Mary-Ann Anyikam, Head of Global Resilience, HP

Mary-Ann Anyikam is a global resilience executive who advises senior leaders on navigating disruption and strengthening organizational adaptability in complex operating environments.

She is Head of Global Resilience at HP Inc., where she leads the company’s global crisis response and business continuity capabilities. In this role, she works with senior leadership to help the organization anticipate, navigate, and adapt to disruption across its global operations.

With more than 25 years of experience across Fortune 100 environments, Mary-Ann brings a practitioner’s perspective to resilience, governance, and strategic risk. She has led enterprise responses to complex geopolitical and operational disruptions, translating evolving risk environments into coordinated operational and executive decision-making.

Mary-Ann has completed executive education at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Kennedy School. She serves as Industry Expert-in-Residence at the Tulane University A. B. Freeman School of Business and sits on the board of Girls Inc. of Greater Houston. She speaks on resilience, governance, and the evolving role of boards and executive leaders in navigating sustained disruption.

Jake Atkinson, Managing Principal, Edge Impact

Jake has over 10 years of consulting, finance, and policy experience in Australia and the UK. He combines his accounting background with expertise in sustainability reporting standards to help large-listed companies implement climate-related disclosures. A fellow of the ACCA, Jake sits on its global sustainability forum.

His clients include Westpac, Ampol, CSR, GPT, Transport for New South Wales, UNSW, Allianz, and UniSuper. Jake has also contributed to sustainability reporting excellence in the EU and advised UK legislators on mandatory climate reporting.

Marnie Baker AM, Non-executive Member, Monetary Policy Board, Reserve Bank of Australia

Marnie is a highly accomplished leader in the financial services industry with over 35 years of professional experience. Her extensive career spans banking, superannuation, trustee and custodial services, financial planning, insurance and funds management, with two-thirds of her tenure spent in executive roles.

Marnie recently concluded her role as CEO and Managing Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, one of Australia’s most trusted brands and among Australia’s top 100 listed companies. Marnie’s leadership journey at the Bank included several executive roles such as Chief Customer Officer, Executive Corporate Resources, Chief Information Officer, Group Treasurer and Chief Executive Officer of Sandhurst Trustees.

Having lived and worked her whole life in regional Australia, Marnie is a passionate advocate for the critical role that the regions play in the Australian economy. Marnie serves as a Director of the Regional Australia Institute, working to support growth and investment opportunities in regional Australia, as well as actively contributing to her local community through various organisations, including as Chair of La Trobe University’s Bendigo Regional Advisory Board.

Marnie has an extensive policy background having served on a number of industry bodies and committees, including being an inaugural Director on the Board of NPP Australia, Deputy Chair of the Australian Banking Association, Member of the Mastercard Asia Pacific Advisory Board and Member of the Business Council of Australia.

Marnie currently serves on the Monetary Policy Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and as a non-executive Director of Australian Retirement Trust, FinTech Australia, and Sport and Life Training (SALT).

Mark Bookatz, Vice President, ANZ, Riskonnect

Mark Bookatz is a highly experienced Information Technology executive with over 15 years of experience of sales and delivery of enterprise Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) solutions in Asia Pacific. Mark has a solid track record in successfully delivering GRC systems within multinational organisations across Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Mark has held senior positions in SAI Global, Nasdaq (BWise), Satori, Cura Software, Dimension Data and PwC. Mark is currently Vice President for APAC at Riskonnect.

Dr Ann Borda, Ethics Fellow, The Alan Turning Institute

Dr Ann Borda has over two decades of working in academia and senior roles in national and international collaborations in Canada, UK and Australia. She brings insights into foundational digital and AI ecosystems supporting public interest innovation, policy and open knowledge systems. She has particular expertise in participatory innovation, sustainability and responsible research translation at the intersections of digital society and the equity and trust-based implications of emerging technology for public sector, startups, health, and the environment. Among Ann’s leadership roles, she has co-led AI Ethics and Governance capability initiatives at The Alan Turing Institute (UK), and was formerly an Executive Director of a Victorian State government funded multi-institution collaboration advancing digital technology innovation.

