Keynote: Radical Leadership

Brad Twynham is a globally recognised leadership expert, technologist, and “leader of leaders” with over 25 years’ experience driving transformation and innovation across organisations including Visa, CBA, UBS, and DXC Technology.

Creator of the Radical Leadership framework—referenced by Harvard Business School—Brad helps leaders thrive amid disruption through courage, authenticity, and purpose.

A proud First Nations man of Garigal, Muroordial, and Walkaloa descent, he combines cultural storytelling with cutting-edge leadership insights. His high-energy keynotes and workshops inspire organisations worldwide to unlock human potential, embrace change, and build cultures of connection and resilience. 

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.

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, Paul 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.

Moderator: Culture Eats Strategy - Who Writes the Recipe.

Suzanne Whitmarsh is an experienced business advisor, leadership practitioner, and recruitment executive who believes culture always trumps strategy.

As founder of 1st Executive, she has spent over two decades helping executives, business owners, and boards build cultures that drive performance and authentic connection. Suzanne’s coaching focuses on developing trust, accountability, and emotional intelligence—skills that bring strategy to life.

An accomplished facilitator and non-executive director, Suzanne works across industries to strengthen leadership capability, align behaviour with values, and create thriving workplaces where people collaborate, perform, and deliver sustainable business success.

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, she 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.

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.