CIO Leadership Driving Data-Driven Innovation

1 - 3 April 2025 | National Convention Centre Canberra

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Streams

Overview of CIO Leadership

Chief Information Officers (CIOs) play a pivotal role in enabling a culture of data-driven innovation within the Australian government sector. This stream focuses on the essential leadership qualities and strategies that CIOs must adopt to leverage data effectively and drive transformative change across public services.

CIO Leadership Speakers

Rebecca Ostergaard
Chief Digital Officer
CSIRO
Shikha Sharma
Chief Information Officer & Director Business Improvement Technology
Department of Human Services SA
Benjamin Lamont
Manager Technology Strategy and Data
Australian Federal Police
Peter Alexander
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Defence
Andrew Morrison
Chief Technology Officer
Digital Transformation Agency
Peter Worthington-Eyre
Chief Data Officer & Executive Director
South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance
Adi Bhagavatula
Partner
EY Australia
Simon Wall
Director, Data Governance and Management
National Library of Australia­
Karthik Murugan
Data Leader, Public Sector
Amazon Web Services
Veronica Morados
Chief Information Officer
Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate - ACT Government
Samuel Spencer
CEO and technical co-founder
Aristotle Metadata
Matthew Oostveen
Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific & Japan
Pure Storage
Jonathan Gray
Lead Partner, Enterprise Data & Information Management
Anchoram Consulting
Sam Darmo
Senior Sales Engineer
Precisely

CIO Leadership Agenda Plenary


Serena Williams
Ngunnawal Elder


Permenthri Pillay
Partner, Government and Public Sector Business Transformation, Digital Transformation
EY Australia

  • Government’s approach by providing baseline requirements on governance, assurance and transparency of AI
  • Strengthening public trust in government’s use of AI by providing enhanced transparency, governance and risk assurance
  • Addressing the importance of ensuring AI systems are free from biases that could lead to discrimination


Lucy Poole
General Manager Strategy, Planning and Performance Division
Digital Transformation Agency

  • Learn how Data and Analytics, augmented by AI and agents can empower government agencies to use data securely and responsibly to deliver proactive, efficient and high-impact citizen experiences.
  • We share the critical thinking required to collect, analyze, and interpret data to harness the power of AI technologies, and how Salesforce’s deeply unified platform is up to the task
  • Hear from us best practice on how to meet governance obligations, address ethical concerns, and provide public confidence in AI assisted service delivery


Ashlee Marcuccio
Regional Vice President, ANZ Public Sector
Salesforce

  • Exploring how data and digital leaders from the Australian Public Service are driving innovation to enhance citizen outcomes
  • Examining the critical role of data and technology in building a smarter, more responsive government that meets the evolving expectations of citizens
  • Balancing citizen expectations, emerging technologies, and operational demands
  • Strengthening data security and privacy to uphold public trust
  • Collaborating with industry leaders to drive innovation and expertise in digital transformation

Moderator:


Ashlee Marcuccio
Regional Vice President, ANZ Public Sector
Salesforce

Panellists:


Michael Amon
Director, Data Policy and Evaluation
Attorney-General’s Department


Dr Jasmine Glover
Director, ACT Heritage System Reforms
ACT Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate


Andrew Morrison
Chief Technology Officer
Digital Transformation Agency

CIO Leadership Driving Data-Driven Innovation


Adi Bhagavatula
Partnered
EY Australia

  • Role of the DTA: Overseeing Digital and ICT investments, ensuring value delivery, alignment with government priorities, and efficient execution
  • Integrated Data Platform (IDP): Connecting data silos, enabling real-time analytics, and supporting the Investment Oversight Framework (IOF) for better decision-making
  • Data Governance and Analytics: Implementing robust data governance, providing advanced analytics, and delivering valuable insights to guide government decisions


Andrew Morrison
Chief Technology Officer
Digital Transformation Agency

  • Methods for decentralising data governance to reduce workload and maximise results
  • Key strategies for cultivating a data-driven culture that promotes collaboration around data
  • Best practices for sharing data to support citizen services while
    maintaining trust and transparency


Samuel Spencer
CEO and technical co-founder
Aristotle Metadata

Take advantage of this engaging peer-to-peer networking experience aimed at fostering meaningful connections. Enjoy relaxed conversations that encourage open dialogue and collaboration as you share insights, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships with fellow data professionals. Participate in structured 10-minute rotations in our dedicated meeting zone, designed to facilitate both learning and networking.

