SPEAKERS

Amanda Barnard is a seasoned executive leading People, Culture & Capability for over 25 years. Most recently led the Global Learning Culture team at Adobe where her team helped over 15,000 Adobe employees make a mindset shift with AI. Amanda is passionate about the power of personal leadership and wants us all to bring our creativity, humanity & humour to the development of AI. We are uniquely placed to create the future for generations who will follow us. 

Anneli is on a mission to humanise the leadership landscape and change the conversation culture at work. And she’s different. She talks to strangers for fun, loves to haggle for a bargain and isn’t afraid to tell people they have food in their teeth. But, then again, she’s obsessed with conversation and connection, so it’s to be expected, right? This obsession with communication and connection has driven her professional focus for almost 20 years. She’s fascinated with who speaks up at work, who doesn’t and why? And more importantly, does the conversational culture at work, make people feel seen, heard and valued, when they do? As an expert in Communication Dynamics, Anneli helps people get heard at work. This is about building conversational coaching cultures where people feel empowered, inspired and motivated to do their best work. And as the Australian Institute of Training and Development’s 2021, L&D Professional of the Year, and the Gold Stevie award winner for Female Entrepreneur of the Year, 2021, she creates these cultures, through carefully crafted,  behaviour change programs that stick. Oh and she’s a nifty parallel parker, a keen hiker and a salsa dancing addict who loves any meal cooked by someone else!

Deanne is a sought-after expert in Human-Centred Leadership, Change, and Safety; after starting her career as a police officer, which sparked her fascination with human behaviour, she now has over 20 years of experience spanning corporate leadership, consulting, and regulatory roles. As the Founder & Chief Enabling Officer of Insync Workplace Solutions & The Centre for Human-Centred Leadership, Deanne is on a mission to rehumansie workplaces worldwide. Her strategies have consistently delivered results, and she continues to educate, enable and empower individuals and organisations to build high, thriving, inclusive, physically and psychologically safe work environments where diversity in all forms, including diversity of thought, is embraced, where everyone can be their authentic selves at work, feel valued, have a sense of purpose and belonging, thrive and go home safe and well each day. 

Kade is Director of Workforce Solutions at RMIT Online. With a mission to create “a community of lifelong learners successfully navigating the world of work”, RMIT Online is a disruptive digital business inside a large university, with a portfolio of solutions ranging from Master degrees down to bite-sized microcredentials – all delivered online. Kade has been at RMIT Online for five years and leads several functions responsible for partnering with enterprises and governments to identify the skills challenges facing workforces and designing solutions around those challenges. A former school teacher, Kade re-skilled in order to achieve a career pivot into strategy consulting, spending many years working with public and private sector organisations in areas ranging from strategic planning to operating model design, transformation initiatives, customer experience strategy and product roadmap design – before finding his home supporting a community of HR and L&D practitioners with complex skilling partnerships.

Ryan Byrne is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in learning and organisational development. He has led the design and implementation of large-scale learning programs across government and private sectors, earning recognition for excellence in employee engagement, innovative video-based and gamified learning, customer service training, frontline worker safety training, and blended learning solutions.As the Senior Manager of Capability & Learning at Sydney Trains, Ryan leverages his extensive background to design impactful learning initiatives that deliver tangible results and drive business performance.

James Castrission is a famous Australian Explorer constantly pushing the boundaries of human endurance. Most recently, on the 26th January 2012, he made history by completing the longest unsupported polar expedition of all time, alongside this best mate, Jonesy. In 100 years of polar exploration no-one had EVER walked from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back without assistance. Many had tried, none had succeeded. After 89 gruelling days they made it back to the coast after having skied 2275km with everything they needed to survive in the harshest environment on Earth. Four years earlier they Crossed the Ditch - paddling 3318km without assistance across the Tasman Sea for another world first. In 2013, he founded MyAdventure Group - business committed to providing Australia's premier corporate Adventure-based development programs. Harnessing lessons learnt from the most hostile environments on earth, his corporate programs are designed to develop teams and drive competitive advantage in organisations. He holds 2 Guinness World Records for his accomplishments and is highly regarded as one of Australia's premier public speakers. He has written 2 bestselling books: Crossing the Ditch and Extreme South.

