Past Speakers Include...

Karen is an experienced Technology Executive and Enterprise leader with extensive digital transformation skills and a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that drive successful outcomes in complex environments.

As a passionate people leader, she is committed to building diverse teams and nurturing a collaborative and inclusive culture. She is an advocate of ‘digitising with diversity,’ opening up career opportunities for a broader range of people, particularly those who are neuro-diverse. This diversity significantly increases their ability to innovate, as well as their overall performance and engagement.

Peter Weill’s work centers on the role, value, and governance of digitization in enterprises. Weill joined the MIT Sloan faculty in 2000 to become director of MIT Sloan’s Center for Information Systems Research (CISR).

MIT CISR is funded by approximately 100 corporate sponsors and patrons, and undertakes practical research on how firms generate business value from Information Technology (IT). As chair, Weill focuses on globalizing the center’s research and delivery. In 2008, Ziff Davis recognized Weill as #24 of The Top 100 Most Influential People in IT, the highest-ranked academic. In Dec 2019, his 2015 MIT SMR article Thriving in an Increasingly Digital Era was recognized as one of The Best 10 SMR Articles in the 2010s.

Peter has worked on digitization issues with the Executive Committees and Boards of more than 40 companies globally. He conducts workshops for key conferences, including the CEO Summits for Microsoft, IBM, and SAP, and the International Monetary Conference.

A visionary and value-oriented Chief Information Officer with extensive global experience in planning, developing, and implementing cutting edge technology strategies that digitise, transform and enable business differentiation, optimisation and sustainable growth. As an executive leader collaborates with executive teams to align technology strategy with businesses and the wider corporate vision.

With a career spanning leading financial institutions globally, including Credit Suisse, CBA, Westpac, Macquarie, and NAB, has extensive experience in design and delivery of cost-effective technology solutions to address complex business problems, embed robust operational risk management, digitise and drive customer experience. This is combined with business intelligence, commercial acumen, and cyber security to enable market-attuned growth, future-proof businesses, and innovation with deep expertise in all aspects of project lifecycle, from feasibility analysis and conceptual design, through to implementation.

A track record of building and leading large teams high performance teams that are industry-leading, multidisciplinary, and geographical dispersed with deep skills across IT and businesses that are engaged and focused with vast experience in insourcing and outsourcing models. A strong advocate for and fosters inclusive, diverse and continuous learning cultures.

John Hunt was appointed Chief Information and Replenishment Officer on 1 September 2021. John initially joined Woolworths Group in 2017 as Chief Information Officer. John spent over 25 years at Woolworths Holdings, South Africa where he held a range of senior IT and core retail leadership roles, including CIO and Senior Executive for Food Planning and Value chain.

A graduate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, John is a retailer through and through and is passionate about how information technology and technology innovation is being optimally used in enabling the business to support both the front line team members as well as ensuring our customers have the best shopping experience.

Based in Sydney, Ian Poulton manages the OpenText Australia and New Zealand pre-sales organisation. This team covers the wide range of industries and solutions that OpenText supports. Having started nearly 15 years ago in a hands-on role within the team, Ian has been managing the team for 7 years.

I am a high-energy, disciplined, hands-on sales leader with a track record helping customers, colleagues and shareholders to create and achieve their goals.

I have:

• Led $20-30m USD dollar sales organisations across APJC
• Managed, outsourced and developed networks, created new products
• Created major revenue streams for customers, and helped them change their business for the better
• Trained multi-disciplinary sales teams of up to 200 professionals
• Given keynotes to audiences of 1,000+
• Consulted on major outsourcing projects and designed technology and people solutions
• Sold, created &/or delivered truly fantastic technology solutions
• Delivered and grown Major Global Accounts and Partnerships
• Re-defined routes to market, and turned struggling businesses around
• M&A evaluations, integrations, and create growth through collaboration.
• Travelled the world and done great business on 4 continents

I have transformed market performance, and developed and led high-performing sales teams.

