, education, health and community service. Sandy offers extensive evaluation experience in mental health services, family violence, homelessness, disability services and community development programs. Sandy is the Chair of Kids First Australia.
Peter Fritz AO
Director
Peter is one of Australia’s leading business people as Group Managing Director of TCG – a diverse group of companies – and a major contributor to public policy through his chairmanship of Global Access Partners (GAP). Over the last five decades, TCG has produced many breakthrough discoveries in computer and communication technologies with many successful listings on both the Australian and New York Stock Exchanges. GAP initiates high-level discussions on the most pressing social, economic and structural issues and challenges across a broad range of Australian economic sectors.
Jeremy Smart
Associate
Jeremy is a highly gifted facilitator, and has helped government agencies to make the best decisions, through more than 2,000 facilitated workshops. Jeremy’s work is centred around the Investment Logic Map (ILM), a decision-support system Jeremy developed whilst he was an employee of the Department of Treasury and FInance. This tool has now become the core of the investment-making process within the Victorian, Queensland, Western Australian and New Zealand governments.
Alexander Benz Von Fritz
Associate
Alexander is a lawyer with a diverse career in legal services, entrepreneurial business development, consulting, and social programs. Alexander has worked in management consulting and legal firms, venture capital, audit and tax law, technology industry capital raisings and M&A transactions. Alexander is active in privacy and cybersecurity consulting, assisting a range of public and private sector clients to meet and exceed their compliance requirements.
Dr Grace Ng
Associate
Grace is a qualified medical practitioner, business operational strategist and an entrepreneur. Gracecombines commercial experience as an ex-CEO, IT sales operations and marketing executive with caring professional experience as a clinician. Grace has helped companies secure important financial and strategic resources through preparation for funding, efficiency and operational excellence.
Armen Ayvazyan
Associate
Armen is a quality and detail-oriented lateral thinker who enjoys solving complex problems by generating innovative ideas and turning them into commercially successful products. Expertise in architecture, design and implementation of products with focus on end result and on-time delivery. Good communicator. Armen has extensive experience in commercial applications of software engineering, architecture design, and Artificial Intelligence.