Mei-Ling has over 20 years delivery experience working in the creative tech industry in London, Paris and Asia. She is energised by curious minds and continuous learning. As a dedicated professional with a passion for fostering creativity and innovation, she is committed to integrating Lego® Serious Play® practice into her work. This unique, research-based approach leverages the power of play, kinaesthetic communication to enhance strategic thinking, deep connection, and creative problem-solving within organisations. She has a passion to support better fertility and menopause awareness within the workplace through Lego® Serious Play®.

Mark Eggers is the co-founder and Head of Sales at Yarno. Before this, he was co-founder and Managing Director at BBL Agency, a full-service digital agency and co-founder at Rolling Hospitality. Mark is a certified project manager and budding videographer. He lives in Sydney and enjoys skiing, playing hockey, and card games with his kids. 

Kate, a dynamic leader in Learning and Organisational Development, is passionate about driving transformation, culture change, and workforce capability uplift within organisations. As the head of the Learning and Capability team at the Parliament of Victoria, Kate delivers strategic learning solutions, culture initiatives, and project support across the parliamentary departments. Her team also plays a vital role in providing Members of Parliament and their staff with quality professional development, ensuring exceptional service to communities across Victoria.

Mandy has been coaching since 2001 and is a passionate advocate for an “ask, not tell” approach to all things in life. She firmly believes that all conversations can be improved by asking great questions and truly listening to the answers, rather than preparing to speak. With over 500 hours of coaching practice, Mandy is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF and a PIECL coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL). Her coaching expertise is underpinned by decades of professional and personal experience, making her a trusted partner in her clients’ growth journeys. Mandy’s speaking, teaching and coaching is grounded in recognition of the infinite potential within all. She works quickly and calmly to uncover blocks, whether that be a mental model, a physical impediment, or something within their broader system. She actively listens for limiting beliefs and narratives, helping clients “re-author” their stories to live as the resourceful, whole, and powerful individuals they truly are. Beyond her corporate experience, Mandy integrates her decades-long yoga and meditation practice into her work, offering a holistic perspective. She is an experienced speaker, holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and is the author of several books.

Lachy Gray is the co-founder and Managing Director of Yarno, a microlearning platform. Before Yarno, he was an executive producer at webqem, a Sydney-based digital agency, and worked in IT recruitment in Toronto. Lachy is a certified organisational coach and co-host of the Make it Work podcast, offering insights into the modern workplace. He lives in Newcastle and enjoys trail running, swimming, and family time.  

Melissa Green is an experienced volunteer leadership professional with formal qualifications in Volunteer Program Coordination, Training & Assessment, and HR Management. With a passion for empowering both staff and volunteers, Melissa specialises in developing training programs that foster adaptability, engagement, and leadership in the nonprofit sector. 

Beth Hall is a highly regarded leader in People and Culture, with over 15 years of experience in shaping high-performing cultures. Holding a Master’s in Organisational Psychology from the University of London, Beth combines scientific evidence with lived experience, making her a trusted advisor to organisations. Her career includes pivotal roles such as Global Head of Organisational Development at Cotton On Group, where she led transformational initiatives across a global workforce, and General Manager of Standards and Capability at AHRI, where she set the national benchmark for HR standards and Certification in Australia. Beth’s deep understanding of the people experience at work enables her to design and implement strategies that enable high performing individuals, teams, and cultures. Beth’s approach is grounded in the belief that sustainable, inclusive cultures are the foundation of business success. Her expertise in fostering agile environments ensures that both businesses and their people can thrive in times of uncertainty. Beth’s lived experience, leading large, geographically dispersed teams, informs her practical, results-driven strategies. A passionate advocate for continuous learning, Beth excels at aligning people strategies with organisational goals, driving capability, and fostering environments where everyone can be at their best and perform at their best. 

