speakers

JAMILA GORDON

CEO and Founder, Lumachain

Jamila Gordon is CEO and Founder of Lumachain, a scale-up that uses Artificial Intelligence to disrupt global food supply chains. Jamila recently received the top award - Innovator of the Year - in the 2021 Women in Artificial Intelligence Awards, was 2020 New South Wales Entrepreneur of the Year, and Microsoft’s global Awardee in the 2018 International Women’s Entrepreneurship Challenge.

Jamila is a former Chief Information Officer of Qantas and a global IBM executive. She is also a council member of Questacon, Australia’s national science and technology centre. Jamila’s personal journey started with a childhood of deep adversity in Somalia and then as a displaced person in Kenya, before coming to Australia.

dr. david rock

Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NeuroLeadership Institute

Dr. David Rock coined the term neuroleadership and is the Co-founder and CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute (NLI). The Institute is a 23-year-old cognitive science consultancy that has advised over 50% of the Fortune 100. With operations in 24 countries, the institute brings neuroscientists and leadership experts together to make organizations better for humans through science.

Dr. Rock has authored four successful books including Your Brain at Work, a business best-seller, and has written for and been quoted in hundreds of articles about leadership, organizational effectiveness, and the brain which can be found in Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, CNBC, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., USA Today, BBC, The Boston Globe and more.

Dr Rock is Australian, though based in the US since 2010. He holds a professional doctorate in the Neuroscience of Leadership from Middlesex University in the UK.

More information about Dr. Rock and the NeuroLeadership Institute can be found here: https://neuroleadership.com/

dr. ALEX ANTIC

Data & Analytics Leader, Advisor, Strategist

Alex is a trusted and experienced Analytics/Data Science/AI Leader, Consultant, Advisor, and a highly sought Speaker & Trainer.

He has 18+ years post-PhD experience and knowledge in areas that include Advanced Analytics, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Statistics and Quantitative Analysis, developed across multiple domains: Federal & State Government, Asset Management, Insurance, Academia, Banking (Investment and Retail) & Consulting.

Alex was recognised in 2021 as one of the Top 5 Analytics Leaders in Australia by IAPA (Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia). He also holds several senior advisory roles across industry, government, start-ups and academia.

His qualifications include a PhD in Applied Mathematics, First Class Honours in Pure Mathematics, and a double degree in Mathematics & Computer Science.

pROFESSOR MELISSA DE ZWART

Professor in Digital Technology, Security and Governance, Jeff Bleich Centre, Flinders University

Professor Melissa de Zwart is newly appointed Professor in Digital Technology, Security and Governance for the Jeff Bleich Centre at Flinders University.

Professor de Zwart is a thought-leader in the area of law and technology and has a strong international profile in the fields of internet law and the regulation of access to and uses of outer space.

She previously served as Dean of the Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide (2017-2021), and Chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans. She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Space Industry Association of Australia, Board Member of the Australian Academy of Law and a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy (Reserve)..

Fiona da silva

General Manager Portfolio Solutions and Engineering, Australia Post

Fiona da Silva has a passion for leading meaningful strategies that are founded in identifying emerging customer needs and change in social behaviour and technology, and which capture the real human need and realise value through optimising available services and teams, partnership, and focused investment.

Throughout her career, both here in Australia and overseas, Fiona has successfully delivered on transformational programs across varied and complex environments. Her philosophy is that at the heart of successful and sustainable change and value is a focused, skilled, and cooperative team.

In her current role of General Manager Portfolio Solutions & Engineering at Australia Post, Fiona is responsible for leading Australia Post in responding to the change in our everyday, specifically through the digital disruption accelerated through the recent pandemic and exploring opportunities to ensure that the services of Australia Post remain relevant and accessible to all Australians.

Dr david gruen

Australian Statistician

Dr David Gruen was appointed Australian Statistician on 11 December 2019. As Agency Head of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, he is accountable for the functions and operations of the Bureau.

David was previously the Deputy Secretary, Economic and Australia’s G20 Sherpa at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Before joining the Department in September 2014, he was Executive Director of the Macroeconomic Group at the Australian Treasury.

David joined the Treasury in January 2003, before which he was the Head of the Economic Research Department at the Reserve Bank of Australia from 1998 to 2002.

Before joining the Reserve Bank, David worked as a research scientist in the Research School of Physical Sciences at the Australian National University.

With financial support from a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship, David was visiting lecturer in the Economics Department and the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University from August 1991 to June 1993. He holds PhD degrees in physiology from Cambridge University, England and in economics from the Australian National University.

PETE WILLIAMS

Chief Edge Officer, Centre for the Edge, Deloitte

Pete Williams has been at the forefront of Digital Innovation for over 20 years. Pete founded an eBusiness Consulting group in 1996 for Deloitte Australia which ultimately became Deloitte Digital, which now has more than 10,000 employees in more than 25 countries.

