Feature keynote
speakers and sessions
that AU/NZ technology buyers will show up for

Matt Boon is responsible for directing and developing ADAPT’s research content and positions. He interacts with executives daily, bringing together groups of C-suite leaders to discuss and prepare for the challenges and opportunities they face.​

For over 30 years, including 18 in senior leadership roles at Gartner, Matt has been a sought after and highly respected authority on the local and global IT landscape.​

ADAPT hosts numerous industry-leading business and technology events, which Matt chairs, that deliver unique ADAPT research positions, and advises executives across the end-user and technology provider landscape to make informed IT decisions.​

When he is not working, Matt enjoys walking the many trails of the NSW Southern Highlands, travelling and listening to music. He is also partial to a good steak and nice glass of red wine.​

Gabby’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights. He has extensive experience in using data to identify technology trends to support Australian organisations.​

Using modern data science techniques, he provides ADAPT and its customers with confidence in the accuracy and validity of the information used for ADAPT’s research, advisory and events.​

With a passion for creating stories with data, Gabby is consistently rated as one of the top speakers at ADAPT’s events. In roundtable discussions, he specialises in using statistics to initiate thought-provoking discussions. ​

Gabby is effective in translating information into insights, enabling ADAPT’s customers to become more data-driven.​

Gabby’s primary areas of expertise are:​

• Advanced AI and ML practices, including AI ethics.​
• Building models to benchmark and predict IT performance.​
• End-user behaviour and human-centred design.​
• Cross-functional team design and value, such as DevSecOps.​

Byron is a highly experienced technology and business journalist, editor, corporate writer, and event producer.​

Prior to joining ADAPT, he was the editor-in-chief at CIO Australia and associate editor at CSO Australia. He also created and led the well-known CIO50 awards program in Australia and The CIO Show podcast.​

Byron creates valuable insights for our community of senior technology and business professionals that help them reach their organisational and professional goals. He has a passion for uncovering stories about the careers and personal philosophies of Australia’s top technology and digital executives.​

When he is not working, Byron enjoys hot yoga, swimming, running and spending time with his family. He completed the North Face 100km ultra marathon in the NSW Blue Mountains in 2012 and 2013.​

Peter Hind has spent the last 25 years as an analyst and commentator on the ICT industry. ​

His primary areas of interest are the potential of technology to transform the way organisations operate, the change management obstacles executives encounter in realising this potential, as well as the tactics and techniques leaders have deployed to overcome these difficulties.​

Peter now takes on multiple roles within ADAPT including the moderation of private events and roundtables, interviewing business executives about the strategies they are pursuing and assisting with the structuring of delegate surveys.​

He also interrogates and analyses ADAPT’s treasure trove of end-user and C-suite data.​

Dr. Michael G. Kollo is recognised as an accomplished executive leader and educator within the realm of artificial intelligence’s significance in business strategy and product development across various sectors including financial services, technology, and public services. Holding a portfolio of leadership roles, Michael has contributed his expertise to renowned institutional investors such as Blackrock, Fidelity, Renaissance Asset Management, Axa Investment Managers, and HESTA. Additionally, he served as a non-executive director for Clime Investment Managers, an ASX-listed entity.

In the entrepreneurial sphere, Michael has been involved with AI and software companies, notably as a key figure at Faethm Pty, an Australian AI software company that was acquired by Pearsons in 2021, and at the Blockchain company Clanz. Beyond entrepreneurship, he actively participates in mentoring and supporting fintech and cybertech startup ecosystems in London and Australia.

In the realm of academia, Michael boasts a PhD in Finance from the London School of Economics, coupled with extensive lecturing experience at esteemed institutions such as the LSE and Imperial College. He has also been invited as a speaker at TedX events, focusing on the responsible utilisation of AI. With publications addressing machine learning’s application in investment management and contributions to the World Economic Forum’s AI/Fintech panel, Michael’s expertise is widely recognised. Moreover, he has cultivated a global audience through educational podcasts like “Curious Quant.”

As well as Director of AI at ADAPT, Michael is also the CEO of Evolved AI, a distinguished executive education and software development firm dedicated to empowering individuals through effective and responsible AI usage, thereby fostering resilient, transparent, and rapidly evolving enterprises.

Marcus Darbyshire is a seasoned CIO and former VP Executive Partner with over 25 years of IT leadership experience. Based in South East Queensland, he is a practical, no-nonsense, results-driven executive, passionate about helping clients achieve strategic, innovative, and commercially successful outcomes.

As a CIO, Darbyshire was known for his cost-effective IT operations, successful projects, and mature IT governance. During his tenure at a global research firm, his client engagement earned him the international “All Stars” award, and he was promoted to VP Executive Partner in 2014, becoming the first in Australia to hold the position.

Darbyshire specialises in leadership coaching and assisting digital leaders in overcoming challenges through his vast executive experience and observations from personally advising and presenting to hundreds of CIOs and technology leaders over the last decade. His expertise includes CIO personal branding, executive time management, and emerging digital leadership competencies.

