Archives: Speakers

Recognised in the CIO50 in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 for innovation and leadership.

An executive leader with experience in digital transformational experience across a broad range of industries Professional Services, Finance, FMCG, Community Services, Transportation, Pharmaceuticals, Construction, Manufacturing, Utilities and Not for Profit.

Focusing on adding value to the organisation with continuous improvement to create a competitive advantage by linking business process improvements to technology and innovation.

Experience in building and leading high performing teams to create a culture that has the ability to understand business stakeholders and deliver in complex IT environments.

James Carter is a transformational CIO with extensive experience leading enterprise-wide technology strategies and digital modernisation across government and corporate sectors. He excels at aligning IT investments with business goals, driving large-scale transformation programs, and delivering measurable operational improvements.

With deep expertise in IT governance, cybersecurity, and commercial strategy, James is passionate about building high-performance teams, mentoring future IT leaders, and designing future-focused technology roadmaps. His work enables organisations to optimise service delivery, manage risk, and achieve sustainable growth through innovation in cloud, data, AI, and automation.

Global technology executive delivering transformation, commercial value, and innovation at scale.

With experience across 10 countries—including the UK, Europe, USA and Australia, I align global enterprise technology with business growth. I’ve led in listed, private equity, and venture-backed environments, including within the Berkshire Hathaway Energy group.

I lead enterprise-wide modernisation across cybersecurity, digital platforms, and operations supporting a $21B energy infrastructure portfolio. Results include significant cost savings, 99.99% SCADA reliability, and a threefold increase in female leadership across the Technology function.

A passionate advocate for Women in STEM, I actively mentor emerging female leaders and have embedded diversity into the core of my leadership approach—raising female representation in senior technology roles from 12.5% to 34%.

Recognised among the top CIOs in both the UK and Australia, I bring a global perspective, commercial discipline, and inclusive leadership, ensuring technology is not just efficient and secure, but a strategic advantage.

Dan Chesterman is a seasoned technology leader with over 30 years of experience driving transformation across financial services, stock exchanges, consulting, and start-up environments. With a strong track record as a Chief Information Officer and Technology and Data Executive, Dan is passionate about leveraging technology and data to enable business growth, operational excellence, and customer-focused innovation.

He has held senior leadership roles in some of Australia’s most high-profile organisations, where he led large-scale domestic and international teams, managed complex commercial negotiations, and championed cultural and capability uplift. Known for his inclusive leadership style and strategic mindset, Dan excels in building high-performing teams, navigating regulatory complexity, and delivering digital transformation in fast-moving markets.

Dan brings a unique combination of commercial acumen, technical expertise, and personal resilience—driving tangible outcomes through clarity, collaboration, and vision. He is committed to shaping the future through technology and fostering environments that empower people and businesses to thrive in the digital age.

With 20 years of experience in the financial services and insurance sectors, I am a dynamic and energetic leader who combines a strong broad knowledge of technology with an ability to understand business priorities. I am passionate about identifying opportunities where technology can be used to drive transformation, maximise customer value and deliver business outcomes.

As the Head of Technology for Group Super at Commonwealth Bank, I lead the technology and cyber risk function for the corporate super fund of the largest bank in Australia. I work closely with various business and technology stakeholders, supporting them to define and execute the strategic direction and ensuring the architecture and roadmaps are in place to deliver on the vision. I am a TOGAF certified Enterprise Architect and an experienced leader, managing high performing teams, and empowering them to leverage their individual strengths and collaborate effectively. I am driven by delivering innovative and customer-centric solutions that align with the business strategy and goals.

A problem solver at heart, focused on customer outcomes with a technology brain.
Experience across a variety of industries building strong relationships across technology and business delivering complex programs of work.

I am passionate about driving high quality business outcomes and thrive in an environment where I have the opportunity to solve complex problems and provide leadership through ambiguity.

My strengths include setting the direction and delivering strategic programs that disrupt current business models. I’m an effective communicator at all levels with the ability to work collaboratively resulting in aligned objectives and outcomes. I’m known for my ability to deliver in any climate.

I have a diverse background with achievements in marketing, loyalty programs, product development, strategy, technology and digitisation. My industry experience spans telecommunications, entertainment and retail, infrastructure, aviation, financial services and health.

As a mum with a young family I believe you can have it all… but maybe not at the same time!

Simon Smith is a strategic and results-oriented CIO/CTO with over 15 years of experience driving technology transformation across diverse industries. Known for his ability to align IT strategy with business goals, Simon delivers outcomes that enhance customer experience, boost profitability, and enable enterprise-wide innovation. His collaborative leadership style, combined with a strong commercial mindset, makes him a trusted advisor and change agent across business units.

Simon thrives in organisations seeking technology turnarounds or the development and execution of strategic technology roadmaps. His expertise spans digital transformation, e-commerce, strategic consulting, program management, and cloud architecture. With deep knowledge in SaaS, AWS, Azure, and DevOps, Simon brings a pragmatic approach to complex integration, vendor negotiations, and scalable digital solutions that support sustainable growth.

With experience operating at the intersection of risk, cyber security, technology, law and governance, I have built a successful career leading major transformation programs, protecting businesses from cyber risk and providing expert advice to senior stakeholders.

An accomplished senior executive with well-honed strategic influencing skills I provide trusted advice to senior leaders and work with regulators to balance the achievement of strategic goals with the need to effectively manage enterprise risk across global business models.

Having transitioned from a legal career into cyber security and risk leadership roles, my core strengths centre on an ability to build high performing teams, provide leadership clarity and bring stakeholders together with sharp focus on customer and business risk outcomes.

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 Information Security Forum – a not-for-profit dealing with information security and risk management solutions and currently serves on the board advisory panel of the Australian Information Security Association. He has also served on academic panels, most notably the development of the Certificate IV in Cybersecurity curriculum, now taught across most Australian states.