Chief Risk Officer Leadership Summit 2026

Pre-Conference Workshop

Workshops Will Be Announced Soon!

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.

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

10:45 AM: IT’S TIME....FOR MORNING TEA & NETWORKING!

11:15 AM: Embedding Risk Culture in a World of Uncertainty

 In an era marked by geopolitical instability, climate disruption, digital transformation and shifting regulations, risk cannot sit only with the Chief Risk Officer or the board. It must be understood and managed by everyone from frontline staff to executives. The discussion will tackle how to shift mindsets from “box-ticking” to proactive accountability, how to build resilience through training and communication, and how leaders can model behaviours that encourage openness about risks rather than concealment. Panellists will share examples of what works, what fails, and how a strong risk culture can become a competitive advantage in uncertain times.

12:05 PM From Risk-Aware to Risk-Ready: Building a Culture of Proactive Accountability

Culture is one of the most underestimated levers of risk — and also the hardest to measure. In this session, our speaker will share their experience leading cultural transformation from a risk lens. You’ll gain insight into how to embed risk thinking into daily decision-making,
increase transparency without creating fear, and create an environment where employees take ownership of risk at every level of the organisation.

12:55 PM LUNCH

1:55 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.

2:45 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.

3:35 PM AFTERNOON TEA

4:05 PM: Rebuilding Trust After the Storm: What to Do When It All Goes Wrong

When things go wrong, all eyes are on the CRO. In this powerful session, a leader who has navigated one of Australia’s most high-profile corporate challenges will walk through the moments that tested their leadership — and how they earned back trust from staff, regulators, and the public. Expect raw honesty, key lessons, and inspiration on leading through the worst of times with integrity.

4:55 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.

5:40 PM END OF DAY ONE & NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2

9:00 AM: Cyber, AI and Data Risk in 2025: Staying Ahead of the Digital Curve

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.

9:05 AM: Operational Resilience in Action: Lessons from Real Disruption

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 non-financial 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.

10:40 AM: IT’S TIME....FOR MORNING TEA & NETWORKING!

11:10 AM: Third-Party Risk: Managing the Vendors You Don’t Control

With increasing reliance on cloud services, outsourcing, and complex global supply chains, third-party risk is growing faster than many CROs can track. This session will unpack real-world failures and emerging blind spots in vendor relationships — from cybersecurity gaps to ESG violations — and provide practical advice for managing these risks before they become yours to own. You’ll discover how to design robust due diligence processes, ongoing monitoring frameworks, and internal escalation procedures that reduce exposure without grinding progress to a halt.

12:00 PM: The Right to Disconnect, IR Reform and Litigation Risk: What CROs Need to Know Now

Australia’s industrial relations landscape is shifting fast, with new employee rights, wage compliance laws, and growing legal risk in workforce management. In this legal deep dive, a senior workplace risk expert will outline key compliance changes for 2025, highlight top litigation risk areas, and explore how CROs can proactively support their HR and legal counterparts. This is your opportunity to stay ahead of reputational and financial fallout as the legal landscape tightens.

12:50 PM LUNCH

1:50 PM: From Technical Specialist to Strategic Leader: The Evolving Role of the CRO

The most effective CROs today aren’t just managing risk — they’re shaping strategy. But how do you shift from technical expert to trusted advisor in the C-suite? In this practical session, you’ll hear how one CRO has made the leap from a reactive, report-based model to a forward-facing, influence-driven leadership style. Learn how to build presence with senior stakeholders, speak the language of the board, and influence without authority — while still holding the line on integrity and compliance

2:40 PM: Next-Gen Risk Tools and Tech: Building a Living, Breathing Risk Function

predictive analytics, and flexible frameworks that evolve with the business.
This session will introduce you to the tools and technologies transforming risk management — from automation to continuous monitoring dashboards.
Discover how to select what’s right for your organisation, drive adoption, and elevate your team’s capabilities without adding noise or complexity.

Your Speaker Will Be Announced Soon!

3:30 PM AFTERNOON TEA

4:00 PM: What Exceptional Risk Leadership Looks Like in 2025

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.

4:50 PM SUMMIT CLOSE

Post-Conference Workshop

Workshops Will Be Announced Soon!