KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

THURSDAY 23RD MAY 

Stephen Halmarick - CBA

Stephen Halmarick - CBA

Adapting to the Evolving Economy: 2024 Outlook

BIO and Keynote Info

Chief Economist and Head of Global Economic & Markets Research at Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

Thursday 23rd May – 9:00 AM Opening Plenary

CBA is the largest financial services company in Australia. Stephen was appointed to the Chief Economist role in April 2020 – having been the Head of the Global Economic & Markets Research team since January 2018. As Chief Economist and Head of Global Economic & Markets Research, Stephen is responsible for the team of economists that cover Australian Economics, International Economics, Foreign Exchange, Mining, Energy and Agricultural Commodities and Sustainable Economics research. Stephen and his team work to ensure that customers and clients are well informed and have a strong understanding of key macroeconomic factors in Australia and globally and their impact on select financial markets. Stephen is also the key spokesperson to clients and media on macroeconomic themes and a broad range of financial market issues. The Global Economic & Markets Research team produces a number of economic publications. These include short research notes on economic and market developments, presentation packs, longer thought leadership pieces on key structural issues, and a number of regular reports on key countries and regions of the global economy. The team also regularly appears in public forums and holds meeting with key clients both in Australia and globally. 

Publishing research on key Sustainable Economic issues in to is increasingly an area of focus.Stephen has over 38 years’ experience as a financial markets economist and is widely regarded as one of the best economic communicators and presenters in Australia. Prior to his role in CBA, Stephen was Chief Economist for Colonial First State Global Asset Management from March 2009 to September 2017. Earlier in his career, Stephen worked for Westpac, SBC Australia, the Nomura Research Institute and from 1994-2009 the Salomon Smith Barney Citibank group, where he was the Managing Director Co-Head of Economic and Market Analysis. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, a graduate diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and Stephen is also AFMA accredited. Stephen was Chairman of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) – the peak professional body for financial market economists in Australia from 2008-2017 and has been on the ABE Executive Committee for over 25 years. He is a Life Member of the ABE. In March 2016 Stephen was elected as a Member Director on the Commonwealth Bank Group Staff Superannuation Fund Board. He was re-elected to this position in November 2019 and granted an extension in November 2023. Stephen lives in Sydney with his wife – and their ‘blended’ family of six children.

Nigel Dobson - ANZ

Nigel Dobson - ANZ

Unveiling the Evolution & Revolution of AI.

BIO and Keynote Info

Banking Services Lead, ANZ

Thursday 23rd May – 11:00 AM – Opening Plenary

Unveiling the Evolution & Revolution of AI: Enhancing Treasury Value

The Banking Services portfolio has responsibility for developing and implementing ANZ’s payment platform strategy, supporting the enterprise and our partners. This includes a number of enterprise functions including build, run and operate across the banks payments services in 32 countries. Nigel manages development and operations teams in Melbourne, Singapore and Bengaluru and is also responsible for the Wholesale Digital team who are dedicated to delivering digital channels and integration services for the Institutional Bank. Nigel also leads the banks Digital Asset Services strategy and associated activities, including fostering partnerships and industry pilots. Nigel is currently a director of Australian Payments Plus and is a Fellow of Blockchain Australia. Prior to this role, Nigel spent 4 years in senior Transaction Banking roles at ANZ, including Global Head of Payments and Cash Management and Global Head of Transaction Banking Products. Nigel joined ANZ in July 2009 from Citi in Hong Kong where he was Regional Head of Trade and Transaction Services. Nigel had spent a total of 19 years at Citi in various senior Markets and Transaction Services roles in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Nigel has a Bachelor of Economics from Victoria University, New Zealand. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

FRIDAY 24TH MAY

Andrew May

Andrew May

Inside Job: High Performance From Inside Out

BIO and Keynote Info

CEO & Founder – Performance Intelligence

Friday 24th May – 8:00 AM Keynote Breakfast – Sponsored by CBA

Inside Job: High Performance From Inside Out

Andrew is CEO and founder of Performance Intelligence, a bespoke performance advisory firm working with high performers in business, military, performing arts, and sport. He presents inspiring presentations and is recognised as one of the world’s leading performance strategists. Andrew works with elite athletes and is the Mental Skills Coach for the Manly Sea Eagles National (NRL), NSW Waratahs (Super Rugby), and previously worked with the Parramatta Eels. He is also the Mental Skills Coach and business partner for World Champion Boxer, Tim Tszyu.  Andrew is a former middle-distance runner who was an assistant coach at the Australian Institute of Sport in Tasmania. He has worked with multiple Olympic/international athletes in track and field, tennis, swimming, hockey, netball, basketball, and AFL, culminating in working as the Physical Performance Manager for both the NSW and Australian Cricket teams. 

Andrew has dual degrees in the body and brain –completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise Physiology (body) and a Masters in Coaching Psychology (brain). 

 

He is exploring a PHD in performance psychology, looking at how the body and brain work together to optimise performance in high-pressure moments. Andrew has dual degrees in the body and brain –completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise Physiology (body) and a Masters in Coaching Psychology (brain). He is exploring a PHD in performance psychology, looking at how the body and brain work together to optimise performance in high-pressure moments.

 

Andrew built and sold Good Health Solutions to ACCOR (now trading as Executive Health Solutions), Australia’s largest provider of Executive Health Assessments; and in 2016 he sold The Performance Clinic to KPMG. He worked as a Partner at KPMG for 3 years and has global experience consulting in banking and financial services, sales, real estate, building and construction, professional services, telcos, oil and gas, retail, mining and industrials, government, and the military.   ​

 Andrew is author of the bestselling book MatchFit, which has sold more than 100,000 copies. He has a regular segment on ABC News Breakfast, appears across multiple media platforms and hosts the Performance Intelligence Podcast.

Jelena Dokic

Jelena Dokic

The Inspiring Story Behind One of Our Greatest Tennis Champions

BIO and Keynote Info

Former World No.4 Tennis Player, Commentator & Best Selling Author (Unbreakable & Fearless)

Friday 24th May – 1:30 PM  Closing Keynote

The Inspiring Story Behind One of Our Greatest Tennis Champions

Former world no. top 4 tennis player, Jelena Dokic is a living testament to resilience, triumph, and the unyielding spirit of a true champion. Her journey on the court has been nothing short of awe-inspiring, marked by monumental victories and a fearless determination that defies all odds.

At a mere 16 years old, Jelena etched her name in tennis history by orchestrating one of the sport’s most astounding upsets, dethroning the formidable Martina Hingis, the world number 1, at Wimbledon. This iconic victory propelled her to the tournament’s quarter-finals, a precursor to her consecutive semi-final appearances the following year at just 17—a testament to her precocious talent and steely resolve.

However, beyond the world of the grand slams and the stadium lights lies a narrative of unparalleled courage and perseverance. A two-time refugee, Jelena bore the weight of adversity early in life, navigating a path fraught with bullying and racism. Yet, her most daunting battle unfolded within the confines of her own home—a harrowing ordeal of abuse endured at the hands of her father for over 15 agonizing years, starting at the tender age of 6.

The scars of this traumatic past manifested in the shadows of her success, casting a long, silent shadow on her mental health. It led her to the brink, where the darkness threatened to engulf her entirely. At 22, she stood at the precipice, grappling with the crushing weight of her experiences, contemplating a life teetering on the edge. Yet, it was this very darkness that ignited a resilient flame within her—a resolve to not only survive but to transcend and thrive.

Jelena emerged as a beacon of hope, bravely sharing her story through the pages of two bestselling books, ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘Fearless.’ These powerful narratives unmask the raw realities of her childhood abuse, the labyrinth of mental health struggles—diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD—and the profound journey of reclaiming one’s voice and strength, unshackling from the chains of the past. Her words echo as a testament to the immense power of sharing our stories and finding the resilience within to soar beyond limitations.

Beyond the tennis court, Jelena has become an influential voice—a sought-after speaker, a compelling TEDx presenter, and a revered commentator. She graces screens as a key figure in NINE’s coverage of the Australian Open and other grand slams, not merely as an expert in the sport but as a living testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

Jelena’s story is a tapestry woven from threads of adversity, courage, and unwavering resilience—a testament to the unbreakable human spirit and the undying power of finding one’s voice, transcending the past, and thriving against all odds.

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