Registration & Morning Refreshments

30min

Welcome > Master of Ceremonies

Mary-Beth Hosking, CEO for Change

5min

Mary-Beth Hosking

Mary-Beth Hosking is a pragmatic and seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in organizational transformations and is currently [...]

Opening Debate – Balancing Innovation and Security: Who Should Have the Final Say in Approving New Technologies?

Speakers:

Brett Wilson, Chief Information Officer, RACP

Jamie Rossato, Chief Information Security Officer, CSIRO

Moderator:

Mary-Beth Hosking, CEO for Change

20min

Brett Wilson

  Recognised in the CIO50 in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 for innovation and leadership. An executive leader with experience in digital [...]

Jamie Rossato

Jamie Rossato, has served in CISO roles for over a decade across a range of industries. He has served as a non-executive director at the [...]

Mary-Beth Hosking

Mary-Beth Hosking is a pragmatic and seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in organizational transformations and is currently [...]

Keynote Presentation – The Future of Mobility & Smart Cities: AI, Data & Citizen-Centric Design

Kurt Brissett, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Built

The intersection of AI, data, and digital platforms is transforming the design and construction of infrastructure across our cities. This session will explore how technology and data is now enabling the public and private sector to rethink how to best partner to deliver city shaping projects. Holding the benchmark as top CIO50 in 2024, Kurt will share key insights on:

• How AI and digital platforms are reshaping the construction sector – real-time digital collaboration and modelling that reduces construction time, risk, cost, waste and improves quality
• Delivering seamless, secure, and integrated digital experiences – ensuring reliability, cybersecurity, and user-centric design
• Lessons from building award-winning, smart city solutions – insights into navigating complexity, driving innovation, and aligning technology with public needs

30min

Kurt Brissett

Kurt is an internationally renowned technology executive with over 25 years’ experience in the industry. He is currently the Chief Digital and [...]

Keynote Presentation – Aligning from the inside out: How modern enterprises turn culture into outcomes

Peter Au, Enterprise Portfolio Management Sales Specialist, Monday.com

In high-performing enterprises, culture is no longer a passive backdrop — it’s an active system that drives execution. As CIOs evolve from technology stewards to strategic enablers, they are uniquely positioned to design systems that embed values, goals, and alignment into the rhythm of daily work. This session explores how to operationalise culture using AI-augmented insights, embedded OKRs, and adaptive enterprise platforms — creating the conditions for accountability, agility, and sustained momentum from the inside out.

Key takeaways:

• Operationalise culture through enterprise system: Uncover how to embed core behaviours like agility, accountability, and focus into enterprise workflows — turning culture into a scalable engine for execution.
• Drive strategic alignment through goal-connected work: See how embedding OKRs into the flow of work enables real-time visibility, cross-functional coordination, and faster responses to shifting business priorities.
• Leverage AI to scale insight and governance: Learn how AI-enhanced platforms can proactively identify misalignment, surface risks, and deliver actionable intelligence — empowering CIOs to lead with clarity, not control.

30min

Peter Au

Peter Au is a forward-thinking leader passionate about the intersection of technology, culture, and business outcomes. With a proven track record [...]

Keynote Panel Discussion – AI in the Enterprise: Balancing Innovation and Security

Panellists:

James Carter, Chief information Officer, ACEREZ

Russell Morris, CIO, APA

Catherine Rowe, Former Group CISO, QBE

Leron Zinatullin, CISO, Linkly

Moderator:

Anthony Caruana, Advisor, Focus Network

Join our expert panel as we explore the intersection of AI, innovation, and security in the enterprise. Our discussion will delve into the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption, from driving business growth to mitigating cyber threats.

CIOs and CISOs alike will gain valuable insights on how to harness the power of AI while ensuring the security and integrity of their organisations.

30min

James Carter

James Carter is a transformational CIO with extensive experience leading enterprise-wide technology strategies and digital modernisation across [...]

Russell Morris

Global technology executive delivering transformation, commercial value, and innovation at scale. With experience across 10 [...]

Catherine Rowe

With experience operating at the intersection of risk, cyber security, technology, law and governance, I have built a successful career leading [...]