Pete was also Chairman of Deloitte’s Innovation Council and drove many of the firm’s digital innovations. This role also included selecting the best opportunities to pursue as well as championing their execution. Pete’s current role is running the Australian Chapter of Deloitte Centre for the Edge which focuses on the impact of globalisation and emerging digital technology on how we live, work and play. The Centre focuses on both what opportunities emerge from Digital Technology as well as how we approach execution in a fast moving world.

Pete is regularly involved in leading edge digital initiatives involving a wide range of digital technologies including areas such as IOT, AI, Virtual and Augmented Reality. He is increasingly involved in how digital innovation can be incorporated into physical environments.

Pete is a well-recognised thought leader and is an accomplished speaker and facilitator. Pete was recently published in the Wall Street Journal on “How Boards can Keep Pace with Digital Innovation" Pete is involved in a range of start-ups as an investor or co-founder including Sidekicker, Volantio, Lifetimes.co and Packform.io, this provides deep experience in the different issues faced by large organisations as well as how fast moving start-ups operate.

Pete is also very active in the community and has assisted in Vic Bushfire relief, QLD floods, Christchurch Earthquake as well as actively undertakes student mentoring.

Pete is an Adjunct Professor at RMIT and is the Patron of the Peter Williams Award for Technology Innovation awarded by the Australian Human Resource Institute.

Pete's Mantra: "If you Don't Know what to do...DO Something".. was experienced by his amazing commitment & contribution in helping rebuild Flowerdale after the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires in Victoria, "own your outcomes and you can achieve the most amazing things."

ANDREW SPINA

Acting Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Queensland Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy

Andrew is currently acting as the Chief Customer and Digital Officer and is currently focused on strategic planning for Queensland’s Digital Economy including customer services and digital transformation. Understandably, much of the recent focus has been on supporting the pandemic response.

Andrew has worked in the Queensland public sector for more than 35 years with extensive experience in leading the delivery of digital transformation, digital service delivery for both customers and employees and shared digital and government services.

Andrew has undertaken a number of Deputy Director-General and Chief Information Officer roles providing strategic digital leadership in various departments within the Queensland Government.

julie hockey

National Manager, Face to Face Service Design, Face to Face Transformation, Services Australia

Julie Hockey commenced leading the transform of face to face service delivery in Services Australia in September 2019. The transformation involves creating a new service environment which encompasses the physical transformation of the service centres and the development of new approaches to operations and delivering services.

Julie has a background in psychology and change management and has extensive experience leading service delivery operations. She worked in the Welfare Payment Infrastructure Transformation programme which has driven the digital transformation in the delivery of welfare payments and services. Julie has been applying this experience to incorporate digital solutions into face to face services such as video chat and a virtual service centre.

KATE HILLMAN

EY Oceania People, Place and Culture Leader, People Advisory Services QLD

Kate Hillman is EY’s Oceania People, Place and Culture Leader and the leader of the People Advisory Services practice within EY’s Brisbane Advisory practice.

As the People, Place and Culture Partner, Kate is responsible for people and culture across the region, ensuring EY’s talent are future focused and future fit. Employee engagement, development and retention lie at the heart of EY’s business and Kate’s portfolio. In addition, Kate works actively in the Australian market, supporting her clients with their workforce challenges and opportunities.

Kate is a passionate advocate for inclusive workplaces and leadership and strives to create psychologically safe workplaces that can truly build a better working world.

With a strong focus on developing high performing teams and shared problem solving, Kate appreciates the importance of implementing sustainable practices and continuous improvement.

VICKI TELFER

NT Commissioner for Public Employment

Vicki Telfer was appointed as the NT Commissioner for Public Employment in September 2019 and is responsible for providing an effective employment framework for the management and development of the Northern Territory Public Service workforce.

Prior to this appointment she was the Deputy Secretary People Strategy for NSW Treasury where she led the industrial relations functions for NSW Government for nine years as well as the people functions within NSW Treasury. In that role she was the lead NSW public sector employer, responsible for delivering workforce strategies and reform measures for the NSW public sector, including pay and conditions negotiations with unions.

Before that role, Vicki was General Manager of Strategy and Policy at WorkCover NSW for six years where, amongst other responsibilities, she led inter-governmental negotiations as well as policy development in work health and safety and workers compensation. Vicki has more than 25 years’ experience as a leader in industrial relations.

ADAM FENNESsY PSM

Commissioner, Victorian Public Sector Commission

Adam Fennessy PSM is the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner. Adam has over 20 years of public sector experience at state and federal levels, including four years as Secretary of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning and prior to that the Department of Environment & Primary Industries.

Adam has worked in the private sector as a partner with advisory firm Ernst & Young. Adam has served on several boards including the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) (Victoria), Infrastructure Victoria, Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Women & Leadership Australia.

Adam is an IPAA national fellow and a member of the Champions of Change Coalition. In 2018, he received a Public Service Medal (PSM) for leadership in the Victorian public sector.

KATHRINA LO

NSW Public Service Commissioner

Kathrina joined the Commission in April 2020 after previously working as a Deputy Secretary for the Department of Communities and Justice.

Kathrina has extensive public sector experience with both state and federal governments. She has held senior executive roles in the NSW Department of Justice, NSW Audit Office and NSW Information and Privacy Commission.