Sophie Hardman is a seasoned Learning Consultant with over a decade of experience at KPMG. Observing how AI tools were starting to drive efficiency in teams, Sophie saw the potential to further enhance the learning design process. With clients in mind and the goal to reduce the manual effort involved in creating design documents, Sophie founded the KPMG Learning Design Studio alongside two other innovative female founders, Sasha Wrublewski and Emily Stocks. Through the integration of KPMG Learning Design Studio, Sophie has transformed instructional design at KPMG, making high-quality learning experiences more efficient and agile. At KPMG, Sophie takes pride in creating custom learning programs for a wide range of clients, from government departments to private businesses, ensuring that these programs are relevant and accessible to learners. Sophie continues to lead impactful learning transformations enabled by KPMG Learning Design Studio, ensuring that solutions are tailored to each organisation’s specific needs and maintaining high standards. In Sophie’s presentation "Revolutionising Learning Design: Empowering Efficiency and Agility through AI" attendees will discover how AI can partner with learning experts to streamline design processes at scale. The session will feature real-world case studies and emphasise the essential role of human oversight in AI-generated content.

Felicity Harrison is a versatile and pragmatic Learning and Development professional with over 20 years of experience across diverse industries, including Finance, FMCG, and Pharmaceuticals. For the past eight years she has been with Ego Pharmaceuticals, where she has played a key role in building a strong learning culture from the ground up. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of L&D, from technical learning and operational excellence to team dynamics and leadership capability development. She is passionate about creating holistic learning ecosystems that empower individuals and teams to grow, perform, and adapt in dynamic environments. By integrating strategic learning design with practical application, she ensures that development initiatives drive both business success and personal growth.

Jemma Hirst is a seasoned leader in technology education, with over 17 years of experience shaping the future of digital learning. As the Head of Tech Training at Grant Thornton Australia, she has a proven track record of driving digital transformation initiatives within professional services. At the heart of Jemma’s work is her commitment to enhancing digital literacy, ensuring that individuals are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in today’s dynamic environment. Jemma’s forward-thinking approach has led to the successful integration of generative AI technologies at Grant Thornton, resulting in significant time savings and efficiency gains across the firm. A champion of generative AI, Jemma views this technology as a key driver of workplace transformation. Her goal is to not only advance the use of AI but to ensure its adoption is conducted with the utmost attention to safety and security, empowering staff to leverage AI responsibly and effectively. As an L&D professional, Jemma has been exploring ways AI can support the adult learning journey, enhancing personalised education experiences and leveraging data-driven insights for continuous improvement in training programs.

Lindsey Leigh Hobson elevates forward-thinking organisations and their emerging leaders to create the ultimate next-generation of leadership. Recognised by LinkedIn as a Top Voice in Mentoring, Lindsey is in the top 5% of influencers and thought leaders who are setting the benchmark on the platform for industry knowledge. She is the Founder of The Learning and Development Collective, where Lindsey leads a network of over 750 learning and development professionals from corporations, government bodies and associations from all over Australia, USA and the world. Lindsey is also the National Lead for the Professional Speakers Australia (PSA) Chapter President Council. PSA are one of the peak industry body for professional development for the nation’s leading speakers and trainers to hone their craft and amplify their impact. Having worked as both a Subject Matter Expert and Facilitator of Leadership, New Leadership and Graduate Programs for some of Australia’s largest corporates, Lindsey develops everything from the program content to the skills of your internal facilitators to deliver. Whether it's on stage, online, hybrid or in the metaverse, Lindsey is a dynamite at developing the skills of tomorrow within your emerging leaders, new-starters, graduates and first time managers.

Cathy has been a Learning & Development practitioner for over 15 years. She has won several awards for her instructional design, worked across multiple industries in design and facilitation, and led the introduction and success of an Internship Program which was recognised as Australia’s Top Internship Program only 3 years after its launch. In her current role as Head of Design – Development at Fusion Graduate Consultancy, Cathy champions young professionals as they embrace a new career in their chosen organisation, designing and delivering innovative, contextualised and impactful learning journeys for clients and their early talent programs. “I love supporting the growth and empowerment of early talent in this current role, and it brings together my passion and experience in corporate L&D and understanding the next generation of leaders.”

