IN-PERSON

Australia CHRO Executive Summit

4 June 2024 | Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

4 June 2024
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Australia's top CHROs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CHROs today:

Developing Next-generation Leaders by Evolving Role Expectations Instead of New Skills

Reshaping a Corporate Culture that Thrives in a Hybrid Environment

Investing in the Right HR Technology to Drive Growth and Meet Business Expectations

Australia CHRO Governing Body


The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven by CHROs, for CHROs.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Julie Carroll

Serco Asia Pacific
Chief Human Resources Officer

Helen Fraser

Laing O'Rourke
Director, People

Benjamin Morris

Mirvac
Group General Manager, Human Resources Culture & Capability

Louise Spittle

The Arnott’s Group
Chief People Officer

Duncan Thomas

Bravura Solutions
Chief People Officer

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CHRO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Australia CHRO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, one-on-one setting through Evanta's Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

Agenda


3 June 2024

4 June 2024

18:00 - 21:00  Networking

Governing Body Welcome Reception

Ronán Carolan headshot

Ronán Carolan

VP Human Resources

Thales Australia

Exclusive to Governing Body members and select guests, this dinner is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect with your peers prior to tomorrow’s Executive Summit. Please join your colleagues for an evening of good food, wine, and lively networking.

08:00 - 09:00  Registration & Breakfast

09:00 - 09:45  Keynote

Embrace, Evolve, Excel — Creating Exceptional Teams as Technology Sets the Pace

Sian Lewis headshot

Sian Lewis

Group Executive Human Resources

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Digitalisation, coupled with technological breakthroughs and evolving customer demands is transforming the world of work. Amidst this transformative era, there is an opportunity for leaders to create exceptional teams by embracing the shifts in skills and moving fast to harness the future of work. 

Over the last few years, CBA has embarked on a journey to evolve its purpose, brand, values and strategy. The goal is to create an environment where employees can develop new, relevant skills and empower leaders to effectively adapt to the evolving demands of skill readiness.

Join this keynote session with Sian Lewis, Group Executive Human Resources, CBA as she shares her vision and learnings on:

  • Cultivating a culture of continuous learning where employees are empowered and encouraged to expand their skills and future proof themselves
  • Fostering new leadership mindsets that embrace diverse leadership paths, supports mentorship and values skills over titles
  • Maximising workforce potential through re-skilling and upskilling, strategic hiring and collaboration with key partners to drive community initiatives

09:45 - 10:15  Break

10:15 - 11:00  Breakout Session

Linking Performance Management with Business Outcomes

Nicole Reid headshot

Nicole Reid

Chief People Officer

Xero Limited

Jamie Preston headshot

Jamie Preston

Associate Vice President HR ANZ & NAPAC

Eli Lilly and Company

As the world of work is evolving, performance management is undergoing changes as companies reassess how the workforce is contributing to the overall success of the business. How can CHROs elevate performance management to a strategic approach that balances employee growth with broader business objectives?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Develop a holistic strategies to enable high-performing teams
  • Empower leaders and employees to translate business objectives to performance goals
  • Addressing employee development and recognition

10:15 - 11:00  Breakout Session

Keeping Ahead of the Culture Curve

Damon Klotz headshot

Damon Klotz

Work Culture Evangelist & Host of the Culture First Podcast

Culture Amp

Sarah Elliott headshot

Sarah Elliott

Chief People Officer

John Holland

Employees want to be connected to their organisation's purpose and culture more than ever before. From operations to employee experience and beyond, it affects all aspects of a business. So, how can CHROs transform their organisation into a 'culture first' company amidst the growing significance of culture?

Join this session to learn about the increasing importance of culture and discuss:

  • What company culture means today and why it matters more than ever?
  • How you can put company culture first in your organisation?
  • Stories from top-performing companies

10:15 - 11:00  Executive Boardroom

Leading Through Rapid Change and Transformation

Cian Zoller headshot

Cian Zoller

Senior Director and HR Business Partner

ServiceNow

Steve Hill headshot

Steve Hill

Group Executive, People and Workplace

Aware Super

Colin Pritchard headshot

Colin Pritchard

Head of People - Australia and New Zealand

Ericsson Australia

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, organisations today are striving to remain competitive amidst disruptive forces such as AI innovation. At the forefront of organisational transformation, HR leaders are uniquely positioned to build capabilities for sustainable change adoption, navigate the complexities of the modern workforce, and shape the future of organisational design.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Nurture the alignment between business objectives, strategy and organisational design
  • Navigate AI applications and their impact on employees and work
  • Build cross-functional collaboration among stakeholders

11:00 - 11:30  Networking Break

11:05 - 11:25  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

11:30 - 12:15  Workshop

Refreshing Organisational DNA – Blueprinting a Culture of Respect and Inclusion

Amanda Hughes headshot

Amanda Hughes

Group Chief People Officer

QBE Insurance

In today’s diverse and interconnected world, organisations are recognising the importance of cultural transformation in establishing a respectful and inclusive environment. Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords or nice to have on a company’s website; they are critical elements for creating a thriving, successful and productive organisation.QBE has embarked on a remarkable journey of an organisation-wide culture transformation with redefined values to foster accountability, respect and inclusivity. The organisation has implemented initiatives to leverage the power of inclusion and psychological safety and build a respectful and inclusive workforce to pave the way for a stronger future. 

