The Living Ideas Advisory Board comprises respected international leaders across government, business, technology, traditional industries, and community engagement. It provides independent, cross-sector, and forward-looking strategic advice, ensuring our work remains grounded in best practice while anticipating future challenges. The Board reviews major initiatives and oversees evaluation processes to uphold the highest standards in sustainability, social impact, and economic value. It also helps align our work with the expectations of all levels of government and the broader community – safeguarding the platform’s credibility, accountability, and long-term impact.
Chunhong Ke
Founder, Living Ideas
Chunhong Ke has long harboured the concept of Living Ideas from her travels around the world, with a vision for more sustainable and integrated urban futures. In founding and assembling the Living Ideas group, Ms Ke brings her large-scale urban renewal and international-level landscape and horticultural projects and expertise to the fore. She has an extensive background in corporate finance, project budgeting, and investment planning, having served as CFO of a publicly listed enterprise in the environmental sector. With a commitment to long-term thinking and ecological logic, she established Living Ideas to promote sustainable urban development through cross-sector collaboration in policy, design, finance, and industry.
Rob Furolo
Chairperson, Living Ideas
Rob Furolo has a distinguished career in public affairs and urban development, spanning government, the private sector, and industry leadership. He is a former NSW MP and city mayor, and regarded as an expert in urban development, housing and infrastructure, including major urban renewal projects that deliver economic and social benefits to communities. Today, Rob is an executive at a major development company and serves as Chair of UDIA NSW, contributing to shaping policy and planning frameworks across the state.
Mark Seymour
Co-Chair, Living Ideas
Mark Seymour is a specialist in place branding and strategic engagement. With hundreds of projects across the Asia-Pacific, he is known for crafting compelling narratives that unite design, community, and policy. Mark also co-founded an AI-driven urban services platform and is a regular judge for national awards in urban development and design.
Mark Sutton
Mark Sutton is a highly experienced advisor with extensive experience on both public and private infrastructure and urban renewal projects. With a strong background in government, he has worked on some of Sydney’s biggest projects. Known for his ability to bridge government, industry, and community perspectives, Mark focuses on projects that prioritise engagement, environmental integration, and long-term sustainability.
Simon Dulhunty
Simon Dulhunty is a communications professional, with a long and distinguished career in media and corporate affairs. He is a strong advocate for investments in regional Australia. As a former newspaper editor and senior executive in national media organisations, he has also worked extensively in regional and rural Australia and has a deep understanding of community engagement. He now works to assist people in complex media environments, including in civic dialogue, strategic communication, and crisis management.
James Tong
James Tong is a macroeconomic analyst and cross-sector strategist with a focus on global economic trends, regional cooperation, and investor engagement. Through his leadership of industry data platforms and forums, he has helped build strategic bridges between governments, markets, and communities. With a masters in Architecture from UNSW, James is a passionate believer in the benefits of sustainable and beautiful design.
Alex Chen
Alex Chen is a specialist in multicultural community engagement and cross-cultural collaboration. With years of experience supporting diverse communities, Alex excels at translating global partnerships into local impact. His work fosters inclusive, human-centered approaches across policy and practice. Alex is also the President of the NSW Chinese Debating Association.