Panel Moderator: Culture Eats Strategy - Who Writes the Recipe.

Deborah Knight is a highly respected Australian journalist, broadcaster, and presenter with an extensive career spanning radio and television. A Charles Sturt University graduate, she began at 2WG Wagga Wagga before joining Mix 106.5 and later the ABC, where she worked on Triple J, AM, and Landline.

She went on to join Network Ten, covering two Federal elections and leading its US bureau in Los Angeles, where she reported on major global events including September 11. Returning to Australia, Deborah anchored Ten News, later joining Channel Nine as a news presenter and co-host of the Today Show. In 2020, she made history as 2GB’s first female talkback radio host.

Keynote: Global Economic Update 2026

Paul Bloxham is HSBC’s Chief Economist for Australia, New Zealand, and Global Commodities, as well as a Managing Director. He leads HSBC’s analysis on economic trends, financial markets, and global commodities, and is a regular media commentator and columnist.

Named Australia’s most accurate economic forecaster by the Australian Financial Review in 2024, Paul’s team has also won multiple Focus Economics awards.

An Adjunct Professor at Curtin University, he previously spent 12 years with the Reserve Bank of Australia. Paul holds a Master’s degree in Public Financial Policy from the London School of Economics.

Keynote: Machines Are Customers Too

Katja Forbes is a fearless CX innovator and award-winning leader who consistently challenges the boundaries of customer experience and AI. Named one of Westpac/AFR’s “100 Women of Influence” and ranked among CX Network’s Top 20 CX Leaders in AI and Financial Services, she boldly transforms traditional corporate cultures into dynamic, client-centric powerhouses.

As an Executive Director at a Global Financial Services firm, Katja expertly blends human-centered design with cutting-edge technology, establishing her organisation as a global thought leader. An outspoken advocate for women in leadership, her compelling voice, sharp insights, and magnetic on-camera presence make her an industry standout.

Moderator: The Board's Agenda: Navigating Today and Preparing for Tomorrow

Karl is a senior risk management and governance executive with extensive experience across major financial institutions, including CBA, Westpac, and as Group Chief Risk Officer at FlexiGroup (now Humm). He brings deep expertise in credit, conduct, liquidity, market, operational, and compliance risk, combined with strong leadership and coaching skills.

Known for his consultative and transparent approach, Karl collaborates effectively with boards, regulators, and stakeholders to drive systemic change and commercial outcomes.

Karl is passionate about Indigenous advancement - he mentors Indigenous students and works with policymakers and communities to improve funding access and awareness of key social and economic issues.

Panelist: The Board's Agenda: Navigating Today and Preparing for Tomorrow

Stanford Le is the CEO of Crown Sydney, bringing over 28 years of global experience in the hospitality and casino industry. He has led strategy for major Fortune 500 companies including Wynn Resorts, Sands China, and Caesars Entertainment.

Before joining Crown, Stanford served as CEO and President of Snoqualmie Casino in Seattle, guiding a $500M expansion and earning recognition as one of Washington’s Best Workplaces for five consecutive years. He has opened five world-class integrated resorts and driven consistent double-digit growth across markets.

Stanford holds both a Master’s in Management and a Juris Doctor from Cornell University.

Panelist: The Board's Agenda: Navigating Today and Preparing for Tomorrow

Nicole is an accomplished CEO and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years’ experience leading organisations across diverse B2C industries, including retail, hospitality, leisure, entertainment, fitness, and professional services. Known for her strategic vision and financial acumen, she has driven growth, profitability, and market leadership in listed, private, and private equity-backed companies.

Nicole combines data-driven decision-making with exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills. Renowned for her empathetic leadership and focus on team empowerment, she consistently reimagines businesses to enhance performance, customer satisfaction, and stakeholder value, fostering high-performing cultures built on collaboration and executional excellence.

Panelist: The Board's Agenda: Navigating Today and Preparing for Tomorrow

Danielle Avery is the Principal of Wren Strategy with over 30 years’ international experience in strategy, governance, and risk.

Danielle is highly skilled in executive and Board-level facilitation, strategic planning, organisational reviews, and advising on design and transformation. An experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair, she works with Boards and senior leaders across diverse sectors.

Danielle’s interests centre on how culture, leadership, and team dynamics shape strategy and governance effectiveness. Her background includes a significant career in corporate finance law, senior roles in financial services, and leading global strategy and governance reviews.

Known for her direct, analytical style, Danielle is a pragmatic and committed problem-solver.

Panelist: Culture Eats Strategy - Who Writes the Recipe.

Kim Seeling Smith is a Business Futurist who helps organisations thrive amid rapid change driven by AI and the global Polycrisis.

Recognised among the Top 101 Global Influencers on Employee Engagement, Kim has advised leaders worldwide and even shared a table with Sir Richard Branson for her Future of Work insights.

Author of Mind Reading for Managers and co-author with Brian Tracy, Kim frequently appears in major media including Forbes, The Today Show, and AFR. A former CPA with KPMG, she uniquely blends commercial acumen with human-centred, forward-thinking strategies to build resilient, high-performing workplaces.

Panelist: Culture Eats Strategy - Who Writes the Recipe.

Karl Treacher is the CEO of The Culture Institute of Australia and a leading expert in workplace culture transformation. With over 20 years’ experience across twelve countries, he authored the Australian Workplace Culture Guidelines, founded CultureCon, and created diagnostic tools including RAIDAR, RepHealth, Panorama, and Culturesphere.

Karl's work helps organisations achieve 30–50% improvements in cultural health within a year by fostering trust, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. A TEDx and CEDA speaker with over 60 published articles, Karl believes true transformation begins when individuals and organisations dare to challenge their instincts to grow.

Panelist: Culture Eats Strategy - Who Writes the Recipe.

Dean is the Chief Executive Officer of Leading Teams Australia, an organisation dedicated to transforming team culture and leadership performance.

With over 30 years of experience across elite sport and corporate leadership, he is passionate about the connection between culture, communication, and performance. Dean’s career includes senior roles at NAB, HSBC, and SEEK, where he built deep commercial expertise.

A former AFL player with Hawthorn and St Kilda, he achieved two premierships and later served as a Non-Executive Director and Life Member of St Kilda. Today, he combines his business and sporting experience to build high-trust, high-performing teams.

Panelist: Culture Eats Strategy - Who Writes the Recipe.

Vincent O'Neill is originally from Northern Ireland, and studied Commerce and Law at University College Dublin before moving to Australia.

Joining Stanford Brown in 2007, he now serves as CEO and Private Wealth specialist, advising high-net-worth clients on wealth creation, retirement planning, and asset structuring.

Vincent is passionate about building lasting relationships by helping clients clarify and achieve their goals. He leads a team of experienced professionals delivering proactive, high-value financial advice.

Fireside Chat with Special Guest TBA: Australia at Risk: The Declining Productivity Problem

Bernie Brookes AM is a seasoned Managing Director and CEO with 40 years’ experience across retail and wholesale operations, supply chain, IT systems, HR, and buying. He has led multi-divisional organisations through major change, re-engineering, and international expansion, including ventures in India, China, and South Africa.

An experienced board member and chairman, Bernie combines analytical, conceptual, and entrepreneurial skills to solve complex challenges and drive results. 

With extensive experience across private equity, international corporates, and startups, Bernie brings deep expertise in business management, strategic execution, and operational excellence.