Learning & Capability Development (Day 1)

1-2 April 2025, International Convention Centre, Sydney

  • Registration opens
  • Interactive Networking Activity: Human Bingo

    Kick off the summit with a fun icebreaker that makes networking easy and enjoyable. Play an interactive game of bingo to connect with fellow attendees, build valuable professional relationships, and have the chance to win a prize as the top networker!

    (located in the Main Conference, Parkside 1)

    Mitch Trevillion
    Mitch Trevillion

    Director of Operations
    Beyond the Boardroom

  • OPENING KEYNOTE: Winning Gold – The Journey to Becoming an Olympic Champion

    Olympic champion Jessica Fox will share the key lessons that have fuelled her success, including how to develop a performance mindset, stay resilient in the face of setbacks, and build high-performing teams. Drawing on her dual gold medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jess will provide actionable insights on maintaining focus, fostering collaboration, and driving sustained excellence. Her journey offers powerful takeaways for leaders looking to inspire peak performance and resilience within their organisations.

    (located in the Main Conference, Parkside 1)

    Jessica Fox OAM
    Jessica Fox OAM

    3 x Olympic Gold Medallist and 10 x Canoe Slalom World Champion

  • Opening remarks from the Chairperson

    (Room location TBC)

    Stacey Edmonds MAICD
    Stacey Edmonds MAICD

    Founder & CEO
    Lively, A Learning Agency

  • Welcome Remarks from the Event Partner, Acorn PLMS
    Eloise Littlejohns
    Eloise Littlejohns

    Director of People and Operations
    Acorn PLMS

  • CASE STUDY: Designing an agile learning strategy to engage an innovative, techworkforce

    Learn how to design a learning program that effectively meets the needs of a fast-paced, innovative organisation. Explore how Jumbo Interactive, a leading provider of digital lottery solutions, developed its award-winning Jumbo University, a learning platform crafted to meet the diverse needs of a tech-focused workforce. Gain insights into delivering agile design, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and developing data-driven strategies to create a learning platform that drives continuous engagement, learning, and measurable business impact.

    Tracey Johnson (Gibson)
    Tracey Johnson (Gibson)

    Organisational Development Manager
    Jumbo Interactive

  • Morning tea and refreshments break
  • How a capability-driven approach can drive employee engagement and business impact

    Learn how adopting a capability-driven approach can streamline and elevate your HR strategy. This session explores how capabilities can serve as a powerful thread throughout HR functions—from recruitment and performance management to workforce planning and compensation. Gain practical insights on aligning learning with performance and capabilities to boost engagement, learning uptake, and overall business impact.

    Eloise Littlejohns
    Eloise Littlejohns

    Director of People and Operations
    Acorn PLMS

  • PANEL: Discover how AI is transforming L&D through scalable, personalised learning to drive workforce growth and engagement

    AI is revolutionising learning & development by enabling personalised learning and scalable strategies for workforce growth. Discover how to harness AI to drive engagement, optimise content delivery, and create data-driven L&D strategies that align with business goals. Hear from industry leaders about how they’re leveraging AI to transform their programs and discover how to implement these innovations in your own organisation.

    Moderator
    David Bellas
    David Bellas

    Director, LinkedIn Talent Solutions
    LinkedIn

    Panellists
    Gemma Mulready
    Gemma Mulready

    General Manager, People & Culture
    Sympli

    Mary Hetherington
    Mary Hetherington

    Director Competency & Learning
    Transport for NSW

    Rebecca Rundle
    Rebecca Rundle

    Head of Learning
    Ramsay Health Care

  • Networking lunch
  • CASE STUDY: Revolutionising e-learning with virtual reality (VR) in 2025

    Discover Specsavers’ journey of integrating virtual reality (VR) into their training programs to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. Learn from the challenges they’ve overcome and how VR is boosting employee engagement, improving knowledge retention, and driving productivity. Walk away with practical insights on how to implement VR in your own training programs to meet the evolving needs of your workforce in 2025.

    Bill Sgubin
    Bill Sgubin

    Digital Design Manager – Retail Training & Development
    Specsavers

  • Case Study: Leadership & career development – Designing learning paths for succession success

    Discover how an award-winning company designed and implemented leadership and career development pathways to drive succession success. This case study will explore how strategic learning initiatives equip high-potential employees with the skills and experience needed for future leadership roles. Whether you’re refining your career development strategy or building one from the ground up, this session will offer practical takeaways to help future-proof your workforce.

    Mathew Paine
    Mathew Paine

    Executive General Manager – People and Culture
    Australian Financial Complaints Authority

  • Afternoon tea and refreshments break
  • PANEL:Driving skills-based talent management through L&D transformation

    How can L&D act as a catalyst for developing targeted programs to achieve skills development? Explore how leading companies are aligning L&D initiatives with skills-based strategies, driving workforce transformation while overcoming common implementation challenges.

     

    Panellists
    Jean Clendinning
    Jean Clendinning

    Head of Organisational Development & Learning and Development
    WSP

    Brenda Hawke FCPHR
    Brenda Hawke FCPHR

    Senior Director Talent and Organisational Development
    Queensland Health

    Georgia Tsamis
    Georgia Tsamis

    Head of Learning and Leadership (Organisational Capability)
    Allianz

  • L&D Leaders unplugged

    Each table will focus on one of the following topics, discussing the challenges and brainstorming practical solutions. After the discussion, each table will share their ideas with the group.

      • AI & VR in Learning: Game-Changer or Gamble? – How do we overcome the challenges of using AI and VR in learning, and what risks come with relying on these tools?
      • Creating a Learning-Obsessed CultureWhat’s stopping us from building a learning culture, and how can we get leadership and employees on board?
      • Future-Proofing Skills for the Next DecadeHow do we ensure the skills we’re developing today will still be valuable in the next 5–10 years?
      • L&D’s Power Play: Driving Real Business ImpactHow can we prove L&D’s value in driving business results and become a more strategic partner?
    Stacey Edmonds MAICD
    Stacey Edmonds MAICD

    Founder & CEO
    Lively, A Learning Agency

  • Networking drinks
  • Day one concludes