Liz Jones is a senior leader in organisational development, workforce transformation, and leadership strategy, with expertise in neuroscience, AI-driven learning, and inclusive leadership. Passionate about exploring uncharted territory, she applies emerging insights in AI, neuroscience, and human behaviour to help organisations navigate change and build future-ready, inclusive teams. Liz describes organisational psychology as the vehicle that moves organisations forward, while neuroscience is the engine that powers it—without understanding the right fuel, even the best-designed systems will stall. She is currently completing a Master of Neuroscience and Business, applying cutting-edge research to create AI-powered, high-performing, and inclusive workplaces.

As Head of Education at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA), Jonathan Jones is a seasoned leader with nearly two decades of experience driving transformative educational initiatives across diverse sectors, including finance, not-for-profit, and higher education. His strategic vision and expertise have been instrumental in advancing learning outcomes within organizations such as Commonwealth Bank, the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM@UNSW Sydney), and Sydney School of Entrepreneurship. Jonathan's career began in corporate recruitment, where he gained valuable insights into talent acquisition and workforce development. This foundation informs his approach to education, enabling him to design and implement innovative programs that align with organisational goals and foster continuous improvement. Under his leadership, IPWEA has implemented a micro credentialed development pathway for Infrastructure Asset Management professionals that is accessed globally. Jonathan is committed to cultivating a culture of excellence and lifelong learning, positioning both individuals and organizations for success in a rapidly changing environment.

Colonel Karina Jones is the Director of Army Education and Learning Systems and the Head of the Royal Australian Army Education Corps. She joined the Australian Army in 2003 after a career as a high school teacher in Australia and abroad. Since joining, she has risen through the ranks and has performed many key education and learning systems functions, including, instructor development, leading learning product development teams and commanding the Army Education Centre. She is passionate about education, learning systems, Army's mission and supporting others. Karina resides in the nation's capital with her family, including her beloved Frenchie, Kev.

Johanna is the Founder and Director of Be Learning, a multi-award winning consultancy focused on building results through developing people’s mindsets, productive habits, skills and innovative solutions. Be Learning partners with Matt O’Donnell, an expert on creating AI solutions for our clients. 

Christine Khor is a business leader, mentor, coach and speaker who builds, innovates, and gets results. As the driving force behind Peeplcoach, she’s redefining the leadership development and coaching industry, creating profitable and sustainable businesses through the democratisation of coaching and the creation of effective leaders through all levels of the organisation. With over 25 years of experience across marketing, recruitment, and executive coaching, Christine knows what it takes to build thriving businesses and high-performing teams. She’s held key roles at Simplot Australia, Kraft Foods, and Hallmark Cards, and founded two successful businesses that help people and organisations succeed. With a background in Criminology, Psychology, an MBA, and post-grad diplomas in Policy Studies and Organisational Change, Christine combines sharp insight with bold action. And as a Telstra Businesswoman finalist and Chief Executive Women award recipient, she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo—whether it’s diving into the Antarctic Ocean or pushing leaders to think and act differently. Christine's not just coaching executives: she’s levelling the playing field ensuring that all leaders in an organisation have access to experienced coaching. She is a dynamic and direct speaker who motivates her audience to take charge and innovate. 

Millie Law is a senior learning strategist and designer in ANZ’s enterprise learning function. Having spent over 20 years in financial services, Millie’s focus is simply helping people so they can help others. She holds a master’s in digital learning, and has a keen interest in learner experience, as well as finding practical ways to demonstrate the value of learning through meaningful measurement.

Catriona Malcolm is a Learning Experience Specialist with expertise in creating innovative, evidence-based learning solutions. Combining behavioural science with cutting-edge technologies, she designs engaging programs that improve knowledge retention and learner outcomes.

Sarah is co-founder and CEO of two companies - LawCPD and GenLearn. She’s passionate about the power of technology to level the playing field when it comes to learning and has spent her professional career working towards this goal. Sarah co-founded LawCPD in 2008 as the first company to offer online professional development training to Australian lawyers. Since then, the company has continuously innovated in both technology and instructional design to remain on the cutting edge of learning. In 2023, Sarah spearheaded the creation of the first AI-led micro-lessons in the online learning industry globally, overseeing the rollout into multiple online courses. This technology has been recognised at the 2024 LearnX Awards (Best EdTech AI Integrated) and 2024 Brandon Hall Group Awards (Gold in EdTech Excellence and Bronze in Technology Excellence). Building on this success, Sarah led development of the GenLearn app which enables anyone to create AI-led micro-lessons embeddable in any online content. Sarah has been recognised as a leader in AI and learning. She was recognised with the 2024 AI Female Leader of the Year (SME) at the Australian AI Awards, the Women in Technology WA 2024 Shining Star for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and 2024 LearnTech Trailblazer Award.