A skilled presenter and workshop facilitator, Darbyshire advises on digital strategy, leadership, personal brand, governance, cost optimisation, IT performance reporting, IT operating models, and high-performance team culture. He has served as an adviser to many of his clients’ Boards and IT Steering Committees, guiding directors and executives in better governing digital business opportunities and risks.

Darbyshire’s achievements include consistently high client satisfaction ratings, co-creating over 100 IT/Digital strategies, saving clients an estimated $50 million, and delivering over 200 workshops on digital leadership.

Rosalie Adriano is a distinguished executive recognised for her exceptional leadership, financial acumen, and inclusivity. Named one of the 2024 Top 50 CIOs in Australia, she has a proven track record in IT, business, and finance transformations, delivering substantial operational cost savings and process improvements. Rosalie Adriano has extensive experience in the FMCG sector, developing key strategies and roadmaps in digital transformation, security, and compliance.

Nathan’s vast experience in implementing cutting-edge technologies in healthcare is complemented by his background in critical care nursing and as nurse educator specializing in developing Simulation-Based Learning programs for clinicians of all skill levels.

His expertise in this area has attracted considerable attention, leading him to pursue a PhD exploring the design and deployment considerations for the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in clinical education. His ground-breaking research has generated both local and international interest.

David J. Gee has 20+ years experience as CIO and CISO. He joined Macquarie Group in early 2021 as Global Head Technology, Cyber and Data Risk. David is responsible for protecting Macquarie Group using his significant expertise in technology and cybersecurity. He has served as CISO for HSBC Asia Pacific, based in HK and responsible for the most critical and profitable countries for this large investment bank. David drove the cybersecurity maturity uplift and led all aspects of cyber for HSBC in these 19 countries. Prior to HSBC, David had an extensive Transformational CIO experience across numerous significant roles.

At MetLife Japan, David was Statutory Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and CIO. This is the second largest market for MetLife – a US$70B enterprise. David led the digital transformation for this large insurer with a significant focus on digitizing end to end customer engagement processes. At MetLife Japan managed a team of 230 IT Staff supported by 1200-1300 external resources, with an Annual IT spend in excess of U$300m.

David is Board Advisor to Sekuro, a successful cybersecurity company. A number of other Advisory roles are to be announced.

He is also past CIO at Credit Union of Australia where he successfully led a major transformation of all systems and technology. In this role he won CIO of the Year for Financial Services in Australia.

David has also been Executive Advisor for large scale transformation with KPMG, Ernst & Young and ICG. He has deep experience with Fintech and innovation ecosystems. Mentor at Stone & Chalk and Tyro Fintech Hub. Venture Partner with Sapien Ventures and Advisory Board of Venturetec.Accelerator. David also has been Fintech Advisor for a number of startups.

He is a digital industry thought leader and regular columnist with ITnews, CSO (Cyber), CIO Magazine and Computerworld, with more than 100+ articles published.

David was Information Officer and CIO for Lilly USA ($12B sales) & member of Lilly USA management. He has also enjoyed international expatriate assignments in Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Kobe and in the USA.

Mark is one of Australia’s leading transformation and emerging technology thinkers and advisors. He is one of the few Australians to be inducted into the global Certified Experience Economy Experts. He’s a member of the Forbes Technology Council and a regular columnist for BRW, Marketing Magazine and The Australian Financial Review.

He also runs the Digital Transformation Leadership Masterclass at Deakin University’s Executive MBA program and speaks at events globally.

Damon Rees is a business leader focused on customer centricity, culture, digital enablement, and innovation, with more than twenty years of experience driving transformational change, organisational performance, and better customer outcomes.

He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Service NSW, an independent Director at GP Synergy, Australia’s largest training organisation for GPs, and Founder of Better As Usual Pty Ltd, a practitioner-led professional services organisation committed to customer success and positive social impact.

Damon’s experience spans the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors including as the inaugural Government Chief Information and Digital Officer for NSW Government, the Chief Digital Officer for Macquarie Group, the Chief Technology and Interim Chief Information Officer for Woolworths, and the Head of Integrated Delivery for Westpac. He has served as an independent Director of GP Synergy for the last eight years including three years as Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk committee, and six years as Chair of the Digital and ICT committee.

Damon was awarded the Sir James Wolfhenson scholarship to study at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2018, completed a Global Executive MBA with the University of Sydney in 2011, and holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Archie Reed is an experienced executive, start-up leader, CIO/CTO/CSO, and CxO adviser, specialising in strategy through to implementation, MarComms, business growth, digital transformation/enterprise, innovation, and growth.

Specialties:

Strategic consulting and implementation
Facilitation of co-creation, co-design, and co-delivery programmes
Creation and delivery of innovation and agile business programmes
Business and corporate development
Design and delivery of workplace and digital service delivery programmes
Architecture and delivery of Cloud Services, Micro-services, Security, and Solution Development—Enterprise and XaaS Architectures
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and related services into business
Architecture and delivery of Customer, Employee, and Citizen experiences

With a long history in multifaceted roles, including CTO/CIO/CSO, VP of Strategy, and IT & Director positions for various organisations, this professional brings over 25 years of experience in start-ups, medium, and large global enterprises. Industries span Financial Services, Public Sector, Consultancies, Analysts, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, and Technology Services.