HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest Australia returns to Sydney this year on 22-23 September, Hyatt Regency. 

Generative AI. Market volatility. Rising expectations from employees and executives. HR and L&D professionals are navigating more change than ever - but with change comes opportunity. Join Australia’s most dynamic and innovative thought leaders in HR and L&D as they explore current and emerging developments impacting people, process and technology.

This event brings together pioneers and practitioners for two days full of learning and networking. Attend to unpack the key drivers of organisational change, use cases for new technologies and discuss effective people strategies for a changing world of work.

An incredible first line-up of speakers has been released - meet the keynote speakers.

Simon Kuestenmacher - Director and Co-founder, The Demographics Group

Session Tiltle: Global Demographics

Simon Kuestenmacher is a Director and Co-founder of The Demographics Group. He presents on demographic and global trends that are shaping Australia today and into the future and his observations are enjoyed by corporate, government and industry audiences alike. Simon is a columnist for The New Daily newspaper and a regular contributor to The Australian newspaper; and he is a media commentator on demographic and data matters. In his spare time Simon has authored three books on maps and runs what is by now the world’s largest Twitter account dedicated to maps and data. His social media posts reach over 35 million people every month. Simon ranks as one of the world’s top 10 influencers in data.

Dr Sandra Peter - Director, Sydney Executive Plus & Associate Professor, The University of Sydney & Dr Kai Riemer -  Director, Sydney Executive Plus & Professor of Information Technology and Organisation, University of Sydney

Session Tiltle: What Leaders & Executives Need to Know Next: Future Shifts, Future Skills, and… Four Blobs?

Dr Sandra Peter and Dr Kai Riemer are Co-Directors of Sydney Executive Plus and professors at the University of Sydney Business School. When they aren’t busy wading through data and dashing through airports, they’re speaking with heads of government and head chefs about leading through disruption,
they’re upskilling over a thousand executives across 20+ industries in cutting-edge tech, and they’re sharing their insights on the future of work with adoring audiences in boardrooms, ballrooms, and opera houses around the world.

Businesses. Governments. Education and defence departments. Sandra’s led strategic initiatives and collaborated on executive programs with a variety of high-profile organisations. Her research expertise is in strategic foresight and the transformative influence of emerging technologies, with a focus on AI. And
she’s explored those areas in numerous media formats: as a published author in high-impact journals, in regular commentary and interviews in national and international media, and as the co-host of influential business and technology podcasts.

Kai's expertise spans the fields of artificial intelligence, phenomena of disruption, collaborative systems, the future of work, emerging technologies, and the philosophy of technology. He boasts an impressive track record of industry-funded research, high-impact projects, and publications in esteemed journals.
He’s founded and led research groups and labs from disruption to digital humans. Kai consults, podcasts about, and is frequently asked to comment on nuanced matters of tech and the future.

Dr Nora Koslowski - Co-Founder & Co-CEO, EVEN & Executive in Residence, Innovation, Melbourne Business School

Session Tiltle: Rapid Upskilling, at Scale

Dr Nora Koslowski is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EVEN Careers, a digital career development platform for women and
employers. Nora is a globally recognised expert on innovation, online education, and workforce development. With degrees in psychology and management, Nora has educated thousands of learners across Australia, the UK, Ireland, and Germany. She became an academic head of department before she was 30 and
has been a consultant, speaker and facilitator to many ASX top100 organisations. Nora is a mother of two young girls, and has moved across 4 countries for ambitious roles, most recently as Melbourne Business School’s inaugural Chief Learning Innovation Officer. Nora regularly speaks at major events (a highlight was
interviewing OpenAI CEO Sam Altman), and conferences focused on digital transformation, the future of work, and learning.

David Burroughs - Founder, APS & Chief Mental Health Officer, Westpac  (Just Announced) 

Session Tiltle: 'Good Work’ - Utilising Positive Job Design to Drive Wellbeing, Performance and Productivity Outcomes 

Dave Burroughs is Founder of Australian Psychological Services and Chief Mental Health Officer for Westpac Group. With a 20-year international career as a consultant psychologist working across multiple industries, Dave is a recognised expert in Psychosocial Safety and supports many leading government, national and international organisations in adopting strategic and practical approaches to psychosocial risk management and developing mentally healthy workplaces.  Dave collaborates with leading researchers and practitioners internationally, has a commitment to evidence-based practice, a reputation for tackling complex people matters and a passion for innovation and challenging convention.

With an outstanding lineup of expert speakers, valuable networking opportunities, and cutting-edge exhibitors, HR + L&D Innovation & Tech Fest Australia 2025 has become a must-attend event for HR and L&D professionals navigating the evolving world of work.

Discover practical insights, explore new technologies, and connect with your peers. To secure your 2FOR1 ticket and find out more, visit techfestconf.com