New Leaders Summit 2025

Pre-Conference Workshop 1

09:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Building Influence and Strategic Credibility as an HR Leader

From HR Operator to Strategic Partner: Step Into Your Power

Aspiring and mid-level HR leaders are often told to “be more strategic” — but what does that actually mean in the real world of business demands, executive relationships, and cross-functional
complexity?

This immersive half-day masterclass is designed to equip you with the tools, mindset and influence strategies needed to elevate your voice and impact as an HR professional. You’ll learn how to frame your ideas for business audiences, build trust with senior leaders, and make a clear case for HR-led initiatives that drive performance, engagement and culture change.

This session is ideal for HR professionals ready to shift from supporting the strategy to shaping it.

The Reality HR Professionals Face:

• Struggling to gain a seat at the table or have ideas taken seriously
•  Feeling caught between transactional tasks and transformation goals
• Working hard but lacking visibility or influence with decision-makers

Your 5-Step Strategic Influence Framework:

• How to speak the language of commercial value in your HR initiatives
• Building executive relationships through trust, credibility, and alignment
• Structuring your strategic messages to get a “yes” from the C-suite
• Navigating resistance or competing agendas with grace and confidence
• Positioning yourself as a future HR leader and change enabler

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Learn to frame HR initiatives in strategic, business-first language
• Build your confidence and executive presence as a change leader
• Gain practical tools to map stakeholders and influence decision-making
• Understand what executives want from HR — and how to deliver it
• Walk away with a personal roadmap to elevate your impact in your role

Conference Day 1: 26th November

09:00 AM Welcome to Country

9:05 AM Opening Remarks from Chair & TLI Introduction

Session 1 - 09:20 From Manager to Visionary — Lessons from a Modern CEO

Hear directly from a senior Rose  who started where you are and climbed the ranks to lead a major organisation. This keynote-style session shares the real story behind the rise — including the challenges, mindset shifts, and big lessons that shaped their leadership journey.

10:10 AM: It’s Time.....for Networking!

10:30 AM MORNING TEA

Session 2 - 11:00 AM: Scaling Innovation Through a Culture of Care: Leading Growth Without Losing Heart

Innovation isn’t just about breakthrough technology — it’s about creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered to think differently. Rob’s journey through complex operations and major project transformations demonstrates how authentic care for your team becomes the foundation for sustained innovation during rapid growth. This session explores practical strategies for maintaining innovative thinking as companies scale, building psychological safety that encourages risk-taking, and creating systems that support both individual and collective achievement. Attendees will learn how a culture of care isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the strategic advantage that enables growing companies to innovate consistently while retaining top talent.

Session 3 - 11:50 AM Leading with Influence, Not Just Authority: Authentic Leadership Across Industries

True leadership isn’t about telling people what to do — it’s about bringing people with you. Charles’ transition from global food operations to Australian aquaculture CEO demonstrates how authentic leaders build influence through relationship building and strategic communication rather than just formal authority. This session will explore practical strategies for earning trust across diverse teams, communicating effectively at all organizational levels, and leading through major transitions. Attendees will learn how to build influence early in their careers by connecting genuinely with people and delivering value, proving that authentic leadership comes from who you are and how you engage, not just the title you hold.

12:50 PM Lunch

Session 4 - EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE 1:50 PM: Creativity and Fear

In this compelling keynote, Todd Sampson unpacks the two most powerful forces in leadership and innovation: creativity and fear.

He shares the origin story of Earth Hour, now one of the largest global environmental movements in history—an idea born in a Sydney hotel room by a small, ordinary group of people using nothing more than their imagination. That story becomes the anchor for a deeper message: creativity is the last competitive advantage in a world increasingly driven by algorithms and sameness. Drawing on personal experiences—from being trapped in a blizzard on Denali to taking the reins as a reluctant CEO—Todd reveals how fear is often the invisible force that kills our best ideas before they begin. Using humour, insight, and actionable techniques, he shows how creativity can be learned, and fear managed—if we’re willing to be braver for just five minutes longer.

This talk is both a rallying cry and a roadmap for leaders and teams to embrace bold thinking, take action, and tap into the creative potential that exists within all of us. Because if Earth Hour taught us anything, it’s that ordinary people with a simple idea can help change the world. SESSION 5

Session 5 - 2:40 PM Strategic Thinking for Emerging Leaders

Strategy isn’t just for the C-suite. Learn how to think big, connect the dots and make smarter decisions with the bigger picture in mind. This session gives you the tools to shift from taskoriented to strategic thinking — a critical skill for every future-ready leader.

