Learning & Development Stage
Transformative learning: Empowering the strategic role of L&D
8:15 am
Registration opens
9:15 am
Opening remarks from the Chairperson
9:20 am
Welcome remarks from the Event Partner
9:25 am
Smarter Learning: Harnessing AI to Personalise and Accelerate Development
AI is changing how organisations approach learning and development, offering new ways to personalise experiences and track outcomes. This session explores how senior L&D leaders are using AI to identify skills gaps, optimise learning pathways, and make development initiatives more impactful. Walk away with practical strategies for integrating AI into your learning programs to strengthen workforce capability and readiness.
Mel Bradshaw
Global Learning Lead, Canva
10:05 am
PANEL: Bridging the Digital Divide – Aligning Tech Literacy to Future Readiness
L&D is at the forefront of building digital skills and confidence across the workforce. This panel explores practical strategies to upskill teams quickly, reduce tech anxiety, and foster a culture of continuous learning. Hear how organisations are aligning digital learning initiatives with business priorities, measuring impact, and creating inclusive programs that help employees thrive in a digital-first world.
Michelle Fichmann
Director of Organisational Development & Learning, Ramsay Health Care
Carly Walshaw
Talent & Capability Project Manager, Prospa
Zainab Bloomfield
Learning Architect - Digital Skills, Australian Institute of Management (AIM)
10:40 am
Morning tea and refreshments break
11:10 am
Future-Proof by Design: The Skills-Based Approach to L&D
As disruption accelerates, only skills-first organisations will thrive. This session equips senior L&D leaders with bold, practical strategies to ditch outdated job models and unleash real agility—by mapping, measuring, and mobilising talent at speed. Learn how to build a future-proof skills engine, harness cutting-edge tech, and create learning pathways that keep your workforce ahead of the curve.
11:40 am
L&D Leaders Unplugged: Discussion Tables
Engage directly with peers to explore current L&D challenges and share practical strategies. These sessions offer focused discussions designed to deliver actionable insights for senior L&D leaders.
Interested in facilitating a discussion table? We’re looking for dynamic thought leaders and industry experts to facilitate some of today’s most relevant and thought-provoking conversations in HR. If this sounds like you, we’d love to connect—contact us here.
12:40 pm
Networking lunch
1:50 pm
Reimagining the classroom – next-gen learning design and delivery
Hear how Grant Thornton transformed workforce capability development through innovative learning design to improve the people experience—integrating personalised learning experiences into everyday workflows, using digital credentialling to track outcomes, and applying modern technologies to enhance instructional design and impact measurement. This session reveals how L&D can apply data-driven approaches, adaptive assessment models, and analytics-enabled dashboards to design smarter interventions and measure what matters most, ultimately creating a future-ready workforce through strategic capability development.
Jemma Hirst
Head of Tech Training, Grant Thornton
2:30 pm
FIRESIDE CHAT: Evidence-Based L&D – Do Your Metrics Really Prove Learning Impact?
Discover how data-driven strategies and real-world metrics provide strategic insight into performance, productivity and beyond. This thought-provoking discussion will examine practical strategies for continuous improvement, learner behaviour analysis, and reporting in L&D. Join us to find out how L&D can proactively take the lead on measuring learning impact—one data point at a time.
Rebecca Coombes
Group Chief People Officer, The Disability Trust
3:00 pm
CASE STUDY: Levelling Up – Key Lessons Unlocked in LMS Implementation
When a leading organisation overhauled its learning platform, the stakes were high: adoption, engagement, and measurable business impact all depended on getting it right. This case study shares how they navigated change management, empowered staff with targeted learning, and aligned the LMS with organisational goals. Hear the real-world lessons—what worked, what didn’t, and how continuous feedback drove adoption, improved outcomes, and strengthened their digital learning strategy.
3:20 pm
Afternoon tea and refreshments break
3:40 pm
PANEL: The Future of Learning – Gamechangers Transforming L&D
The learning landscape is being radically reshaped by trends like AI-powered personalisation, skills-based development, immersive digital experiences, and the rise of micro-learning and continuous feedback. Staying ahead means embracing these game-changers now, equipping your teams to thrive in complexity and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. From emerging tech to revolutionary tools, find out what’s changing the game in the learning ecosystem.
Thomas Bailey
Head of Learning and Development, OFX
Brendan Hill
Strategic Capability Lead, NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority
4:15 pm
Closing remarks from the chairperson
4:30pm
Networking drinks
5:30pm