Sonia McDonald is the unapologetically bold force behind leadership transformations worldwide. Known for her fearless approach and a heart bigger than her inbox, Sonia takes leadership beyond the boardroom into real, raw, and impactful conversations. She’s not your average coach; she’s the kind of leader who kicks imposter syndrome to the curb and empowers others to lead with courage, kindness, and a dash of sass. Founder of LeadershipHQ, author, keynote speaker, and all-around leadership badass, Sonia has spent decades helping women and men step into their power, own their authenticity, and shake up the status quo. Whether she’s mentoring future CEOs or challenging outdated corporate mindsets, Sonia brings energy, insight, and a no-nonsense attitude that gets results. When she’s not transforming leaders, you can find her spreading courage like wildfire and reminding the world that the best leaders don’t just talk—they show up, speak up, and lead like they mean it.

Kathryn is an experienced learning and development professional with a passion for making learning engaging and effective. She has dedicated her career to exploring innovative approaches and is currently focused on the exciting potential of artificial intelligence in L&D. In this session, she will share her expertise and practical insights to help you leverage AI tools, regardless of your current skill level. She believes in making complex topics accessible so you can confidently integrate these powerful technologies into your own work practices. Kathryn is Google for Education and Google Gemini Academy Certified and is a Certified Management Technology Consultant. She has presented at local and international conferences to participate in global discussions and exploration of the impact of AI on learning and development and education environments. 

Dr Denise Meyerson has over 35 years' experience in corporate learning and development.  She has worked with global organisations to ensure that learning experiences are impactful and make a real difference to performance.She is a visiting scholar at the Virginia Commonwealth University and was one of the first 4 Master Trainers of the LEGO Serious Play process.She's the author of three books on learning and is a past recipient of the AITD Award for Learning Development Professional of the Year.  She has also been recognised for her work in education by various other awards including for most innovative company by the AFR. Denise holds a PhD in English as well as various vocational qualifications.

Loretta helps organisations to understand and apply the latest findings from the field of neuroscience to enhance learning, leadership, and performance. Combining brain-based techniques with her 25+ years’ experience developing teams across Asia Pacific, the UK, and US, Loretta focuses on the creation of environments where employees can best learn, perform, and thrive. Prior to founding her learning business, Neu Perspectives, Loretta held senior leadership roles in People & Culture and L&D for leading organisations, along with consulting to Government, SMEs, Not-for-Profit and Start-Ups. Further to uses her expertise in program design and facilitation, Loretta extends participant learning and behavioural change through coaching and assessment tools.Loretta is also committed to playing the L&D 'long game', volunteering for the past 9 years to teach critical thinking and reasoning skills to primary school students through the Primary Ethics program. ‘In time, it will be the decisions of the children we teach today that will shape the world' (Dr Simon Longstaff).

Tiffany Muirhead has worked in Learning and Development for over 20 years in the highly regulated legal, financial and insurance industries for national organisations such as CBA and Wesfarmers Insurance. She has been with Allianz Australia for 5 years and has led the National Learning Academy for the Personal Injury division for the past 2 years. In that period, Tiffany has managed the team who have supported over 1,700 employees nationally through significant changes to Professional Standards with the implementation of a industry-leading career progression framework. 

Vaughan has been at KPMG for 12 years, including 9 years in the employee engagement space with Global Clients and Markets at KPMG International. Prior to KPMG, he worked in the aged care and energy industries. Vaughan manages a couple of workstreams, has a footprint in more than 90 countries, all with one focus - to help improve the client experience.

Lee Roulston, Co-founder, CEO Lee is a leader in learning and development, driven by a passion for education and continuous growth. With a background in the arts, publishing and education, Lee has developed a wealth of expertise in organisational culture, leadership, and product innovation. Her journey to co-founding Thinka highlights her commitment to humanising workplace learning – fostering behaviours that enhance performance and inspire culture.

