Past Speakers

Harness the collective intelligence of the world’s foremost thought leaders to learn best practices and be inspired.
Damon
Rees
formerly CEO of ServiceNSW, Managing Principal at BAU

Damon Rees

formerly CEO of ServiceNSW, Managing Principal at BAU

About

A business leader and director with more than twenty years of experience driving transformational change, organisational performance, and better customer outcomes.

Damon’s experience spans the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors including as the CEO of Service NSW, 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.

Prof.
Lesley Seebeck
Chair of National Institute of Strategic Resilience. CEO Cyber 21, Award winning CIO of BoM, and former CEO of the Cyber Institute

Prof. Lesley Seebeck

Chair of National Institute of Strategic Resilience. CEO Cyber 21, Award winning CIO of BoM, and former CEO of the Cyber Institute

About

Dr Lesley Seebeck is an independent consultant; her current roles include a fractional appointment as Professor of Cyber Security Strategy and Leadership at UNSW, Chair of the National Institute of Strategic Resilience, and Senior Fellow, Strategic Analysis Australia. She has held senior executive roles in the federal government and was the former head of the ANU Cyber Institute. Her writing and further details can be found at lesleyseebeck.com.

Edward
Santow
Director of Policy and Governance at University of Technology Sydney

Edward Santow

Director of Policy and Governance at University of Technology Sydney

About

Edward Santow is the Director – Policy & Governance at the Human Technology Institute, and Industry Professor – Responsible Technology at the University of Technology Sydney.

Ed co-founded the Human Technology Institute, which he leads with Prof Nicholas Davis and Prof Sally Cripps. Ed is leading a number of major initiatives to promote human-centred artificial intelligence. Focus areas include digital government, the future of AI regulation, and facial recognition and digital identity.

The Human Technology Institute’s approach promotes human rights in the development, use, regulation and oversight of new technology. HTI has three interconnected laboratories: the Human Technology Skills Lab, Tools Lab and Policy Lab. Ed’s areas of expertise include human rights, technology and regulation, public law and discrimination law.

From 2016-2021, Ed was Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, where he led the Commission’s work on AI & new technology; refugees and migration; human rights issues affecting LGBTIQ+ people; national security; and implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.

Ed is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Human Rights and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and of the NSW Government AI Review Committee. He is a patron of the Refugee Advice + Casework Service, and serves on a number of boards and committees. At UTS, he is a Fellow of the Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion.

In 2009, Ed was presented with an Australian Leadership Award, and in 2017 he was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Ed previously served as chief executive of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and was a Senior Lecturer at UNSW Law School, a research director at the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law and a solicitor in private practice.

Solly
Brown
Partner at McKinsey + QuantumBlack – contributor to McKinsey’s “CEO guide to GenAI”

Solly Brown

Partner at McKinsey + QuantumBlack – contributor to McKinsey’s “CEO guide to GenAI”

About

I am a Partner at McKinsey & Company based in Sydney, where much of my work is oriented around helping organisations on strategy, AI and transformation. I am leader in our analytics practice and QuantumBlack Australia (QuantumBlack is an analytics consulting firm acquired by McKinsey). My QB teams work with organisations on issues related to advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

I also have a passion for public sector, where I serve organisations on strategy, organisation and transformation topics.

Before joining McKinsey I studied for a PhD in machine learning and artificial intelligence. Prior to this my background was in theoretical physics.

Linda
Fox
Non-Executive Director at QV Equities Limited

Linda Fox

Non-Executive Director at QV Equities Limited

About

Linda is a non-executive director with an executive background in wealth management, banking and professional services in organisations including start-ups,  global and multi-billion dollar enterprises.

Linda has 25 years of executive experience as a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer overseeing businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. She was formerly the CFO for Colonial First State until 2021, a large superannuation fund in Australia. Prior to that she was the CFO for the International Division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.  Her experience in financial services started as an audit professional and then as a CFO and COO in organisations such as Merrill Lynch, Schroder Investment Management and SFG Australia, a start-up that was listed on ASX.

Linda’s experience in multi-national companies has enabled her unique blend of understanding of culture and performance drivers, coupled with knowledge of the complex regulatory environment, to drive success in different jurisdictions.

Linda is a non-executive director of QV Equities Limited (ASX:QVE), Australian Youth Orchestra and Compliance Committee member of Investors Mutual Limited’s listed and unlisted managed investment schemes.

