Finance Forward: Transforming Strategy, Empowering
People, Driving Value
Australia’s #1 Event for Finance Leaders! Celebrating 14 years!
People, Driving Value
Conference Day One: Tuesday, 16th September 2025
Morning Session
9:00 am - 9:05 am
IQPC Opening Remarks |
Alexandra Craggs -
Portfolio Director - Future of Finance,
IQPC
9:05 am - 9:10 am
Chair's Opening Remarks |
Brett Walker-Davies -
Finance Director,
Brisbane Grammar School
9:10 am - 9:50 am
Panel Discussion | Shaping the Future: The Evolving Role of CFOs as Strategic Leaders in Business Operations
Tina Taddeo -
Chief Financial Officer,
Spendless Shoes
Anish Patel - Chief Financial Officer, Bank Orange
Melissa Fahey - Chief Financial Officer, Compare Club
Samuel Samhan - Chief Financial Officer, BluGlass Limited
As the role of CFOs expands beyond traditional financial oversight, they are now pivotal strategic leaders driving organisational growth and innovation. This panel will explore how CFOs are navigating their evolving responsibilities, leveraging technology, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to shape the future of business operations.
9:50 am - 10:20 am
IBM Keynote | Resilient Finance Leadership: Accelerating Digital Adoption
Winnie Nguyen -
Strategic Sales Lead,
IBM
10:20 am - 10:50 am
eInvoicing and Mandates: A Cost Effective Solution for Today; a Catalyst for Transformation Tomorrow
Mark Stockwell -
Senior Director eInvoicing,
Australian Taxation Office
This keynote case study explores how organisations successfully navigate complex economic and business landscapes, focusing on strategic decision-making, risk management, and long-term value creation in times of uncertainty.
10:50 am - 11:20 am
Morning Break
Solve your Finance Transformation Challenge with the input, advice, perspective and experience of your peers!
During this part of the event, attendees attend their pre-selected interactive discussions. Delegates can select 3 x interactive discussion groups, each lasting 30 minutes. Discussion groups are hosted by experts and kept intimate to allow all attendees the opportunity to discuss your most pressing questions in an informal yet constructive approach to problem solving.
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION GROUP SESSION
IDG A: SignUp Software
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG A | AI, ERP and AP Risk: How Finance Leaders Are Rebuilding Trust in Their Data and Processes David Williams - Managing Director, SignUp SoftwareIn an era of accelerating AI, increasingly complex regulatory environments, and rising fraud risks, the role of the ERP is evolving, not disappearing. This roundtable explores how finance leaders are building trust in their data and processes while navigating the intersection of automation, compliance, and control. Unpack the real-world challenges of managing AP data integrity, securing vendor payments, and enabling AI-driven value within a safe, governed ERP environment.
Sponsored by: SignUp Software
IDG B: Fusion5
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG B | AI at Work in Finance: From Use Case to Next Case Jarrod Tuxworth - Senior Solution Architect, Fusion5With an avalanche of AI news coming in on what seems like a daily basis, it's easy to lose focus on the practical steps you should be taking today to leverage this new technology. Join us to share your AI success stories and hear about other businesses' efforts adopting AI within their finance teams. Let's also discuss the direction that the AI field is moving in, to improve our ability to exercise judgement when deciding on which future AI endeavours to proceed with.
Sponsored by: Fusion5
IDG C:
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG C | Culture as a Catalyst for TransformationTechnology may enable transformation, but people and culture make it stick. In this session, we’ll examine how finance leaders are fostering team cultures that encourage agility, continuous learning, and cross-functional collaboration. Share your experiences on shifting mindsets, overcoming resistance to change, and building finance teams that see transformation as opportunity rather than disruption.
IDG D:
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG D | Balancing the Old and the New: When to Integrate and When to InnovateEvery finance team faces the same dilemma: maximise what you have, or invest in what’s next? This session dives into how organisations are approaching integration and innovation, from modernising ERPs to layering in automation and AI. We’ll discuss strategies to avoid tech debt, manage vendor complexity, and build finance systems that can adapt as the business grows.
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch with a side of lively Future of Finance conversation with your peers!
