SPEAKERS 2027
Rachael Phelan, Chief Risk Officer, Reserve Bank of Australia
With an impressive track record spanning risk leadership, banking transformation and operational excellence, Rachael’s expertise is in navigating the complexities of Australia’s financial services sector. Previously Chief Operating Officer of NAB’s Business and Private Bank, she spearheaded significant transformation initiatives and held senior risk leadership positions across NAB’s Personal Bank and UBank. Her extensive experience in enterprise risk management, governance and regulatory change brings a valuable perspective on building resilient, future-ready financial institutions in an increasingly complex and evolving banking landscape.
Kai Yang, Group Chief Data & AI Officer, ANZ Bank
With extensive international banking experience and a strong track record in data-driven innovation, Kai brings a global perspective to the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in financial services. Having previously held leadership positions at HSBC, he combines deep expertise in enterprise data strategy, advanced analytics and AI transformation. As ANZ’s first Group Chief Data & AI Officer, Kai is helping shape the bank’s enterprise-wide approach to harnessing data and AI, unlocking new opportunities to enhance customer experiences, accelerate innovation and drive business performance in an increasingly digital banking landscape.
Shaq Johnson, Executive – Enterprise Fraud Management, National Australia Bank
Shaq is an experienced financial crime and fraud prevention leader with more than 17 years at ANZ, where he previously served as Head of Customer Protection. His expertise spans fraud and scam prevention, financial crime operations, customer protection and industry collaboration. Passionate about combating increasingly sophisticated financial threats, Shaq advocates for leveraging advanced technology, intelligence sharing and cross-industry partnerships to strengthen fraud detection, protect vulnerable customers and build greater trust across the banking ecosystem.
Greg Johnson, Chief Customer Officer, Teachers Mutual Bank
With a strong track record in customer-led innovation, strategic growth and digital transformation, Greg has held senior executive positions at Bravura, Nano and Challenger and he has led initiatives spanning product innovation, digital banking and customer experience. At Teachers Mutual Bank, Greg oversees customer strategy, product, data and analytics, customer care and digital channels, driving a connected, customer-centric approach that harnesses technology and insights to deliver more personalised experiences, strengthen customer relationships and create lasting value.
Nathalie Moss, Chief Technology Officer, Judo Bank
Nathalie’s extensive experience in driving change across Australia’s highly regulated banking sector includes time as Acting Chief Information Officer at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank as well as seven years in senior technology leadership roles at NAB. At Judo Bank, Nathalie is helping shape the bank’s technology strategy, championing the responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations and build the scalable, future-ready capabilities needed to support sustainable business growth.
Sean O'Donnell, Chief Technology Officer, Defence Bank
With a distinguished career spanning banking, technology leadership and corporate governance, Sean brings extensive experience in driving digital innovation and technology transformation across the financial services sector. Having held senior executive positions with major and regional banks and global technology organisations, he combines deep expertise in technology strategy, risk management and information security. At Defence Bank, Sean is focused on advancing digital capabilities, strengthening operational resilience and delivering seamless, member-centric banking experiences. An experienced Non-Executive Director and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Central Queensland University, he brings a valuable perspective that bridges industry leadership, governance and emerging technology.
Michaela McGlinn, National General Manager, Virtual Banking, Westpac
Michaela leads Westpac’s Virtual Banking division, overseeing retail banking contact centres across voice, chat and social channels, alongside virtual servicing, branch sales and home loan retention. She brings extensive experience in customer experience, digital service delivery and operational transformation, with a focus on leveraging technology and data-driven insights to improve customer engagement, empower frontline teams and deliver more seamless banking experiences.
Kat Hartmann, Managing Director, Customer Proposition & Strategy, ANZ Bank
Kat is a senior banking and digital transformation leader at ANZ, bringing cross-industry experience from leadership roles at Woolworths, Qantas and CHOICE. She is focused on leveraging emerging technologies, data and digital innovation to transform customer experiences and drive business outcomes. Her work at ANZ includes the introduction of agentic AI-powered CRM capabilities, giving bankers richer customer insights, improving productivity and enabling more personalised business relationships.
Toby Norton-Smith, Managing Director, x15 Ventures
Toby leads x15ventures, CommBank’s venture-building business, which builds, buys and invests in digital businesses with the potential to transform customer experiences and reshape financial services. With a background spanning strategy consulting, fintech entrepreneurship and digital growth at Commonwealth Bank, Toby brings a unique perspective on how established banks can harness emerging technologies, data and entrepreneurial thinking to accelerate innovation. He is focused on turning new ideas into scalable businesses that deliver meaningful customer value and shape the future of banking.
Melanie Hayden, Managing Director (Truyu), x15 Ventures
Melanie leads Truyu, a digital identity protection and fraud prevention venture built within x15ventures and wholly owned by Commonwealth Bank. With a background in banking law, corporate strategy and business development, Melanie is at the forefront of tackling one of financial services’ most pressing challenges: the growing sophistication of identity fraud, scams and digitally enabled financial crime. She has led Truyu from concept to market, bringing together technology, industry partnerships and customer insight to develop innovative ways to protect Australians. Her work offers a practical perspective on how banks can harness emerging technologies and industry collaboration to strengthen trust and security in an increasingly digital economy.