Speakers - ANZIIF International Summit

Holly Ransom is a global voice on leadership, change, and high-performance cultures.

As CEO of Emergent Global, she advises Fortune 500 companies, governments, elite sporting teams and trailblazing brands like Microsoft, Virgin, and P&G on building future-ready teams and navigating disruption.

A sought-after keynote speaker, dynamic emcee, and master interviewer, Holly has captivated audiences across 25+ countries - and been trusted by brands like Coca-Cola, Google, Mastercard, and EY to elevate their most critical events.

She’s interviewed icons like Barack Obama, Sir Richard Branson, Brené Brown, Venus Williams and Matthew McConaughey - turning every exchange into a leadership masterclass.

Holly is a Fulbright Scholar, a Harvard Kennedy School graduate, and the bestselling author of The Leading Edge - a must-read for leaders navigating disruption and driving meaningful change. She is also the co-founder of Energy Disruptors: UNITE, a three-time Best Conference winner.

Offstage, Holly loves sunrise runs, baking for friends and family, and putting her Spanish to the test—having recently delivered a full keynote entirely in Spanish.

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Jerry Michalski inspires fresh perspectives on collective decision-making and trust.

He is the founder of Open Global Mind, a project to help humans make better decisions together. He is also an expert on trust.

Jerry was on the front lines of the tech revolution for a dozen years as a tech-industry trends analyst during the dot-com boom, as Managing Editor of Esther Dyson’s monthly newsletter, Release 1.0. He also advised corporate advanced-technology groups on whether and where to deploy exponential technologies like AI.

One of the 4,000-plus startups Jerry interviewed had a useful mind-mapping app called TheBrain. Intrigued, Jerry began curating his Brain then, over 27 years ago. Now it’s the world’s largest, with over 595,000 entries.

In the mid-90s, Jerry realized the word “consumer” was a linchpin to understanding many of today’s dilemmas. Following “consumer” led him to the concept of trust, especially the many ways that consumer capitalism has broken trust. More optimistically, he also found groups around the world rediscovering trust to solve thorny problems.

From this mix of movements and ideas, Jerry is creating Design from Trust, a process that can be applied in many different domains, which is also a great example of how to rethink constraints. In this case, the constraint is mistrust; the solution is thoughtfully-designed trust.

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April Rinne is a globally recognized futurist and trusted advisor to leading organizations.

Renowned as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and ranked among Forbes' “50 Leading Female Futurists,” April Rinne helps organisations reshape their approach to change and uncertainty. She has advised major companies and institutions such as Airbnb, Nike, Intuit, the World Bank, NESTA, and governments worldwide, bringing her expertise to startups, nonprofits, and think tanks alike.

Drawing on her own journey of resilience and a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and personal challenges, April inspires others to thrive amid flux. Her work has been featured in leading publications including Harvard Business Review, Wired, Fast Company, and CNBC, and she is the author of Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change.

Her work has been featured in major publications worldwide, including Harvard Business Review, Wired, Fast Company and CNBC. April is the author of Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change.

A graduate of Harvard Law School and member of the Silicon Guild, April has been weaving a story about how to thrive amid flux for as long as she can remember, drawing on her history as a futurist, advisor, global development executive, microfinance lawyer, investor, mental health advocate, certified yoga teacher, globetrotter (100+ countries), and insatiable handstander. April also harnesses her very personal experiences with flux, including the death of both of her parents in a car accident when she was 20. Through her travels and tragedy, vision and values, global perspective and grounded sense of purpose, April helps others better understand how we see, think about, struggle with, and ultimately forge positive relationships with change.

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Tane Hunter inspires with his groundbreaking research and unwavering belief in a brighter, more connected future.

As the visionary founder of Future Crunch, Tane unites scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs to champion optimism and progress in science and technology. With expertise spanning bioinformatics, rare disease diagnosis, and AI-powered cancer research, he empowers others to see possibility in challenge and to help shape a world where innovation uplifts all. His journey reflects a deep commitment to making the 21st century a time of hope, abundance, and opportunity.

Tane is a cancer researcher and science communicator. He is the founder of Future Crunch, a group of scientists, artists, researchers and entrepreneurs that believes science and technology are creating a world that is more peaceful, connected and abundant. Their mission is to foster intelligent, optimistic thinking about the future, and to empower people to contribute to a 21st century that works for everyone.

He has a Masters in Bioinformatics from the University of Melbourne, and has worked for the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital diagnosing rare genetic diseases. He is currently completing his PhD at the Victorian Cancer Care Centre, using molecular biomarkers in DNA and analysing them with artificial intelligence to improve treatments for people suffering from cancer. He’s also a former United States mountain biking champion and an avid sailor.

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Michael McQueen understands what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

Recently ranked #11 among the world’s top futurists, Michael is widely recognized for having his finger on the pulse of change, helping clients ranging from Google to Toyota and Mastercard navigate uncertainty and stay ahead of the curve.

