AHRI VIC
Conference 2026
Program | Speakers
| Pullman Melbourne on the Park |
#AHRI26VIC
HR: Powered by People
Program at a glance
The AHRI VIC Conference 2026 will explore the pivotal role HR plays as the strategic engine that accelerates organisational growth and drives workplace transformation.
Registrations close Sunday 31 May
8:15 AM
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM (30 min)
Arrival tea and coffee
8:45 AM – 9:05 AM (20 min)
Opening comments
AHRI update
9:05 AM
Facilitated networking - Dinner with Shrek
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9:15 AM – 10:10 AM (55 min)
Opening keynote - Managing an economy at full employment
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In a period where Australia is operating at or near full employment, business leaders face a unique and complex economic environment. Labour markets are tight, global volatility persists, and workforce expectations are shifting rapidly. What does this mean for Australian organisations, and how should leaders respond?
In this keynote address, Paul Bloxham, a leading economist will provide a macro-level analysis of the current global and Australian economic landscape. The session will examine:
- Global growth trends and geopolitical pressures
- Inflation dynamics and interest rate settings
- Productivity challenges
- Labour market conditions in Australia
- Structural shifts affecting workforce supply and demand.
The keynote will then move from the macro to the practical – translating economic signals into actionable insights for Australian businesses.
10:10 AM – 10:35 AM (25 min)
Morning tea, expo and networking
10:35 AM
10:35 AM – 11:20 AM (45 min)
Session 2 - The human edge: Connecting, creating, and leading in the age of AI
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Join us for an interactive exploration of what makes humans irreplaceable as AI takes on more routine tasks. How do we decide where to invest our finite energy in this emerging world? Which skills should we focus on, and how can we partner with AI to amplify our impact?
Through facilitated discussions, real-world scenarios, and evidence-based research, we’ll uncover the uniquely human qualities – like judgment, creativity, and authenticity – that become even more valuable as technology advances. You’ll leave with a practical framework for collaborating with AI, optimising human potential, and guiding development within your organisation.
11:20 AM – 11:45 AM (25 min)
Facilitated networking - Let's connect: Peer problem solving
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11:45 AM
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM (45 min)
People energy crisis: Running on fumes
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Outside of work, we keep talking about energy crises and fuel shortages. Inside organisations, something similar is happening – but with people. Teams are operating at speed while quietly running on fumes. Energy is thin, connection is transactional, and performance is holding – until it doesn’t.
In this session, Marnie explores the emerging people energy crisis showing up in modern workplaces, including:
- Why constant connection isn’t the same as real connection
- How drained energy shows up as withdrawal, burnout and stalled performance
- Where leaders unintentionally deplete energy instead of restoring it
- What it takes to sustain people energy when pressure is high.
Grounded in research and enterprise experience, this is a people‑powered conversation about what leaders must do differently if performance is going to last.
12:30 PM
12:30 PM – 1:20 PM (50 min)
Lunch, expo and networking
1:20 PM
1:20 PM – 2:10 PM (50 min)
Session 4 - Taking a proactive approach to building a psychosocially safe workplace
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Psychological safety and psychosocial safety are often spoken about interchangeably, yet they play distinct roles in shaping healthy, productive and legally compliant workplaces.
In this session, subject experts will unpack these concepts and explore how organisations can meet both the evolving regulatory landscape and the human needs of their workforce. Through practical case studies, the panel will examine current compliance requirements, the principle of reasonable practicability, and how regulators are approaching psychosocial risk.
Attendees will gain insights into how to shift from a reactive model to a proactive, prevention-focused approach grounded in strong leadership capability, job design and thoughtful organisational practices.
2:10 PM
2:10 PM – 2:25 PM (15 min)
Facilitated networking - HR trivia challenge
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Team up for the ultimate HR trivia challenge – showcase your knowledge, compete for prizes, and connect with colleagues in a fun and engaging setting.
2:25 PM
2:25 PM – 3:10 PM (45 min)
Session 5 - Decisions shaped by people
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People and finance aren’t a balancing act. They’re a power move. In a world of AI, cost pressures and constant change, the real advantage is how decisions get made. Fast, informed and human.
Join CPA Australia’s Chief People Officer and Head of Business Partnering & Analytics for a live conversation on what it actually looks like when people and financial thinking move together – in the moments that matter.
No theory. Just real decisions, real trade-offs, and how this partnership shapes performance that lasts. Listen as they share expert practical insight, candid perspectives, and clear takeaways that you can actually apply.
3:10 PM – 3:35 PM (25 min)
Afternoon tea, expo and networking
3:35 PM
3:35 PM – 4:25 PM (50 min)
Closing keynote - Leading with courage, influence and clarity in times of change
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HR has never been just a support function. Yet in times of economic pressure, rapid change, and rising expectations, HR leaders are often expected to carry the emotional and organisational load quietly – without authority, pause, or protection from burnout.
This keynote reframes HR from functional expert to enterprise leader. Designed specifically for HR professionals, it focuses on the leadership capabilities needed to influence decisions, shape culture, and drive people-powered growth with confidence and clarity.
This is not about doing more. It’s about leading differently. Because HR doesn’t support leadership. HR is leadership.
4:25 PM
4:25 PM – 4:35 PM (10 min)
Closing comments
4:35 PM
4:35 PM – 5:35 PM (60 min)
Networking function
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Meet the speakers
Paul Bloxham
Chief Economist (ANZ and Global Commodities) and Managing Director Global Research
HSBC Bank Australia Limited
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Dr Chris Rowell
Managing Director
Performance Frontiers
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Dr Marnie Gibson
Head of Performance and Reward (Value Lead)
Lecturer at University of Southern Queensland
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Dr Marnie Gibson is a senior HR and organisational development leader with 15+ years’ experience shaping performance in complex organisations. She leads performance transformation at Woolworths Group, focusing on leadership, engagement, and distributed work. A lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland, she also develops HR curriculum at Victoria University and serves on the board of Reclink Australia, bringing an evidence-based approach to how people power performance.
Prof Brock Bastian
Director and Principal Psychologist
Psychological Safety Australia
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Jade Saunders
Special Counsel
Mallesons
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Marissa Dreher
Senior Consultant
Mallesons
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Marissa Dreher is a partner-level Senior Consultant specialising in workplace health and safety, with over 20 years’ experience advising leading employers across diverse industries and multiple jurisdictions. She brings deep expertise in crisis management, proactive compliance, and litigation strategy, supported by strong regulatory insight and extensive incident response capability. Marissa also regularly delivers WHS training for boards and executives.
Marissa Alley MAHRI
Chief People Officer
CPA Australia
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Marissa Alley is Chief People Officer at CPA Australia, where she leads the organisation’s people, culture and capability agenda. A pragmatic and values-led HR leader, Marissa is passionate about building inclusive cultures, strengthening leadership capability and ensuring people strategies genuinely support organisational purpose and performance.
Luke Gilholme
Head of Business Partnering and Analytics
CPA Australia
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Luke Gilholme is Head of Analytics & Finance Business Partnering at CPA Australia and a former Chief Financial Officer, with deep experience across finance, strategy and enterprise transformation. A pragmatic and peopleaware leader, Luke is known for helping organisations make better decisions by combining commercial judgement with clarity, curiosity and grounded leadership.
Sonia McDonald
Chief Executive Officer
Leadership HQ
