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Leadership Panel 2021

Our panel of senior industry leaders from across the Tasman will discuss the future of leadership and share what skills, behaviours and mindset will be critical for success in our changing world.

Interested in getting involved for next years event? Contact the team at Human Synergistics to learn how!

Organisations taking part for 2021

We will moderate a panel discussion with a mix of senior leaders from across the Tasman. This year we welcome the following organisations taking part.

Unisuper leadership and culture conference human synergistics

Auckland Transport leadership and culture conference human synergistics

Nicole Gower

Vice-President, People and Services, Macquarie University

Nicole is an experienced executive with specialisation in Human Resources, Organisational Change, Technology, Law and Corporate Services. A strong track record in building engaged and service-focussed teams. Industry specialisations include Higher Education, Financial Services (particularly superannuation) and Professional Services. She is a member of the Macquarie University Executive Group and is the Executive Group sponsor for several strategic initiatives including the Gender Equity Strategy and UniForum benchmarking. Nicole currently serves on the Board of UniSuper Limited (Director) and U@MQ, a controlled entity of Macquarie University (Chairperson).

Connect with Nicole

Jill Johnston

Head of People and Development, Sydney Opera House

Currently Head of People and Development at the Sydney Opera House, Jill’s Human Resources career of over 25 years has led her to opportunities that align with her values and personal goals. She believes that developing and implementing employee engagement initiatives that truly make a difference, reinforces the role that HR play in organisational culture. Previous HR business partnering roles have been in broadcast media including, ITV and BBC in London and SCA in Australia. At the BBC Jill played a key role in a 5-year culture change program that led to an employer of choice award. She maintains that building a values based culture and evolving leaders so they are equipped to have the most constructive impact on employees, is the key to building a work environment where people thrive.

Connect with Jill

Vanessa Ellis

Executive General Manager Customer Experience at Auckland Transport

Vanessa Ellis is an experienced executive leader with a consistent track record of building high performing teams and achieving commercial targets in public and private sectors. She has successfully led large scale investment and organisation-wide transformation programmes and diverse teams. Vanessa is currently a member of Auckland Transport’s executive team and was appointed in late 2018 to lead a key organisation priority to be more responsive to the public and improve the everyday experiences of people travelling. She also has responsibility for the Customer Experience Division of 350 awesome people, including market analytics, customer services, digital channels, product owners, human centred design team, marketing, road safety and active modes teams.

Connect with Vanessa

David Byrum

General Manager/Director Human Synergistics Australia

David is our resident panel moderator. He has over 25 years of industry experience across all sectors, including executive leadership roles with Human Synergistics and Kepner Tregoe. His partnerships focus on enhancing the effectiveness of individuals, teams, and business processes to enhance organisational culture and bottom-line performance. David fulfills the role of coach and trusted advisor to individuals and teams at an executive level to enhance their awareness and develop action plans that support the use of constructive behaviors. He is an accomplished project manager, as well as an accredited practitioner and master trainer for all methodologies and diagnostics associated with Human Synergistics and Kepner Tregoe.

Connect with David

Revisit culture and leadership panels from past events.

The Business Case for Culture: What a CEO needs to know

Five experienced and effective CEO leaders discuss why they believe developing a constructive culture is so critical to the success of their organisations.

Watch the video

Human Synergistics conference panel speakers 2015

The Culture Couch:
Executive Panel

Executive leaders examine how organisations gain an edge by building performance excellence and the role organisational culture plays in this.

Watch the video

human synergistics - darren lockyer breakfast

Breakfast Bites: Understanding what drives high performance

Rugby league legend, Darren Lockyer, joins our breakfast panel to discuss mental preparation, goal setting, having the right attitude, and living your values.

Watch the video