CEO Memo — July 2026
During May and June, we held our annual Governance and Risk Management Forums around the country. I have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with so many members at these events and am reminded once more about the power of our community, which shares such a commitment to strengthening organisations and contributing to Australia’s long-term prosperity.
The stakes for governance have never been higher.
We are living through a period of profound disruption, geopolitical conflict, rapid technological change, cyber threats and artificial intelligence. They are reshaping risk, accountability and decision-making faster than most systems were designed to respond.
The Governance Institute exists to strengthen decision-making capability in people and organisations, everywhere decisions are made, translating principles into better decisions and standards into practice.
White Paper on Agentic AI and New AI courses
In May, we launched our white paper on Governance in the age of agentic AI, our deep dive into one of the most consequential shifts facing organisations.
Our report makes it clear: existing governance models are no longer fit for purpose. Leaders and governance professionals must act now to strengthen accountability, oversight and capability.
In this edition of Governance Directions, Daniel Popovski, our Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor, describes a new era for AI governance, the ethical dilemmas and what happens when agents go rogue.
This is where governance moves from ideas to action.
Our new AI courses are built to meet this moment, equipping organisations with the knowledge, controls and practical disciplines needed to manage AI responsibly.
Having had a sneak peek of the new Certificate in AI Governance, I am struck by its quality. These are exceptional programs put together by experts. They feature practical tools, case studies and immersive conversations powered by purpose-built AI personas, allowing participants to navigate complex governance scenarios.
It’s no surprise demand has been strong. Leaders and governance professionals understand the urgency. The challenge is here, and so is the need for better governance.
The Beating Heart
Governance Institute members are the heartbeat of the organisation and therefore central to shaping our five-year strategy – focused on advocacy where our voice, expertise and influence can deliver practical impact.
This year, in addition to AI governance, our policy work includes productivity, the national cyber security strategy, the practical implications of the new Anti–Money Laundering and Counter–Terrorism Financing regime, linking director IDs to the ASIC register and the forthcoming consultation on the Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations.
These critical issues – and many others – are analysed in this edition.
Our strategy also prioritises greater opportunities for member engagement on a local level – I encourage you to look out for those events – along with broadening our audience, elevating awareness of the critical role of Chartered Secretaries and Chartered Governance Professionals and broadening the appeal of our courses and training. You will find more details about our strategy here.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment and support.
Katrina Horrobin
Chief Executive Officer
Governance Institute of Australia