Main Entrance Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 9, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Welcome
The official welcome and introduction to the COBA 2023 Emerging Leaders stream.

Speaker: Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, COBA

Facilitator: Molly Du Rietz, Chair, Emerging Leaders Committee

Meeting Room 9, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Speed Networking
Kick off the day with a fast-paced and high-energy networking activity. Get to know your fellow Emerging Leaders in a relaxed, fun environment.

Facilitators:

Ellie Zagas, Digital Communications Coordinator, COBA

Jesse Stephens, Marketing Officer, BankWAW

Meeting Room 9 Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 9, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Take it from the Top: Get to know your sectors leaders
Join us for an inspiring and insightful panel discussion featuring some of the sectors accomplished leaders. In this session, panellists will share their career experiences and offer practical advice on how to cultivate leadership potential within your own careers.

Speakers:
Kerrie Nayler, Senior Manager Corporate Affairs and Internal Communications, P&N Bank
Sophie Scott-Young, National Operations Manager, Beyond Bank
Jeremy Andreani, Head of Cyber Security, NGM Group
Jill Jetson-Shumbusho, Chief Customer and People Officer, Bank of us

Facilitator:
Sean Lo Cascio, Manager Marketing, Communications and Events, COBA

Meeting Room 6 Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 9 Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

The SAM Network Forum will include a business update from Cuscal, in addition to an overview of Shared Service Partners – touching also upon robotics in banking. In addition, the Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee Chair will present on the new Code of Practice, including the advantages of a self-regulatory model, and addressing the compliance challenges for smaller customer owned banks. The forum will conclude with an open member discussion on opportunities for the SAM Network going forward.

Meeting Room 9, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Leadership Stories
Based on Daniel Goleman’s six emotional leadership styles, Leadership Stories is an interactive thought-provoking session about leadership. The session aims to support participants and test their leadership skills in a highly engaging and safe environment, and gain an understanding on these particular leadership styles and how they can be used effectively in the workplace.
The key takeaways of this session are reinforcing your communication skills, promoting collaboration, expanding active listening skills, and advancing your persuasion and consultation abilities.

Speaker: Oliver Sheer, Joint Managing Director, Be Challenged

Facilitator:
Paige McParland, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited

Meeting Room 9, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Cultural Competency: Why it matters to walk your talk

To become effective leaders, we must be open to learn from others and develop deeper cultural awareness. Gain a better understanding of your organisation’s cultural competency needs and learn strategies to develop a more equitably proficient environment.

This session aims to build skills and knowledge on workplace diversity and inclusion, inspiring Emerging Leaders to embrace equity advocacy and become culturally competent leaders.

Speaker:
Tasneem Chopra OAM, Cross Cultural Consultant, Diversity Equity & Inclusion trainer
Facilitator:
Clara Kiefel-Johnson, Senior Marketing Consultant, Bank Australia

Meeting Room 6 Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 9 Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 9, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Million Dollar Handshake: How to empower yourself and influence others

Ever wondered how your communication or leadership style is interpreted by others? In this fun, fast and forward-thinking session we will explore human behaviour, learn how to build deeper connections, and discover the secrets to more win-win scenarios in business and in life.

Hack your leadership style and understand your communication superpower as you develop your Million Dollar Handshake.

Speaker:
Catherine Molloy, Author & Communication Expert

Facilitator: Matthew Ciezki, Finance Manager, Bank of us

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Dress Code: Business casual

Main Entrance Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Pre-registration is essential and numbers are limited.

Flipping the Script: Political Advocacy over Pancakes
Wake up and smell the advocacy as we feast on COBA’s renowned Regulatory Affairs Breakfast. We’ll serve a fresh perspective on the enduring game of political advocacy, as we explore how to establish credibility with key stakeholders, the priority issues impacting our sector, and the forces shaping political decision makers. Start your day right with a nourishing session to fuel your understanding of influence and the political forces shaping our sector.

Speakers:
Stephanie Elliot, Chief Operating Officer, COBA
Mark Nguyen, Chief of Policy, COBA

Facilitator: Michael Mack, Chief Executive Officer, BankWAW

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

COBA 2023 Master of Ceremonies: Effie Zahos

COBA 2023 Opening Remarks
Speaker: Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, COBA

Leading with purpose: The inspired company advantage
Leading with purpose is a high priority for organisations globally. It builds inspired and engaged workforces at a time where society demands organisations act with greater integrity. But what does itreally look like to lead with purpose? And how can organisations move from promise to action?

