Pre-conference Workshop

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 17th February 2026

**INFLUENCE WITHOUT AUTHORITY:

DRIVING RISK CULTURE ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE**

In today’s complex and decentralised organisations, risk leaders can no longer rely on hierarchy to drive change. Building a strong risk culture requires more than policies and procedures — it demands influence, trust, and a deep understanding of how to shift behaviours across diverse teams. This hands-on workshop equips risk professionals with the tools to lead from the centre, embed risk thinking at every level, and create lasting cultural impact without needing a direct reporting line.

Through practical exercises, real-world case studies, and peer collaboration, you’ll learn how to foster risk ownership across your organisation, communicate with impact at all levels, and influence outcomes even in environments where you don’t hold formal authority. Whether you’re trying to uplift ethical standards, increase psychological safety, or build a proactive risk mindset, this workshop will show you how to lead with confidence and credibility.

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Learn techniques to influence behaviours without relying on positional power

• Build internal credibility and become a trusted advisor to the business

• Shape risk culture using strategic communication and behavioural nudges

• Understand the psychology of organisational change and how to apply it

• Gain tools to engage and empower non–risk staff to take ownership

• Walk away with a practical action plan to embed risk culture in your organisation

Conference Day 1

8:55 AM: Opening Remarks from Chair

Michael brings sharp insight and no-nonsense analysis to the global forces reshaping risk as we know it. In this key session, he’ll unpack the real-world consequences of shifting superpower dynamics, economic decoupling, trade weaponisation, and political instability —
and what it all means for risk leaders in Australia. With markets more exposed than ever to events far beyond our borders, Michael will challenge delegates to rethink their assumptions, question short-term comfort, and prepare for a world where geopolitics is no longer
background noise but a defining force in strategic planning.

SESSION 2 10:50 AM: High Stakes, Higher Standards: Risk Leadership in a Regulated World

In an industry defined by regulation and public scrutiny, risk isn’t just a function—it’s a frontline priority. As Chief Risk Officer at Tabcorp, Paul has reshaped how risk is managed in one of Australia’s most tightly regulated sectors. In this session, Paul shares how to balance compliance with commercial outcomes, build resilient frameworks, and embed risk into the culture of a business where the stakes are always high

SESSION 3 11:40 AM: Embedding Risk Culture Where It Matters Most. Lessons From High Risk, High Accountability Environments

In mining, risk culture is shaped by the realities of daily operations. Decisions made on site influence safety, environmental impact and community trust, and this creates a level of accountability that is immediate and visible. In this session Fiona Murphitt will draw on her experience leading health, safety, environment, risk and social performance to show how a strong culture is built from the ground up. She will explain how clear expectations, reliable processes and consistent leadership behaviour allow teams to manage uncertainty long before issues escalate.

Fiona will share insights from a sector where operational disruption, regulatory scrutiny and community expectations are constant pressures. She will explore how front line teams interpret risk guidance, how to build practical resilience into everyday work and how leaders can create the conditions for honest reporting and early intervention. Delegates will learn how a well embedded operational risk culture strengthens performance, supports sustainability goals and builds long term organisational credibility.

12:30 PM: LUNCH

SESSION 4 1:30 PM: Leading Through People Risk in a Changing Workforce

The human side of risk is shifting faster than ever. From workforce fatigue to shifting expectations in hybrid teams, the challenge for risk leaders is to move beyond frameworks and connect with what really drives behaviour. In this session, Dhiba Daniel explores how leaders can turn people risk into a strategic advantage. Drawing on her experience leading group risk in complex service environments, she’ll unpack how to identify early warning signs of stress and disengagement, foster open dialogue about wellbeing and accountability, and embed practical safeguards that protect both people and performance. You’ll learn how to approach people risk not as a compliance problem but as a leadership opportunity — one that builds stronger, more resilient teams ready to perform under pressure.

SESSION 5 2:20 PM: Building a Culture of Risk Ownership in Complex Institutions

In a sector where reputational risk, academic freedom, and stakeholder complexity intersect, managing risk goes far beyond compliance. In this session, Nisha Padmanabhan draws on her experience at one of Australia’s leading universities to explore how risk leaders can foster a culture of shared responsibility, navigate competing priorities, and build resilience in large, decentralised environments. She’ll share practical insights on engaging non-risk staff, aligning institutional values with risk appetite, and leading with influence in complex governance structures

3:10 PM AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: CLOSING KEYNOTE 3:30 PM: Managing People Risk in a Hybrid, High-Stress World

Anne Marie Patterson will examine how people risk is evolving in an environment defined by hybrid work, heightened regulation and organisational pressure. Drawing on her experience leading enterprise risk, integrity programs, and risk culture transformations, she will share practical insights into addressing burnout, disengagement, and ethical grey zones before they escalate. 