  • Navigating the rapidly evolving technological landscape with strategic AI integration
  • Driving innovation and shaping ethical frameworks in the age of AI
  • Enhancing collaboration between IT and cyber teams for shared success
  • Developing critical skills and responsibilities to propel organisations into an AI-driven future

Moderator:


Sam Spencer
CEO and Chief Information Security Ocer
Aristotle Metadata

Panellists:


Shikha Sharma
Chief Information OfficerDirector Business Improvement Technology
Department of Human Services SA


Peter Worthington-Eyre
Chief Data Officer & Executive Director
South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance


Veronica Morados
Chief Information Officer Environment, Planning and Sustainable
Development Directorate ACT Government

  • Building an effective data architecture foundation to harness the power of AI
  • Decarbonising IT from the edge to the data centre and to the cloud.
  • NASA Case Study: From Supercomputing to the Skunk Works and even the day to day IT. A revealing look at how NASA solved critical challenges related to data and systems


Matthew Oostveen
Chief Technology Ocer,
Asia Pacific & Japan
Pure Storage

  • Aligning data and digital strategies with your organisation’s overall mission and long-term objectives to ensure cohesive, impactful initiatives
  • Overcoming challenges such as data silos, resistance to change, and technological limitations, along with strategies to address them
  • Lessons learned from
    organisations that have navigated complex data and digital transformations, including key factors that led to successful outcomes and pitfalls to avoid


Rebecca Ostergaard
Chief Digital Officer
CSIRO

  • Explore ASIC’s data sets and how ASIC uses advanced data analytics in its role as Australia’s financial services regulator and steward of the registers of 3.4 million companies and 2.8 million business names
  • The role of data in improving investor and consumer trust and confidence, facilitating fair and efficient markets, and delivering efficient registry services that are critical to supporting Australia’s economic growth


Kate O’Rourke
Commissioner
Australian Securities and Investments Commission

  • Leveraging machine learning to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of coding textual data into ABS structured classifications
  • Developing a cloud-based, multi-method data coding solution for the 2026 Census, designed for secure and high-performance access across the Australian Government via an external API service
  • Key lessons learned and future opportunities


Stirling Jones
Product Owner – WoAG Coding Capability Project, Coding Redevelopment
Australian Bureau of Statistics

This roundtable discussion offers a unique chance to engage with data peers, sharing common challenges and best practices on a topic of your choice. Each of the ten roundtables will be co-hosted by a technology expert and a government data leader, ensuring meaningful and insightful conversations. At the end of the day, facilitators will present a summary of the key findings to the entire group, allowing all participants to benefit from the collective insights.

1

Defining the hierarchy: Optimal reporting structures for data governance and analytics teams in government

Aligning reporting lines effectively enhances the performance of data governance and analytics teams

Moderator:


Kristy Van Putten
Senior Director – Directorate
Data Officer
ACT Government  

2

Data Driven Culture, Data Sharing and Accessibility

Practical approaches for promoting data sharing and collaboration among different government departments and agencies, considering the diverse data governance structures and regulations?

Moderator:


Olga Lysenko
Director Enterprise Data Strategy & Governance Management
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

3

AI Tools & Emerging Technologies

Explore cutting-edge AI tools, create tailored implementation plans, and apply best practices to optimise organisational performance and outcomes.

Moderator:


Vihan Patel
Principal, Data and AI
Mantel Group


Tonya Higgins
Head of Data and Insights
Beyond Blue

4

Optimising Data Cloud & Storage Solutions

Leverage advanced data storage and cloud platforms, integrating security protocols to safeguard sensitive information effectively.

Moderator:


Daniel Wang
Digital Performance Analyst
Austrade

5

Data Governance & Risk Management

Implement robust data governance frameworks, develop risk audit methodologies, and ensure compliance with regulations to maintain data integrity.

Moderator:


Glynnis Barodien
Executive Manager, Data Governance Lead
CSIRO

6

The value of AI-driven public data in building capacity and capability in the public sector

Examine the role of AI in unlocking insights, improving decision-making, and driving innovation while addressing governance, ethical considerations, and regulatory frameworks.

Moderator:

7

Delivering AI Without Doubt: Getting Government Data Ready For AI

Creating a trusted data foundation to reduce the complexity of fragmented data silos, fuel innovation and augment decision-making within government agencies

Moderator:


Ahsan Mehmood
Head of Data Management Solutions
Quantexa

8

Enhancing Data Sharing Across Agencies

Strengthen data-sharing practices across government agencies to improve collaboration and outcomes.

Moderator:


Dr Jasmine Glover
Director, ACT Heritage System Reforms
ACT Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

9

Data Governance: Implementing frameworks to Ensure Data Integrity and Compliance

Explore how enterprises can enhance data governance by identifying and protecting CDEs, embedding governance into data products, and utilizing AI-powered metadata management to drive trust, compliance, and business value

Moderator:

 
Andrew Ritchie
Principal Customer Success Manager
Alation

Join us at the end of the day one for cocktails, canapes and the opportunity to network with your peers, speakers and sponors.

Join us for an exclusive Networking Dinner at The Boat House Canberra on 2nd April 2025 at 7:00 PM. End your Summit day with a fine dining experience alongside your peers in a stunning lakeside setting. Nestled along the scenic banks of Lake Burley Griffin, The Boat House promises more than just a meal—it’s a culinary journey in an unforgettable venue.

Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserve your spot now to secure this premier networking opportunity!


