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.
Derek Bopping, First Assistant Director-General, Australian Signals Directorate
Derek Bopping is the Head of the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Melbourne Office. Previously, he led ASD’s Cyber Engagement and Strategy Division, where he oversaw cybersecurity partnerships with industry, the media and other government stakeholders. Derek was formerly the Deputy Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, overseeing the design and implementation of Australia’s federal counter-terrorism laws, and has worked as an independent consultant focusing on the insurance and business interruption aspects of cyber risk. Derek holds a PhD in social psychology from the Australian National University.
Hani Arab, CIO, Seymour Whyte
Hani is a seasoned technology executive with over 25 years of experience in construction, asset management and media. Currently leading Seymour Whyte’s technology function, Hani is transforming its ICT services to enhance operational efficiency and support the delivery of strategic outcomes. His work includes transforming the cultural mindset and the perception of how technology can enable and empower their workforce. With a deep understanding of business and technology, Hani is passionate about using a human-centered approach to solve business challenges. Hani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Technology, Sydney, a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Macquarie Business School and a Master’s in Information Technology Management from the University of Melbourne. He is a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, researching how does the Cyber Security paradigm adopted by an organisation influence response capability.
Keith Howard, CISO & Executive General Manager, Cyber Security & Risk, Suncorp
Keith Howard was appointed Executive General Manager, Cyber Security & Risk in February 2024, leading the Cyber Security and Risk team for the Group, and is responsible for keeping the Group and its customer information safe and secure. Prior to joining Suncorp, Keith held key senior roles at Commonwealth Bank, including Group CISO, CIO Product & Marketing, General Manager Customer Engagement Platform, where he led large cross-functional teams delivering transformational change, such as the successful SAP upgrade, and delivering powerful customer experiences using machine learning. Keith has also delivered technology transformation programmes and managed global teams across multiple industries including petroleum, transport, and software, having lived in both the UK and Asia prior to moving to Australia.
Raymond Umerley, CISO, Coveware
Ray Umerley is the Field CISO for Coveware. With more than 20+ years of experience in a variety of security functions in the enterprise arena, Ray is helping to bring a wealth of knowledge to our clients’ security programs. Prior to Coveware, Ray was the Chief Information Risk Officer for a Fortune 500 company leading the global cybersecurity risk, privacy and data protection, and crisis management programs.
He has been twice recognized as a Top 100 CISO by Security Current and CISOs Connect, a Top Global CISO by Cyber Defense Magazine, and is a frequent speaker on cybersecurity and data protection topics at industry panels and events including the RSA Conference. Ray holds a Masters degree in Computer Information Systems from Boston University, numerous industry certifications including the ISC(2) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and is a recognized Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
Jihad Zein, Global Head of Governance, Risk & Assurance, Group IT, Toll Group
Jihad is an information technology and business transformation executive with over 20 years of international credentials in strategy development and execution, program and project management, service management, IT governance, risk and compliance. He joined Toll Group in November 2018 as the Global Head of IT Governance, Risk and Assurance. Prior to that, he spent 19 years working for Diageo where he performed different roles across different geographies based out of Dubai, Stockholm, London, Paris and moved to Sydney in 2011 as the Head of Information Systems for Diageo ANZ.
Sam Mackay, Executive Director & CISO, NSW Department of Customer Service
Sam is responsible for protecting the information and data of NSW’s 8.3 million citizens. He leads a dedicated team of about 100 professionals working around the clock to safeguard public trust in government services. Sam’s experience ranges from defending highly sensitive military systems in international war zones to mitigating cyber risks in corporate environments. He specializes in protecting information and data against cyber threats, adversaries, and malicious actors.
Stevie-Ann Dovico, Group Executive Technology & CIO, Beyond Bank Australia
Stevie is a technologist, strategist, innovator and leader in banking and financial services, where she has worked across Asia Pacific for over 17 years. She has run critical technology platforms and global teams for some of Australia’s largest organisations. Stevie has led large-scale change to deliver exceptional customer experiences and transformed digital and data capabilities across both NAB and Westpac. Stevie has a larger-than-life energy and a passion for developing people and teams. She was awarded Executive Leader of the Year 2022 by Women in Digital and CIO50 in 2024.
Leron Zinatullin, CISO, Linkly
Leron is a forward-thinking technology executive specialising in cyber strategy, management and delivery. He has led large scale, global, high value digital and security transformation programs to improve cost performance and support business strategy. Leron is also a book author, international speaker and advisor to startups helping them grow and innovate while protecting them against cyber threats.