Linda is a chartered accountant and a member and graduate of the Institute of Company Directors. She holds an executive MBA, a Graduate Diploma in Information Systems, and Bachelor of Commerce.

Linda is a passionate supporter of the performing arts and is a violinist and committee member of the North Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Meredith
Rowan
Vice President, Australia and New Zealand Applications & License Applications Asia Pacific at Oracle

Meredith Rowan

Vice President, Australia and New Zealand Applications & License Applications Asia Pacific at Oracle

About

Meredith is an accomplished leader, with over 20 years’ experience in delivering technology solutions and supporting business transformation through the various enterprise roles she has held. Meredith is passionate about sharing best practices and frequently speaks with customers and partners about the power of SaaS technology and its use to propel the growth of their own organisations.

Jon
Blackburn
Executive Director Corporate Services & CFO at Sydney Opera House

Jon Blackburn

Executive Director Corporate Services & CFO at Sydney Opera House

About

Jon joined in the role of Chief Financial Officer in November 2017 and was appointed Executive Director Corporate Services in September 2018. He is responsible for the finance, technology, legal, and enterprise risk and program management teams delivering corporate services across the Opera House.

Jon has over 30 years global experience in the financial, property and professional services sectors. After starting his career at Price Waterhouse he moved into financial services with senior roles at Macquarie Bank and later CFO for Lloyds Bank businesses in Asia. Most recently he was the global CFO at Unispace, a family owned global design and build services business.

David
Pollock
Chief Financial Officer at AAM Investment Group

David Pollock

Chief Financial Officer at AAM Investment Group

About

David joined the AAM team in 2020 and has over 25 years experience in finance across various industries and organisations from ASX and LSE (FTSE 500) listed businesses and international consultancies to startups working within fund and asset management, agriculture, mining & energy resources, urban growth, infrastructure, technology, tourism and government.

As CFO for AAM Managed Assets David has overseen the transformation of the businesses finance function during a time of considerable growth that seen assets under management grow to in excess of $1bn across diverse agricultural assets including large cattle, sheep and cropping properties across NT, Qld and NSW, poultry farms in SA and softwood plantation timber mills in SA, NSW and Qld.

Starting his career in the audit division of PwC before moving into an urban growth and resources consultancy that expanded rapidly to a national presence before being acquired by RPS,  David then moved to Business Aspect as part of the Data#3 Group undertaking many projects encompassing business transformation driven by technology.  Then followed the opportunity to lead a merger of several Consulting Engineering, Environmental and Agribusiness consultancies creating the Premise Group following which he moved to the Gold Coast to assist the Homecorp Group with its integration into Misawa Homes (Japan’s largest homebuilder jointly owned by Toyota and Panasonic’s Prime Life Technology).

David has been part of successful startups from initial concept, business model creation, commercialisation, capital raising and scaling of operations including Datafarming utilising agri-data to deliver precision agriculture products and 3DB as a 3D Construction Print service provider operating within the residential construction sector.

David has considerable experience in aspects of multi-faceted, international businesses and project delivery. He has held executive leadership roles, been a Partner/Shareholder and a trusted advisor on key projects for national and international clients.

David has delivered growth and key organisational change to businesses which resulted in substantial increase in shareholder value in the businesses he has run and been an executive of. This includes leading and managing substantial mergers and acquisitions nationally through to business integration and the realisation of long-term synergy benefits and has been an integral strategic driver of his organisation’s direction and resulting success.

Clodagh
Farrell
CFO & COO Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at DXC Technology

Clodagh Farrell

CFO & COO Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at DXC Technology

About

Over the last 20 years I have built a career partnering at all levels, driving the creation and execution of the key financial strategies to ensure sustained results.

I have demonstrable experience in reshaping business models, by streamlining and driving out cost and working on the commercialisation of new business ideas to drive growth.

As a leader with a coaching style, I have shaped high performing finance teams by provide my team with both challenge and support to exceed their own and their stakeholders expectations.

I have learnt that a simplified message delivered with clarity and a disciplined management approach to achieving that goal, has brought great success for my team, stakeholders and the business.

Brett
Manwaring
Group CFO & GM Corporate Services at Evolve Housing

Brett Manwaring

Group CFO & GM Corporate Services at Evolve Housing

About

Experienced Director and c-suite executive with a demonstrated history of working across a variety of sectors including manufacturing/distribution, financial services, management consulting, sporting associations, accounting, government agencies and not for profit membership organisations.