Leron Zinatullin

Leron is a forward-thinking technology executive specialising in cyber strategy, management and delivery. He has led large scale, global, high [...]

Anthony Caruana

Anthony Caruana has worked for almost every major masthead in the Australian IT press with his work appearing around the world. As an experienced [...]

Networking Break

15min

Breakout Session – How Do You Orchestrate Governance in an AI-Driven Enterprise

Darren Cockerell, Head of Sales and Solution Consulting, Australia and New Zealand, Blue Prism

This session explores how automation and orchestration are reshaping AI governance—enabling real-time compliance, embedded controls, and continuous oversight.

Tech and security leaders will gain insights on enforcing guardrails at scale, ensuring traceability, and building governance into the AI fabric without slowing innovation.

30min

Darren Cockerell

Darren Cockerell is Head of Sales and Solutions Consulting ANZ at SS&C Blue Prism where he is responsible for understanding the strategic [...]

Breakout Session – The Unseen Threat Driving Strategic Risk

Ariel Lumbroso, NSW Sales Engineer, Delinea

As AI transforms how businesses operate, it’s also redefining the identity threat landscape. Many organisations are still grappling with how to effectively manage human identities and now face the added challenge of growing machine identities, which already outnumber human ones by 46 to 1 and are projected to surpass 45 billion by the end of 2025.

This explosion of access across cloud platforms is dramatically expanding the attack surface. Threat actors are taking advantage, using AI to exploit gaps in visibility and privilege at speed and scale.

For security leaders, identity has become the new perimeter and securing it means protecting everything: people, systems, and applications. But how do you manage that at scale while maintaining efficiency? 

This executive roundtable will explore:

• Strategic challenges in improving preventative controls. 
• Reducing the cost and effort of non-compliance
• How AI and automation can improve security while improving IT efficiencies

Join senior security leaders to unpack the realities of managing identity risk in a cloud-first, AI-driven world.

30min

Breakout Session – The Hidden Weakness in Identity Security: Why Traditional PAM is No Longer Enough

Roshi Balendran, Regional Director, BeyondTrust

Identity is now the number one attack vector. Attackers are bypassing outdated security controls, exploiting misconfigured identities, excessive permissions, and poor session management. Traditional PAM (Privileged Access Management) solutions weren’t designed for today’s dynamic, cloud-first environments.

A 2024 threat intelligence report found that credential-based attacks accounted for 38% of all data breaches—significantly more than phishing (17%) and exploits (16%). This shift highlights a growing risk for security teams: legacy PAM tools alone aren’t enough to stop identity-based threats.

Where are the biggest gaps in today’s PAM and identity security strategies?

Legacy PAM solutions that don’t scale – Traditional vault-based PAM was built for static infrastructure, not today’s hybrid-cloud and SaaS environments.

Mismanaged permissions creating hidden risk – Overprivileged accounts, orphaned identities, and excessive standing access leave the door open for attackers.

Fragmented identity controls – Security teams struggle to enforce least privilege consistently across hybrid environments, SaaS applications, and third-party access.

Session monitoring gaps – Without real-time insights into privileged activity, it’s harder to detect and prevent identity-based attacks before they escalate.

With identity now at the centre of the attack surface, organisations need a modern PAM approach that integrates with broader identity security strategies—ensuring access is continuously verified, monitored, and minimised.

This invite-only roundtable will bring together cybersecurity and IAM leaders to discuss:

• Why is traditional PAM no longer enough? – What are the key limitations of vault-based approaches, and how can modern identity security strategies address them?
• How can organisations implement a defence-in-depth approach to identity security? – What role do zero trust, just-in-time access, and continuous verification play in stopping identity-driven attacks?
• How can privileged access be secured without slowing down the business? – What are the best ways to reduce operational complexity while enforcing stronger identity controls?

Join an exclusive discussion with senior cybersecurity and IAM leaders to explore the future of modern PAM and identity security. Secure your seat today.

30min

Roshi Balendran

Bio [...]

Breakout Session – Securing Your Data: Simplify The Path to Cyber Resilience and Defence

Alister Freese, Enterprise Account Executive, Rubrik

In today's interconnected world, ransomware attacks are no longer a matter of "if" but "when." Businesses need solutions that not only safeguard their critical assets but also reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Join Rubrik as we delve into the critical need for a modern cyber resilience strategy.

