Hear from business leaders

Simon Tate is Workday’s President of APAC, leading sales and revenue growth across the region. With 25+ years in tech, he has held senior roles at Adobe, Salesforce, SAP, and Dell EMC. An expert in sales strategy, Simon holds the copyright for the Professional 6© Risk Management Methodology used by 5,000+ pros. He holds an engineering degree from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Jo-Anne Ruhl is VP and MD of Workday ANZ, leading digital transformation through AI and skills-first strategies. With decades of global experience, she partners with C-suite leaders to modernise HR and finance functions via agile cloud solutions. A problem-solver and media commentator, Jo-Anne also mentors her team and supports children's charities and creative writing. 

Shan Moorthy is Workday’s CTO for APAC, a veteran IT executive who has led digital revolutions across banking, retail, and media. Expert at replacing legacy ERP/CRM systems with modern cloud platforms, he blends deep technical knowledge in AI and software engineering with sharp commercial acumen. Based in Melbourne, Shan is a classic car tinkerer and home automation enthusiast in his spare time.

Kate Russell is Workday’s Head of Industry Strategy, leading product vision across global verticals, including Public Sector and Higher Education. With an Ed.M. in Higher Education Administration, she has driven Workday Student’s expansion into Australia and NZ. Formerly a consultant at Huron and EAB, Kate is a student success advocate dedicated to operationalising digital transformation.

Max Wessel is SVP of Growth at Workday, driving international expansion, medium enterprise acceleration, and Adaptive Planning. Formerly Co-CEO of Degreed and a long-time SAP executive including Chief Innovation Officer, Max is an expert in AI for skills management and talent development. He holds an MBA from Harvard and resides in Menlo Park with his family.

Esther joined Workday in April 2023, based in Melbourne. As Industry Advisor, Esther brings insights from our customers' global transformation journeys to the region. Esther is a chartered accountant, with diverse experience spanning professional services (finance transformation and assurance), commercial finance, regional CFO and strategy roles. 

Esther joined Workday in April 2023, based in Melbourne. As Industry Advisor, Esther brings insights from our customers' global transformation journeys to the region. Esther is a chartered accountant, with diverse experience spanning professional services (finance transformation and assurance), commercial finance, regional CFO and strategy roles. She has consulted to numerous industries including Public Sector and Healthcare, FSI, manufacturing and distribution, FMCG, Online Media, and has worked across Australia, Asia and North America.

Tristan Damen is a tertiary education expert supporting Workday Student’s ANZ go-to-market strategy. With 16 years of experience in school administration and academic governance, he has managed Workday implementations from both the institutional and corporate sides. Tristan holds a Master of Tertiary Education Management and is dedicated to improving student success through digital transformation.

Luke is a commercially focused finance leader specialising in strategy, AI-driven transformation, and operational execution. With a background in banking, SaaS, and media, he helps CFOs navigate technology shifts to build resilient, future-proof functions. A passionate mentor and former Finance Director, Luke drives growth through process optimisation. He enjoys running and family time.

Rob Zwiebach is VP of Product Management for Workday Financial Management, overseeing the roadmap for a suite used by 2,100+ global organisations. With 16 years of prior experience at Oracle building core accounting apps, Rob is a seasoned fintech leader. Based in the Bay Area, he is also a published thriller novelist and drummer who enjoys spending time with his family and dog.

Rob Zwiebach is VP of Product Management for Workday Financial Management, overseeing the roadmap for a suite used by 2,100+ global organisations. With 16 years of prior experience at Oracle building core accounting apps, Rob is a seasoned fintech leader. Based in the Bay Area, he is also a published thriller novelist and drummer who enjoys spending time with his family and dog.