Tracy Sheen is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, and media commentator with over three decades of experience helping businesses navigate digital transformation. Her latest book, AI & U: Business Reimagined, introduces a practical 9-step REIMAGINE framework to help organisations integrate AI ethically and effectively, while keeping human-centred values at the core.Tracy’s first book, The End of Technophobia, was awarded the 2021 Australian Business Book of the Year and Best Technology Book, cementing her reputation as a trusted guide in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Having delivered over 2,000 presentations, keynotes, and webinars, Tracy is celebrated for her ability to break down complex topics into relatable, actionable insights. She regularly appears as a media commentator on AI and digital trends, sharing her expertise across platforms like Kochie’s Business Builders and mainstream media. As "The Digital Guide," Tracy works with business owners, government departments, and community organisations globally to demystify AI and empower them to embrace innovation with confidence. Passionate, engaging, and practical, Tracy ensures every audience leaves inspired and equipped to take action in the age of AI.

David has an extensive career spanning fast moving consumer goods, gas and most recently refining industries. During this time, he has actively participated in national skill councils and advised on government workforce skills and capability strategies. He has led global project teams to successfully implement integrated HRIS and learning management systems utilising alternate technologies to improve end-user experience. He is passionate about how people learn and the role technology can play in improving learning and performance. In addition to applying traditional L&D methodologies, his current work includes utilising generative artificial intelligence, other technologies as well as traditional methods to improve the learner’s experience whilst evaluating other immersive and adaptive AI technologies to improve learning outcomes. 

A true champion of people and performance, DJuna Smith is an HR Generalist and Learning & Development Specialist with 17 years of global industry experience spanning APAC, EU, UK, Africa, and the Americas. With a passion for leadership development, she has become a driving force in shaping high-performing teams for top Australian and international brands. As a career retailer, DJuna has a proven track record of designing and delivering innovative learning solutions that tackle complex business challenges head-on. Her ability to craft impactful, results-driven strategies has made her a trusted advisor in building strong, engaged teams that power business success. In her most recent role as Global Head of Learning and Development at Lovisa, DJuna has been at the forefront of driving a culture of growth and continuous improvement. A dynamic change adopter and culture enthusiast, she has played a pivotal role in supporting Lovisa’s rapid global expansion, scaling learning solutions at pace and ensuring teams are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving retail landscape. 

Joanna Smith is the Managing Director of Pukeko Learning Solutions, a Learning and Development agency serving clients across New Zealand and Australia. She has an MA in Linguistics and began her career as an English teacher and language teacher trainer before transitioning to corporate training in 2012. Joanna initially worked as an in-house Training Manager before founding her own business. She and her team enjoy supporting a diverse range of clients, and they love exploring new ways to be efficient, including using AI wherever appropriate. Joanna is the immediate past president of the New Zealand Association for Training and Development.

Kate SmythKate is a career Learning and Development Specialist who is passionate about enhancing organisational capability by enabling its people to perform at their best. She has broad and deep experience leading Learning and Development teams across a wide variety of organisations and industries across Australia and overseas. Her role in each instance has been to identify opportunities to build employee capability in areas of strategic priority and devise an optimal learning strategy, whilst operating within organisational constraints. As the Learning & Development Manager for Haigh’s Chocolates she is privileged to play a key part in this iconic Australian company’s transformation as they open a brand-new, state-of-the-art production complex, double chocolate production, and significantly expand their retail network. With oversight for all L&D needs across circa 100 employees in five main branches of the organisation, the challenge is to retain the family feel whilst growing our internal leaders. Guided by her personal motto—"Life is too short to drink bad coffee or wine, or eat bad food"—Kate celebrates victories (and recharges from challenges) with the perfect companion: chocolate!

Kestrel Stone is the CEO of Elemental Projects, a training and consulting firm that helps people and organisations "do projects better".  With a mission to uplift project management capability across industry, Elemental Projects works with a wide range of clients - from Defence, construction, and infrastructure, to telcos, NFPs, and government agencies delivering complex outcomes around climate change, health, education, and justice. Kestrel is also an Affiliate of the University of Sydney's John Grill Institute for Project Leadership and was a lecturer in the Master of Project Management program for several years. She is a Fellow of the International Project Management Association, former Chair of Women in Project Management, and is on the board of the Global Alliance for the Project Professions.  

