A first-time attendee perspective on National Conference 2021
As a brand ambassador and Suncorp Group Limited risk and compliance manager, Kirsty will take in as many of the 18 sessions as possible and attend the networking and social opportunities.
“Governance Institute’s National Conference is such a pivotal event,” she says. “It brings together professionals from all industries to share advice, insights and learnings. Being able to take practical advice back to my own organisation to influence change and provide value is very rewarding.”
Since joining Suncorp almost ten years ago, Kirsty is responsible for implementing standards, processes and systems that enhance risk and compliance practices across the organisation.
Currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management through Governance Institute, Kirsty describes risk management in an organisational sense as the ‘ability to manage uncertainty.’
“Organisations are currently operating in very Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environments,” she says.
“A global pandemic and unstable business confidence levels have left organisations looking to governance and risk professionals for advice. If organisations prioritise their governance practices and risk processes, systems and structures they will positively position themselves for effective decision making.”
Given the pace of change and regulatory reform, Kirsty lists non-executive director Ilana Atlas’ session ‘Regulation, accountability and culture’ and ‘Fireside chat: Rebuilding from catastrophic governance failures’ as two key sessions she’s particularly interested in.
“Gaining insights from others across the industry will provide a broader perspective when implementing regulatory changes at my own organisation,” she says.
“If the global pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that having a resilient mindset is critical to business success. Understanding what strategies can be used and who does this well, is an asset to board members and senior leaders setting the path forward.”
Governance Institute of Australia’s National Conference 2021 will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 1 and Thursday, September 2.