Lisa MacCallum is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Inspired Companies, a former Vice President at Nike, and a leading expert in corporate reputation and purpose-driven business performance. Using bite size examples from companies from around the world, Lisa will unpack how dramatically marketplace expectations have changed, what it really means to lead with purpose, and how it translates into higher organisational performance and competitive advantage.

Keynote Speaker: Lisa MacCallum, Former Vice President at Nike, Founder and Chief Strategist of Inspired Companies, Business and Thought Leader

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Presentation Hub, Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Taking the stress out of the Consumer Data Right

Speaker: Mark Perry, Chief Growth Officer, Biza.io

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Financial wellness in First Nations communities: Meaningful opportunities and building resilience
Explore the complex issues facing the financial wellness of First Nations people in Australia, led by Shirley Chowdhary, an internationally experienced executive leader and passionate advocate for Indigenous empowerment and diversity.

Shirley will explore firsthand accounts of resilience, challenge, and support as we are joined by a distinguished panel of First Nations leaders. Their stories will provide attendees with valuable insights and actionable strategies to promote financial well-being for First Nations communities across Australia. By working with First Nations people, customer owned banks can improve access to financial services, foster inclusivity, and provide meaningful opportunities on the journey  towards financial wellness.

Speakers:
Shirley Chowdhary, Internationally Experienced Executive Leader

Lynda Edwards, Financial Counselling Australia

Phil Usher, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Foundation

Facilitator:
Shirley Chowdhary, Internationally Experienced Executive Leader

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Striking gold or mining uranium? Redefining our relationshipwith data and privacy
Privacy and data security is fast becoming an important focus in public discourse. Well publicised data breaches have shone a spotlight on the sheer scale of collected personal information, while exposing the large risks of inadequate protection and mismanagement. This increasing concern has forced privacy protection to take a more prominent role, with major reforms to privacy laws likely to come into force in coming years.
So how should the customer owned banking sector respond to these challenges? And is the use of a customer’s personal information more like striking gold – providing infinite insights to drive business outcomes – or mining uranium – balancing the significant benefits with equally significant risks for storage and disposal? This session will bring together a broad range of perspectives to discuss how we should think about privacy today, and into the future.

Speakers:

Kate Wilson, Global Product Director, RFI Global

Jeremy Andreani, Head of Cyber Security, NGM Group

Narelle Smythe, Partner, Ashurst Australia

Cindy Hansen, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Qudos Bank

Facilitator: Effie Zahos

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Presentation Hub, Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Introducing KWIL powered by Livesign: How Australia’s only biometric mortgage signing solution can support your business

Speaker: Blake Albones, Chief Sales Officer, Galilee

Presentation Hub, Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Build a member focused mortgage experience harnessing the number 1 address in property

Speaker: Shelley Horton, Executive Manager- Mortgage Solutions, PropTrack

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Service in action: Elevating customer service to new heights
Exceptional customer service lies at the heart of our sector, and customer owned banks lead the market with an impressive 91.6% satisfaction rate. But what lies behind these numbers?

Join us as we explore captivating case studies from passionate staff within the sector. Discover how staff have worked tirelessly to provide unrivalled support while going the extra mile to surprise and delight customers at every turn. Leave this session brimming with inspiration and ready to elevate customer satisfaction to new heights.

Speakers:

Solomiia Vozniak, Personal Banker, Dnister Ukrainian Credit Co-operative

Therese Turner, Chief Customer Officer, P&N Group

Darlene Mattiske-Wood, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Military Bank

Sophie Scott-Young, National Operations Manager, Beyond Bank

Ashlee Cagney, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager, The Capricornian

Facilitator: Effie Zahos

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Leveraging the human element: Safeguarding against cybersecurity threats from within and beyond
Explore the crucial role of the human element in cybersecurity and discover strategies to identify, capitalise on, and mitigate threats from within and beyond. Learn about the principles of security by design to discover how an understanding of human behaviours can drive the creation of layered security measures for internal protection and customer-facing products.

This session will provide insights into practical strategies for integrating human-centric security practices throughout your organisation, from employee training to product development and procurement. Prepare to unlock the potential of the human element in cybersecurity and strengthen organisational defences while delivering secure and customer-centric digital banking experiences.

Speakers:

Henry Peens, Cyber Risk Partner, Deloitte Risk Advisory

Dr Marthie Grobler PhD, CISM, Principal Research Scientist, Human-Centric Security, Data 61 CSIRO

Bowen Fung, Senior Research Advisor, Behavioural Insights Team

Facilitators:
Elizabeth Crouch AM, Chair, COBA

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Presentation Hub, Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Leading with pathways to home ownership: Gain valuable insights into home owner sentiment and buyer behaviours from over 3000 home buyers, investors and refinancers.

