Digital Leadership Day Victoria 2026
Leading with Purpose in the Age of Digital and AI
For government, by government
Event steering committee
Nikhil Patinge
Director – WoVG Digital Integration Services | Technology & Digital Platforms, Department of Government Services
Emily Mailes
Chief eHealth Strategy Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Maxine Harrison
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Anafrid Bennet
Head of Technology, Security and Property, Greater Western Water
Carsten Boeving
Chief Information Security Officer, Cenitex
Nikhil Patinge
Director – WoVG Digital Integration Services | Technology & Digital Platforms, Department of Government Services
Emily Mailes
Chief eHealth Strategy Officer, Victorian Department of Health
Maxine Harrison
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Anafrid Bennet
Head of Technology, Security and Property, Greater Western Water
Carsten Boeving
Chief Information Security Officer, Cenitex
Overview
Following a high-impact 2025 program that highlighted the urgent need for stronger digital leadership, smarter processes, and future-ready teams, Digital Leadership Day 2026 returns to take the conversation further.
The event will build on last year’s momentum with a renewed focus on actionable strategies, empowering public sector leaders to drive transformation through AI, automation, secure digital systems, and inclusive leadership.
Join peers and experts to explore what’s next in people, process, and technology and how to lead confidently in a fast-changing digital landscape.
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Register nowWho will be there?
Elevate strategic decision-making by aligning digital leadership with organisational goals to drive impactful change across the public sector.
Align digital initiatives with strategic goals to create unified, meaningful change that addresses public needs holistically, setting a foundation for long-term digital transformation.
- Foster an inclusive culture by leveraging tech innovations to ensure diversity and equity within teams, promoting cross-sector collaboration and stronger, united efforts.
- Share experiences to develop ethical practices, particularly in ethical AI and secure tech adoption, building public trust and reinforcing transparency.
- Engage with fellow executives to exchange real-world insights and build alliances that support long-term digital transformation goals, staying ahead of industry shifts and future trends.
Enhance your department’s digital capabilities through practical strategies for tech-driven efficiency and process improvements.
Leverage AI-driven process automation to streamline workflows, increase efficiency in service delivery, enhance data-driven decision-making, and boost public sector responsiveness.
- Cultivate agile thinking to balance innovation with compliance, allowing for smooth adaptation of legacy systems to meet modern demands and supporting cohesive digital strategies across departments.
- Maximise resource impact in tech projects by building cross-departmental collaboration and fostering strategic partnerships that align with evolving policies.
- Participate in leadership fundamentals to develop adaptable teams ready to meet changing public sector needs, and walk away with actionable steps for immediate implementation.
2025 Featured Speakers
2026 Speakers coming soon
The Hon. Victor Dominello
Chief Executive Officer, Future Government Institute
Nicola Quin
Deputy Secretary Corporate & Delivery Services, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Jennifer Dobell
Chief Operating Officer, Australian Financial Security Authority
Scott Tivendale
Chief Information Officer, Cenitex
Emma Jones
Deputy Government Statistician and Deputy Chief Executive for Technology Operations, Commercial & Collections, Stats NZ
Adam Carthew
Executive Director, Digital Transformation/CIO, Service Victoria, Department of Government Services
Elizabeth Wilson
Chief Information Officer, Victorian Department of Education
Michelle Fitzgerald
Group Chief Digital Officer, St Vincent’s Health Australia
Marg Burge
Chief People Officer, Victorian Building Authority
Why attend?
Actionable Insights
Gain cutting-edge insights from thought-provoking keynotes, in-depth case studies, and expert-led panels that focus on the core challenges of digital leadership in the public sector. Leave with practical strategies to enhance ethical decision-making, adapt to digital transformation shifts, and build a resilient, future-ready culture within your agency.
Fostering Collaboration
Participate in interactive sessions designed to break down silos and foster cross-agency collaboration. Work with peers to tackle real-world challenges, exchange proven leadership practices, and develop solutions that drive impactful, sustainable change across the public sector.
Unmatched Networking
Connect with senior government leaders, digital innovators, and public sector change-makers in an intimate, high-impact setting. Build relationships with key decision-makers and industry experts who are equally committed to advancing digital governance and future-ready public services.
Vendors, boost your presence
Sponsoring the Digital Leadership Day positions your brand at the forefront of public sector transformation. This exclusive event attracts CXOs and senior leaders who are driving policy, regulation, and service delivery in the digital age. As a sponsor, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your solutions to decision-makers navigating complex challenges, from adopting emerging technologies like generative AI to refining governance and improving processes.
Align your brand with visionary leadership and gain direct access to a high-value audience eager for practical tools and insights to future-proof their organisations. This is your chance to take a seat at the boardroom table to support and influence the leaders shaping tomorrow’s digital government.
State of the Service Spotlight: Victorian Innovation 2025
As governments across Australia continue navigating rapid digital change, Victoria’s public sector leaders are shaping their transformation agendas amid a dynamic mix of workforce reform, financial pressures, and growing public expectations. Drawing from recent national polling, this analysis captures how Victoria’s digital priorities align with—or diverge from—those of other jurisdictions across the country.
The results reflect a state with a strong people-first approach, where workforce upskilling, cultural transformation, and internal capability-building have emerged as defining priorities. Victoria’s focus on enabling talent from within signals a mature recognition that the digital future of government relies as much on people and leadership as it does on platforms and procurement.
At the same time, budget constraints have surfaced as a prominent concern, potentially limiting the scope of innovation and investment in emerging technologies. Slightly lower emphasis on cybersecurity and intergovernmental collaboration also highlights areas for continued attention.
This article unpacks the key polling insights from Victoria, offering a comparative lens on challenges, strengths, and opportunities. From workforce development to fiscal strategy and innovation readiness, these findings offer a roadmap for how Victoria can maintain momentum and lead in building a resilient, citizen-centric public sector.