Simplify. This session will break down the anatomy of a ransomware attack, exposing the vulnerabilities that legacy backup solutions simply can't address. We'll explore why traditional backups are no longer enough to guarantee recovery in the face of sophisticated cyber threats. By consolidating, simplifying and automating data protection, you can dramatically reduce the total cost of ownership.

Connect. Discover how Rubrik's platform empowers you to simplify your data management, connect your critical systems, and ultimately protect your business from the devastating impact of a cyber incident. And in a world where data is increasingly moving to the cloud, ensure your cloud data is protected and managed as seamlessly as on-premises data.

Protect. Learn how to achieve true cyber resilience and ensure business continuity, even in the face of a successful attack.

Ask yourself…

• Does your board know it would likely take you weeks to recover from a cyber attack today?
• Have you established a clear operating model between ITOps and SecOps with clearly defined roles when it comes to cyber recovery?
• When was the last time you tested recovery of a Tier 1 application from backups? Has this been tested under cyber duress?
• What potential could be realised when all organisations operate with cyber confidence and known recovery times?
• Does your organisation operate and invest based on a true 'assumed breach' mindset?

30min

Alister Freese

A sales leader who can lead high performing sales teams through applying strong commercial, customer and people management skills. Have built a [...]

Speaking Presentation – Embracing AI: a CIO perspective

Sue-Lin Tin, Former Head of Technology and Digital, Pacific, CBRE

Explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday business operations. This session will discuss how CIOs can harness AI to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and improve operational efficiency. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, we'll examine the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption, providing a roadmap for successful implementation.

30min

Sue-Lin Tin

A problem solver at heart, focused on customer outcomes with a technology brain. Experience across a variety of industries building strong [...]

Speaking Presentation – Tech-Enabled Leadership -Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Execution

Stephanie Chung, CIO, Kenvue

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) must leverage technology to drive innovation, agility, and growth. This topic explores the essential tools, frameworks, and cultural shifts CIOs need to bridge the gap between vision and execution, ensuring effective leadership and delivering business value.

Key Takeaways:

1. Technology-Enabled Vision: CIOs need to develop a clear understanding of how technology can drive business outcomes, aligning IT strategies with business objectives.
2. Cultural Shifts: Effective tech-enabled leadership requires a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning, empowering teams to drive digital transformation.
3. Practical Frameworks: CIOs can leverage frameworks like COBIT, ITIL, or Agile methodologies to structure their approach, ensuring effective technology adoption and governance.

30min

Stephanie Chung

Stephanie has a background in technology leadership, consulting, project management, and marketing across various industries. She's passionate [...]

Breakout Session – Leveraging observability to support the AI era: A playbook for CIOs

Aron Marden, Principal Solutions Consultant, New Relic

As AI becomes a crucial component of modern IT strategies, observability becomes even more relevant. The 2024 Observability Forecast revealed that the adoption of AI technologies was the top strategy or trend driving the need for observability (41%), with 42% of those surveyed saying they had already deployed AI monitoring.

But how can CIOs maximise their investments and get the best value from observability? This roundtable explores key features of AI, including enhanced predictive capabilities and streamlined incident management, and how to use them to drive the best business outcomes.

Roundtable attendees will discuss the challenges they face, and share insights on leveraging AI-driven observability components, such as predictive alerts.

Key takeaways include:

• How AI enhances observability for predictive insights and incident prevention.
• Real-world examples of AI-driven observability in action.
• Overcoming skepticism and building confidence in AI-powered tools

30min

Aron Marden

Aron has been working in the Technology space for over 15 years with a background in SysOps, System and Solution Architecture and a hobby developer [...]

Breakout Session – Smarter IT Strategies: Optimise Costs, Maximise Value, and Accelerate Innovation

Dennis Remmer, Sr. Director, Oracle Delivery, Rimini Street

Ant Withers , VP of Sales and Marketing, Rimini Street

In today’s economic climate, IT leaders are under growing pressure to do more with less—balancing cost efficiency with the need to modernise and innovate. 

