Learning & Development Speakers

Genaea has strong experience within a diverse range of roles across manufacturing, mining, energy automotive and technology throughout Asia Pacific and the Middle East. 

Her background includes strategic and operational HR, business transformation, talent and capability, organisational effectiveness, learning and development, workforce design, project management and leadership. 

Currently she is focused on supporting operations by building leadership capability within Amazon leading delivery across APAC. Genaea is incredibly passionate about building the skills of the future and is excited to be speaking at the HR Summit Melbourne.

Rebecca Coombes is the Group Chief People Officer of The Disability Trust, with The Disability Trust being the foundational business in a large conglomerate, 6 key entities, operating within the social/community services sector, and employing 4500 employees across the country.

A seasoned professional with over 25-years of vast HR experience, Rebecca has demonstrated excellence at all levels through to the C-suite. As a member of the prestigious Chief HR Australia group, professional member (CAHRI) of The Australian Human Resources institute for almost 20-years, Rebecca leads as a vivacious and contemporary executive.

With experience working across a range of industries from telecommunications, manufacturing, media and higher education prior to joining the for-purpose sector, Rebecca balances solid commercial acumen with a person-centred approach to her discipline.

Holding a Bachelor of Commerce, Employment Relations, and a Master of Commerce, Human Resources Management (with Distinction), combined with 8-years of experience as an academic lecturer, Rebecca demonstrates commitment to the development of the future of HR.

Rebecca brings the rare balance of theory and practical application in the important space of workforce learning and development - Adult learning being one specialist area of her research and teachings in Academia, and L&D in her working remit for more than 2 decades.

Tiffany Leone is a passionate and values-driven leader in Learning and Organisational Development, dedicated to cultivating environments where individuals and teams thrive. She believes that a company's people are its greatest asset and focuses on building cultures that champion growth and innovation. 
  
As a leader in Organisational Development, Learning and DEIB, she has successfully led the end-to-end design and implementation of global strategies across diverse industries, including Telecommunications, Media, Engineering, Technology, and currently as the Director of Learning & Development at the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). Her work has spanned Australia, the USA, and the UK, and has been instrumental in creating deeper engagement and fostering vibrant cultures. 
  
At the AEMC, Tiffany is particularly focused on enhancing an inclusive, growth-oriented culture. She achieves this through comprehensive people development strategies, including impactful leadership solutions and sustainable DEIB initiatives that empower every individual to reach their full potential.

With more than 20 years of experience across sales, marketing and people development, Thomas Bailey has worked with iconic organisations including Kimberly-Clark, Nestlé, Coca-Cola Amatil, Blackmores, Canon and Novartis, as well as NGOs in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia. Thomas currently serves at the Head of L&D at OFX.

Thomas is passionate about driving real performance through meaningful development, not simply training room exercises.

Thomas continues to operate his own coaching and consultancy practice. Leveraging deep expertise in leadership transformation and strategic development, he is committed to unlocking potential and achieving measurable results aligned to his clients’ personal and professional goals. He is an ICF‑accredited Associate Certified Coach (ACC).

Thomas is also the creator and host of the Rogue L&D podcast, one of Australia’s most popular HR podcasts. Through podcast episodes and short‑form video content, he showcases insights and inspiration from global L&D thought leaders.

Currently sitting on the AITD NSW council having previously served as AITD’s NSW President, Thomas has consistently advocated for L&D professionals, connecting the community, elevating the visibility of the profession, and championing Learning and Development as a critical driver of business success and performance through a vibrant calendar of events.

Vanessa Trower is a Learning, Capability and Transformation Partner at Nexperk, a Sydney-based learning consultancy that helps organisations turn learning into measurable workplace impact. She works with organisations across Australia to design capability, leadership and transformation initiatives that strengthen performance, culture and organisational readiness for change. Vanessa is a regular conference speaker and experienced panel moderator, known for facilitating engaging conversations that connect big ideas with real-world application.