Jo Talbot
Manager of Data Governance
Australian Communications and Media Authority

  • Bridging the gap between policy and quality data
  • Managing the exponential growth of data
  • Enhancing data capture, refinement, and utilisation
  • Strengthening data capabilities in the APS


Pia Andrews
Serial Public Sector Reformer
Former Chief Data Officer
Department of Home Affairs

  • How data-driven decision-making can stimulate economic development by identifying growth sectors and optimising resource allocation
  • Importance of real-time data access in enhancing service delivery and decision-making processes
  • Highlighting successful collaborations between state governments to promote data-sharing initiatives and develop innovative solutions
  • Measurement frameworks used by state governments to assess their data strategies

Moderator:


Corey Trembath
Head of Public Sector & Health – Customer Advisory
SAS


Andrew Spiegelman
Head of Data & Analytics
Service NSW


Garrett Tyler-Parker
Director Analysis & Insights
Austrade

  • Effectively harness automation and AI technologies while upholding ethical standards to drive purpose-driven data and analytics solutions
  • Cultivating a data culture rooted in transparency and responsibility, ensuring that data and AI are used for the public good
  • Navigating complex ethical challenges and establish frameworks that protect data privacy and promote responsible AI use


Bilal Yousuf
Director Business Intelligence and Analytics
Queensland Building and Construction Commission

CIO Leadership Driving Data-Driven Innovation


Olga Lysenko
Director Enterprise Data Strategy & Governance Management
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

  • Human Services journey from traditional to data-driven
  • Enabling data accessibility supported by effective data integration and cloud infrastructure, is key to fostering innovation and improving client outcomes
  • Optimising IT architecture to modernise and scale IT infrastructure, including data lakes, data warehouses, and integration platforms, to support the growing demand for real-time data and advanced analytics


Shikha Sharma
Chief Information Officer & Director Business Improvement Technology
Department of Human Services SA


Jonathan Gray
Lead Partner, Enterprise Data
& Information Management
Anchoram Consulting


Simon Wall
Director, Data Governance
and Management
National Library of Australia

Take advantage of this engaging peer-to-peer networking experience aimed at fostering meaningful connections. Enjoy relaxed conversations that encourage open dialogue and collaboration as you share insights, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships with fellow data professionals. Participate in structured 10-minute rotations in our dedicated meeting zone, designed to facilitate both learning and networking.

  • Data lakes vs. data warehouses – key differences
  • Assessing compatibility with current data tools and ecosystems
  • Importance of implementing strong security measures to protect sensitive information
  • Use cases in the APS


Peter Alexander
Chief Technology Officer
Department of Defence


Karthik Murugan
Data Leader, Public Sector
Amazon Web Services

  • Exploring the impacts of delivering data that is not AI-ready
  • The essential data governance & quality considerations that will set you up for AI success
  • Practical solutions to common AI challenges such as AI bias, and lack of contextual relevance


Sam Darmo
Senior Sales Engineer
Precisely

  • Leveraging AI and large language models (LLMs) to extract actionable insights from unstructured data for informed decision-making
  • Exploring the risks associated with AI implementation in public data
  • Highlighting the benefits of AI in enhancing public service efficiency and effectiveness


Benjamin Lamont
Manager Technology
Strategy and Data
Australian Federal Police

  • Best practices for linking data assets to enhance decision-making and service outcomes
  • The role of data governance in ensuring accuracy, security, and accessibility within the public sector
  • Strategies for aligning linked data with whole-of-government objectives while ensuring compliance with data sovereignty and privacy regulations
  • Addressing the challenges of data sharing, ownership, and privacy within intergovernmental linked data ecosystems


Greg Italiano
Government Chief Information Officer 
Department of the Premier and Cabinet of WA

  • Finding opportunities to strengthen implementation of the Framework for the Governance of Indigenous Data
  • The importance of collaboration between government bodies, Indigenous organisations, and communities in overcoming challenges


Nattlie Smith (Wiradjuri)
Branch Manager, Strategic Insights
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)

Key themes

Chief Data and Analytics Officer Strategy

The Chief Data and Analytics Officer plays a vital role in driving data-driven decision-making and innovation across government agencies. This stream focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by CDAOs in the Australian context, emphasising strategic leadership, collaboration, and the effective use of data to enhance service delivery and public trust.

Data Analytics and AI in Public Service Decision Making

In an era where data is abundant and technology is rapidly advancing, harnessing the power of data analytics and AI is essential for effective public service decision-making. This stream will delve into how government agencies can integrate data analytics and AI to enhance operational efficiency, improve service delivery and foster better outcomes for citizens.

CIO Leadership Driving Data-Driven Innovation

Chief Information Officers play a pivotal role in enabling a culture of data-driven innovation within the Australian government sector. This stream focuses on the essential leadership qualities and strategies that CIOs must adopt to leverage data effectively and drive transformative change across public services.

Strengthening Cybersecurity Readiness and Data Privacy

In today’s digital landscape, the Australian public sector faces increasing threats to cybersecurity and data privacy. This stream delves into the critical importance of enhancing cybersecurity readiness and implementing robust data privacy measures to protect sensitive information and maintain public trust.

Data as a Career

As data becomes an integral component of decision-making and service delivery within the government sector, the demand for skilled professionals in data roles continues to rise. This stream focuses on the diverse career opportunities in data within the public sector and the essential skills needed to thrive in this evolving landscape.

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