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Daniel Kalnins
Head of Australia at Willow
Professional Background
Daniel Kalnins stands out as a visionary leader dedicated to digitally transforming the built world, encompassing all facets from new construction to operational assets. As the Head of Australia at Willow, Daniel is responsible for driving operational excellence and the strategic implementation of business plan objectives tailored for customers in the region. His role involves spearheading innovative projects that leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance network performance, providing his clients with solutions that can effectively address their most complex challenges.
With an extensive background in major infrastructure and building projects valued at over $30 billion, Daniel's expertise is underscored by 15 years of experience in the design and construction sectors. His career journey reflects a profound commitment to excellence, enabling him to implement strategic initiatives that align with customer expectations while promoting operational stability within Willow’s portfolio.
Notably, Daniel is also instrumental in establishing Digital Twins across various new sectors and product offerings globally. This emerging technology encapsulates the digital representation of physical assets, allowing organizations to optimize operations and enhance asset management significantly. By pioneering such transformative projects, Daniel positions Willow at the forefront of the industry, promoting innovation and encouraging sustainability in infrastructure development.
Education and Achievements
Daniel's educational foundation is robust and encompasses a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from The University of Queensland, one of Australia's leading institutions. Complementing this, he pursued a Post-Graduate Diploma at the University of Ballarat, further enriching his technical knowledge and expertise in engineering principles.
Daniel's educational journey began at The Peninsula School, where he laid the groundwork for his future studies and professional career. The combination of practical experience and academic rigor equips Daniel to approach engineering challenges with a thorough understanding and innovative mindset.
Professional Journey
Throughout his career, Daniel has held several prominent positions that emphasize his leadership and operational capabilities. Before assuming the role of Head of Australia, he served as Vice President - Infrastructure at Willow, where he honed his skills in managing large-scale projects and implementing advanced digital solutions.
Daniel's tenure as Global Head of Digital at Willow laid the foundation for his expertise in integrating digital technology into infrastructure projects. Previously, he served as Global Head of Digital at Ridley, where he further developed his understanding of the important intersection between digital innovation and construction.
In addition, Daniel has contributed his talents as a Senior Engineer for Digital Engineering at EIC Activities Pty Ltd, a member of the CIMIC Group, where he was involved in pioneering digital solutions for construction challenges. His earlier experience also includes working as a Project Engineer and BIM Manager at Thiess Pty Ltd, and as a Mechanical Engineer at BecaAMEC Limited, where he gained invaluable hands-on experience in the engineering domain.
Achievements
Daniel's professional accomplishments are a testament to his dedication and expertise. His role in the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects and the implementation of digital technology have earned him respect in the engineering community. His ability to lead and inspire teams to embrace innovative solutions underlies his reputation as a mining and infrastructure expert, particularly in the digital transformation space.
The successful establishment and advancement of Digital Twins in various sectors highlight Daniel's forward-thinking approach and his commitment to leveraging technology for improved asset management and operational efficiency. His leadership continues to guide teams as they adapt to the evolving landscape of infrastructure development, illustrating his strategic foresight in anticipating changes within the industry.
In conclusion, Daniel Kalnins embodies the principles of innovation, leadership, and strategic acumen in the field of engineering. His unwavering commitment to digitally transforming the built environment serves as an inspiration to both professionals and organizations aspiring to leverage technology for enhanced performance and sustainable practices. As he continues to shape the future of infrastructure and construction, Daniel stands at the forefront of digital engineering, wholeheartedly committed to achieving excellence and creating significant impact in the industry.
Highlights
Remember the name, Norm Hewitt. But don't just remember him for the All Blacks superstar he was, remember him for how he has changed generations. This to me is a far greater accomplishment than his amazing list of accolades that came before it. Norm sadly passed away overnight, taken too soon after battling with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) the last couple years. There are many articles online today about Norm's accolades and his background - but the accolade I hold greatest was the one that wasn't really spoken about. It was his ability to change generations. Norm had a strong conviction that we could change what our next generation could be - if we dared to walk into fearlessness and open the closed doors of our childhood. He changed my personal and professional life. He allowed me to share my vulnerability with absolute courage and strength, in a way I didn't think was possible. I had a great childhood and a very loving family - yet I didn't realise how many things were still holding me back as an adult. It is now amazing to me how many people in the corporate world are the same and don't know it (I was oblivious to it). I couldn't deal with conflict, had lots of concerns about my own worthiness and everything I did had to be perfect. Fast forward to now - things are never perfect and these feelings still come up for me but the intensity & time that they stay with me is incredibly reduced. The difference is chalk and cheese. One of the biggest for me was conflict - Norm showed me if we actually care about someone, we would tackle conflict head on with people. But he taught me to do it without emotional reactions but with deep LOVE. To understand what made that person tick and why they are the way they are. Love and vulnerability is something that we shy away from all too often in the corporate world - yet it's something that we need a lot more of in business and in our lives. This has become part of my core purpose - to make vulnerability a strength in business & help others live richer lives. Norm's teachings were simplified into three key points that all of us can take on every day:
- Get a mentor
- Work your arse off
- And walk into fearlessness It is scary to share your whole self sometimes and walk into fearlessness but it helps me be a better husband, better dad and better in my job. I definitely don't get it right all the time. For anyone that wants to look deeper into themselves then please reach out - I would be happy to share what I can to honour Norm's legacy so it can continue on in all of us. Rest in Peace Norm - we will carry your torch from here on in. Kia Kaha - "Be Strong"
FightMND
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Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
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