Adam Spencer, Drawcard MC

A math genius, radio and television presenter, author and TEDx speaker whose talk attracted over two million views, Adam has interviewed bestselling authors, astronauts, CEOs, and CIOs of some of the world’s largest companies, winners of Nobel Prizes, and every Prime Minister on-stage since Gough Whitlam, among others. 

Adam Spencer has been a breakfast radio announcer on Triple J and ABC Sydney, TV personality on everything from comedies Good News Week and The Glasshouse to weekly sports wrap The Back Page, and is a member of the Sleek Geeks Science Team with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.

Stela Solar, Director, National Artificial Intelligence Centre

Stela Solar is passionate about removing barriers to positive technology adoption and engagement. Over the past 15 years, Stela has cultivated expertise in capturing new revenue opportunities presented by emerging technologies, particularly through business model transformation. Stela leads Australia’s National AI Centre hosted by CSIRO, and has held several roles at Microsoft including Global Director of AI Solution Sales, as well as roles across IT distributors and technology startups.

Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency

Chris was appointed CEO at the Agency in 2021 and is responsible for leading the agency to ensure we deliver on the Government’s digital transformation agenda. Chris has extensive experience in state government services, focusing on large scale digital and ICT reform and transformation programs as well as implementing contemporary investment, contestability, and governance frameworks. Before joining the Australian Public Service, Chris was the Queensland Government Chief Customer and Digital Officer, the Chief Digital and Product Officer at Service NSW and held a number of CIO positions across the NSW and Queensland governments. 

Ben Beeching, Chief Data Officer, Bank of Queensland

Ben is a Data and Analytics executive with deep industry and consultancy experience. He specialises in the end-user adoption of data and analytics solutions and focus on the economic and social outcomes that analytics can drive. Ben has led teams across a variety of domains including data strategy, data management & governance, data platforms, customer analytics and AI both in industry and a leading consulting organisation. Having a strong, hands on background with data and analytics, coupled with his strategic thinking and leadership experience, Ben is fluent in both the technical and non-technical aspects of data, analytics and technology. Ben is results driven, passionate about data ethics, people and building high performing teams. In combination, this gives him a unique blend of someone who excels in both providing strategic clarity across the organisation, including c-suite, as well as delivery excellence across a range of disciplines.

 

Tammy Wigg, Chief Data Analytics Officer, Aurizon

Tammy has had an eclectic career, with deep experience across a number of disciplines. She has developed an equal love for Data, Technology, People and Processes spanning decades. These elements are inextricably interwoven in an organisation’s success and intelligent decision making.  To truly make a difference as a data leader, it requires a deep appreciation of this interconnectedness Tammy is a citizen mycologist in her spare time, helping to document new species of fungi and submitting specimens for scientific research to the Queensland Herbarium.   

Dr. Sean Gallagher, Future of Work Evangelist (former Director, Centre for the New Workforce, Swinburne University)

Dr. Sean Gallagher is one of Australia’s leading experts on the future of work. Focused on technology disruption, he explores the future of human work, and how to create opportunities and solve challenges for workforce and workplace. Current research focuses on hybrid work and generative AI. Through consulting-led, research-informed solutions, Sean works with leaders from ASX 100 companies and large government departments to local councils to help their businesses empower workers to thrive in disruption and drive value creation for their organisations.

His research has shaped federal and state government policy, including the Secure Jobs, Better Pay legislation enshrining rights for flexible workers.

Paul Gladigau, Chief Technology Officer, Equifax

Paul is a senior technology executive with 33 years of experience delivering value based services with over 19 years of experience in financial services. Paul currently leads Equifax’s A/NZ technology team, and taking on responsibility for delivering the company’s IT transformation vision, strategy, and execution.

Gladigau joined Equifax after spending just over six years with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia where he held multiple combined CIO and general manager roles. He has also held a mix of technology and director roles over the financial industry including JP Morgan Chase, Macquarie Group and Black Rock, as well as over a decade at IBM.

Tim Wark, Global AI Lead (Generative AI Strategy Lead), AECOM

Tim Wark is the Global AI Lead for AECOM – one of the world’s largest infrastructure design firms. Prior to this he was Regional Digital Director for AECOM Australia New Zealand and part of the regional executive team. In his role he is responsible for leading AECOM’s global AI strategy which is a key enabler for both transforming the organisation’s global operating model as well as how it delivers value to clients now and into the future. He has over 25 years experience in technology research and development and commercialisation in both the public and private sectors focussing on a range of domains such as environment, transportation and health. Tim holds a PhD in Computer-Science from the Queensland University of Technology and was formerly a Visiting Scholar at the University of California Berkeley. When he’s not taxi-driving teenagers to sports-events he loves to get out on the mountain bike, which has so far only required him to visit an emergency department once!

Johnny Serrano, Head of ICT, Thiess | CIO50 2020

Johnny was most recently Chief Digital Officer as well as Chief Information Officer at GroundProbe before he joined Thiess in 2023. With a wealth of experience, Johnny drives technology transformation that impacts business outcomes and improves employee satisfaction. He recently implemented augmented reality, business process automation, and IoT, supporting critical operations during the pandemic. 

Johnny was the award winner of the 2021 ACS President’s Award, has been featured on CIO Magazine’s Executive Council and named CIO50 in both 2021 and 2022. He is a vocal champion for workplace diversity and is a member on disability and cultural diversity boards. Johnny is also a Board Member of the Australian Computer Society and a member of QUT’s Information Technology Industry Advisory Group. 

