Australia Sydney Agenda 2026

09:00 – 09:30

Welcome and Setting the Scene

Wellbeing at Work TM Stacked small version

Chris Cummings

Founder, Sonas Group, (Wellbeing at Work)

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?

Pauly Grant

Chief People Officer, Publicis Groupe ANZ & APAC

Luke Fleming

Chief People Officer, International Convention Centre Sydney

Robyn Levinge

GM Leadership, Culture & Wellbeing, Bank of New Zealand

10:15 – 10:40

Closing the Wellbeing Gap with AI-Driven, Human-Centered Care

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

11:05 - 11:45

Technology and Wellbeing in Today’s Workplace

Where does HR fit in of digital workplace strategy? How will AI enhance wellbeing and productivity without causing anxiety? What is the role of leadership in shaping a technology enable, people-first workplace?

Mark Brogan

Board Member, Netflix

Victoria Taylor

Regional IT Support Manager (ANZ & SE Asia), Amazon Web Services (AWS)

14:05 - 14.45

The Purpose Effect | Meaning, Energy and Wellbeing at Work

What happens when people feel deeply connected to the purpose of their work? This panel explores the powerful link between meaning, wellbeing and high performance across very different settings: aged care, engineering, education, architecture, and sport. Together, the panel will unpack how purpose can energise people, build resilience, strengthen connection and inspire better outcomes.

Thomas Astell-Burt

Professor of Cities and Planetary Health, University of Sydney

Anji Head

Senior Manager, Health & Wellbeing, University of Sydney

Viv Allanson OAM

CEO, Gener8Care

Louisa Thraves

Chief Experience Officer, Out of Bounds

Emma George

Associate Professor, Health and Physical Education, Western Sydney University

Moderated by Melanie Farmer

People & Culture, Learning Consultant, Lucid

15:30 - 16:15

Panel: Designing Wellbeing with Accessibility, Inclusion and Belonging in Mind

How do you deliver wellbeing that truly works across hybrid, multi-generational and neuro and accessibility diverse workforces? 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? How can organizations create non-discriminatory work processes and policies? How do communities in organizations help create a culture of inclusion and thriving together?