I am lucky; my broad experiences on the journey (so far) have taught me that learning, teaching, selling and collaborating are actually all the same thing.

I am excited by strategically significant opportunities to improve the ways that companies do business.

George Harb is responsible for driving growth of OpenText in the ANZ region. In addition to leading the business in the ANZ region, as an experienced B2B integration and software business leader, he has been spearheading the Business Network unit for OpenText within the Asia-Pacific region. In both roles he works with customers and partners to help them derive value from OpenText’s offerings and solve business challenges. Having joined in 2016, George has held a number of senior sales leadership roles at OpenText. As an internationally experienced business executive, he has spent significant time residing overseas and working with customers across Asia and Southern Africa, his appointment at OpenText bringing him back home to Australia. With over 20 years of experience in Technology, B2B integration and Software (On and Off Cloud) sales leadership, he has a proven track record in accelerating growth, delivering improvements in operational efficiency and raising customer satisfaction. George’s expertise lies in helping companies transform in a digital first world.

Michael is an experienced business leader with a strong technical foundation in statistical AI systems. He began his career with a PhD in Finance from the London School of Economics, eventually moving into institutional asset management and quantitative research (Blackrock, Fidelity, AXA). Later, transitioning to the development of AI systems for institutional investment programmes, while continuing to teach Masters courses in quantitative techniques and analysis at LSE and Imperial College.

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.

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.

Raj Sundarason is the Chief Evangelist in Asia Pacific and Japan. He is responsible for building and helping customers realize value in their digital transformation programs. With 20 years of experience, Raj works with customers and prospects to understand how digital adoption programs can impact their P&Ls. Built on the ideology of the Power of How, he collaborates with senior digital transformation leaders to match business problems with adoption solutions that impact a combination of revenue, cost and risk imperatives. 

Shan Moorthy is the Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific at Workday.

Shan is a change agent who has led technology and data functions as a senior IT executive, CTO and CDO with grand success in key enterprises across ANZ and APAC. He has achieved digital revolutions within the media, retail, banking, and telecommunications industries by retiring sprawling, monolithic business management platforms (ERP, HCM, CRM etc.) and data systems and replacing them with modern, cloud platforms. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Shan loves combining deep technical knowledge of Software Engineering, Data and Artificial Intelligence, with business strategy and commercial acumen. Prior to joining Workday, Shan was Software Engineering GM at Telstra, CTO and Head of Data at Latitude Finance, CTO at Stratton Finance and Head of Technology APAC at Bertelsmann.

Chris has thirty (30) years’ experience in the telecommunications industry and is currently the GM of Enterprise and Government Sales and Customer Strategy at TPG Telecom. She is a passionate leader focused on Customer Experience and helping teams understand the critical importance of putting the customer at the centre of everything they do.

Chris has held a number of key roles covering Strategic Selling, Customer Success, Service Management & Delivery, Program Mgt, Supply Chain Industry Sales, Industry Business Development, Enterprise Marketing, business transformation, change management, major IT deployments and customer innovation roles.

Chris has a practical understanding of core business disciplines including process design and governance, program management, IT execution/implementation and business bench marking. With over a decade of experience in all facets of Strategic Selling, Industry Vertical Specialisation and Strategic Account Management, Chris is an asset to any executive team.

She has a history of success with an unrelenting focus on delivering customer value across the B2B landscape.

Her specific expertise is in the field of enterprise sales & marketing, business transformation, customer success, value differentiation, innovation and business development, including idea generation, solution delivery, human centred design thinking, go-to-market and product life-cycle methodologies.

Chris lives in Sydney with her husband Andy and their three children, India, Tully & Heidi. Chris has enjoyed running her whole life and continues her great passion for Bikram yoga.

As General Manager of Technology Strategy and Innovation I am responsible for the setting and executing the strategy across TPG Telecoms Technology portfolio including our service and product offerings, Infrastructure and Access network.