Efficiencies & Technologies
1:50 pm - 2:30 pm Panel Discussion | Streamlining Operations: Redefining Processes for Greater Efficiency Emily Luo - General Manager, My Home Living CareTom Elkins - Finance Transformation and Strategy Manager, Lion Dairy & Drinks
Stephannie Jonovska - Head of Finance Operations and Transformation, BlueScope
Brett Walker-Davies - Finance Director, Brisbane Grammar School
This panel will explore innovative strategies and technologies for transforming financial operations, driving efficiency through streamlined processes, improved governance, and cultural change. Speakers will share real-world examples of how they’ve optimised resources, leveraged technology, and positioned their teams for growth and success
Efficiencies & Technologies
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Case Study | From Manual to Automated: Transforming Financial Workflows with Technology Kate Wadwell - Manager Source to Pay, BlueScopeThis case study showcases the journey of transforming financial workflows from manual processes to automation, highlighting the efficiencies gained, cost reductions, and enhanced accuracy through the integration of cutting-edge technology.
Efficiencies & Technologies
3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Panel Discussion | Tech-Driven Innovation in Finance: Overcoming Barriers to Adoption Yulia Didenko - Technology Business Partner for Finance, The Lottery CorporationDarina Boteva - Chief Financial Officer, Avolution
Bill Schafer - Chief Financial Officer, Auswide Bank
Safwan Arshad - Group Chief Financial Officer, Alpha lifecare
Mo Hossain - EGM – Financial Planning & Analysis, CAR Group
As technology reshapes the financial landscape, organisations must overcome barriers to unlock its full potential. This panel will explore strategies for driving tech-driven innovation, addressing challenges in adoption, and leveraging emerging technologies to transform financial operations.
Efficiencies & Technologies
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon BreakEnjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!
Efficiencies & Technologies
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm Case Study | Long-Term Financial Planning Jozef Lanc - Senior Finance Growth Manager, Babcock Australia & New Zealand
Efficiencies & Technologies
4:30 pm - 5:10 pm Panel Discussion | Future-Ready Finance Architecture: Building with Scalability in Mind James Osborne - General Manager – Business Performance, JemenaKarina Kouroutzoglou - Chief Financial Officer, Liberty Industrial
Nicholas Carder - Chief Financial Officer, Whites Group
Brett Walker-Davies - Finance Director, Brisbane Grammar School
This panel explores how finance leaders are designing scalable and adaptable system architectures that can evolve with business growth, market demands, and organisational change. The discussion will focus on balancing flexibility with control, reducing system sprawl, and ensuring integration efforts are aligned with long-term strategic goals.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
1:50 pm - 2:30 pm Panel Discussion | The Role of the CFO: From Numbers to Business Leadership Chris Howard - Chief Operating Officer, Eco Outdoor GroupSafwan Arshad - Group Chief Financial Officer, Alpha lifecare
Brad Tuckerman - Sales Manager, Esker ANZ
The modern CFO is no longer confined to managing numbers but is now a key driver of business strategy and leadership. This panel will delve into how CFOs are embracing this transformation, balancing financial expertise with visionary leadership to create lasting organisational impact.
Sponsored by: Esker
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Discussion Group A | Transforming Finance with AI Workflows Keith Moore - Associate Partner: TruQua APAC & ANZ Finance Practice Leader, IBM AustraliaSponsored by: IBM
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Discussion Group B | Data Driven Decision-Making Lauren Talbot - Chief Financial Officer, Robson Civil Projects
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
3:20 pm - 3:40 pm Feedback Discussion |In this session, groups will each have 10 minutes to share their discussions and takeaways with the whole boardroom.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon BreakEnjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Discussion Group A | Talent, Leadership & Team Resilience in a Competitive Market Niluka Perera - Chief Financial Officer, Kildare Ministries
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Discussion Group B | Risks and Opportunities in an AI Powered WorldCFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:50 pm - 5:10 pm Feedback Discussion |In this session, groups will each have 10 minutes to share their discussions and takeaways with the whole boardroom.
5:10 pm - 6:10 pm
Future of Finance 2024: Spring Fling Drinks Reception & Finance Innovator Awards
The sun is out, and it’s time to enjoy! Enjoy the Spring Fling themed drinks reception – what could be more fun than conversation, cocktails, and colleagues, all celebrating the progress of the Finance Function!
