SSOW ANZ 2026: The Next Frontier for Shared Services
SSOW 2026 Day 1: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
9:00 am - 9:10 am
Chair’s Opening Remarks | The Big Picture: What’s Ahead for Australia’s SSOW Community
9:10 am - 9:50 am
Leadership Panel | AI, Agentic Ops & the End of Transactional Work
Explore how AI and agentic operations are reshaping shared services by eliminating repetitive tasks and unlocking higher-value, strategic work.
9:50 am - 10:20 am
Breaking Silos: Building a Unified Enterprise Backbone
Discuss strategies to integrate processes, data, and teams across business units to create a connected, agile, and efficient enterprise
10:20 am - 10:40 am
Speed Networking
10:40 am - 11:10 am
Reinventing the Operating Model for Speed, Scale & Intelligence
Luke Short -
Senior Director of Commercial Transformation for Sales Effectiveness and DX,
PepsiCo
Unpacking how organizations can redesign their operating models to drive faster decision-making, scalable growth, and smarter use of data and technology.
Luke Short
Senior Director of Commercial Transformation for Sales Effectiveness and DXPepsiCo
11:10 am - 11:40 am
Morning Break
Interactive Discussion Groups: Unscripted. Unfiltered. Unmissable
IDG A
11:40 am - 1:10 pm | Shared Services & AI: Moving Beyond Pilots to Scaled AdoptionIDG B
11:40 am - 1:10 pm Shared Services Operating Models: Reinventing for Scale and AgilityIDG C
11:40 am - 1:10 pm Shared Services as Value Creators: Proving Impact Beyond Cost SavingsIDG D
11:40 am - 1:10 pm Shared Services Innovation: Expanding Services and Enterprise ImpctIDG E
11:40 am - 1:10 pm AI-Powered Finance: Unlocking ROI in Forecasting, Planning & ComplianceIDG F
11:40 am - 1:10 pm IDG F |NextGen FP&A: Predictive, Continuous and Data-Driven
1:10 pm - 2:10 pm
Networking Lunch & VIP Hosted Lunches
Join us in the expo hall for a relaxed networking lunch with the full Shared Service community - connect with peers, explore the exhibition, and recharge for the afternoon ahead. For invited guests, exclusive VIP lunches will run concurrently bringing senior leaders and select partners together for high-impact conversations in a more intimate setting.
SSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
2:10 pm - 2:40 pm PANEL DISCUSSION | Multi Speed Enterprise: Can you innovate and Standardise at the Same Time? Luke Short - Senior Director of Commercial Transformation for Sales Effectiveness and DX, PepsiCoFran Olidar - Head of Shared Services,, Virtus health
SSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
2:40 pm - 3:00 pm THINK TANK A | Innovation Without Exposure Andrya Mckinlay - Associate Director, Finance Operations Shared Services, HealthShare NSW
SSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
3:00 pm - 3:20 pm THINK TANK B |Who Owns Transofrmation in an AI worldSSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm THINK TANK C | Collaboration Without Silos Lisa Seary - Head of Shared Services, Boral
SSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
3:40 pm - 4:10 pm Afternoon BreakSSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
4:10 pm - 4:40 pm EXECUTIVE STORY | Turning Shared Services Into a Value Engine Amanda Oblea - Head Shared Services (Finance Transformation Lead), ALDI Stores Australia
SSOW Executive Boardroom (by invite only)
4:40 pm - 5:10 pm PANEL DISCUSSION | Building the Shared services Workforce of Tomorrow Cara Hemsley - Director of Business & Shared Services, Studio MessaRachel Anderson - Head of Business Connect (Shared Services), Sydney Water
Lisa Seary - Head of Shared Services, Boral
SSOW Plenary: From Cost to Value
2:10 pm - 2:40 pm From Cost Savings to Value Creation – Building the Next Chapter of Shared ServicesSSOW Plenary: From Cost to Value
2:40 pm - 3:10 pm FINANCE EXECUTIVE TALK | Turning Shared Services Into a Source of Competitive AdvantageInsights on how finance leaders are leveraging shared services for enterprise agility and growth
SSOW Plenary: From Cost to Value
3:10 pm - 3:40 pm TECH TALK | Automation, AI & Digital Platforms as Engines of Value Creation Kimberley Haines - Human Resources Services and Systems Manager, AustNetLearn how automation, AI, and digital platforms can be harnessed to create measurable value and transform business operations.
SSOW Plenary: From Cost to Value
3:40 pm - 4:10 pm Afternoon BreakSSOW Plenary: From Cost to Value
4:10 pm - 4:40 pm HR LEADERSHIP PANEL | Reskilling for Digital – Closing the Talent Capability Gap in Services Jo Duncan - Head of Shared Services (Snr Exec/ GM), Airservices AustraliaLisianne Hall - Head of People Services, Anglicare
Kane Paekau - General Manager Shared Services, Fulton Hogan
SSOW Plenary: From Cost to Value
4:40 pm - 5:10 pm How Shared Services organisations reset culture, skills, and execution to thrive in an AI-first era
5:10 pm - 6:10 pm
SSOW Impact Awards & Drinks Reception
Celebrate excellence, innovation, and impact at the SSOW Impact Awards. Join us as we recognise the leaders, teams, and initiatives redefining service delivery, enterprise value, and transformation across ANZ. From breakthrough automation projects to bold operating model reinventions, these awards spotlight the work that is truly moving the industry forward