Toni Peggrem, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland AI Hub

Toni Peggrem is the CEO of the Queensland AI Hub. Toni has been supporting the growth of the Queensland AI Hub and the AI community for the past year and has over 30 years’ experience in strategic planning and successfully leading organisational reform programs that have enabled services to navigate complex operating environments and realize improved performance outcomes. Toni brings her executive management and staff mentoring skills to the Queensland AI Hub and is able to build strong collaborative relationships across organisational boundaries with stakeholders of all levels within an organisation as well as the wider community. Toni is committed to evidence-based policy development that leads to digitally enabled evidence-based practice with continuous improvement. 

 

Michael Gillespie, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited | Top 30 Data Leaders to Watch 2023

At Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited (DPE), Michael is responsible for overseeing IT, marketing, e-commerce, Group S&I (Strategy and Insights including Data), Marketing and Shared Services across DPE’s 12 markets. Michael leads an array of innovative data initiatives, most notably the world-leading predictive ordering solution. He has also been recognised as one of the top 30 data leaders to watch in 2023. Michael’s experience with the Domino’s brand spans more than a decade. During this time, his vision and commitment have helped Domino’s transform into Australia’s most sophisticated online and digital retailer, with several advanced online ordering platforms and online initiatives.

He has achieved a number of world firsts in social media and online ordering including managing DRU (Domino’s Robotic Unit) Deliveries, DRU Drone by Flirtey New Zealand delivery in November 2016, Domino’s iPhone App launch in 2009 which reached the number one position in Apple’s App Store and launching Domino’s Virtual Assistant DRU Assist. Additionally, Michael has also played a key role in the development and implementation of a number of new digital technologies in 2020 including AWS and predictive ordering, Google Food Ordering, New Pizza Chef with Augmented Reality and the launch of Domino’s global Zero Contact Delivery method during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann, Vice Chair of QLD Branch Executive Committee, Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Sarah-Jane Peterschlingmann is an award-winning tech leader and startup founder. She is an innovator, business leader and mentor whose approach to wholehearted leadership has inspired many individuals and businesses to think differently about what is possible. Her appointment as Vice Chair of the ACS QLD Branch recognises her exemplary leadership and dedication to promoting the tech industry and its practitioners.

Peterschlingmann grew her company, ATech, from its foundation to become an award-winning business with multimillion-dollar revenues, and has been recognised with numerous awards including the 2022 Queensland Pearcey ICT Entrepreneur of the Year. She has also held roles on the CQUniversity ICT Advisory Board, and the ACS and Women in Technology executive committees, proving her commitment and involvement within the tech community. Peterschlingmann is a featured author of the international bestseller “Wholehearted Leadership Revolution”.

Tim Johnson, Head of Automation, Suncorp Group

Tim firmly believes that most businesses share a common DNA and he loves applying lessons learnt across industries and markets to generate different thinking and exciting opportunities. Tim’s current journey is heavily weighted to harnessing the power available from emerging Intelligent Automation technologies to solve legacy problems in the Financial Services Sector and unlock value for our customers.

Nathan Pilgrim, Chief Information, Product and Strategy Officer, Gallagher Bassett | CIO50 2019, 2022

Nathan is an accomplished Executive Leader with a demonstrated ability to integrate business strategy with technology to transform businesses across a number of industries, including financial services, insurance, private education, legal, accounting, engineering and mining. 

Nathan is an innovator and implementer of change who maximises benefits and corporate ROI. He is a proven business leader with accountability for strategy, financial management and vendor management. He strives to achieve results through the inspirational leadership of high-performing teams. 

As Chief Information, Product and Strategy Officer, Nathan guides the GB leadership in IT capability and security, and is responsible for the management, implementation, innovation, reporting, automation and usability of GB information and technology. He also leads the enterprise PMO and business transition capability, along with strategy and product offerings. 

Tuan Jean (TJ) Tee, Chief Digital Officer, Sime Darby Motors | CIO50 2023

Tuan Jean Tee, a seasoned technologist with over 30 years of experience, has worked with diverse clients across various sectors. His career includes roles like the Chief Digital Advisor at tech giants like Microsoft and consulting firms. Tuan Jean is passionate about leveraging technology to solve business challenges and create new value. He oversees digital transformation and technology initiatives that include cloud transformation, advanced data analytics, AI, and omnichannel customer experience. He received Australia CIO50 in 2023. 

Tim Dougall, Chief Technology Officer, Global Leisure, Flight Centre Travel Group

Tim Dougall is Chief Technology Officer for the Global Leisure business at Flight Centre Travel Group. Tim leads the technology function that supports the Leisure business’s global brands, including Flight Centre, Travel Associates, and Independents. Prior to joining Flight Centre Travel Group Tim worked as a senior technology leader at Youi, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in IT from the University of Technology, Sydney, and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW).

 

Julian Badell, Solutions Lead A/NZ, Lenovo

With a rich history of experience across software & hardware platforms, Julian has worked for some of the market leading technology organizations including Citrix & NTT Solutions prior to his time with Lenovo. Julian specializes in technologies such as Data Management, Hyperconverged Cloud Infrastructure, Data Management, AI & Machine Learning, DaaS / IaaS as well as VDI and Cloud Services.