Ellen-Mary Terrill has successfully led and delivered transformative initiatives within the education, technology and architectural realm. She views the human experience as founded in learning and connection, and is interested in the innate human aspects of learning through physical and digital presence. Recognising that learning is transmitted through technological applications, devices and physical assets and realised through human complexity. She is naturally curious and creative, and currently manages the team responsible for driving, suppporting and enabling the learning space and software ecosystem at Swinburne University.  

Will Thalheimer, PhD, MBA, Consultant, Speaker, Researcher at Work-Learning Research. Will is a world-renowned thought leader focused on research-based practices for learning, work performance, presentations, and evaluation—and an advocate for learning professionals. Through Work-Learning Research (https://www.worklearning.com/), Will empowers organizations to build maximally effective learning-and-performance solutions and strategies. Will wrote the award-winning book Performance-Focused Learner Surveys (second edition) and the CEO’s Guide to Training, eLearning & Work: Empowering Learning for a Competitive Advantage (2024). Will created LTEM, the Learning-Transfer Evaluation Model and conducts popular workshops like the LTEM Boot Camp. He co-created The Learning Development Accelerator and the eLearning Manifesto.

Neil drives an awesome kombi, and does fire spinning, African drumming and social media marketing for circus people. Why does that matter? Good learning design involves divergent thinking - the proverbial 'outside the ... cliche'. That's the space where Neil lives and designs from. He is a multi-award-winning learning designer - nothing boring, no #clickeraction snoozefests - purposeful, engaging, collaborative, practical experiences that deliver performance and business outcomes. Neil is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Training and Development, and the Institute for Learning & Performance APAC, a conference speaker, and an occasional blogger at divergentlearning.wordpress.com.

Naomi Waldron is a Strategic Solutions Consultant at BSI Digital Learning, where she leads innovation initiatives, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. With over 20 years of experience in corporate learning and development, Naomi is passionate about helping individuals and organisations adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of modern work. She is committed to finding innovative ways to upskill the BSI team in AI and future-focused technologies. Naomi is a seasoned consultant, senior account manager, learning designer, and facilitator, holding qualifications in Adult Education and Information Technology. Her broad expertise allows her to effectively support organisations through both the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies and ways of working. A little-known fact about Naomi is that she is also a trained wilderness survival guide! Whether navigating the complexities of modern work or leading teams through the bush, Naomi excels at guiding people through uncertainty, helping them build the skills and resilience to succeed.

Emma Weber is CEO and Founder of Lever–Transfer of Learning. As a learning transfer authority, she made it her mission in life to make a difference to learning transfer worldwide. Frustrated by the amount of learning which is wasted when it fails to make it across the knowing – doing gap Emma created the Turning Learning into Action™ methodology. This methodology is deployed throughout 20 countries and in 12 languages  by a talented team and Coach M, an AI chatbot. Coach M is challenging the industry's thinking. Emma shares her passion and expertise through her writing – her books include 'Turning Learning into Action: a proven methodology for effective transfer of learning' and ‘Designing Virtual Learning for Application & Impact’ co-written with Cindy Huggett, Jack Phillips and Patti Phillips. 

Zoe Youl, Head of Community at Ausmed Education, is an intensive care nurse. She has been with Ausmed for over 10 years, during which she completed a Master’s thesis focused on evaluating the impact of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Zoe has worked internationally, setting the scope and standards of practice for nurses in the field of Nursing Professional Development. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) L&D Competency Framework project, dedicated to defining competencies for the Learning & Development role across various sectors. Zoe serves as the Director of Ausmed’s accredited provider unit, the only Australian education provider accredited by the ANCC with distinction for four consecutive cycles, spanning 13 years. In this role, she has developed a strong understanding of educational best practices in healthcare. Zoe combines her clinical, educational, and governance expertise to help organisations understand and respond to the regulatory, educational, and workforce development needs of their staff.