12-13 May 2027 | Sydney | Cockle Bay, ICC
THE FUTURE OF HR STARTS HERE
Australia's premier leadership event for
CHROs and senior people executives
For 15 years, HR Leaders has been a defining meeting place for Australia’s senior people, culture and workforce leaders. Its continued relevance reflects the enduring importance of the HR function and the event’s role in bringing together the executives shaping the future of work.
The role of HR has shifted. Boards are demanding stronger productivity, clearer commercial outcomes and greater leadership accountability. Organisations continue to navigate workforce change, capability gaps, cultural pressure and rapid technological disruption. And the modern CHRO is no longer simply supporting the business — they are actively shaping enterprise performance, culture, capability and organisational resilience.
HR Leaders 2027 brings together Australia’s most senior people, culture and workforce executives to confront the defining challenges of modern HR leadership — enterprise value, leadership capability, workforce trust, talent and inclusion. Across strategic keynotes, executive panels and practical breakout sessions, the event will examine the decisions CHROs are making now to drive performance, build capability, strengthen culture and lead through change.
This is where Australia’s HR leadership community comes together to shape the future of work.
Why Attend
- 1Unrivalled Expertise
- 2High-Calibre Content
- 3Invaluable Networking Opportunities
First Wave of 2027 Speakers
Catherine Walsh
Group Chief People Officer
Deb Yates
Chief People Officer
Deena Amorelli
Chief People Officer
LTGEN Natasha Fox
Chief of Personnel
Courtney Pond
Group Inclusion & Diversity Manager
Pritho Saxena
Director Human Resources - Australia, China & South East Asia
Vivienne Robinson
General Manager, People & HR Transformation
Colleen Harris
Group Executive People
Colleen Harris was appointed to Ramsay Health Care in January 2018 and is Group Executive People.
Colleen leads Ramsay’s global people strategy, with responsibility for building workforce capability, developing leaders and supporting a culture that enables Ramsay’s strategic priorities and long-term performance.
Her portfolio includes talent, succession, leadership development, culture, performance, reward, employee relations, workforce planning and organisational capability. She works closely with executive teams across the Group to align people, culture and strategy, and to strengthen the way Ramsay supports its people, patients and communities.
Colleen is an experienced human resources executive with more than 25 years’ experience across health care, banking, retail and listed companies. Before joining Ramsay, she held senior executive people roles reporting to the Group CEOs of National Australia Bank, Federation Centres and MyState Limited. She has also held senior human resources roles with Crown Ltd and Yellow Pages.
Colleen holds a Bachelor of Education (Science) from the University of Melbourne. She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute.
She has also contributed as a director and board member across several organisations, including Ramsay Santé and Chief Executive Women.
Penny Lovett
Chief People Officer
More to be announced
Speakers
Sessions
& Networking
Edition
Content by leaders, for leaders
Our cutting-edge content is carefully researched and curated, leveraging the expertise and insights of Connect Media’s vast network of industry specialists. Timely and uniquely tailored, our programmes ignite innovation, address leading industry challenges, and reveal the skills and tools needed to achieve future-focused business excellence.
Agenda
The Commercial CHRO: Shaping Enterprise Performance
Workforce decisions now shape productivity, capability and organisational performance. Commercial CHROs connect people strategy with enterprise priorities, use evidence to guide investment and earn influence over the decisions that determine performance.
- Link workforce priorities and HR investment to productivity, growth and enterprise performance.
- Select financial, operational and workforce measures that demonstrate value credibly to the CEO and board.
- Strengthen HR’s operating model, commercial capability and decision rights across the enterprise.
Leaders Exchange
Talent Reimagined: Attraction, Retention & Careers Beyond the Linear Ladder
Recruitment pressure is easing in parts of the market, but critical skill gaps remain. Effective talent strategies require a differentiated EVP, flexible career architecture and earlier use of workforce evidence to retain the capabilities the organisation needs most.
- Refine the EVP for the workforce segments and scarce capabilities that matter most.
- Design career pathways and internal mobility beyond linear promotion.