Skilled in Cash Flow, Financial Risk, Risk Management, Corporate Finance, and Managerial Finance. Strong professional with a passion for leading and guiding businesses develop and implement sustainable strategic plans that embrace people and culture, data and technology and diversification of revenue streams whilst ensuring strong risk management.

Frances
Grima
Senior Director SaaS Applications at Oracle

Frances Grima

Senior Director SaaS Applications at Oracle

About

Highly motivated and conscientious Senior Sales IT Executive, with 20+ years’ experience in sales and delivery within the IT industry. Worked both in Australia and internationally, gaining a great deal of experience in selling software and services in a variety of industries. Successful in a leadership role with a focus on developing Go-To Market strategies. aligning stakeholders and coaching a high-performance team. A results oriented individual focused on leading teams to achieving the highest results possible, Honesty, integrity and professionalism are my values and values that I instil in any team that I lead.

Teodora
Nikolova
Solution Sales Executive at ServiceNow

Teodora Nikolova

Solution Sales Executive at ServiceNow

About
Marise
Maltman
Office of CFO Leader APJ at Workday

Marise Maltman

Office of CFO Leader APJ at Workday

About

Helping CFO’s and Finance executives to resolve complex finance issues in a digital world – the changing the role of humans in business and in finance ultimately impacts the way finance is delivered and the supporting processes.

Being a chartered accountant enabled me in a career that spans more than 30 years in Australia, South Africa and the UK working with CFO’s and Finance executives in various industries (including Health, Aged Care, Retail, Oil and Gas and Financial Services (long term insurance, etc.).

I have been fortunate to work with some of the largest companies in Australia but have also enjoyed working with smaller, privately owned businesses to enable change.

Richard
Payne
Regional Finance Leader, ANZ at Workday

Richard Payne

Regional Finance Leader, ANZ at Workday

About

Experienced sales leader, successful track record supporting the financial services industry.
Skilled in Business Transformation, Management, Leadership and Strategic Planning.
Post-graduate in Management from University of Surrey.

Barbara
Galloon
Group CFO at Avis

Barbara Galloon

Group CFO at Avis

About

A passionate and energetic Finance Executive who has diverse experience, commercial acumen and proven success in driving growth, leading business transformation in highly competitive telecommunication, wholesale and retail markets.

A strategic business partner who has driven major change both strategically and operationally, negotiated key long term deals & led programs that have transformed businesses, improved business process, re-engineered inefficient companies & created sustainable financial & operational models in both the business and consumer markets.

A leader, who loves to build capability, thrives on challenges, is results driven, and prospers in a dynamic, fast paced and ever changing environment.

Greg
Ritter
CFO and Head of Business Operations Australasia at JLL

Greg Ritter

CFO and Head of Business Operations Australasia at JLL

About
Jenny
Saliba
CFO, Wealth & Capital Markets at Australian Unity

Jenny Saliba

CFO, Wealth & Capital Markets at Australian Unity

About
Francine
Hackett
VP, Finance & Operations at Pearson

Francine Hackett

VP, Finance & Operations at Pearson

About

An entrepreneurial and innovative finance and operations executive who adopts a hands on, yet big picture approach. Extensive experience working across multiple industries and organisations, within global corporations as well as start-ups. A key contributor to business strategy and planning with deep expertise in providing financial guidance, processes and systems to ensure rigour and discipline as businesses mature and grow. Experience in due diligence, acquisition and integration activity. An influential leader who makes a real impact, working alongside Boards, executive & senior leadership teams to drive efficiencies, profits, and growth.

Heidi
Badgery
Managing Director ANZ at Alteryx

Heidi Badgery

Managing Director ANZ at Alteryx

About

Heidi works to accelerate digital business transformation while overseeing company strategy, business activities and operations.

Her extensive experience in enterprise software business development and passion for customer-centric technology helps to accelerate Alteryx’s growth strategy and empower more organisations to use their data to make decisions at pace and scale, to achieve business outcomes

Keith
Bousfield
Transformation and Strategy Lead at Alteryx

Keith Bousfield

Transformation and Strategy Lead at Alteryx

About

As the Transformation and Strategy lead at Alteryx, Keith brings his many years of experience helping businesses transform through the use of their data to drive positive revenue outcomes, increased employee engagement and increased business productivity and efficiency. Starting his career in the financial services industry in the UK, Keith expanded into helping drive transformation with global consulting companies in both UK and Australia.