Lisa Connelly, Chief Risk Officer, REA Group

Lisa Connelly is Chief Risk Officer at REA Group, leading enterprise-wide risk, resilience and assurance across a complex, multi-jurisdiction digital and financial services portfolio. With more than three decades in banking and financial services, including senior roles at NAB and PEXA, she has deep experience in crisis and incident management, regulatory engagement and embedding risk culture that supports sustainable performance. Lisa also serves as a non-executive director and risk committee chair across several mortgage and fintech businesses, bringing a practical, board-level perspective on resilience, governance and conduct in an increasingly data-driven, technology-enabled environment./p>

Dr. Susanne Etti, GM Climate, Intrepid Travel

Susanne Etti is a passionate environmental advocate with a PhD in Natural Science. As Intrepid’s General Manager of Climate, she leads the company’s climate performance, reporting, risk management and decarbonisation initiatives, embedding climate action across the business. Susanne champions a culture of climate consciousness throughout the organisation and is widely recognised as an industry leader in helping drive the travel sector toward a lower-carbon future. In 2023, she was named to the BBC’s prestigious 100 Women of Influence list and is a sought-after speaker and conference panellist. She also mentors through Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and brings more than two decades of leadership experience across Australia, Europe, Southeast Asia and South America.

Amanda Ferguson, Director, AI Transformation & Strategic Partnerships, Court Services Australia

Amanda Ferguson is Director of AI Transformation and Strategic Partnerships at Court Services Victoria, where she oversees a portfolio of AI initiatives at the Victorian courts. Her work focuses on building the governance frameworks, strategic partnerships, and operating models that allow AI to be deployed responsibly in high-stakes legal environments.

One initiative developed under her program – built in partnership with Amazon Web Services, and recognised in the Victorian Government’s AI Mission Statement – has been described by the Chief Justice of Victoria as an “interesting early pilot scheme” that synthesises large volumes of brief material under specific headings, reduces staff exposure to traumatic content, and supports court staff and legal professionals with non-controversial but voluminous information. The Chief Justice notes the tool’s output is explicitly “not the final word” and remains subject to human oversight throughout. Amanda reflects that none of it would exist without the team, the Court’s leadership, and partners willing to engage seriously with what responsible AI looks like in practice.

Karen Goodwin, Chief Operating Officer, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

Karen has over twenty-five years’ experience driving legal and business affairs, company secretariat and operations in the media industry.

Karen is currently Chief Operating Officer, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at WTFN, an independent studio with a global imprint. WTFN creates and commercialises content in all media, genres and platforms around the world, embracing the opportunities of an uncertain, rapidly and constantly evolving media and economic landscape.

Karen’s role encompasses oversight of legal and business affairs; employment and workplace relations; HR/people & culture; work, health and safety; governance, risk and compliance; cyber security and privacy. She is also the company secretary of all Australian and international companies within the corporate group.

Karen joined WTFN in 2014 and since then the corporate group has expanded significantly, with operational infrastructure now embedded across Australia and around the world. Karen has enjoyed the challenge of driving the corporate group’s legal and governance requirements, supporting all business units to respond continually and proactively to a context of ongoing growth, complexity, volatility and tectonic change.

Prior to joining WTFN, Karen was an Executive Counsel at Marshalls & Dent with an established entertainment and media law practice, representing a wide range of vibrant and inspiring Australian screen culture and performing arts practitioners. Karen started her career in the legal and business affairs department at Film
Victoria.

Karen was appointed to the Victorian Council of the Governance Institute of Australia in August 2023 and to the role of Co-Deputy Chair in November 2025. She has previously served on several boards and committees for not-for-profit organisations in the arts and entertainment industry. Karen is Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chamber Change Champion.

Karen holds a BA and LLB and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Abhi Ganugapati, Director, Adaptus

Abhi Ganugapati is a Director at Adaptus and a trusted advisor to boards, senior executives and risk leaders on enterprise and strategic risk, and climate disclosure. His work focuses on helping organisations navigate uncertainty by integrating risk thinking into strategy and executive decision-making, and translating climate-related risks and opportunities into insights that inform decision-making. Abhi brings a practical, commercially grounded approach shaped by deep cross-sector experience across ASX-listed companies and government. He is a Victorian State Council Member of the Governance Institute of Australia and the 2024 Australian Risk Consultant of the Year, awarded by the Risk Management Institute.

Bonnie Hancock

34-year-old Bonnie Hancock recently broke the Guinness World Record for fastest person to circumnavigate mainland Australia by paddle. Growing up in the small NSW town of Sawtell, Bonnie was primarily a board paddler and swimmer and as a late bloomer on the ski, didn’t pick up a paddle until the age of 17.