This breakout session will uncover how forward-thinking organisations are leveraging third-party support to reduce operational costs, extend the life of critical systems, and reinvest in the technologies that matter most.

Key takeaways:

• Proven Savings in Action: Explore real examples of how enterprises have cut support and maintenance costs while maintaining performance.
• Modernise Without Disruption: Learn how to extend the lifespan of your ERP environment and delay costly upgrades without compromising capabilities.
• Flexible Customisation Support: See how organisations are confidently supporting mission-critical customisations—without hidden costs.

30min

Dennis Remmer

With over three decades of experience across local, national, and international IT landscapes, Dennis leads Rimini Street’s Asia-Pacific team [...]

Ant Withers

Bio [...]

Breakout Session – Improving the CyberSecurity metrics that matter

Rob Collins, Enterprise Security Architect, SentinelOne

• How are you using AI to reduce Mean time to detect (MTTD)?
• How can Automation reduce Time to contain?
• How do you get 100% visibility across networks, systems, cloud infrastructure, users?
• Are your successful phishing attempts still declining, in the age of AI generated phishing?

30min

Rob Collins (MBA, BSc, CISM)

Rob is a keenly active cyber-security practitioner and has over 20 years’ experience in the Cyber Security industry. Prior to joining [...]

Breakout Session – How Modern CIOs Redefine Innovation with AI + Low-Code

Bharath Kumar, Head of Marketing & CX, Zoho Developer Suite, Zoho

Modern CIOs are turning to the powerful combination of AI and low-code to lead enterprise innovation.

This session explores the key factors driving this trend and how AI powered low-code empowers IT leaders to deliver faster business outcomes. We will also discuss a play-book that CIOs can adapt to drive this change.

30min

Networking Lunch

40min

Panel Discussion – From Policy to Practice: Achieving a Solid Data Protection Strategy for Regulatory Preparedness

Panellists:

Shane Pratley, Head of Cyber Security and Infrastructure, Sydney Airport

May Lam, Chief Information Officer, Australian Payments Plus

Moderator:

David Rajkovic, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Rubrik

Organisations in Australia are facing an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape, with cyber attacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent. Join us for an insightful discussion hosted by Rubrik, featuring experts from the finance, healthcare, and education sectors. Our panel will delve into the complexities of regulatory compliance in data protection and security, offering practical advice and strategies to help organisations from various industries prepare for and navigate the various regulatory landscapes. We will discuss how to build a robust regulatory preparedness plan that not only meets compliance requirements but also enhances overall data security and resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the Threat Landscape: The panel will discuss the latest cyber threats facing critical infrastructure providers in Australia, including ransomware, phishing, and nation-state attacks.
• Effective Data Protection Strategies: The panel will share best practices for protecting sensitive data, including data encryption, access controls, and network segmentation.
• Preparing for the Unexpected: Discover strategies to ensure your organisation is prepared for unforeseen regulatory audits and changes. Learn how to stay ahead of evolving regulations and maintain a proactive approach to data security.
• Leveraging Technology for Compliance: Explore how cutting-edge technology solutions can streamline compliance efforts, automate reporting, and ensure data protection. Hear success stories from industry leaders who have effectively utilised technology to strengthen their regulatory preparedness.

30min

Shane Pratley

Shane Pratley is a seasoned IT Operations and Service Management leader with over 25 years of experience spanning industries such as chartered [...]

May Lam

Experienced and astute Technology, Transformation and People Leader with a track record of delivering corporate profitability, productivity and [...]

David Rajkovic

David Rajkovic is Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Rubrik. Based in Sydney, Rajkovic has nearly two decades of experience working [...]

Speaking Presentation – Driving Next Generation Digital Business with AI

Goran Stefkovski, Chief Technology Officer, Kogan.com

Explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is revolutionising digital businesses by driving growth and enhancing customer interactions. Kogan's journey serves as a prime example of how leveraging data and AI can transform customer engagement and business outcomes.

This presentation will explore the impact of AI on digital business and highlight key takeaways from Kogan's experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Personalised Customer Experiences: Generative AI and how it enables personalised experiences through tailored content and recommendations, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: AI automates tasks, optimises processes, and predicts maintenance needs, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Generative AI provides actionable insights and predictive analytics, enabling informed decision making and strategic planning.