Join this session to hear from Amanda Hughes, Group Chief People Officer, as she unfolds:

  • Undertaking innovative approaches to develop the culture accelerator 
  • Engaging employees and key stakeholders to develop and embed a clear set of behavior expectations
  • Unlocking the  ‘inclusion of diversity’ to create an environment where everyone feels valued and included 

11:30 - 12:15  Breakout Session

The Talent Revolution: Embracing AI, Skill-Based Hiring, and Inclusivity for Success

Christy Forest headshot

Christy Forest

CEO and Executive Director

Livehire

Ferdie Kruger headshot

Ferdie Kruger

CHRO

Peabody Energy

David Wall headshot

David Wall

Group Manager, Talent and HR Services

Jemena

Andi Breslin headshot

Andi Breslin

Head of Global People Operations

Atlassian

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, talent acquisition has become a critical factor for organisational success. Traditional recruitment methods are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. This calls for HR leaders to manage investments in people and technology, respond to specialist hiring needs, transform HR to be more automated and digital, all while new employee expectations are impacting retention and attraction.

So how can organisations shift towards a more holistic view of the talent ecosystem and harness all of the available talent to optimise productivity, speed and agility?

Join this session to:

  • Learn how AI can be used to create a humanised recruitment process to enhance efficiency, quality of hire and cost savings
  • Discover the game-changing potential of skill-based hiring in building dynamic talent pools and ensuring a pipeline of qualified candidates ready for deployment
  • Uncover the positive impact of indigenous employment initiatives in creating a more inclusive an equitable workforce

11:30 - 12:15  Executive Boardroom

Building Resilience – Combating Change Fatigue and Burnout

Catherine Flynn headshot

Catherine Flynn

Executive General Manager Human Resources

CSR Limited

Natasha Cuthbert headshot

Natasha Cuthbert

Chief People Officer

Viva Energy

Organisations today are undergoing constant change to adapt to dynamic market conditions, leading to change fatigues and burnout that are increasingly affecting employees at all levels. CHROs are playing a critical role in building organisational resilience and enhancing employee well-being. Yet, amid these efforts, are you taking care of yourselves? What practical solutions can maintain your personal wellbeing while foster a healthier work environment in the face of constant change?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Balancing the demands of building organisational resilience with prioritising your own well-being
  • Empowering and engaging employees to manage continuous change
  • What strategies can HR leaders implement to enhance wellbeing initiatives for a mentally healthy workplace?

12:15 - 13:00  Lunch Service

13:00 - 13:40  Keynote

The Critical Role of HR in Psychological Health and Safety

David Burroughs headshot

David Burroughs

Chief Mental Health Officer

Westpac

In the rapidly evolving psychological health and safety landscape, cultivating a mentally healthy workplace has become essential for employers. CHROs are playing a pivotal role in delving into the forefront of employee wellbeing and building and maintaining a psychologically healthy workplace environment.

Join this session and hear from Dave Burroughs, Chief Mental Health Officer, Westpac Group. By distilling the latest research and his observations around common obstacles encountered from over 15 years in psychological health and safety internationally, Dave will share his key strategic imperatives:

  • The evolution of psychological health and safety – where the evidence lies and what’s been missing
  • Strategic integration across people functions to mitigate risk and improve productivity and performance – taking an employee life cycle approach
  • Critical considerations and success factors in organisational psychological health and safety maturity

13:40 - 14:00  Break

14:00 - 14:45  Breakout Session

Unlocking Potential – Scaling Leadership Development Programs

Jonathan Tabah headshot

Jonathan Tabah

Director, Advisory

Gartner

Kristy Minter headshot

Kristy Minter

General Manager People & Culture

Ingenia Communities Group

Benjamin Morris headshot

Benjamin Morris

Group General Manager, Human Resources Culture & Capability

Mirvac

In a fast-paced changing employment landscape, cultivating effective leadership is crucial for sustained success. How can CHROs nurture leaders internally and embed leadership development into the organisational DNA to meet the evolving needs of a growing organisation?