After a move to the Gold Coast, Bonnie qualified in the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series, completing seven years on the professional circuit. After finishing her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics Degree, Bonnie decided to focus on ski paddling, medalling at the Queensland State and Australian Championships in her first year of doing so.

In 2020, Bonnie was inspired by a book about a previous circumnavigation of Australia by paddle. Two years later, she set off from Mermaid Beach on her surf ski and after 254 days, finished a clockwise loop around the country, breaking the previous Guinness World Record by over two months.

Bonnie also broke the Guinness World Record for furthest distance paddled in 24 hours (open ocean) by a female, completing 235 kms on her surf ski at Airlie Beach.

In 2024, Bonnie published her memoir about the circumnavigation, titled “The Girl Who Touched The Stars” through Harper Collins. She also premiered her documentary “Diamond Of The Sea” at the Gold Coast Film Festival, after which the film was released nationally on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Bonnie now enjoys sharing her journey as a keynote speaker, and in November 2023, presented a TED talk in Paris.

Dr Paul Hardisty Author, Executive Leader, Chair, Adaptus Advisory Board

Paul has spent four decades leading complex organisations through disruption, from co-founding and scaling an international environmental consultancy, to directing CSIRO’s Land and Water division, to serving as CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Across these roles he has built a reputation for translating uncertainty into strategic clarity and developing the organisational intelligence needed to anticipate, respond and adapt.
He has published over 200 technical and professional works and his non-fiction book In Hot Water was shortlisted for the 2025 WA Premier’s Book Award. He writes for both specialist and general audiences on leadership, decision-making and organisational performance under uncertainty. Since 2022, Paul has travelled to Ukraine multiple times as a correspondent, bearing witness to the human cost of the war and exploring its broader implications through essays and a forthcoming book.
Among his current roles, Paul serves as Chair of the Adaptus Advisory Board and provides executive counsel to Adaptus clients on governance, climate strategy, complex decision-making and organisational resilience.

Andrew Holt, Chief Risk Officer, VicGrid

Andrew has 25 years of risk management, internal audit and strategic leadership experience from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. He has held senior leadership positions across Australia, Europe and Asia in financial services, higher education, retail and government.

As an experienced Chief Risk Officer, Andrew is passionate about connecting risk management to all corners of an organisation and expend its value in pursuit of strategy.

Andrew is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He holds a Bachelor of Business (Finance) from Monash University, a Certificate on Executive Systems Thinking from MIT and is a member of the Risk Management Institute of Australia.

Owen Jenkins, Head of ESG Reporting, George Weston Foods Limited

Owen manages the non-financial requirements for George Weston Foods and its associated entities. Prior to this, Owen managed the non-financial and voluntary reporting requirements of Primark, a UK retailer and various clients within the UK farming sector.

Madeliene Jones, Company Secretary and Legal Counsel, Keyton

Madeleine is a company secretary, lawyer and governance professional with experience in the listed, not-for-profit and private sectors. Madeleine has special interests in corporate governance, risk management, privacy and employment law. Madeleine is motivated to improve organisational processes through whole of organsiation governance. Madeleine enjoys working with departments and executive teams advising on best practice governance, privacy, conflicts of interest and the safe implementation of innovative systems such a Generative AI.

In her substantive role as CoSec and Legal Counsel, Madeleine sits on the Compliance Committee, Generative AI Working Group & Privacy Working Group. She also works closely with the People and Culture team adivising on employment law matters.

Madeleine is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA) and a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute. She sits on GIA’s Victorian State Council. Madeleine has graduate qualifications in governance (GDACG), law (GDLP) and business (MBA).

Jessica Kerr, founder, Culture Matters

Jessica Kerr is a workplace investigations specialist, facilitator, and advisor with deep expertise in organisational culture, psychosocial safety, and complex people matters.

With a background in HR and a Master of Employment and Labour Relations Law, Jessica has worked extensively across higher education and other complex organisational environments, supporting leaders to navigate sensitive issues including misconduct, cultural dysfunction, and systemic risk.