Peter Coroneos, Founder, Cybermindz
Twice invited to the White House to advise the Obama Administration on cybersecurity, Peter Coroneos is a distinguished leader in the cyber and technology sectors. As CEO of Australia’s Internet Industry Association (1997-2011) he pioneered ‘icode’, an anti-botnet scheme, inspiring a similar US initiative that reached 276 million users by 2012. Peter led the Australian industry delegation to Washington bilaterals on critical infrastructure protection. Beyond his cyber credentials, Peter is an accredited iRest instructor, and long term meditation teacher and practitioner. He holds qualifications in science, education, and law. In 2022, Peter founded Cybermindz.org, an international non-profit empowering and restoring embattled cyber teams with scalable, evidence based mental health support.
Chirag Joshi, Founder and CISO, 7 Rules Cyber
Chirag is a globally respected cyber security leader, author, and the Founder and CISO of 7 Rules Cyber – an innovative cyber security consulting and thought leadership organisation. Chirag has experience across various industries including financial services, government, energy, consulting, healthcare, NFPs, and higher education. Chirag also serves as a National Ambassador for Critical Infrastructure ISAC Australia, advocating resilience across essential sectors.
James Roberts, General Manager, Group Fraud Management Services, Commonwealth Bank
James is currently the General Manager of Fraud and Scams Strategy and Governance at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia overseeing the Bank’s strategic approach to the prevention, detection and response to external fraud and scams. James also serves on the Board of the Australian Financial Crime Exchange. He has worked in the financial services and fraud industry for over 20 years and has extensive experience in investigating and managing fraud and financial crimes. James was previously General Manager of CBA’s Group Investigations, Intelligence and Fraud Advisory division and holds a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Psychology. Prior to emigrating to Australia in 2015, James was the Head of Group Financial Crime Control at Standard Bank in South Africa managing their prevention, detection and response to external and internal fraud. During this time, he was also a long standing member of the Commercial Crime Steering Committee at SABRIC.
Elena Chan, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel, Beforepay
Elena has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Beforepay, Elena spent almost a decade at Westpac holding various business, legal, and risk roles. Elena was the Head of Group Transformation Office, the chief of staff to the Chief Strategy Officer and the Head of Business Controls for Group Data. She also headed-up the Financial Markets legal team for Westpac’s Institutional Bank for several years. Elena has also served a number of law firms and corporations in Australia and the United Kingdom, including Morgan Stanley, Simmons & Simmons, Henry Davis York (now Norton Rose Fullbright), and PwC. She has extensive experience in advising financial institutions across a full range of domains.
Paul Gladigau, CTO, Aus/NZ, Equifax
Paul Gladigau is a senior technology executive with more than 33 years’ experience delivering value-based services. Recently appointed as Chief Technology Officer at Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency, Paul is responsible for the region’s technology strategy and execution in line with regional and global strategies. He leads a team of technology employees, contractors and partners, who will deliver Equifax’s Transformation roadmap and drive operational excellence. Paul works at the forefront of technologies and techniques including agile, cloud, cyber defence, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Prior to joining Equifax, Paul was General Manager of Technology Service Management at CBA and he has previously held executive technology roles at JPMorgan, BlackRock, Barclays and IBM. Paul holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Comp Science) from UTS and an Executive MBA from AGSM.
Nicola Dorling, Group CIO, Downer
With over 25 years of experience working alongside ASX-listed companies, global multinationals, and government departments, Nicola has led strategic transformations across business, finance, and technology. As Group CIO of Downer Digital, she collaborates with clients to design and implement digital transformations. Her passion for emerging technologies, strategic vision, digital finance leadership, and operational excellence drives her to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients and strategic partners, with a focus on SAP cloud solutions.
Jeremy Hubbard, Chief Data and Technology Officer, Rest
Jeremy is responsible for charting and executing Rest’s technology, delivery and data insights strategy. His remit includes leading Rest’s functional areas of data, insights and analytics, digital architecture, software engineering, information security and strategic delivery. Jeremy has more than two decades of experience in innovation and technology roles across corporate, SME and consulting organisations. He joined the digital UBank in 2008 and was part of the bank’s executive team from 2015 to 2019. Before joining Rest he was UBank’s General Manager, Digital & Innovation. Jeremy was previously Head of IT for fintech start-up Once Australia, and worked in consultancy roles for Capgemini, Morse and Oracle Corporation. He has been the Director of two small consultancies between 2007 and 2018.