Join this session to discuss:

  • From the front-line to the executive suite, how our expectations of 'people leadership' have changed?
  • Providing careers paths for employees and supporting talent through the pipeline
  • Designing engaging and impactful leadership programs that align with business needs

14:00 - 14:45  Executive Boardroom

Reimagining the Future of Flexible Work for the Modern Workforce

Shruti Ganeriwala headshot

Shruti Ganeriwala

Head of HR

Unilever Australia

Paula Holden headshot

Paula Holden

Chief People Officer

C & K

In today's dynamic work environment, organisations are increasingly recognising the significance of a well-rounded employee experience and the role it plays in attracting and retaining top talent. Amid various discussions on return to office mandates and four-day work week, it’s crucial to recognise that flexible work strategies expand beyond these narratives. HR leaders have the unique opportunity to embrace the different dimensions of flexible work to reimagine employee experience and foster a sustainable workplace.  

Join this session to:

  • Explore the current trends and challenges of flexible work options
  • Redefine flexible work strategies and their impact on employee experience and engagement
  • Discuss strategies for effectively managing productivity and work-life balance

14:00 - 14:45  Executive Boardroom

Leveraging HR Strategies to Drive Business Objectives

Lucinda Gemmell headshot

Lucinda Gemmell

Chief People & Culture Officer

Seven Group Holdings

Julie Carroll headshot

Julie Carroll

Chief Human Resources Officer

Serco Asia Pacific

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, Human Resources have evolved beyond traditional functions and become strategic partners in driving organisational performance. How should HR leaders support organisational digitalisation efforts with effective HR initiatives that align with business objectives?

Join this interactive session to discuss:

  • Translating organisational vision and goals into HR initiatives
  • Cultivating a workforce with the skills and capabilities that can thrive in a digital environment
  • Supporting employees to manage change effectively

14:45 - 15:15  Networking Break

14:50 - 15:10  Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.

15:15 - 16:00  Breakout Session

Exploring the Potential of AI in HR: Uncovering Capabilities, Risks and Opportunities

Robin Boomer headshot

Robin Boomer

Sr Director, Advisory

Gartner

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding AI and tools like ChatGPT to transform the future of HR. According to Gartner, in June 2023, 52% of HR leaders were exploring potential use cases and opportunities for AI. However, this number fell to 34% by January of this year. While some HR leaders are fascinated by the possibility of these tools, taking it upon themselves to gain a deeper understanding of AI and its implications for their organisation, others are concerned about the risks they may pose. AI is poised to change the future of HR, yet current limitations and vulnerabilities have prompted some organisations to hesitate in adopting AI for additional use cases.

So, what has really happened with AI in HR since Generative AI put such a prominent spotlight on AI in the last year?

Join this session to:

  • Discover the core capabilities and use cases available – distinguishing reality from myth
  • Uncover the risks of getting it wrong and opportunities of getting AI right in HR
  • Understand what AI means for the workforce – decide when and how to apply AI in the HR function

15:15 - 16:00  Executive Boardroom

Staying on Top of Workplace Legislative Changes

Sam Turner headshot

Sam Turner

Chief People Officer

Allens

Ronán Carolan headshot

Ronán Carolan

VP Human Resources

Thales Australia

Australia’s workplace landscape is undergoing significant legislative changes which will no doubt impact all employers and employees. From gender pay equity to respect at work, CHROs are at the forefront to reshape employer–employee relations and ensure your organisation remain compliant.

Join this interactive boardroom to explore actionable insights and tools:

  • Navigating the complexities of legislative changes with a focus on psychosocial regulations
  • Preventing and addressing sexual harassment to create a safe workplace
  • Bridging the gender pay gap and promoting fair wages

16:00 - 16:20  Break

16:20 - 17:00  Keynote

Connected Leadership — Building Your Internal Strategic Network

Janine Garner headshot

Janine Garner

Dedicated Business Mentor, Podcast Host, & Best—selling Author

Guest Speaker

We’ve all been told, ’you really have to network’ if you want to build professional success. That your network is your networth. 

In this digitally connected world, we seem to be more disconnected that ever. But, here’s the thing – strategic networking and knowing how to build the right personal and professional network is extraordinarily powerful and creates real leverage. It is part of the winning formula between those that succeed and those that do not. In the adaptive challenge of today’s business environment we cannot be successful alone. A strategically smart internal and external network of key people to unlock opportunities and new thinking is more critical than ever before.  

Join this inspiring keynote as Janine unfolds:

  • Challenging the traditional approach to networking
  • Suggesting a proven framework to network building
  • Sharing how to be remembered in this increasingly interconnected, busy and noisy world

17:00 - 17:30  Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

3 June 2024

4 June 2024

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering


Evanta cares about the health and safety of our community. Please review the following recommendations prior to attending the gathering.

Location


Venue & Accommodation

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
MORE INFORMATION

Your Community Partners


Program Partners

Community Program Manager


For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Denzil Fernandez

Senior Community Program Manager

(04) 727 41540

denzil.fernandez@gartner.com