The session will highlight approaches for monitoring psychological safety, strengthening resilience, and embedding ethical conduct across distributed teams. Attendees will gain tools and examples for reducing culture-based risks from within, and for building workplaces where people feel safe, accountable, and connected even under sustained stress

4:20 PM: END OF DAY ONE & NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2

SESSION 1: OPENING KEYNOTE 9:00 AM: Cyber, AI and Data Risk in 2026 — Strengthening Oversight in the Age of Intelligent Systems

In this keynote, you’ll hear from a tech-savvy CRO leading a risk transformation
in one of Australia’s most cyber-targeted industries. Learn how to future-proof your risk strategy by aligning with IT, building AI-ready governance models, and monitoring evolving digital threats before they hit the headlines. You’ll walk away with frameworks to build resilience into your tech stack and elevate your voice in enterprise-wide transformation conversations.

10:10 AM: MORNING TEA

SESSION 2 10:40 AM: Global Perspectives on ESG and Reputational Risk

With more than two decades in credit, enterprise, ESG and reputational risk management across Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong, Raveen brings a truly international perspective on how organisations can balance opportunity and risk in a rapidly shifting environment. In this session, he will explore how ESG considerations and reputational risk are reshaping investment decisions, and why effective governance must integrate both financial and nonf inancial dimensions of risk. Drawing on lessons from complex credit structuring and portfolio management, he will share insights into building risk strategies that protect long-term value, maintain trust and support sustainable growth.

SESSION 3 11:30 AM: People, Privacy and Cyber

In this key session, Jihad will discuss the critical connection between people risk, privacy and cyber resilience. He will outline how human behaviour is often the deciding factor in whether controls succeed or fail, and why culture and accountability matter as much as technology. The session will share practical approaches for embedding privacy and cyber awareness into daily routines, from role clarity and training through to open reporting of near misses. Attendees will gain insights into building a workforce that feels responsible, confident, and empowered to act safely in an evolving risk environment.

12:30 PM: LUNCH

SESSION 4 1:30 PM: Embedding a Strong Risk Culture Across Wealth and Super. Lessons from Real Transformation

In a landscape shaped by regulatory pressure, market volatility and rising customer expectations, a resilient risk culture is more than a compliance requirement. It is central to how a wealth business protects members and maintains trust. Julia Pryor will draw on her experience across superannuation, advice, platforms and funds management to show how risk ownership can be embedded throughout complex environments.

She will explain how her teams at AMP have translated governance frameworks into practical day to day behaviours that lift standards and support stronger decision making.Julia will share lessons from cultural transformation work within the wealth sector, along with practical strategies risk leaders can use to build accountability, strengthen communication and align teams to a shared purpose. Delegates will gain an understanding of how a strong risk culture can become a genuine competitive advantage, even as regulatory and market conditions continue to shift.

SESSION 5 2:20 PM: What Exceptional Risk Leadership Looks Like in 2026

In this closing keynote, a seasoned risk leader shares hard-won lessons on leading through ambiguity, earning trust across the organisation, and cultivating the mindset needed to thrive in one of the most high-stakes roles in the business. Expect a powerful reflection on courage, clarity, and character — and leave feeling equipped to lead your risk function with renewed purpose.

3:10 PM: AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: CLOSING KEYNOTE 3:30 PM: From Risk Manager to Strategic Leader

A panel of CROs from across industries reflect on the expanded scope of their roles — and how they’re preparing themselves, their teams and their organisations for what’s coming next. This session will explore how CROs can influence board strategy, partner with the CEO and CFO, and build credibility as enterprise-wide leaders of value, not just risk.

4:30 PM: SUMMIT CLOSE

Post-conference Workshop

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 20th February 2026

DESIGNING AI-READY RISK FRAMEWORKS

AI is no longer an emerging issue — it’s a defining force in how businesses operate, compete, and manage risk. For today’s CRO, this means building governance structures that both enable innovation and protect the business from unintended consequences. In this timely and practical workshop, you’ll explore how to prepare your organisation for the risks and rewards of AI by designing robust, adaptable frameworks that stay ahead of technology’s rapid evolution.

With expert facilitation and real-world case studies, you’ll learn how to identify where AI is already impacting your risk profile, establish clear accountability, and integrate AI oversight into your enterprise risk function. Whether you’re navigating regulatory grey zones, algorithmic bias, data governance, or AI-driven disruption, this workshop will help you take a proactive leadership role in shaping your organisation’s AI future.

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Understand the unique risk exposures introduced by AI and machine learning

• Learn how to design risk frameworks that adapt to evolving technology

• Explore governance models for AI oversight, accountability, and compliance

• Identify red flags in AI deployment — from bias to black-box decisions

• Discover how to partner effectively with data, IT, and digital teams

• Build your leadership capability to guide AI strategy at the executive level