Governance Leadership Conference 2025 Program

Time	Agenda and speakers
8:35am	Welcome to Country Craig Madden, Aboriginal Welfare and Community Liaison Officer, Corrective Services New South Wales
8:40am	Chair’s opening Pauline Vamos FGIA FCG, President and Chair, Governance Institute of Australia
8:45am	MC opening Anjali Rao, Award-winning Broadcast Journalist
9:00am	Opening address How do leaders look beyond what they are given when they take on the role, to lead the organisation towards what more it can be? Addressing the impact and influence of ongoing geopolitical landscape. What is the task for leaders as a collective? Chair: Karlie Cremin, Chief Executive Officer, DLPA Ben Wyatt, Non-executive Director, Rio Tinto, Woodside, APM and Telethon Session sponsor:
9:45am	Fireside chat – Navigating the ongoing challenges and oncoming disruption Changes to organisational structures as the stakeholders and geographies of organisations change and expand. Innovation, change and growth- extending the quality, competitiveness and scale of organisation’s service and impact. The board’s challenge for effective risk oversight in a continuously shifting landscape Succession planning for a future-fit high-performing board. Chair: Andrew Amos, Regional Vice President, Diligent APAC Kathryn Fagg AC, Non-executive Director, National Australia Bank, Djerriwarrh Investments Ltd and Medibank Private Ltd Darryl Newton, Non-Executive Director, ING Bank Australia Session sponsor:
10:30am	Morning tea
11:00am	Regulators Panel What drives/guides regulators thinking around governance reform. The scope of regulatory governance – impact on business, government and NFP. The relationship between regulators and the regulated. Challenges for compliance, efficiency, and rigour in a dynamic marketplace Chair: Jayden Leming, Governance Solutions Expert, OnBoard Camille Blackburn, Director of Asia Pacific, Financial Conduct Authority UK Belinda Gibson FGIA FCG, Non-executive Director, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Humbli and Yalari Group Session sponsor:
11:45am	Fireside chat – Global risks impact How geopolitics has taken over the risk discussion – socio-economic and business impact. Organisational capacity to assess and manage macro and micro risks. The transformative impact of technology and AI on the consideration and reality of risk. Adaptability vs resilience. Chair: James Ritchie FGIA, Practice Leader, Workplace and Enterprise Risk Management, Bellrock Benefits Cathy Moloney, Vice President Australia, The Asia Group Ian Opperman, Commonwealth Data Standards Chair for Digital ID and Consumer Data Right Professor Alex Robson, Deputy Chair and Commissioner, Productivity Commission Session sponsor:
12:25pm	Insights from Nasdaq Rodrigo Herrera, Account Director, Investor Relations and Governance Solutions, ANZ, NASDAQ
12:30pm	Lunch
1:30pm	Concurrent Stream 1 (Select your session)
	Concurrent 1A – Company Secretaries Panel In this annual feature session, we reflect on what is top of mind for company secretaries as the complexity of governance continue to grow. Chair: Marnie Reid, CEO, Issuer Services AU&NZ, Computershare Craig Emery FGIA, Group Company Secretary, Telstra Fiona Mead FGIA, Company Secretary and Head of Corporate Governance, CSL Session sponsor:
	Concurrent 1B – Cyber security and privacy The Privacy Act and fast the pace of growth of digital ecosystems. The expectations and challenges for reasonable technical and organisational measures to keep information secure. How AI is enhancing security frameworks and real-time decision-making. Reflections on the current theatre of cyber threats. Chair: Lyn Nicholson FGIA FCG, General Counsel, Holding Redlich Ben Doyle, Director – Cyber Security Industry Experience, Thales Chirag Joshi, President, ISACA Sydney Session sponsor:
2:10pm	Room change
2:15pm	Concurrent Stream 2 (Select your session)
	Concurrent 2A – Young Leaders – re-shaping the present, driving the future The philosophy of leadership – aligning ambition and drive with value. Scaling innovation and impact. The founder/CEO conundrum. The governance challenge. Chair: Natasha Jha Bhaskar, Executive Director, Newland Global Group Adam Davids, Chief Executive Officer, CareerTrackers & Director Social Ventures Australia Ishita Gupta, Founding Engineer, Kinso AI
	Concurrent 2B – Generative AI – Human engagement, design and impact Chair: Veronica Rios, Director, Global Associations & Strategic Partnerships, LexisNexis Gaby Carney, Senior Fellow, Strategic AI, Human Technology Institute Tim Trumper, Author, AI Game on Session sponsor:
2:55pm	Afternoon tea
3.25pm	A Touch of Magic Jackson Aces, Illusionist & Magician With a father (Pat Jarvis) who represented Australia in Rugby League, one would expect Jackson Aces to pursue a career in sport, but destiny had different plans… Inspired by a magician on TV, Jackson’s obsession with sleight-of-hand began at twelve, practicing up to 10 hours a day, earning the nickname “Master of Cards.” Over the years he has relentlessly broadened his skill-set, training in Las Vegas, where he recently opened for NRL Vegas at Resorts World and The Fremont Street Experience. Jackson’s refreshing, contemporary style of magic has gained worldwide recognition, with more than 2-Billion video views, amassing 6-Million followers. This could explain why In August he returned to the Sydney Opera House with his critically-acclaimed magic & illusion spectacular “Beyond Possible LIVE” – selling out all six shows. A Master Illusionist and pioneering force in the art of “Cardistry”, Jackson Aces boasts Australia’s most engaging & interactive modern magic show.
3:35pm	The People Challenge Culture is challenging, rebuilding trust is the challenge. How to fix a toxic workplace culture. Factors impacting the nature of the workforce of the future. Chair: Daniel Popovski, Senior Policy & Advocacy Advisor, Governance Institute of Australia Ann Sherry AO, Chancellor, Queensland University of Technology, Non-executive Director, National Australia Bank Dr Vanessa Guthrie AO, Non-executive Director, Chancellor, Curtin University Beth Worrall, Manager, Responsible AI Network, National AI Centre
4:15pm	The future of ESG How has the ESG discussion shifted in the last two years. The politics vs realities of DEI – what comes next. Impact on people, services and customer engagement. How technology is helping address the climate and nature-positive strategy and action. Chair: Dr Tracey Dodd, Director Research Development, University of Adelaide, Chair, Governance Committee, Green Industries SA Gillian Meller, Legal and Governance Director, MTR Corporation (Hong Kong) Paul Murphy, Head of ESG APAC, Georgeson Associate Professor Tim Nelson FGIA FCG, Chair, Australian National Energy Market Review
4:55pm	International address Chair: Anjali Rao, Award-winning Broadcast Journalist Afshin Molavi, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute & Founder, Emerging World Initiative, Johns Hopkins University (USA)
5:35pm	CEO Closing Remarks Katrina Horrobin, CEO, Governance Institute of Australia
5:40pm	The Nasdaq Governance Social networking drinks Wrap up the day in style and join your peers in the industry at The Nasdaq Governance Social networking drinks – a chance to relax, connect, and celebrate a successful day. Unwind with colleagues and new connections while enjoying live entertainment from the captivating magician, Jackson Aces. Delight your palate with a curated whiskey and gin tasting featuring premium selections, and take the opportunity to meet and network with event sponsors in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Sponsor: