Agenda

Tuesday 20 May 2025
9:00am - 5:30pm AEST
ICC Sydney

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Here's your personal timetable for the day.

8:00am

Registration opens

Get ready to join us at Workday Elevate Sydney. Check in at our registration kiosks, grab your lanyard and a coffee as we begin the day.

9:00am–9:10am

Welcome to country

Join us as we kick off Workday Elevate Sydney with our welcome to country, acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and paying our respects to the traditional owners of this land.

9:10am–9:30am

The Agentic AI opportunity: lifting productivity for better economic, business and employee outcomes
- Jo-Anne Ruhl
  
  Managing Director and Vice President, Australia and New Zealand, Workday
In a business environment where productivity is constraining economic and business growth, we have an unprecedented opportunity to augment employee productivity with digital labor, in the form of AI & Agentic AI. By adopting an AI-mindset, we stand to reap the gains on offer from AI, and avoid the fear-based narratives. Now is the time to prepare your organisation for this seismic workforce shift, examine the reskilling and workforce planning required, and explore how you will take your organisation on the journey.

9:45am–10:15am

Forward thinker customer keynote and fireside chat
- Emma Chalwin
  
  Chief Marketing Offier, Workday
- Jenny McKie
  
  Chief People Officer, Hungry Jack’s
Discover how forward thinkers are turning change into a catalyst for growth. Hear a firsthand account of a successful transformation and gain valuable insights into building a culture of adaptability in this fireside chat.

10:15am–10:45am

More than just a coffee break:
Morning tea in the discovery zone

Join us in the discovery zone for a morning tea experience that's as interactive as it is invigorating. Network with peers, engage with Workday experts, and explore the latest innovations. This is the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and kick start your day in the heart of the action.

HR
Finance
Technology
Student

10:45am–11:30am

HR: Thought leadership session
Workplace mental health and productivity: contemporary solutions to life's polycrisis with Beyond Blue
- Georgie Harman
  
  Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Blue
Hear from Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman on how this period of existential adaptation is shaping mental health in the workplace, and how employers can optimise the mental health of their people.

11:30am–12:15pm

Forward thinking HR: Future proof your workforce
- Allyson Skene
  
  Vice President, Global Product Vision and Strategy, Asia Pacific and Japan, Workday
The future of work is here, and it's being driven by the rise of AI and the need for agile, skills-based organisations. This session provides Australian HR leaders with a roadmap for understanding the key challenges and opportunities for HR leaders, driving strategic workforce planning to ensure you have the right talent, in the right place, at the right time, embracing AI to automate, augment, and enhance HR functions, and are building a culture of continuous growth and development.

12:15pm-1:15pm

Fuel Your Curiosity: Lunch and exploration in the discovery zone
Join us for lunch in the discovery zone. Explore interactive demos, engage with industry leaders, and connect with fellow attendees. This is your chance to fuel your body and mind in the centre of innovation.

1:15pm-2:00pm

HR: Deloitte partner session
- Ciara Burton
  
  Program Lead, Deloitte
- Chris O’Halloran
  
  PMO Lead, Deloitte
- Joel Campbell
  
  Workday Program Lead, Rio Tinto
- Rebecca Tuplin
  
  Workday PMO Lead, Rio Tinto
Learn how Workday partners are empowering organisations to embrace the future. Discover innovative solutions and hear real-world success stories in this insightful session.

2:00pm-2:45pm

HR: Customer conversations
- Kit Moody
  
  Regional Sales Director, Workday
- Jeff Rodway
  
  Head of Remuneration and People Systems & Services, Bunnings
- Yvette McDonald
  
  Chief People and Customer Officer, Anglicare
Learn how leading organisations are embracing HR transformation to drive success. Hear their stories and gain valuable insights in this informative session.

10:45am–11:30am

Finance: Thought leadership session
CFO ADAPT Insights: 3 things top performers do for the most success in AI
- Dr. Michael Kollo
  
  Director of AI, ADAPT
Drawing on ADAPT's recent research on Agentic and GenAI across 800 Australian business leaders, Dr Michael will explore the key factors that contribute to AI success for CFOs.

AI is now a strategic priority with 70% of respondents planning to increase their investment, however, only 25% of organisations have automated workflows, highlighting a gap between AI readiness and actual implementation.

Learn the 3 things top performers do for AI success, how to track long-term value and ROI, and which internal measures set the leaders apart.

11:30am–12:15pm

Moving the Office of the CFO forever forward
- Rob Zwiebach
  
  Vice President Product Management, Financials Management, Workday
- Luke Bebbington
  
  Strategic Industry Advisor, Workday
The potential for accounting and procurement teams to make strategic business impact has never been greater. Together, we’re charting a course to unlock this potential and harness the power of data, people and processes. Join this session to learn about the latest enhancements in AI, analytics and user experience, and see where we’re heading next.

12:15pm-1:15pm

Fuel Your Curiosity: Lunch and exploration in the discovery zone

Join us for lunch in the discovery zone. Explore interactive demos, engage with industry leaders, and connect with fellow attendees. This is your chance to fuel your body and mind in the centre of innovation.

1:15pm-2:00pm

Finance: Accenture partner session

Learn how Workday partners are empowering organisations to embrace the future. Discover innovative solutions and hear real-world success stories in this insightful session.

2:00pm-2:45pm

Finance: Customer conversations
- Kristeen McCarthy
  
  Senior Value Manager, Workday
- Cara Wennerbom
  
  Chief Operating Officer, BDO
- Brian Ni
  
  Chief Financial Officer, Tokio Marine
- Mel Ting
  
  Senior Finance Manager, Anglicare
Learn how leading organisations are embracing Finance transformation to drive success. Hear their stories and gain valuable insights in this informative session.

10:45am–11:30am

Technology: Thought leadership session
Riding the next wave: Agentic AI and the future of business with Workday Illuminate
- Shan Moorthy
  
  Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific, Workday
Businesses stand at the edge of a powerful new transformation—one driven by Agentic AI and defined by unprecedented speed, scale, and adaptability.

In this session, we’ll explore how to make the critical decisions today that will set your organisation up for success tomorrow. Cut through the hype to understand the real potential of Agentic AI, and discover how Workday Illuminate is a strategic catalyst in navigating this next era of intelligent enterprise.

11:30am–12:15pm

Forward thinking technology:
Let's get practical: turning Workday's AI innovations into action
- Adam Krebet
  
  Principal Business Architect, Workday
- Aurelie Elliot
  
  Solution Consulting Architecture & Technology Lead, Workday
Hear from our forward-thinking enterprise architects on how to turn these strategies into action. Learn through real examples how Workday’s latest innovations - including Illuminate features, our Agentic System of Record, and the AI-powered Extend Marketplace - are helping CIOs master their strategic balancing act: driving AI innovation, simplifying their system landscape, and governing risks around data integrity, auditability, and responsible AI management.

12:15pm-1:15pm

Fuel Your Curiosity: Lunch and exploration in the discovery zone
Join us for lunch in the discovery zone. Explore interactive demos, engage with industry leaders, and connect with fellow attendees. This is your chance to fuel your body and mind in the centre of innovation.

1:15pm-2:00pm

Technology: Cognizant partner session

Learn how Workday partners are empowering organisations to embrace the future. Discover innovative solutions and hear real-world success stories in this insightful session.

2:00pm-2:45pm

Technology: Customer conversations
- Sinan Erbay
  
  Chief Information Officer, RMIT University
- Bryce Maybury
  
  Chief Technology Officer, Guzman y Gomez Mexican Kitchen
- Mark Richardson
  
  Product Owner Workday, Commonwealth Bank
- Shan Moorthy
  
  Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific, Workday
Learn how leading organisations are embracing IT transformation to drive success. Hear their stories and gain valuable insights in this informative session.

10:45am–11:30am

Student: Thought leadership session
Illuminating the future of Higher Education with Workday Student
- Cade Elg
  
  Higher Education Lead, Workday
- Kate Russell
  
  Head of Industry Strategy, Workday
Join us for an insightful session delving into Workday Student. We'll unveil how our powerful AI platform is revolutionising Higher Education by delivering actionable insights and driving transformative outcomes. Discover the tangible value Workday Student brings to educational institutions, empowering them to streamline operations, enhance student experiences, and achieve strategic goals.

