Hear from business leaders

Since joining the institution in 2016, Michael has become known for challenging systems, redefining how organizations think about data, and turning enterprise technology into a strategic advantage rather than a back-office function.

At Pensacola State College, Michael leads a broad and progressive portfolio of departments spanning Enterprise Solutions, Workday Solutions, Change Management, Institutional Research, Financial Aid, and Veteran Affairs. By championing a data-driven mindset across the institution, he has shifted campus culture from reactive reporting to proactive, insight-driven decision-making.

Niki is the Workplace Experience and Capability Executive within Telstra’s People, Culture and Communications team.  She is responsible for the end-to-end talent lifecycle including hiring, leadership, learning, career, talent, DEI and Workforce Strategy.  Niki is also responsible for driving Telstra’s cultural change program, workforce intelligence and managing Telstra’s commercial properties and workplace technologies to provide a hybrid experience that flawlessly merges physical presence with digital convenience for all team members.  Prior to this role Niki has held several executive roles within Human Resources at Telstra and has a strong background in Technology companies.

Mark Erickson has been working in the Australian higher education sector for over three decades. In this time, he has held various school, faculty and central positions at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Queensland (UQ), the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne) and the University of Sydney (Sydney).  Mark has been Registrar at ANU, UQ, UniSQ, Swinburne and Sydney for the last 15 years and been responsible for student lifecycle management, policy development, regulatory compliance, curriculum management, enterprise systems, complaints and misconduct, and supporting the academic community at these institutions. Mark has been a strong contributor and advocate within the Sector throughout this time, participating in Government working groups, professional associations, conferences and as board director for several organisations.

Melissa Dorey is Head of People Digital Experience at AGL, leading the strategy and delivery of digital employee experiences. With a background in HR technology and transformation, she has driven AI-powered, skills-based workforce initiatives using platforms like Workday. Formerly at Telstra, her work in conversational AI earned recognition as one of IBM’s global Women Leaders in AI. Melissa is passionate about building people-centric workplace experiences that empower employees and drive change, and is a strong advocate for Women in Tech and applied AI.

Kelly McFadden is Head of People and Performance at Starlight Children’s Foundation, where she leads the people strategy that enables the organisation to deliver on its mission of brightening the lives of seriously ill children and young people. She brings extensive executive experience spanning general management and functional leadership roles across complex and highly regulated industries, including biopharmaceuticals, medical technology, fintech, and financial services. Kelly has led large-scale transformation initiatives across organisational design, M&A integration, culture, and change management, and is passionate about creating exceptional employee experiences and high-performing cultures that help people thrive and organisations grow.

Nicole Ebejer is an experienced finance leader serving as Group Controller at Bravura Solutions. With over 18 years of experience, she plays a key role in managing financial control, reporting, and compliance across the global business. Based in the Greater Sydney area, Nicole supports the organisation’s financial integrity and operational decision-making within a complex, multinational environment.

Fraser Bearsley joined Integral Diagnostics in 2022 as GM of Finance, bringing 25 years of experience across healthcare, tech, and professional services. A former CFO for Marque Group and various ASX 300 software firms, he began his career with 13 years at EY. He holds degrees in Commerce and Molecular Biology from the University of Melbourne and is a member of CA ANZ. 

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.

Thomas Schroeder leads Accenture's Global Workday Financials practice, overseeing all North America implementation programmes and the full lifecycle of client engagements — from evaluation and deployment through to operations.

With over 15 years of Workday experience, Thomas was certified in Workday Financials in 2011 as part of the platform's first cohort of consultants. His career spans client delivery, sales, strategy, solutioning, and practice leadership — giving him a rare end-to-end perspective on what drives successful finance transformation.

Prior to Accenture, Thomas held senior roles at Aon and Alight Solutions, where he led the internal deployment of Workday Financials for both organisations, including the Aon Hewitt carve-out. He subsequently led Professional Services at Ridgeline Applications, a FinTech start-up founded by Workday co-founder Dave Duffield, before joining Accenture.

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.

Connie oversees University Governance and Compliance functions and the Academic Registrar’s Group at RMIT. She supports the RMIT Council and its sub committees and is the designated Company Secretary for all RMIT controlled entities.

As Academic Registrar Connie is responsible for student records and lifecycle functions from admissions governance through to completion including academic governance and program approval, international student compliance and government reporting. Her team oversee student completion and graduations in Australia and offshore.

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.

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.

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.

Jo Reed is the Chief People Officer at HammondCare, where she leads people and culture strategy in a complex, frontline care environment. With international experience across financial services and professional services, she is passionate about building resilient, purpose-led workforces. Jo will bring a CHRO perspective on how the shape of work is evolving, including the growing complexity of AI in care settings, and what leaders must do to enable workforce capability, trust, and adaptation at scale.

Rory Crout is the Chief Financial Officer at HammondCare, overseeing finance, IT, procurement, and legal. A Chartered Accountant with experience across healthcare and multinational organisations, he brings a strong commercial lens to transformation. Rory is focused on how organisations prioritise and fund investment in technology, including AI, while maintaining sustainability. He will share how the evolving partnership between CFO, CIO, and CHRO is shaping decision-making, value realisation, and workforce outcomes.

Yvette McDonald is Chief People and Customer Officer at Anglicare, where she aligns workforce strategy, culture, and customer outcomes to drive organisational performance. With executive experience across FMCG and services, she is passionate about designing organisations that better support frontline teams. Yvette will bring her perspective on how workforce models are evolving to meet rising demand and complexity of care, and the role technology and AI may play in supporting both employee and customer experience.