Through her consultancy, Culture Matters, Jessica partners with organisations to conduct workplace investigations, cultural reviews, and targeted training helping build psychologically safe, accountable, and high-performing workplaces. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed practice and a nuanced understanding of how culture, leadership, and risk intersect.

Jessica is particularly known for her work in promoting neuroinclusive workplaces and supporting organisations to respond effectively to psychosocial risks, balancing legal obligations with human-centred leadership.

Fleur Katsmartin, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Fleur Katsmartin is Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), Victoria’s first public hospital. With deep expertise in governance, risk, and legal strategy within the health sector, Fleur plays a critical role in supporting organisational integrity, accountability, and high-quality decision-making in a complex and highly regulated environment.

Fleur brings a people-centred approach to legal and governance practice, recognising that effective risk management is grounded in curiosity, sound judgement, and practical engagement with stakeholders. She has built her career on enabling organisations to navigate risk while delivering meaningful outcomes for the communities they serve and ensuring that she leads with kindness.

In addition to her executive role, Fleur is a Board Director at the Victorian Women’s Trust, a gender equality organisation advocating for the rights of women, girls and gender-diverse people. She was a finalist for Corporate Counsel Healthcare Lawyer of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.

James Kwie, Chief Executive Officer, Ingenique (Australia) Pty Ltd

James is the Chief Executive Officer of Ingenique, where he develops and executes strategic plans to drive the company’s growth and strengthen its position as a trusted Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance solutions provider. He leads cross-border, cross-functional teams across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Australia, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture aligned with Ingenique’s business objectives and Board directives.

Prior to joining Ingenique, James held senior leadership roles at two companies listed on the Singapore Exchange, with responsibilities spanning investments, portfolio management, capital markets, compliance, and strategic mergers and acquisitions. He has extensive experience in private equity, real estate, and fintech investments, and has led deal teams in the successful execution of numerous transactions. James actively engages with industry stakeholders at events and forums and is committed to advancing innovation and best practices in AML/CTF RegTech. He was a Defence Science scholar, holds a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) from the National University of Singapore, and is a CFA charterholder.

Jeffrey Luckins FGIA FCG, Partner, William Buck

Jeffrey Luckins is a Director of Audit & Assurance at the mid‑market accounting and advisory firm William Buck in Melbourne. He is a Chartered Secretary, a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and the Chartered Governance Institute, and serves on that board of the Governance Institute of Australia. He also facilitates the Victorian Company Secretaries Discussion Group. In addition, he is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a Registered Company Auditor, a founding member of the IPO Network, and the Honorary Secretary of the Royal Society of Victoria.

Jeffrey is widely regarded as a thought leader, writer and presenter, contributing to conferences, events and continuing professional education programs on a broad range of topics spanning auditing, accounting, governance and equity capital markets.

Tau Likukuma, Senior Account Executive, Navex

Tau Likukuma serves as Senior Account Executive at NAVEX. In this role, Tau plays a key part in delivering Governance, Risk, and Compliance solutions tailored to the unique needs of small and large customers primarily across the APAC region. Tau brings over 7 years of experience in enterprise software and solution consulting, with a focus on helping clients manage regulatory challenges, streamline internal controls, and build compliance strategies that support long-term growth.

Aubrey Mair FGIA FCG, Manager Governance, Department of Families and Housing, VIC State Council Member, Governance Institute of Australia

Chartered Secretary, Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute, Member of the Victorian State Council of the Governance Institute of Australia, Fellow of CPA Australia, Bachelor of Economics (Major in Accounting) – Monash University, Graduate Diploma of Management – Deakin University, Master of Business Administration – Deakin University, Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance, PS 146 (1 – 3), Lay Preacher (Qualified and Accredited)

Leslie Marie, Solutions Sales Director, Diligent

With over 20 years of experience across accounting, finance, internal audit, risk management, and compliance assurance, Leslie brings deep expertise and a strong passion for helping organisations operate more effectively. He currently helps businesses strengthen governance and unlock greater value from their data by sharing insights on Diligent’s market-leading, AI-powered GRC platform across the ANZ region. Previously, he held lead roles at Workday, driving adoption of advanced analytics and financial solutions, and earlier in his career supported organisations enhancing their audit and risk practices.