This session will begin with a business update, followed by an exploration of the customer value Workday Student delivers. Following this, we will outline the customer roadmap for Workday Student and conclude with a showcase of Workday AI Illuminate and its impact on higher education.

11:30am–12:15pm

Student: The power of Workday Student, overview and product showcase
- Diane Snow
  
  Senior Solution Consultant, Workday
- Linda Lam
  
  Solution Consultant, Workday
This session will showcase key capabilities of the Workday Student product, and how they can benefit your institution. We’ll focus on the student experience, key administrator personas, and institutional insights from reporting through to analytics.

12:15pm-1:15pm

Fuel Your Curiosity: Lunch and exploration in the discovery zone

Join us for lunch in the discovery zone. Explore interactive demos, engage with industry leaders, and connect with fellow attendees. This is your chance to fuel your body and mind in the centre of innovation.

1:15pm-2:00pm

Student: Customer conversations
- Steven Fulkerson
  
  Vice President / Chief Information Officer, University of Arkansas System
Join us for an exclusive session featuring the Chief Information Offer of University of Arkansas System as they share their insightful experience with Workday, specifically highlighting their successful Workday Student experience and the transformative impact of a unified platform.

This session offers higher education leaders, IT professionals, and administrators a real-world case study, providing actionable insights for your institution's digital transformation.

2:00pm-2:45pm

Student: Get hands on with Workday Student
- Linda Lam
  
  Solution Consultant, Workday
Discover the Student experience by getting hands on with Workday. Join us for an interactive session that will have you exploring the student journey in Workday on your mobile device followed by an interactive quiz to test your knowledge.

2:45pm-3:15pm

Reflection and recharge: Afternoon tea in the discovery zone

Take a pause and reflect on the day's insights with afternoon tea in the discovery zone. Connect with fellow attendees, share key takeaways, and recharge before the closing keynote.

3:15pm-4:00pm

Forward thinking leadership: how AI advancements are improving our lives and our workforce
- Winthrop Professor Fiona Wood FRACS AO
  
  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Director of Research Fiona Wood Foundation
As AI reshapes our working world, it offers something profoundly human in return: time to lead with greater authenticity, emotional intelligence, and purpose.

Professor Fiona Wood AO - renowned burns specialist, researcher, and Australian of the Year (2005), is best known for her revolutionary ‘spray-on skin’ innovation. With over 30 years at the forefront of medical research and surgical advancement, she continues to push boundaries in regenerative medicine, biotechnology, robotics, and precision healthcare.

Her current work includes pioneering technologies blending AI and biotechnologies, full-skin reconstruction and transcranial magnetic stimulation to explore brain-immune system connections. These innovations reflect a new model of leadership - collaborative, purpose-driven, and future-focused.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most respected changemakers as Professor Wood explores what it means to lead boldly in a world being redefined by technology.

4:00pm - 4:15pm

Customer award winner and closing remarks
- Jo-Anne Ruhl
  
  Managing Director and Vice President, Australia and New Zealand, Workday
Get ready, it's time to announce our customer award winner onstage who will travel to Workday’s flagship event Rising and represent Australia. Finally Jo-Anne will close the event for the day, then its time to enjoy the after-party!

All day

Discovery zone

Step into a world of innovation and exploration at the heart of Workday Elevate. The discovery zone is your gateway to immersive experiences, interactive demos, and connections with Workday experts, customers, and partners. Discover how Workday solution’s are transforming businesses, explore real-world success stories, and engage with the technologies shaping the future of work. Don't just hear about innovation, experience it firsthand.

All day

Discovery theatre

Step into the discovery theatre for focused sessions that illuminate the power of Workday solutions. This is your opportunity to deepen your understanding and unlock the full potential of Workday’s innovative platform.

4:30pm-5:30pm

Unwind and connect: the Workday Sydney Elevate after-party

Don't miss the ultimate networking event! Join us in the discovery zone for an evening of drinks, delicious bites, and entertainment. Relax, unwind, and connect with peers, partners, and Workday leaders as we close the day.

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Agenda

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Join us at Workday Elevate Sydney.

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Join us at Workday Elevate Sydney.

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