Kathrina has qualifications in law and economics. She is passionate about working in the public interest, and is a champion for diversity and inclusion.

The Public Service Commissioner is an independent office holder.

DR DAMIAN WEST

Deputy Director-General, Workforce Capability and Governance and Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Chief Minister’s Directorate, ACT

Dr Damian West, Deputy Director-General,Workforce Capability and Governance and Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations, Chief Minister’s Directorate (CMTEDD) in the ACT government.

Damian has worked extensively with private, not for profit and public sector organisations throughout the Australasian and Pacific region. In his current role as Deputy Director-General, he is responsible for leading and driving whole of government strategy to build and enhance the workforce capability of the ACTPS, positioning the Service to effectively maximise new opportunities as they arise, respond to changing priorities, and deliver high quality outcomes into the future.

SHARYN O'NEILL

Public Sector Commissioner, Western Australia

Sharyn O’Neill commenced as Public Sector Commissioner in July 2018. She brings to the position of Commissioner incredible leadership and reform experience following 12 years as Director General of the Department of Education where she was the driving force behind the biggest reform of public education in Western Australia.

Lauded for her ability to “make things happen”, hallmarks of her leadership during her time as Director General included improvements to student academic standards, unprecedented autonomy for public schools, halting the drift of students to private schools and an unparalleled reform of public school funding.

Ms O’Neill began her career as a teacher and deputy principal in country schools, before moving into policy, governance and system leaderships positions in education.

She has a Master of Education (Education Administration and Policy). In 2016 she was awarded the Institute of Public Administration Australia (WA) Patron’s Award and was also made a Fellow of the Institute in recognition of her contribution to public administration in Western Australia.

Ms O’Neill is also the State Recovery Controller, appointed by the WA Government in April 2020, with responsibilities for developing, coordinating and overseeing WA’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MEGAN BARRY

Acting Commission Chief Executive, Queensland Public Service Commission

Megan Barry is Acting Deputy Commissioner with the Queensland Public Service Commission (PSC).

In this role she provides sector wide leadership in the areas of: public sector employment legislation and policy, leadership development, workforce futures, inclusion and diversity, strategic talent acquisition and placement, domestic and family violence reform, health and wellbeing, and complex and large scale workforce management challenges.

Megan is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and former Chair of the Queensland Public Service Strategic Workforce Council.

Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM

IPAA President

Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM is an Honorary Professor and Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Australian National University and Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra in the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis.

Gordon holds a doctorate in economics from the Australian National University. He was awarded a Public Service Medal for his G20 work and was made a Knight in France’s Legion of Honour for his contribution to the G20 and public service.

He is a member of the Boards of the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and of the Advisory Council of The Nature Conservancy Australia and the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and facilitator for the Jeff Whalan Leaning Group.

Gordon has been part of the leadership for various reviews for Government, including the 2019 Independent Review of the Australian Public Service, the 2018 Report on Delivering Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the 2018 Review of the Woomera Prohibited Area for the Ministers of Defence and Industry.

Gordon was Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy from 2013 to 2017 and has held other senior positions in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (including as Associate Secretary and G20 Sherpa), Treasury, the Australian National University and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

IAN STEWART AO APM

IPAA Queensland President

Ian Stewart AO APM is President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Queensland Division.

Ian was the 19th Commissioner of the Queensland Police Service taking up that position on 1 November 2012 until his retirement in July 2019. His policing career spanned 45 years. As Commissioner, he led the largest renewal and restructure program of the Queensland Police in over 30 years. He was responsible for the successful security arrangements of the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit meetings and the 2018 Commonwealth Games both based in Queensland. Ian led the successful replacement of the QPS operational information data system and was instrumental in enhancing mobility and safety for front line officers.

His legacy to Queensland includes a diverse, flexible and agile policing agency, empowered by world class technology, contemporary governance and strong leadership. His mantra of engagement, fostering trust and mutual respect with the community, enhanced the reputation of Queensland nationally and internationally.

Ian is the recipient of Honorary Doctorates from the University of Southern Queensland, Griffith University and Charles Sturt University. He holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration and a Bachelor of Business qualifications. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute. He also is a board member of the Global Leadership Institute based in Brisbane and Crime Stoppers Queensland.

In 2020 Ian was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to law enforcement as Commissioner of Police in Queensland and to the community. In 2005 he was awarded the Australian Police Medal.

SARAH KANOWSKI

Conference Moderator

Sarah Kanowski co-presents Conversations on ABC Radio and podcast. She previously presented Books and Arts on ABC RN and joined the ABC as a producer on Late Night Live. Sarah won a Commonwealth Scholarship to study English at the University of Oxford, where she wrote a thesis on the Mosley family. She then spent a year in South America before settling back in Australia. In Hobart she edited the literary magazine Island, until sun and family beckoned her back to Brisbane where she now lives with her husband, three children, and three chooks.

2021 ipaa national conference

RIDING THE WAVE OF SERVICE TRANSFORMATION

29-30 NOVEMBER