Speakers: Rebecca Mitchell, Strategic Partnership Leader, Helia

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

COBA 2023 Master of Ceremonies: Effie Zahos

Platinum Sponsor Address: KWIL, Powered by Livesign

The future of digital banking – a view from the northern hemisphere

Speaker: David Birch, Author, advisor and commentator on digital financial services

Forging resilience: A fireside chat with APRA Chair John Lonsdale

In 2023, the global banking landscape has faced challenges on a number of fronts, from global economic uncertainty and a rising rate environment, to rapid technological growth and cyber threats. Collaborative efforts from regulators, industry, and government are essential to ensure Australian banks can remain resilient and maintain trust.

Join our fireside chat with APRA Chair John Lonsdale and COBA CEO Mike Lawrence, as they discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the customer owned banking sector in the next 12 months and beyond.

Speakers:

John Lonsdale, Chair, APRA

Michael Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, COBA 

Emerging Leaders Presentation to Plenary

Speakers: Molly Du Rietz, Chair, Emerging Leaders Committee and Administration Assistant, COBA

Clara Kiefel-Johnson, Emerging Leaders Committee and Senior Marketing Consultant, Bank Australia

2023 Bridges Emerging Leader Award Presentation

Speakers: Sascha Jones, Senior Process Improvement Consultant, Heritage and People’s Choice, and 2022 Award Winner

Nathan Stanton, Chief Executive Officer, Bridges

Broadbeach Tavern, Oasis Shopping Centre, Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach

(Emerging Leader delegates only – pre-registration required)

Main Entrance Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Pre-registration is essential and numbers are limited.

Happiness and Wellbeing: myths and misconceptions, truths and reality
Ask most people what they want in life, and their answer will include one key trait: to be happy. Happiness is often the ultimate goal for ourselves and our loved ones. But decades of research and practice show most people don’t really understand what this means, and common myths and misconceptions reduce our chances of experiencing real and meaningful happiness.

Join us for an eye-opening session over breakfast, as Dr. Tim Sharp, aka Dr. Happy unravels the secrets to living a truly meaningful and fulfilling life. Prepare for common myths to be shattered, revealing the path to a life filled with connection, clarity, and genuine contentment. Don’t miss the opportunity to listen, laugh, and learn with Dr. Happy as he addresses your burning questions and enlightens the path to genuine happiness and wellbeing.

Speaker:
Dr Tim Sharp
Psychologist, Author and Speaker

Facilitator: Elizabeth Crouch AM, Chair, COBA

Proudly sponsored by Nimo Industries

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

COBA 2023 Master of Ceremonies: Effie Zahos

AI excellence: How to drive purposeful digital transformation
As the fastest-growing tech sector in the world, AI is driving the digital transformation of both public and private sector organisations. In the wake of the pandemic, leaders are grappling with the best strategies to harness not just AI, but a range of emerging technologies including blockchain, IoT, 5G, and Virtual and Augmented Reality. But how can we ensure businesses and economies lead with purpose and embed people at the centre of this transformation?

Embrace the future with confidence, as Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse expert Dr. Catriona Wallace offers a comprehensive exploration of the state of AI and the emerging technology market. Learn about effective models for Digital Transformation, how to manage humans, processes, and ethics, and the art of future-proofing in a technology-led transformation era.

Keynote Speaker: Dr Catriona Wallace, Expert in AI and the Metaverse

Platinum Sponsor Address: nCino

Modernising Banking: How to Redefine the Lending Experience

Speaker: Anthony Morris, Chief Industry Innovation Officer, nCino

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Meeting Room 6 Foyer, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Presentation Hub, Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Transforming Customer Experience and Driving Growth with a User-Friendly Platform: Insights from P&N Bank

Speakers:

Ash Verma, Leading Solution Consultant Financial Services, Salesforce

Syed Ahmed, Senior Manager CRM Solutions, P&N Bank

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Into the storm: Mastering crisis communications in the financial landscape
Step into the heart of crisis management as we present an immersive session exploring crisis communication principles within the customer owned banking sector.

Engage in a real-world crisis scenario, where delegates will explore approaches to mitigate the impact of a crisis and protect your organisation’s reputation. Our expert panel will share their insights and best practices, as the crisis continues to evolve and more information becomes available. Once we have successfully navigated the crisis scenario, our panel will engage in a fireside discussion to delve deeper into the intricate art of crisis management. Gain the tools and knowledge to navigate storms with resilience and confidence in the ever-evolving financial landscape.