Keith has helped business across the globe develop and execute on their data and analytics strategies

Mike
Goldsworthy
Principal Value Architcht at Blackline

Mike Goldsworthy

Principal Value Architcht at Blackline

About

Mike Goldsworthy is a Value Architect at BlackLine. He has 20+ years of experience within the IT and finance domain from both a professional service and end-user perspective. He brings with him extensive large ERP process and Best of Breed application Solution Architecture experience with a focus on integration and financial process excellence. Mike has worked across multiple global, multiple-jurisdiction deployments, merger, consolidations and divestment programs. Before moving into technology consulting, he commenced his career in CA with five years in Audit.

Arpit
Shah
Director, Business Value & Strategy (APAC) at Anaplan

Arpit Shah

Director, Business Value & Strategy (APAC) at Anaplan

About

Experienced ex-Management Consultant in business & growth strategy, now helping scale modern SaaS technology firms.

Leading the strategic value advisory capability for Anaplan across APAC (based in Sydney and primarily covering ANZ, India and ASEAN markets).

Proven capabilities in driving go-to-market and sales teams, positioning value to CXOs, developing the business case for transformation, and enabling the realisation of value and commercial benefits.

Karl
Durrance
Managing Director, AU & NZ at Stripe

Karl Durrance

Managing Director, AU & NZ at Stripe

About

Karl has spent the past 25 years in various information technology and leadership roles, ranging from Support, Application Development, Operations, Product Development and Sales. In his role at Stripe, Karl oversees Stripe’s business and operations in Australia and New Zealand, helping companies of all sizes to use Stripe’s solutions to accelerate their business online and succeed globally.

Prior to Stripe, Karl led the Enterprise business for AWS in Australia, working with Australia’s leading enterprises to leverage the AWS platform to accelerate innovation, reduce the cost of technology and harness the power of data to transform customer experiences. Before that, Karl also held senior roles at Fujitsu, KAZ and Telstra.

An energetic, innovative and collaborative leader, Karl enjoys working closely with teams to solve complex challenges and believes in bringing diverse groups together to leverage the unique skills of people for the benefit of customers, coaching and developing the skills of his team along the way.

Matt
Boon
Senior Research Director at ADAPT

Matt Boon

Senior Research Director at ADAPT

About

As Director of Strategic Research at ADAPT Matt Boon, is responsible for directing and developing ADAPTs research content and positions. In his role at ADAPT Boon advises C-Suite executives across the end-user and technology provider landscape. Boon is also responsible for bringing together groups of C-Suite leaders to discuss and prepare for the myriad of challenges and opportunities they face.

ADAPT host’s numerous industry leading IT focused events annually and Boon is responsible for hosting, chairing and delivering ADAPT independent content and positions to help attendees make informed IT decisions.

Peter
Hind
Principal Research Analyst at ADAPT

Peter Hind

Principal Research Analyst at ADAPT

About

Peter Hind has spent the last 25 years as an analyst and commentator on the ICT industry. He says 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 and 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 our delegate surveys and the interrogation and analysis of ADAPT’s treasure trove of end-user and C-level data

Jim
Berry
CEO & Founder at ADAPT

Jim Berry

CEO & Founder at ADAPT

About

Jim founded ADAPT with a vision to help Australia thrive commercially, now and for the future.  To enable that, Jim leads ADAPT’s mission to connect, inform and equip our local business and tech leaders.

Leading the development of ADAPTs agenda’s and content strategy whilst also advising executive leadership teams from global technology service providers, Jim is uniquely experienced to be the voice of the end-user, the customer and the vendor.

Bringing his deep knowledge of the local market, Jim regularly presents “Know your Customer” webinars and guides the world’s largest vendors with their G-T-M and content strategies.

Through entrepreneurial product development and a servant leader mentality with his team and clients, ADAPT grows annually with clearly differentiated value for all stakeholders.

Pooja
Singh
Senior Research Analyst & Strategic Research

Pooja Singh

Senior Research Analyst & Strategic Research

About

Pooja is an expert in technology research and advisory, with a focus on areas such as AI, ML, Cloud, and the business value of Emerging Technologies across different sectors, such as in Healthcare.​

In her role Pooja offer insights and helps C-Level end user clients and their strategic partners to meet their mission critical priorities. Pooja supports these persona in her written research and offering insights on best practices, case studies, market trends, and can advise about strategic sourcing decisions.​

Pooja is familiar with technology markets worldwide, with a specific focus on the Australian and South Korean markets honed during her most recent roles at Bain and then five plus years as a Gartner Principal Analyst.

Register your interest

CFO Edge