2026 L&D Leadership Summit (Melbourne)

6th & 7th May
MCEC

Learning Together Matters! Harnessing the power of collective intelligence to shape change

As the business landscape evolves, L&D becomes far more than skill‑building—it is a strategic enabler that drives people’s growth, strengthens capability, and creates sustainable advantage. At its core, it is a human journey of shared learning and cross‑generational collaboration that empowers people to innovate, adapt, and deliver meaningful impact.

The 2026 L&D Leadership Summit (Melbourne) highlights the most human dimension of modern work: the power of collective intelligence. It explores how learning together accelerates change, strengthens cultures of shared growth, and opens new possibilities. For L&D leaders, this means amplifying collective learning, creating safe collaborative learning spaces, and supporting people to lead confidently and responsibly in an AI‑enabled world.

Topics to be explored include:
  • Navigating the evolving landscape of workplace learning – addressing shifting expectations, workforce realities, and the human experience at the centre of learning
  • Uplifting capability as a business advantage – leveraging capability growth to create meaningful value for people and the business
  • Cross‑functional alignment – partnering across teams to create cohesive learning and capability strategies that drive shared goals and amplify impact
  • Developing leadership for the next era of work – equipping leaders to guide people through change with empathy, clarity, and purpose
  • Strengthening workforce adaptability and resilience – empowering individuals to thrive amid uncertainty through shared learning and support
  • Designing inclusive learning for a multigenerational workforce – honouring diverse experiences, values, wisdom, and learning preferences
  • Mapping skills and capabilities with purpose – aligning learning to critical needs so people grow and the organisation is ready for what’s next
  • Creating engaging, human learning experiences – making learning energising, relevant, and grounded in real human connection
  • Harnessing AI with responsibility and clarity – exploring use cases that enhance the human learning experience and ways of working
  • Anticipating what’s next – understanding trends that shape how L&D inspires people, influences business outcomes, and contributes to a wider ecosystem of collective learning
  • + more

Featured Presenters

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Zemeel Saba
Chief People & Culture Officer  
Oral Health Victoria    
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Brooke Westphalen
Head of Organisational Development  
DuluxGroup      
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Erin Sinclair
General Manager - Learning & Organisational Development   
MedHealth    
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Faith Styles
Group Manager Future Workforce   
South East Water 
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Ragini Jalihal
Global Lead - Leadership Development    
Orica 
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Peter Manousos
Learning & Change Manager     
DuluxGroup   
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Loretta Konidaris
GM, Capability & Talent       
Opal
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Scott Martin
GM - Learning & Development & Membership
Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand
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Karlie Cremin
CEO
DLPA & Crestcom ANZ    
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Alex Bond
Director - Strategy & Growth
PBC Hogan 
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Joanna Smith
Founder & Managing Director  
Pukeko Learning Solutions    
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Cain Prentice
Learning Consultant
Pukeko Learning Solutions    
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Stuart Sinclair
Learning Architect
Australian Institute of Management 
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Gabrielle Peacock
Director, Nursing & Midwifery Workforce Unit, People and Culture  
Barwon Health    
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Shahira Popat
Head of Learning Solutions  
DeakinCo.    
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Adam Passonnii
Global Leadership & AI Strategist  
PD Training     
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Dominic Bohan
Co-Founder
StoryIQ     
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Felicity Barrow
Head of Organisational Capability   
REA Group   
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Mike Boutel
Head of Training
PM-Partners Group     
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Troy Quaife
National Capability Lead & Facilitator
PD Training     
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Colin James
Co-Founder
The Colin James Method
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Aliki Christou
Director, Learning, Design & Innovation
SwinburneEdge
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Jenny Bui
Organisational Development Lead – Talent & Leadership   
Bupa    
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Bianca Liberatore
Change Manager
 
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Mindy Rice
Head of Capability & Internal Communuications
TPG Telecom   
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Naomi Nash
Managing Director & Lead Facilitator
New River Leadership
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Paul Garcia
Director
New River Leadership
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Craig Appaneal
Founder & Principal
Openloop Solutions
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Anthony Bell
Leadership & Organisational Development Lead
Melbourne Water 
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Sophie Beirne
Learning & Capability Manager
V/Line
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Phillip Ralph
CEO
The Leadership Sphere
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Alexandra Richardson
Manager, Capability & Learning     
AGL   
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Philip Woods
Director      
Catalyst Strategy    

Gold Partners

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Summit Partners

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Networking Partner

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