Digital Leadership Academy South Australia

Agenda

Adelaide, 05 March 2025

All times in ACDT

8:00 am

Registration and Networking Coffee 

9:00 am

Opening from Public Sector Network & Icebreaker    

9:10 am

Welcome from Event Chair & Intro Session 1: People Leadership in the Digital Age

9:20 am

Keynote

Navigating The Digital Era: Essential Skills for Government Leaders

Victor Dominello, Co-Founder, ServiceGen
Victor Dominello, Co-Founder, ServiceGen

9:40 am

Partner Session

Empowering Inclusive Leadership with Tech Innovations   

10:00 am

Panel Discussion

Leading Through Complexity: People Strategy in Tech   

Dr. Eva Balan-Vnuk, Government CIO, Department of Treasury and Finance
Sally Nicholas, Executive Director, People and Culture, Department of Human Services
Susan Pearce, Secretary, NSW Health
  • Psychological safety – exploring the DPC executive induction program and meeting the legal duty of care as an employer to make your team environment secure
  • Super SA’s radical approach to making people a pillar in strategy, and their progressive navigation of people & change
  • Cultivating a leadership style that thrives amidst the complexities of tech team dynamics
  • Exploring leadership initiatives within SA Government that effectively promote diversity and drive inclusion within tech teams
  • Utilising emotional intelligence to navigate the challenges unique to tech environments
  • Examining strategies to implement to attract, develop, and retain top tech talent within SA during rapid industry changes
  • Championing ethical technology use within teams and decision-making processes

Dr. Eva Balan-Vnuk, Government CIO, Department of Treasury and Finance
Sally Nicholas, Executive Director, People and Culture, Department of Human Services
Susan Pearce, Secretary, NSW Health

10:50 am

Morning Tea and Networking

11:20 am

Welcome Back from Event Chair: Summary of Session 1, and Intro Session 2 - Process.   

11:30 am

Partner Session

Leveraging AI in Process Automation for Public Sector Efficiency   

12:00 pm

Panel Discussion

Strategic Leadership: Streamlining Processes for Digital Excellence   

Scott Johnson, Deputy Secretary, Chief Commissioner, Revenue NSW
Suzanne Stew, Deputy CE/Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment NZ
  • Aligning SA’s priority digital initiatives with governmental policies while leading through bureaucratic complexities
  • Instilling agile thinking to reshape traditional processes within the SA public sector
  • Activating key leadership strategies to balance innovation with compliance amidst evolving regulations
  • Analysing the most effective approaches adopted within SA public sector and inter-state to manage resources and maximise impact in tech projects
  • Traversing industry relationships and relationships to cultivate fruitful partnerships that drive technological advancement

Scott Johnson, Deputy Secretary, Chief Commissioner, Revenue NSW
Suzanne Stew, Deputy CE/Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment NZ

12:40 pm

Lunch & Networking 

1:40 pm

Roundtables

Interactive Discussion Groups

  1.   – Leadership Fundamentals: Styles, Vision, and Motivation
  2.   – Emotional Intelligence and Ethical Leadership
  3.   – Innovation and Creativity in Government Settings
  4.   – Strategic Thinking for Effective Governance
  5.   – Communication Mastery in Leadership Roles
  6.   – Team Management and Development Techniques
  7.   – Future Trends: Preparing for the Digital Shifts
  8.  – Personal Development for Leaders: Skills for the Future

2:40 pm

Short Break 

3:00 pm

Welcome from Event Chair: Summary of Session 2, and Intro Session 3 – Technology. 

Leading the Charge in Secure Tech Adoption and Data Management

3:20 pm

Panel Discussion

Visionary Leadership: Navigating the Technological Landscape   

Nathan Heeney, CIO, Australian Federal Police
  • Ensuring new technologies are integrated effectively and with foresight to drive SA’s vision of smart, simple, and secure public services
  • Examining essential qualities for staying ahead in cybersecurity amidst a fast-evolving threat landscape
  • Maintaining SA’s pioneering reputation in AI advancement, and leveraging data analytics to transform public service delivery while maintaining trust and privacy
  • Navigating barriers to technology adoption, and how to overcome these with strategic leadership

Nathan Heeney, CIO, Australian Federal Police

4:10 pm

Closing Remarks from the Chair

4:20 pm

Networking Drinks