In my 12 years with TPG Telecom (previously Vodafone Australia) I have held roles in Programme Management, Commercial and planning, Project Initiation and have run several large strategic initiatives.

Prior to this I have worked in Engineering and Programme Management roles for large network vendors.

Michael is a practice lead for APJ for Cognizant’s AI&A (Artificial Intelligence & Analytics) practice. Michael started his career in the 90’s as a Decision Scientist and has worked across Advanced Analytics, Predictive Modelling, Data Science, AI / ML and now Gen AI. However that first title is the most accurate: Michael has a strong interest in helping our clients drive better decisions through data. He is particularly interested in what it takes to drive real business value from these technologies and approaches. Michael has a PhD in Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley and an Honours degree in Pure Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Western Australia.

Nick Sone is a results-oriented leader with a proven track record of delivering against high-growth sales targets and strategic business objectives. He believes that technology is best implemented when all stakeholders have a clear understanding of how it fits together and can be optimised for an organisation’s goals and the benefit of their customers and clients.

Nick’s background as a systems integrator and cloud computing specialist, combined with his certification as a practising accountant, provides him with a deep empathy for his customers’ challenges. He ensures that any technology solution delivered meets business goals within the framework of tightly defined capital and operational expenditures.

I am an experienced and accomplished transformation executive with a deep passion for delivering “Business Value” and providing thought leadership.

My global 20+ years of experience in managing IT and business transformation-focused portfolios enables me to drive sustainable improvements across the technology services delivery process. By leveraging my skills in delivering positive business outcomes across banking, insurance, healthcare, and logistics domains, I successfully facilitate value-driven solutions to customers through measurable operational uplift and a keen ability to recover challenging at-risk programs and projects. I focus on uplifting the quality of business outcomes, the reliability of delivery commitments, and the implementation of standard practices for delivery governance and controls.

I invest time and effort into mentoring, developing, and inspiring a high-performing team, in addition to ensuring the success of my teams through effective management of financials, vendors, and resources.

Michelle is a data and digital executive and thought leader focused on leveraging data and information ecosystems to transform business operations and reduce complexity. She is a leading business strategist who works extensively across all dimensions of strategic data management including strategy, architecture and governance, ethics, quality management, analytics, literacy, data exchange, privacy and security. In 2021, Michelle was awarded by Women in Digital as the National Data Leader of the Year.

Tim Sheehan brings to the GWI team over 20 years of experience advising clients across a broad range of industry sectors. Throughout his career, Tim has managed a number of large-scale digital transformation projects involving the strategic update of cloud, product, web and program-related business assets.

Tim possesses a high degree of understanding of the strategy and execution of data-driven multi-channel campaigns and is an expert in interactive reporting solutions.

Tim also brings extensive experience in using a mixture of technology to develop an SCV, Segmentation and ETL processes to unlock the potential in his client’s data. Throughout his career, he has also led the implementation of a number of interactive dashboards for several major retail companies.

As a Regional Sales Manager at Delphix by Perforce, Andrew Hinde drives continuous data and compliance transformation programs for clients as well as leading the growth of strategic partnerships in Australia and New Zealand.

With an extensive career working at the intersection of data and enterprise technology, Andrew has previously held roles at Tibco, Oracle and Clarivate. These roles have covered a range of technologies, including advanced analytics, big data platforms, data integration, data quality and ERP systems. At Delphix, Andrew shares what’s possible when organisations embrace DevOps efficiency by tackling the final automation frontier, their data.

At Telstra, Angela and her team have a mission to help the Australian government, enterprise, and businesses transform to digital, transform to the cloud, and transition to Industry 5.0. Angela and her colleagues bring the best of global technology to Australia, integrating it with the country’s best network. They deliver these solutions through Australia’s largest technology integration practice and the largest practice of data and AI scientists.

To simplify the complexity of technology and instill confidence in customers adopting new technologies, Angela ensures that Telstra’s products and services are offered As-a-service, Secured by Telstra, and Managed by Telstra.

