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Government Innovation Week South Australia

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Digital Leadership Academy South Australia

Shaping public sector leaders in a changing digital landscape

5 Mar 2025 Flinders University, Adelaide, TBD

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For government, by government

Event steering committee

Nikunj Mandlas

Chief Information Officer, Department for Child Protection SA

Professor Anton van den Hengel

Director, Centre for Augmented Reasoning (CAR) Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), University of Adelaide

Dini Soulio

Chief Executive Officer, Super SA

Dr Melanie McGrath

Honorary Fellow, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

Dr Melissa McCradden

AI Director, Women's and Children's Hospital Network

Sally Nicholas

Executive Director, People & Culture, Department of Human Services

Ben Taylor

Assistant Commissioner, Data Insights, Australian Taxation Office

Stuart Watt

Chief Information Officer, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia

Nikunj Mandlas

Chief Information Officer, Department for Child Protection SA

Professor Anton van den Hengel

Director, Centre for Augmented Reasoning (CAR) Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), University of Adelaide

Dini Soulio

Chief Executive Officer, Super SA

Dr Melanie McGrath

Honorary Fellow, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne

Dr Melissa McCradden

AI Director, Women's and Children's Hospital Network

Sally Nicholas

Executive Director, People & Culture, Department of Human Services

Ben Taylor

Assistant Commissioner, Data Insights, Australian Taxation Office

Stuart Watt

Chief Information Officer, Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia

Event overview

Join Public Sector Network’s Digital Leadership Academy for a transformative day designed to empower senior leaders and innovators in the public sector. This full-day event focuses on equipping leaders with the strategies, insights, and tools they need to navigate the complexities of the digital era and drive impactful change.

In a world where rapid digital transformation is the norm, this academy offers a unique opportunity to tackle the most pressing leadership challenges. You’ll gain actionable strategies for leading through change and uncertainty, leveraging emerging technologies like generative AI, and ensuring ethical and effective governance. Learn how to future-proof your organisation while maintaining focus on people, processes, and performance.

The academy’s sessions will address three core pillars of leadership in the digital age: developing a people-first strategy for the tech-driven future, refining processes to achieve digital excellence, and anticipating shifts in the tech landscape with visionary leadership.

Designed specifically for public sector leaders, this event delivers practical solutions, peer insights, and expert guidance to help you lead confidently in a fast-evolving landscape. Shape the future of your organisation—and your leadership.

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Who will be there?

Elevate strategic decision-making by aligning digital leadership with organizational 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.
Maximize 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.

Featured speakers

The Hon. Victor Dominello

Chief Executive Officer, Future Government Institute

Cameron Baker

South Australia Skills Commissioner, South Australian Skills Commission

Dru Rai

Chief Information Officer & Director, New York State, Office of Information Technology Services

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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 Academy 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.

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