- Use retention signals to intervene earlier and protect critical talent without relying on remuneration alone.
The Development Pipeline: Building Leadership and Capability for the Next Decade
Skill requirements are changing unevenly across roles, while managers face growing demands across performance, technology and workforce risk. Organisations need more targeted development, stronger links between leadership and workforce capability, and evidence that investment is improving performance.
- Identify the leadership and workforce capabilities most critical to strategy and changing work.
- Redesign development for practical application, accessibility and pace.
- Measure the contribution of capability investment to performance, mobility and workforce resilience.
Inclusive Performance: Accountability, Fairness and Belonging
Expectations for fair, safe and inclusive workplaces continue to rise, while greater scrutiny and reporting requirements demand measurable progress. Leaders must embed inclusion in everyday decisions, management practice and accountability rather than treating it as a separate initiative.
- Build an evidence-based case connecting inclusion with retention, leadership and organisational performance.
- Embed fairness and inclusion in leadership accountability, people decisions and day-to-day management.
- Use measures that reveal workforce experience, representation, equity and progress.
The Human Edge: Trust, Productivity and Workforce Change as AI Reshapes Work
AI and digital tools are changing how work is designed, performed and measured. Realising their productivity benefits requires sustainable work design, workforce consultation and human oversight, particularly where technology affects performance, careers, privacy and safety.
- Identify where AI and digital tools can improve productivity and job quality without creating or intensifying psychosocial risks.
- Redesign roles, workflows and capability as technology changes how work gets done.
- Establish governance, consultation and human oversight that sustain trust and accountability.
Event Pricing
1-2 Delegates
Early Bird
3-4 Delegates
(10% off)
Early Bird
5+ Delegates
(15% Off)
Early Bird
What’s included in my delegate pass
Access to Full Event Program
Exclusive Networking Opportunities
Executive Insights & Event Content
Delegate registration is strictly for in-house HR professionals. service providers, vendors and consultants are not permitted to register as delegates. If you are a service provider, vendor or consultant, please reach out to duncanh@connectmedia.com to discuss your involvement.
Registrations will be reviewed for the correct rate, Connect Media reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not paying the correct rate. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for travel costs if you do not pay the correct rate.
Join Our Invitation List
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Our 2026 Partners
Become A Partner
HR Leaders is Australia’s premier event for in-house HR professionals. We focus on actionable insights and real-world solutions by bringing together the leading voices shaping the sector. Every year we refine our event model to unlock greater value for our partners and to ensure that our delegation’s expectations are exceeded.
Whether you’re looking for brand visibility, lead generation or exclusive event networking opportunities, our sponsorship packages are tailor made and designed to maximise your ROI.
Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what these opportunities could look like for you and your brand.
PARTNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
Duncan Hladik
Commercial Manager
T: +61 411 636 010
E: duncanh@connectmedia.com
GENERAL
ENQUIRIES
T: +61 2 8004 8590
E: team@connectmedia.com
Connect with these companies attending
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with the industry’s most prominent brands at the HR Leaders Forum. Explore the companies already confirmed and secure your chance to network with the best in the business.
Your event experience starts here
Venue & AccomModation
ICC SYDNEY
Cockle Bay Room: 14 Darling Drive, Sydney, NSW 2000
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s included in my delegate pass?
A Delegate Pass includes access to all sessions, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, and access to provided speaker presentations. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. One delegate ticket is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not registered.
Is there a group booking discount?
Yes – groups of 3 people or more are entitled to a discount. Full discount information is available on our registration page. If you have any questions about how group bookings work, please contact team@connectmedia.com
Can I transfer my pass?
A delegate pass is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. A substitute delegate is welcome at any time prior to the event, provided the request is made in writing to team@connectmedia.com
How do I receive my delegate pass?
Following the completion of your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. We will contact you via email the day prior to the event with a QR code, to make your arrival as seamless as possible have your QR e-ticket ready and visible on your device.
Is media registration available?
No, this is a closed and confidential event. Media registrations are not available.