With 20 years of experience in the tech industry gained across four continents, Angela has worked with market leaders such as Amdocs, Cramer, Clarity, and Price Waterhouse Consulting to deliver transformation, automation, and monetization to the telco industry. One-third of her career has been spent working onsite with customers, collaboratively achieving business outcomes.

In addition to her role at Telstra, Angela serves as a growth advisor to innovative startup and scale-up companies, playing a crucial role in developing impactful technologies. She also has the privilege of mentoring women in technology and coaching star performers. Actively participating in community groups, Angela contributes to creating a better future for the next generation through initiatives related to mindfulness, the future of work, and climate change.

Passionate about travel and outdoor activities, Angela enjoys exploring the world and making it a point to find the ocean in almost every country she visits. Proudly working for Telstra, Angela is dedicated to growing the Australian tech sector for the next generation, including her two digital-first kids.

Peter T brings over 25 years of extensive experience in technology and business leadership across the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Sydney, Peter heads Alyve’s AI – Humankind Consulting Practice, where he leads a team of expert consultants to deliver strategic business outcomes with efficiency and speed. Throughout his career, Peter has demonstrated a strong ability to scale consulting businesses, achieving revenues of up to $200 million. His expertise spans leading digital transformation initiatives, providing strategic advice to senior executives, and cultivating high-performing, diverse teams. His client-centric approach and unwavering focus on delivering exceptional results in fast-paced environments have been key drivers of his success.

Peter’s professional journey includes leadership roles at prominent companies such as Gartner, DXC, Avanade, IBM, and PwC Consulting. He has played a pivotal role in digital transformations for iconic Australian companies, including Qantas, Telstra, and Sydney Water. Additionally, Peter is a recognised thought leader, committed to mentorship and the development of future leaders, particularly through programmes like Sydney University’s Lucy programme. His areas of expertise include integrating artificial intelligence capabilities, operating model and business transformation, cost and process efficiencies, and enhancing customer and employee experiences. Peter’s contributions have significantly impacted key industries such as water and utilities, retail, and education.

Daniel Cameron is a seasoned technology and transformation leader with a distinguished career spanning several high-profile roles across various sectors. With a wealth of experience at the most senior levels of technology management, Daniel has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive significant organizational change and deliver outstanding results.

Daniel’s career includes serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for New Zealand’s largest private healthcare provider, where he successfully led the organization through a period of substantial technological advancement and digital transformation. His strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in modernizing the healthcare provider’s IT infrastructure, enhancing patient care through innovative solutions, and optimizing operational efficiency.

In Australia, Daniel spearheaded the transformation of one of the country’s largest aged care providers. His leadership in this role was pivotal in implementing new technologies and processes that improved service delivery, increased resident satisfaction, and positioned the organization as a leader in the aged care industry. His ability to navigate the complexities of large-scale transformation in a highly regulated environment underscores his expertise in aligning technology with business goals.

In addition to his roles in the healthcare and aged care sectors, Daniel has also provided expert consultancy services to mid-market and government organizations throughout Australia. His consulting work has involved guiding these organizations through complex technology transformations, helping them leverage technology to achieve strategic objectives, enhance operational performance, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Adam Dinneen brings more than 15 years of experience working in business and technology roles. Throughout his career, he has excelled in digital product development, technical presales, and leading projects that generated business and customer value using a broad range of technologies and delivery methods. 
 
With a passion for delivering great digital experiences that meet the product vision, business objectives and user needs, Adam is skilled at collaborating with business, design and development teams, as well as building strong stakeholder and customer relationships. 

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.

Gabby’s primary role is managing ADAPT’s overall strategy for Data Analytics. He has extensive experience in using data to identify trends in technology that help shape Australian organisations. Utilising modern Data Science techniques, he provides ADAPT and their 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 Events. In round table 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.​

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

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.