Nicole Pantalleresco, Company Secretary, Life Saving Victoria

Nicole Pantalleresco is an experienced Company Secretary with a strong track record in governance, compliance and board effectiveness across the not-for-profit sector. She is currently Company Secretary at Life Saving Victoria, where she plays a key role in supporting the organisation’s Board, committees and executive leadership, and in driving contemporary governance practices across a complex, member-based organisation.

Nicole is known for her practical, values-driven approach to governance. She has led and supported significant governance reform initiatives, including the implementation of constitutional and by-law changes, strengthening board and committee structures, and improving nomination and election processes to enhance transparency and engagement. Her work focuses on ensuring governance frameworks are not only compliant, but meaningful and enabling—supporting boards to focus on strategy, performance and impact.

Prior to her role at Life Saving Victoria, Nicole spent many years with Speech Pathology Australia and the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions, where she oversaw corporate governance, board operations and regulatory compliance in nationally focused peak bodies.

Nicole is recognised for her strong stakeholder engagement, clear and effective communication, and ability to translate complex governance requirements into practical, accessible solutions. She is passionate about fostering inclusive, transparent governance environments that build trust between boards, executives and members, and ultimately support organisational success.

Brian Parker CFA, Chief Economist, Australian Retirement Trust

Brian is the Chief Economist at Australian Retirement Trust. Previously he was Chief Economist of SunSuper from June 2015. Prior to joining Sunsuper, Brian worked in a series of economics, asset allocation, and communications roles with a range of firms, including Rothschild, JP Morgan, Citigroup, MLC, and the Reserve Bank of Australia, in a career spanning over 25 years. across Asia, and in New Zealand, France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, and the UK. In his spare time, he enjoys arguing, drinking pinot noir and getting caught in the rain.

Anthony Seyfort, Partner, HWLE Laywers

Anthony’s practice focuses on governance, transactions and strategic advice in regulated industries.  This focus brings together a wealth of experience in mainstream corporate law with distinctive experience with regulators and with corporate and industry regulation.

Anthony’s expertise encompasses the full range of corporate governance issues facing large corporations conducting regulated businesses.  He represents clients in dealings with governments and regulators in relation to policy, regulatory change, approvals and negotiated outcomes.  He advises on strategies for the management of regulatory risk.  A large amount of his work over 20 years has been in AML/CTF regulation.

In recent years much of his work has involved assisting companies facing governance and regulatory crises, and difficult stakeholder management.

Anthony is a long-standing Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and was Victorian Chairman.

Katherine Shamai, Partner, Risk Consulting, Grant Thornton

Katherine works closely with C suite executives and Boards to advise on financial crime, compliance, and governance, helping organisations build effective frameworks and reduce risk exposure. With experience across industry and professional services, she provides practical, tailored recommendations suited to each client’s operating environment. Her recent work includes strengthening control weaknesses, drafting risk assessment policies and procedures, and conducting forensic investigations. Katherine has partnered with federal, state and local government agencies, Not for Profits, ASX listed entities and private companies across sectors including Financial Services, Gaming, Disability Support Services and Education.

Susan Stapels, Principal, Staples Advisory

Susan Staples is a governance and risk advisor with over 20 years’ experience working alongside boards and executive teams across aged care, health and community services. A former Director at KPMG, she now partners with purpose-driven organisations to strengthen governance and risk practices in ways that are practical, proportionate and genuinely useful.

Susan is known for cutting through complexity. She helps organisations move beyond risk as a compliance exercise—translating it into clear, confident decision-making and better outcomes for the communities they serve. Her work focuses on making risk “land” in practice: aligning strategy, culture and accountability so that governance systems support—not slow down—performance in times of change.

With deep experience at the board level, Susan brings a pragmatic lens to what effective oversight really looks like when environments are uncertain and evolving. She has worked extensively across the aged care sector, including through a lead role in the ACQSC’s Governing for Reform program, where she has supported directors and executives through reform, disruption and increasing scrutiny.

A trusted advisor, facilitator and speaker, Susan is passionate about helping leaders build resilience—not by adding more frameworks, but by simplifying what matters and embedding it where it counts.

Pauline Vamos, Non Executive Director and Chair, Governance Institute of Australia

Pauline is a non-executive director of Mercer Superannuation Australia Limited and Chief Executive Women and is the Chair of Interaction Disability Services, Zurich Assure Pty Ltd and K2fly limited. Pauline is also the President and Chair of Governance Institute of Australia and a member of the International Council of The Chartered Governance Institute.