20min

Goran Stefkovski

Goran Stefkovski is a leading technologist and business leader, serving as the Chief Technology Officer of the Kogan.com, one of Australia’s [...]

Speaking Presentation – Integrating Sustainability into IT Strategy – The CIO’s Role in Green Transformation

Simon Smith, Group Chief Information Officer, Pallion

As sustainability becomes a critical priority for businesses globally, CIOs are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in integrating sustainable practices into their IT strategies. This session will explore how technology can drive environmental responsibility, reduce carbon footprints, and contribute to corporate sustainability goals while enhancing operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a Sustainable IT Framework: Gain insights into creating an IT infrastructure that supports sustainability and reduces environmental impact.
• Tech-Driven Sustainability Solutions: Discover how to leverage innovative technologies to enhance sustainability efforts and operational efficiency.
• Effective Sustainability Reporting: Learn how to measure, report, and communicate sustainability initiatives effectively to stakeholders.

20min

Simon Smith

Simon Smith is a strategic and results-oriented CIO/CTO with over 15 years of experience driving technology transformation across diverse [...]

Networking Break

15min

Fireside Chat – Transforming Business: A Fireside Chat with Dan Chesterman

Dan Chesterman, Chief Information Officer, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited

Mary-Beth Hosking, CEO for Change

Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Dan Chesterman, CIO, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, a seasoned technology, and data leader with a proven track record of driving transformative change and innovation. With his extensive experience in fintech, cybersecurity, and leadership, Dan will share his insights on harnessing technology and data for business growth, operational excellence, and customer-centric outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Learn how to leverage technology and data to drive business growth, improve operational efficiency, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
2. Gain insights from Dan's experience in fintech and cybersecurity and discover strategies for mitigating risks and protecting sensitive data in the financial services sector.
3. Understand the key leadership qualities and strategies required to drive successful digital transformation, including change management, team building, and innovation.

20min

Dan Chesterman

Dan Chesterman is a seasoned technology leader with over 30 years of experience driving transformation across financial services, stock exchanges, [...]

Mary-Beth Hosking

Mary-Beth Hosking is a pragmatic and seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in organizational transformations and is currently [...]

Closing Keynote Panel Discussion – IT Leadership in a Time of Disruption: Navigating Change and Uncertainty

Panellists:

Andrew Spiegelman, Head of Data and Analytics, Service NSW

Ben Eures, Head of IT, Betashares

Melanie Evans, Former Group Exec Digital Services, Ventia

Moderator:

Mary-Beth Hosking, CEO for Change

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing technological landscape, IT Executives are faced with unprecedented challenges. This panel discussion will explore the role of IT leaders in navigating times of disruption, including how to lead through change, manage risk, and drive innovation. Our panel of experienced IT leaders  will share their insights and experiences on how to effectively lead IT teams, make strategic decisions, and drive business growth in the face of uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Leading through change requires adaptability and agility: IT Leaders will discuss the importance of being adaptable and agile in times of disruption, and how to lead IT teams to respond quickly to changing circumstances.
• Risk management is crucial to navigating uncertainty: The panel will explore strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in times of disruption, and how to balance risk management with innovation and growth.
• Driving innovation requires a culture of experimentation and learning: Leaders will share their approaches to fostering a culture of experimentation and learning within their IT teams, and how to encourage innovation and creativity in the face of uncertainty.

30min

Ben Euers

With 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance sectors, I am a dynamic and energetic leader who combines a strong broad [...]

Melanie Evans

I am passionate about driving high quality business outcomes and thrive in an environment where I have the opportunity to solve complex problems [...]

Mary-Beth Hosking

Mary-Beth Hosking is a pragmatic and seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in organizational transformations and is currently [...]

Andrew Spiegleman

Data science leader with 18 years direct experience in machine learning, prediction, databases, analytics, and AI. Proven experience in building [...]

Closing Remarks

Mary-Beth Hosking, CEO for Change

5min

Mary-Beth Hosking

Mary-Beth Hosking is a pragmatic and seasoned technology leader with extensive experience in organizational transformations and is currently [...]

Networking Drinks

60mins