Finance Forward: Transforming Strategy, Empowering
People, Driving Value
Australia’s No. 1 Event for Finance Leaders! Celebrating 14 years!
Conference Day One: Tuesday, 16th September 2025
Morning Session
9:00 am - 9:05 am
IQPC Opening Remarks |
Alexandra Craggs -
Portfolio Director - Future of Finance,
IQPC
9:05 am - 9:10 am
Chair's Opening Remarks |
Brett Walker-Davies -
Finance Director,
Brisbane Grammar School
9:10 am - 9:40 am
Keynote Case Study | Strategic Navigation of Economic and Business Landscapes
This keynote case study explores how organisations successfully navigate complex economic and business landscapes, focusing on strategic decision-making, risk management, and long-term value creation in times of uncertainty.
9:40 am - 10:10 am
Partner Case Study | Real-Time Finance: Leveraging Cloud Solutions for Instant Decision-Making
This case study highlights how a strategic partnership empowered organisations to implement cloud-based finance solutions, enabling real-time data access, faster decision-making, and improved financial performance.
10:10 am - 10:50 am
Panel Discussion | Shaping the Future: The Evolving Role of CFOs as Strategic Leaders in Business Operations
Tina Taddeo -
Chief Financial Officer and Company Director,
Spendless Shoes
Anish Patel - Chief Financial Officer, Bank Orange
Daniel James - Group Chief Financial Officer, Ventora
Melissa Fahey - Chief Financial Officer, Compare Club
As the role of CFOs expands beyond traditional financial oversight, they are now pivotal strategic leaders driving organisational growth and innovation. This panel will explore how CFOs are navigating their evolving responsibilities, leveraging technology, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to shape the future of business operations.
10:50 am - 11:20 am
Morning Break
Solve your Finance Transformation Challenge with the input, advice, perspective and experience of your peers!
During this part of the event, attendees attend their pre-selected interactive discussions. Delegates can select 3 x interactive discussion groups, each lasting 30 minutes. Discussion groups are hosted by experts and kept intimate to allow all attendees the opportunity to discuss your most pressing questions in an informal yet constructive approach to problem solving.
INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION GROUP SESSION
IDG A:
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG A | Efficiency Unleashed: Reducing Complexity in Financial OperationsIDG B:
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG B | Navigating the Challenges of Autonomous FinanceIDG C:
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG C | Finance Transformation Beyond 2025: Future-Proofing StrategiesIDG D:
11:20 am - 12:50 pm IDG D | Building a Data-Driven Organisation: A Roadmap for CFOs
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch with a side of lively Future of Finance conversation with your peers!
Efficiencies & Technologies
1:50 pm - 2:30 pm Panel Discussion | Streamlining Operations: Redefining Processes for Greater Efficiency Emily Luo - Director, Finance, My Home Living CareTom Elkins - Finance Transformation and Strategy Manager, Lion
Stephanie Jonovska - Head of Finance Operations & Transformation, BlueScope
Janelle Annis-brown - Program Director of Corporate Operations, Life Without Barriers
This panel will explore innovative strategies and technologies for transforming financial operations, driving efficiency through streamlined processes, improved governance, and cultural change. Speakers will share real-world examples of how they’ve optimised resources, leveraged technology, and positioned their teams for growth and success
Efficiencies & Technologies
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Case Study | From Manual to Automated: Transforming Financial Workflows with Technology Kate Wadwell - Finance Operations Manager and Business Process Outsourcing Review Director, BlueScopeThis case study showcases the journey of transforming financial workflows from manual processes to automation, highlighting the efficiencies gained, cost reductions, and enhanced accuracy through the integration of cutting-edge technology.
Kate Wadwell
Finance Operations Manager and Business Process Outsourcing Review DirectorBlueScope
Efficiencies & Technologies
3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Panel Discussion | Tech-Driven Innovation in Finance: Overcoming Barriers to Adoption Yulia Didenko - Technology Business Partner for Finance, The Lottery CorporationSafwan Arshad - Group Chief Financial Officer, Alpha Lifecare
Mo Hossain - Head of FP&A, Carsales.com
Bill Schafer - Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Auswide Bank
As technology reshapes the financial landscape, organisations must overcome barriers to unlock its full potential. This panel will explore strategies for driving tech-driven innovation, addressing challenges in adoption, and leveraging emerging technologies to transform financial operations.
Efficiencies & Technologies
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon BreakEnjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!
Efficiencies & Technologies
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm Case Study | Long-Term Financial Planning Jozef Lanc - Senior Finance Growth Manager, Babcock Australia & New Zealand
Efficiencies & Technologies
4:30 pm - 5:10 pm Panel Discussion | Future-Ready Finance Architecture: Building with Scalability in Mind James Osborne - Head of Finance - Networks, JemenaDavid Starkey - Chief Financial Officer, Sapio
Julia Pietrobon - Financial Services Manager, Townsville City Council
Karina Kouroutzoglou - Chief Financial Officer, Liberty Industrial
This panel explores how finance leaders are designing scalable and adaptable system architectures that can evolve with business growth, market demands, and organisational change. The discussion will focus on balancing flexibility with control, reducing system sprawl, and ensuring integration efforts are aligned with long-term strategic goals.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
1:50 pm - 2:30 pm Panel Discussion | The Role of the CFO: From Numbers to Business LeadershipThe modern CFO is no longer confined to managing numbers but is now a key driver of business strategy and leadership. This panel will delve into how CFOs are embracing this transformation, balancing financial expertise with visionary leadership to create lasting organisational impact.
Sponsored by: Esker
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Discussion Group A | Future Proofing Finance Operations: Resilience in Uncertain Economic TimesCFO Boardroom - Invite Only
2:30 pm - 3:20 pm Discussion Group B | Data Driven Decision-MakingCFO Boardroom - Invite Only
3:20 pm - 3:40 pm Feedback Discussion |In this session, groups will each have 10 minutes to share their discussions and takeaways with the whole boardroom.
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon BreakEnjoy a coffee and morning snack with a side of lively Future of Finance conversations with your peers!
CFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Discussion Group A | Talent & Leadership in a Competitive MarketCFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm Discussion Group B | Risks and Opportunities in an AI Powered WorldCFO Boardroom - Invite Only
4:50 pm - 5:10 pm Feedback Discussion |In this session, groups will each have 10 minutes to share their discussions and takeaways with the whole boardroom.
5:10 pm - 6:10 pm
Future of Finance 2024: Spring Fling Drinks Reception & Finance Innovator Awards
The sun is out, and it’s time to enjoy! Enjoy the Spring Fling themed drinks reception – what could be more fun than conversation, cocktails, and colleagues, all celebrating the progress of the Finance Function!