3:30 PM AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: EXECUTIVE FIRESIDE CHAT 3:50 PM: Building Trust and Driving Performance

With over 25 years at Allianz Australia, including seven years as Managing Director and previous senior leadership roles spanning product management, technical operations, and governance, Richard brings a wealth of experience in leading people through change and driving results in a complex, customer-focused industry. In this fireside chat, Richard will reflect on the importance of building trust, setting clear expectations, and fostering a positive culture, while also sharing the lessons he has learned as both a leader and a father. Designed for emerging leaders, this conversation will offer practical insights and timeless advice on managing performance, navigating challenges with empathy, and inspiring teams to succeed.

4:50 PM END OF DAY ONE & NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2: 27th November

09:00 AM Opening Remarks from the Chair & Acknowledgment of Country

Session 1 - 09:10 AM  Leading with Influence, Not Just Authority

In this session, Manoj will share how his philosophy of Empowerment, Experiment and Execution has enabled him to build high-performing teams without relying solely on positional power. He will show how cultural intelligence, genuine mentorship and inclusive leadership practices have been central to his ability to design growth strategies, attract top talent and foster succession planning across multiple regions. Attendees will gain practical insights into how leaders can use authentic experiences and diverse perspectives to create lasting influence that drives both business outcomes and organisational transformation.

Session 2 - 10:00 AM: Difficult Conversations Done Right

Leadership means stepping into discomfort — especially when the conversation is tough. Learn how to handle conflict, deliver feedback, and address sensitive issues in a way that’s respectful, clear and productive.

10:50 AM Morning Tea

Session 3 - 11:20 AM Building Your Leadership Brand

What do people say about you when you’re not in the room? This session helps you shape your leadership identity and leave the kind of impression that builds trust, respect and opportunity. Learn how to develop a consistent leadership presence online and in the workplace.

Session 4 -  KEYNOTE ADDRESS & EXTENDED Q&A 12:10 PM: Unleashing the Champion Within: Lessons in Leadership and Momentum

In this energising keynote, Olympic swim coach Dean Boxall shares how to unlock peak performance even when the pressure is on. Drawing on his experience coaching champions like Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan, Dean reveals how the same principles that drive athletes to world-class success can help new leaders thrive. Through real stories from the pool deck, delegates will learn how to build momentum, develop resilience, and harness the mindset of a champion in their own leadership journey. Dean’s infectious energy and practical strategies will inspire emerging leaders to stay focused under pressure, support their teams through challenges, and find the confidence to lead with heart and purpose.

1:10 PM LUNCH

Session 5 - 2:40 PM: The First 90 Days — Setting Yourself Up for Success

Whether you’re about to take on a leadership role or you’ve just stepped into one, what you do in the first 90 days matters. This session walks you through how to gain trust, set direction, and create momentum from the start.

Session 6 - 3:10 PM The Leadership Journey — A Conversation with Future You

We close the summit with a candid, uplifting conversation between past, present and future leadership experiences. Hear from a panel of diverse leaders about the turning points that defined their careers, what they wish they’d known starting out, and the advice they’d give to their younger selves — and to you.

4:00 PM ECLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshop 

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM STRATEGIC WORKFORCE PLANNING AND CAPABILITY MAPPING FOR THE FUTURE

Shifting from Reactive Hiring to Proactive Workforce Design

The workforce is changing — fast. New technologies, evolving expectations, and rapid disruption are making old HR plans obsolete. That’s why strategic workforce planning is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s essential. This full-day workshop gives HR professionals the practical tools to plan for future workforce
needs, map current capability, and align talent strategies with business growth. You’ll learn how to  create skills frameworks, identify gaps, and build future-focused plans that your executive team will  respect and use. If you want to future-proof your people strategy, this is the session for you.

The Reality HR Professionals Face:

• Constantly reacting to hiring needs instead of planning ahead
• No clear picture of the organisation’s future capability requirements
• Struggling to engage business leaders in proactive workforce conversations

Your Strategic Planning Toolkit:

• How to conduct a workforce planning needs analysis
• Identifying critical roles and future skill sets in your organisation
• Building a simple but effective capability framework
• Mapping internal talent potential and development needs
• Aligning people plans with business and technology strategy

Key Benefits of Attending:

• Learn practical workforce planning models and apply them live
• Understand how to build capability maps that guide investment decisions
• Gain confidence engaging leaders in strategic HR planning
• Identify workforce risks and future-proof your talent pipeline
• Walk away with a draft strategic workforce plan ready to refine