Speakers:

Megan Lane, Director of Communications and Government Affairs, CyberCX

Elissa Lewis, Head of Corporate Communication, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited

Mel Loy, Owner & Director, Hey Mel! Comms & Training

Facilitator: Stephanie Elliott, Chief Operating Officer, COBA

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Green is Gold: Why sustainability is a competitive advantage

With mandatory climate reporting not far away, many COBA members may be thinking of sustainability as a burden. But there are many reasons to think of it as not only the “right” thing for people and planet, but also a boon for business. In this session, our panel of experts will flag key issues for boards and executive management, and unpack how embracing a sustainability strategy can deliver a better bottom line, greater staff and customer loyalty, and reduce customer and corporate risk.

Speakers:

Kylie Macfarlane, Chief Operating Officer, Insurance Council of Australia

Rade Musulin, Principal, Finity Consulting

Dr Sasha Courville, Chief Impact Officer, Bank Australia

Nicki Hutley, Chief Economic Adviser, COBA

Facilitator: Nicki Hutley, Chief Economic Adviser, COBA

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Home Lending: Mastering best in class omnichannel experiences

Speaker: Mathew Parsons, Head of Product – Home Lending, nCino

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Navigating the Lucky Laundry: A guided tour through the Aussie financial crime landscape
Financial crime, anti-money laundering and terrorist finance have emerged as three of the top compliance risks facing Australian banks. In this session, Nathan Lynch, author of ‘true crime’ bestseller The Lucky Laundry, will take participants on a ‘guided tour’ down the dark alleyways of illicit finance, exploring the threats and opportunities for customer-owned banks.

Packed with real-life stories and case studies, this session will provide a deep understanding of the threat landscape and unpack the critical lessons from $2.5 billion in AML/CTF enforcement actions.

Speaker:
Nathan Lynch, Financial Crime Fighter, Author, Investigator & Money Laundering Expert

Facilitator: Effie Zahos

Meeting Room 6-8, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

A sticky situation: Can Australia beat inflation and avoid a recession?
Australia’s inflation rate has started to make its journey back towards the RBA’s target. But some are concerned it won’t get there without further rate rises, increasing the risk that an already wobbly economy falls into a recession.

In this session, COBA’s Chief Economic Adviser Nicki Hutley will discuss the driving forces behind inflation, how these drivers have changed over the past year, risks to the economic outlook, and how a recession might play out – particularly in the labour market. Nicki will round out this session looking at where policies can be most effective to balance price and growth objectives, including how the uptake of AI can strengthen productivity.

Speaker:
Nicki Hutley, Chief Economic Adviser, COBA

Facilitator: Adeline Siew, Head of Business Services, COBA

Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Presentation Hub, Hall 1&2, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Reshaping of banking… Balancing digital innovation while keeping our community safe

Speakers:

George Zafos, Master Principal Solution Consultant, Oracle Corporation
Amit Malik, Master Principal Solution Architect, Oracle Corporation

Arena 1B, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

COBA 2023 Master of Ceremonies: Effie Zahos

Fearless innovation: Empowering leaders to create a new future
Are you daring enough to change the world? Join this captivating session delving into the mind of someone who defied convention and turned their ambitious vision into a reality. As the business landscape evolves, how can leaders navigate the challenges posed by our slow biological adaption to the new world and rapid technological advancement, while striving to make a significant impact?

Back by popular demand, we are thrilled to welcome Gus Balbontin, an investor, entrepreneur, founder, and explorer with a remarkable track record in transforming businesses. Building on the foundations of COBA 2021, Gus will take the stage live to share invaluable insights on digital transformation. Drawing from his experiences as the former executive director and CTO of Lonely Planet, Gus will guide delegates on seizing opportunities amidst ongoing disruption. Prepare for an energetic and thought-provoking journey that will inspire you to embrace innovation, let go of the past, and create a new future.

Keynote Speaker: Gus Balbontin, Former Executive Director and CTO, Lonely Planet

COBA 2023 Closing Remarks
Speaker: Elizabeth Crouch AM, Chair, COBA

Hall 3, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Theme: Black and White with a touch of Fabulous!

Enjoy an extraordinary musical experience featuring the timeless hits of the two iconic legends Billy Joel and Elton John. Come dressed in your finest black and white attire, with a touch of fabulous flair!

Dress Code: Cocktail

Proudly sponsored by CGU