WAW Logo Summit White


Melbourne Agenda

Thursday 12th November 2026 

Venue to be announced shortly

08:00 – 09:00

Registration, Networking, Meeting and Connections

09:00 – 09:30
Chris Cummings UK 25 small sq

Welcome and Setting the Scene

Chris Cummings UK 25 small sq
Wellbeing at Work TM Stacked small version
Chris Cummings
Founder, Sonas Group, (Wellbeing at Work)
Wellbeing at Work TM Stacked small version
09:30 – 10:15

Leadership Panel – Driving Performance in a Changing World: From Wellbeing to Workforce Advantage

What leadership behaviours and cultural signals sustain wellbeing and performance in hybrid, AI-enabled workplaces? How can wellbeing be embedded as a seamless, data-informed experience across the entire employee lifecycle? How do organisations shift from wellbeing provision to building workforce capability, adaptability, and growth? How can wellbeing be leveraged as a strategic driver of resilience, retention, and innovation in times of rapid change?
Brett Reid

Brett Reid
YMCA victoria
Brett Reid
Chief People Officer, YMCA Victoria
YMCA victoria
Lisa Taylor-Mesiti

Lisa Taylor-Mesiti
ISGROUP
Lisa Taylor-Mesiti
Chief People Officer, IS Group
ISGROUP
Penny Lovett

Penny Lovett
arcare
Penny Lovett
Chief People Officer, Arcare Aged Care
arcare
Nicole Hughes

Nicole Hughes
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
Nicole Hughes
Director, People & Culture, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
Amanda Armstrong-1

Amanda Armstrong-1
Royal Melbourne Hospital-1
Amanda Armstrong
Chief People & Communications Officer, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Royal Melbourne Hospital-1
Robyn Levinge

Robyn Levinge
bank of new zealand
Robyn Levinge
GM Leadership, Culture & Wellbeing, Bank of New Zealand
bank of new zealand
10:15 – 10:40

AI as the Driver of the Future of HR, Wellness and Performance

How will AI impact holistic well-being strategies to drive productivity, lower healthcare costs, and increased profitability? How will AI & personalization elevate engagement through data-driven wellness solutions? What impact will AI-powered coaching and health analytics have on customized well-being plans that improve employee retention and performance? How can organizations prioritize emotional intelligence, trust, and mental health support experience in order to achieve stronger engagement, lower turnover, and higher innovation?
Speaker to be announced shortly
10:40 - 11:05

Morning Networking Break

11:05 - 11:50
Daniel Thek small sq

Moving Beyond Wellbeing to Better Work

The evolving role of wellbeing practitioners in the workplace; from subject matter experts to partnering on business and people success, Employee wellbeing is an enabler for productivity, retention and satisfaction…but have wellbeing practitioners (and HR leaders) been too narrow in their focus?
Daniel Thek small sq
mars
Daniel Thek
Health and Wellbeing Manager, Mars ANZ
mars
11:50 – 12:00

Audience Energiser

12:00 – 13:00

Leadership Workshop Discussions

Attendees will take their pick from our expert led sessions which will be announced shortly
13:00 – 14:00

Networking Lunch

14:00 - 14:15

Audience Energiser

14:15 - 15:00

Panel: Designing Wellbeing with Inclusion in Mind

How do you deliver wellbeing that truly works across hybrid, multi-generational and neurodiverse workforces? What does inclusivity mean for women’s wellbeing in the workplace? What means are available to better accommodate those with disabilities at organizations today? What can employers do to ensure true inclusion combines belongingness and the valuing of individual uniqueness? What should be done about culture from the perspective of inter-generational workers? How can organizations create non-discriminatory work processes and policies? How do communities in organizations help create a culture of inclusion and thriving together?
Jane McIntosh

Jane McIntosh
Fire Rescue Victoria
Jane McIntosh
Director of People Experience, Fire Rescue Victoria
Fire Rescue Victoria
Shanyn Payne

Shanyn Payne
Netwealth
Shanyn Payne
Chief People Officer, Netwealth
Netwealth
Kathryn Foster

Kathryn Foster
Portable
Kathryn Foster
Head of People & Culture, Portable
Portable
Erika Jeffs

Erika Jeffs
JudoBankLogo
Erika Jeffs
General Manager, Talent & People Partnering, Judo Bank
JudoBankLogo
15:00 - 15:30

Networking Break

15:30 - 16:15
1764220841253

The Role of Learning in Boosting Wellbeing in an Ever-Changing Environment

How do organizations provide employees with the skills needed to meet the ever-changing needs of their companies? Developing a culture of learning and development to enable employees to manage rapidly changing working conditions. Ensuring learning and development provides resilience to employees. What can organizations do now to ensure remote workers have the same access to learning opportunities?
1764220841253
1673501169634
Peter Elkhuizen
Partner Capability & Growth Manager, Starbucks
1673501169634
16:15 – 16:30

CEO Fireside Chat

Speaker to be announced shortly
16:30 – 16:40
Chris Cummings UK 25 small sq

Closing Remarks

Chris Cummings UK 25 small sq
WAW Logo Mark
Chris Cummings
Founder, Sonas Group, Wellbeing at Work
WAW Logo Mark
16:40 – 18:00

Networking Reception