Cancellation Policy:
A full refund less a $250 (GST Inclusive) processing fee is applicable on cancellation requests made in writing within 10 days of registration. No refunds are available for cancellations made more than 10 days after registration. Where Connect Media is required to reschedule the event in the interest of the event partner’s and guests, your pass will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Should Connect Media be unable to offer, deliver or fulfil any engagement within 12 months, you will be entitled to a full refund.
What is a Service Provider?
A service provider refers to an individual or organisation who supplies products and/or services to the primary audience of the event.
Will there be a delegate list available?
No, Connect Media does not provide delegate lists to attendees.
Fraudulent activities
We’ve been alerted to instances of companies proposing to purchase and sell lists of attendees for our events. Please be assured, we do not engage in the sale or distribution of event-related data. Such companies have no association with us, and we are actively working to halt these deceptive practices.
Regrettably, this type of scam is not uncommon in the media industry. Any information purported to originate from our events and offered by a third party would be completely fabricated. Should you have doubts about the legitimacy of a potential supplier, we urge you to contact us directly.
For any additional questions please contact us on 02 8004 8590 or team@connectmedia.com.
Terms and Conditions
Delegate Pass:
Delegate Pass includes access to all sessions, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, networking drinks reception, and access to approved speaker presentations/on demand content. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. One delegate ticket is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not registered.
Digital Pass (only applicable for digital events):
A digital pass is valid for the use of 1 user and provides access to live content, inclusive of all keynotes, and sessions. The pass also includes access to approved speaker presentations/on demand content; this will be available to you via email in the week following the event. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. Access must not be shared by multiple user’s or redistributed in any way. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny access to anyone who is found violating the above terms.
Payment & Discounts:
Only one promotional discount code can be applied per registrant. All prices and promotions are valid at the time of purchase only and may not be redeemed after the point of purchase.
Registrations will be reviewed for the correct rate, Connect Media reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not paying the correct rate. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for travel costs if you do not pay the correct rate.
Organiser’s Rights:
Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd endeavours to ensure the conference programme and speaker line-up is correct at the time of the event. All advertised details are correct at time of publishing. Due to unforeseen circumstances Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd reserves the right to alter the programme prior to the event without notice. We also reserve the right to cancel or postpone the event. Where Connect Media is unable to run the event in the next 12 months (from the date of the event), you will be entitled to a full refund. In the unlikely event that it is cancelled or postponed, no compensation will be provided for cancelled/amended travel arrangements.
Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd reserves the right to deny access to any individual that engages in or is alleged to engage in practices that are considered unprofessional and inappropriate for a business conference. We reserve the right to deny access to delegates that may affect the client / vendor ratio of attendance in favour of the interests of sponsors and commercial partners of the event.
In registering for this event, delegates grant permission to Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd to take and to have full and free use of video/photographs containing their image/likeness for promotional use. Should a delegate not agree to the above image release, they must advise team@connectmedia.com.
Cancellation Policy:
A substitute delegate is welcome at any time provided the request is made in writing. A full refund less a $250 (GST Inclusive) processing fee is applicable on cancellation requests made in writing within 10 days of registration. No refunds are available for cancellations made more than 10 days after registration. Where Connect Media is required to reschedule the event in the interest of the event partner’s and guests, your pass will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Should you be provided with a credit note at the discretion of the event organisers, this credit is valid for the specified amount of passes, and not the monetary value. Should Connect Media be unable to offer, deliver or fulfil any engagement within 12 months, you will be entitled to a full refund.
Event Delivery:
In case of a change in government restrictions and advice, Connect Media reserves the right to make the decision to deliver the event completely digital, or completely in person. Should you hold a different pass, you are entitled to move your registration to digital/in person, or receive a credit for the following edition of the event.
Privacy Disclosure:
We take your privacy seriously. Information collected on this registration will be held in the strictest of confidence on a secure database. This information may be used in order to contact you regarding future events, product development and services offered. If you do not wish to be contacted please email team@connectmedia.com. To view our full privacy policy please visit: https://connectmedia.com/privacy-policy/.