Tom Gao, Chief Technology and Digital Services Officer, City of Sydney
A senior digital and technology executive with a comprehensive background in project and line management in digital and Microsoft technology platforms. Tom has proven success in digital and application management leadership roles within large complex environments. He is a highly regarded technical director with an ability to integrate teams to deliver complex IT-enabled change projects, with skill to align and inform stakeholders at all levels.
Muhammad Usman, Head of Quantum Systems Team, CSIRO Data61
Dr Muhammad Usman is a Team Leader and Principal Staff Member at CSIRO’s Data61 which is Australia National Research Organisation. He has over 15 years of research and teaching experience in the field of quantum computing with a track-record over 100 research papers in high-impact international journals. At CSIRO, Dr Usman is leading a team of over 20 researchers working at the forefront of quantum algorithms, quantum software engineering, and quantum security. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics and serves on the executive editorial boards of two international journals, a committee member of Standards Australia to help in standardisation of quantum technologies and have honorary Associate Professor positions at the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Dr Usman is the chair of organising committee of International Conference on Quantum Techniques in Machine Learning 2024, has delivered numerous invited talks in international conferences and has been invited on several panel discussions at national and international meetings. His work was the Winner of the State of Victoria iAward 2024, Innovative of the Year 2023 Award by Defence Industry, Winner of the Australian Army Quantum Technology Challenge in three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023), Rising Stars in Computational Materials Science by Elsevier in 2020, and Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (Early Career) at the University of Melbourne in 2019. Dr Usman is a recipient of prestigious international research fellowships from Fulbright USA (20005-2010) and DAAD Germany in 2010. Dr Usman is a passionate quantum educator and has been promoting quantum education among school children as part of the CSIRO’s STEM Scientists in Schools program.
Asaf Ahmad, NSW Cyber Security Ambassador, Investment NSW
Bio coming soon..
Andrew Webster, Global CISO, Bluescope Steel
Andrew is a strategic security leader and tech founder with over 25 years of experience in Security, Information Technology and Crisis and Incident management. Having worked across industries, such as finance with Westpac Banking Corporation, Technology with IBM, State Government and Law enforcement, NSW Police and Attorney Generals Department and also in energy and utilities at Transgrid. Recently recognised as a CSO30 Winner for his security leadership and contributions to protecting critical infrastructure. Andrew holds a Master of Cyber Security and various certifications, including CISSP, CISM, SABSA and CRISC. He is passionate about protecting people, building great and diverse teams and enabling business growth while mitigating potential threats.
Abhishek Singh, CIO, NSW Cyber Ambassador & Data Privacy Officer, New Horizons Enterprises Limited
Bio coming soon…
May Lam, CIO, Australian Payments Plus
May Lam is a Chief Information Officer at Australian Payments Plus (AP+) based in Sydney, Australia. Outside AP+, she’s the Chair of the Advisory Board at Emerging Payments Association Asia; and Governing Council Member of Hedera. She has 27+ years of technology leadership and business transformation experience across the Banking and Financial Services, Payments, Fintech and Public Sector in Australia, Greater China and APAC regions.
Her areas of expertise include deep payments knowledge and cross-border ecosystem, product and services innovation, B2B2C go-to-market strategy and program delivery and governance. May is passionate about leveraging classic and emerging technologies delivering purposeful and measurable outcomes that generate sustainable value to customers; creating opportunities to cultivate our future leaders and amplifying the social responsibilities for our communities and future generations.
Prior to AP+, May was a Partner at EY Technology Consulting where she was the Payments Leader for Asia Pacific and Fintech Leader for Oceania; Chief Information Officer of Assembly Payments; Chief Customer Officer of mx51, IT Director at Transport for NSW and Head of Technology of AMP Bank. May holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Commerce where she focused on Expert Systems in 90s. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Celeste Lowe, CISO, The Lottery Corporation
Celeste Lowe previously served as Nine’s Group Director of IT Security starting in 2020. Before her role at Nine, she held various cybersecurity positions at Qantas for four years, ultimately becoming Qantas’ inaugural Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in 2017. Lowe also gained security experience at Deloitte and Telstra. Lowe’s appointment follows another significant technology hire by Ventia in July when Melanie Evans, a former KPMG and Telstra executive, was appointed as Group Executive for Digital Services. Evans took over from Karen O’Driscoll, who moved to Cochlear in February to assume the position of Chief Information Officer.