Learning & Development Stage

 
Transformative learning: Empowering the strategic role of L&D
8:15 am
Registration opens
9:10 am
Opening remarks from the Chairperson
Emma Weber
Author, Coach, and Facilitator: Being Human in the Age of AI
9:20 am
Welcome remarks from the Event Partner
Blake Proberts
CEO and Co-Founder, Acorn PLMS
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 Amazon is 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.

Genaea O’Byrne
Learning and Development Lead – Asia Pacific and Middle East, Amazon
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.
Ingrid Massey
Director of People - Pacific, CBRE
Moderator
Michelle Fichmann
Director of Organisational Development & Learning, Ramsay Health Care
Carly Walshaw
Talent & Capability Project Manager, Prospa
Steven Smith
Chief Product and Technology Officer, Australian Institute of Management (AIM)
10:40 am
Morning tea and refreshments break
11:10 am
Turning Learning Data Into Clear ROI
HR and L&D leaders have access to more learning data than ever, but often less clarity on what it actually proves. This session focuses on how to use reporting, metrics and technology to clearly demonstrate the ROI of learning and development initiatives. Blake Proberts, CEO and Co-Founder of Acorn, will walk through how assessment data, behavioural capability measurement and gap analysis can be used to track change over time, show impact beyond completions, and improve the efficiency of learning programs. He’ll also cover how AI and analytics can support ongoing measurement and continuous improvement, without adding complexity for HR teams.
Blake Proberts
CEO & Co-Founder, Acorn PLMS
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.

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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 evidence-based L&D can shape smarter decisions, stronger performance and long-term capability – not just better reports. In this fireside chat, our speakers will explore how learning insights can inform wider people and business strategy, influence stakeholders, and guide where to invest (or divest) in L&D. We’ll discuss how to move beyond surface-level metrics to the stories and trends that really matter – from culture and engagement to performance and productivity – and how L&D can confidently lead those conversations at the executive table.
Rebecca Coombes
Group Chief People Officer, The Disability Trust
3:00 pm
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.
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.
Vanessa Trower
Learning & Capability Partner, Nexperk
Moderator
Thomas Bailey
Head of Learning and Development, OFX
Brendan Hill
Strategic Capability Lead, NSW State Insurance Regulatory Authority
Vanessa Blewitt
Enterprise Capability, NAB
4:15 pm
Closing remarks from the chairperson
4:30pm
Networking drinks
5:30pm
End of Learning & Development Stage