Conference Day One: Tuesday, 16th September 2025

Morning Session

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Alexandra Craggs

Portfolio Director - Future of Finance
IQPC

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Brett Walker-Davies

Chief Financial Officer
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

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.

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Tina Taddeo

Chief Financial Officer
Spendless Shoes

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Anish Patel

Chief Financial Officer
Bank Orange

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Melissa Fahey

Chief Financial Officer
Compare Club

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Samuel Samhan

Chief Financial Officer
BluGlass Limited

9:35 am - 10:05 am IBM Keynote | Resilient Finance Leadership: Accelerating Digital Adoption

Winnie Nguyen - Strategic Sales Lead, IBM




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Winnie Nguyen

Strategic Sales Lead
IBM

10:05 am - 10:35 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.

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Mark Stockwell

Senior Director eInvoicing
Australian Taxation Office

An MIT study found that 95% of Gen-AI initiatives showed no returns on investments. The hype for new technologies will keep increasing and push for adopting the next new-gen solution will keep rising. But how will you, a finance leader, determine which technology to invest and how to determine its value?



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Kush Kumar

Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales
Highradius Technologies Private Limited

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Manu Khanna

Vice President of Enterprise Sales
Highradius Technologies Private Limited

11:05 am - 11:30 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

11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG A | AI, ERP and AP Risk: How Finance Leaders Are Rebuilding Trust in Their Data and Processes
David Williams - Managing Director, SignUp Software

In 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. 



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David Williams

Managing Director
SignUp Software

IDG B: Fusion5

11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG B | AI at Work in Finance: From Use Case to Next Case
Jarrod Tuxworth - Senior Solution Architect, Fusion5

With 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. 



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Jarrod Tuxworth

Senior Solution Architect
Fusion5

IDG C:

11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG C | Culture as a Catalyst for Transformation
Stephannie Jonovska - Head of Finance Operations and Transformation, BlueScope

Technology 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.

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Stephannie Jonovska

Head of Finance Operations and Transformation
BlueScope

IDG D:

11:30 am - 1:00 pm IDG D | Balancing the Old and the New: When to Integrate and When to Innovate
Yulia Didenko - Technology Business Partner for Finance, The Lottery Corporation

Every 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.

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Yulia Didenko

Technology Business Partner for Finance
The Lottery Corporation


1:00 pm - 1:50 pm Lunch Break

Enjoy lunch with a side of lively Future of Finance conversation with your peers!

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

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Emily Luo

General Manager
My Home Living Care

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Tom Elkins

Finance Transformation & Digital Director
Lion

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Stephannie Jonovska

Head of Finance Operations and Transformation
BlueScope

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Brett Walker-Davies

Chief Financial Officer
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

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, BlueScope

This 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.

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Kate Wadwell

Manager Source to Pay
BlueScope

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.

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Yulia Didenko

Technology Business Partner for Finance
The Lottery Corporation

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Darina Boteva

Chief Financial Officer
Avolution

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Bill Schafer

Fromer-Chief Financial Officer
Auswide Bank

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Safwan Arshad

Group Chief Financial Officer
Alpha lifecare

Efficiencies & Technologies

3:40 pm - 3:55 pm Demo Drive |

Efficiencies & Technologies

3:55 pm - 4:10 pm Afternoon Break

Enjoy 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
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Jozef Lanc

Senior Finance Growth Manager
Babcock Australia & New Zealand

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.

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James Osborne

Head of Finance – Networks and Group Regulatory Reporting
Jemena

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Karina Kouroutzoglou

Chief Financial Officer
Liberty Industrial

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Nicholas Carder

Chief Financial Officer
Whites Group

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Brett Walker-Davies

Chief Financial Officer
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

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.



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Chris Howard

Chief Operating Officer
Eco Outdoor Group

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Safwan Arshad

Group Chief Financial Officer
Alpha lifecare

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Brad Tuckerman

Sales Manager
Esker ANZ

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Elaine Huang

GM Finance
Siebtechnik Tema

Step into the Future of Finance. Today.

Join us for an exclusive CFO Boardroom Think Tank where we explore how artificial intelligence is not just reshaping finance - it’s augmenting it.
This is your opportunity to experience firsthand how IBM’s AI-powered workflows are enabling finance leaders to drive agility, resilience, and strategic foresight.
In this interactive session, you’ll:
• Discover how 24/7 digital labour can reduce costs, accelerate digital adoption, and ensure compliance in highly regulated industries.
• Explore agile finance capabilities that empower scenario planning, rapid decision-making, and proactive risk management.
• Learn our proven approach to transforming finance teams into high-impact contributors through AI-powered insights and automation.
Whether you're looking to streamline operations, enhance forecasting accuracy, or future-proof your finance function, this session will equip you with the tools and vision to lead the change.



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Keith Moore

Associate Partner: TruQua APAC & ANZ Finance Practice Leader
IBM Australia

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Manjunath Nanjundachar Kadugodi

Finance Transformation Consultant
IBM

CFO Boardroom - Invite Only

2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Discussion Group B | Talent, Leadership & Team Resilience in a Competitive Market
Niluka Perera - Chief Financial Officer, Kildare Ministries
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Niluka Perera

Chief Financial Officer
Kildare Ministries

CFO Boardroom - Invite Only

3:20 pm - 3:40 pm Speed Networking |


CFO Boardroom - Invite Only

3:40 pm - 3:55 pm Demo Drive |

CFO Boardroom - Invite Only

3:55 pm - 4:10 pm Afternoon Break

Enjoy 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
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Niluka Perera

Chief Financial Officer
Kildare Ministries

Step into the Future of Finance. Today.

Join us for an exclusive CFO Boardroom Think Tank where we explore how artificial intelligence is not just reshaping finance - it’s augmenting it.
This is your opportunity to experience firsthand how IBM’s AI-powered workflows are enabling finance leaders to drive agility, resilience, and strategic foresight.
In this interactive session, you’ll:
• Discover how 24/7 digital labour can reduce costs, accelerate digital adoption, and ensure compliance in highly regulated industries.
• Explore agile finance capabilities that empower scenario planning, rapid decision-making, and proactive risk management.
• Learn our proven approach to transforming finance teams into high-impact contributors through AI-powered insights and automation.
Whether you're looking to streamline operations, enhance forecasting accuracy, or future-proof your finance function, this session will equip you with the tools and vision to lead the change.



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Keith Moore

Associate Partner: TruQua APAC & ANZ Finance Practice Leader
IBM Australia

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Manjunath Nanjundachar Kadugodi

Finance Transformation Consultant
IBM

CFO 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.

5:20 pm - 6:20 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!