A bestselling author of 10 books, Michael’s latest release was named by Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant as one of the top five must-read new leadership books. He is a sought-after media commentator, with his insights regularly featured in Forbes, The Guardian, and CNN.

Having presented to over 500,000 people across five continents since 2004, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit, sharing the stage with the likes of Mel Robbins and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael has also been inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.

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Dr Merriden Varrall is a geopolitical strategist who helps business leaders understand how shifts in global power, state behaviour, and strategic competition create real-world risks and opportunities. She specialises in translating geopolitical dynamics into actionable corporate strategy through scenario design, escalation pathway analysis, strategic forecasting, and decision-maker stress testing.

Formerly KPMG Australia’s Lead Partner on Geopolitics, East Asia Program Director at Lowy, and China-based UN diplomat, Merriden now leads her own strategy business. She is also an Associate Director with the Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment. Merriden is a recognised expert on geopolitics, East Asia, China’s foreign policy, economic security, and the implications of strategic competition for business. Her analysis has appeared in leading international and Australian publications including The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Nikkei Asia, Bloomberg, and The Quarterly.

Merriden works with organisations across the private and public sectors to build geopolitical capability and strategic resilience, including through collaborations with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the University of Sydney Business School, and the European School of Management and Technology.

Pierre Skorich is a seasoned expert in insider threat management with over a decade of extensive experience across a broad range of Australian government departments and agencies. His career spans critical roles in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC, Australia’s Financial Intelligence agency), the Department of Finance, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy Regulator, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and the Attorney-General’s Department.

Pierre currently serves as the Director at the National Anti-Corruption Commission Taskforce, where he led the implementation team for establishing Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission. His honorary appointment as a Visitor at The Australian National University sees him collaborating with the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, contributing his expertise to academia.

His notable previous roles include Acting Assistant Secretary Fraud Prevention and Anti-Corruption at the Australian Government, Director at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, and Director of Governance and Risk at AUSTRAC. Pierre has a proven track record in strategic governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance, evidenced by his impactful tenure across various government sectors.

Pierre is renowned for developing comprehensive business operating models and implementing best practices in regulatory frameworks, particularly praised for his work with the Clean Energy Regulator. His deep understanding of governance and integrity issues positions him as a thought leader in insider threat management.

In his book, Insider Threat: A Systemic Approach, Pierre explores the multifaceted risks posed by insiders and offers strategic solutions to mitigate these threats. His insights are instrumental for organisations aiming to safeguard against internal vulnerabilities.

Pierre Skorich’s extensive career and specialised knowledge make him a prominent figure in the field of security and risk management, offering invaluable expertise in insider threat management.

Richard Yetsenga is Group Chief Economist and Head of Research at ANZ, based in Sydney. He leads the Bank's global research team, which focuses on Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Richard joined ANZ in 2011 from HSBC in Hong Kong, where he was Managing Director of Emerging Market Strategy. Prior to his seven years at HSBC, Richard held economics roles with Deutsche Bank and the Australian Government.

Richard is a member of ANZ’s Institutional Leadership Team. He is also on the Board of CEDA and is Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s National Youth Employment Body.

Richard is an editorial contributor to the Financial Times, Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Wall Street Journal, Japan's Nikkei, the Hong Kong Economic Journal and Singapore’s The Business Times. Richard appears regularly on CNBC, China Central TV, Bloomberg TV and other regional media.

Tom is Senior Director and Head of Climate Analytics for Asia Pacific at Aon. He has worked for 18 years in climate science, catastrophe risk modelling and insurance, resilience, and flood and coastal risk management. During this time, he has supported corporates and government in understanding the materiality of physical climate risk to their business.

Tom is a Chartered Civil Engineer, and an Adjunct Fellow at the Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW, with a PhD in Environmental Science. He maintains an active research profile having published over 20 peer-reviewed papers including in Nature Climate Change.

Tom sits on the Insurance Council of Australia’s Climate and Resilience Committee, and the Expert Panel for the Actuaries Institute’s Climate & Sustainability Practice Committee. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Climate Change Research Centre at UNSW and a Partner Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century.

Patrick Kidd OBE OAM, known as 'PK', is the Chief Executive Officer of the Future Skills Organisation (FSO). He leads the team focused on harnessing the potential of the education and training system to impact learners and employers in the Finance, Technology, and Business sectors.

PK has a diverse background in skills training, stakeholder management, and leading complex change initiatives. He began his career as a soldier in the British Army, where he trained mid-ranking officers and commanded a 1600-person unit during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For his service, he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 2005, he relocated to Australia and served with the Australian Defence Force, leading the training and development of the Afghanistan Security Forces in South Afghanistan.

After his military career, PK joined Deloitte to advise clients on large-scale transformations, where he became CEO of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, for which he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Following the Games, he became CEO of the Digital Skills Organisation, helping to build Australia’s digital workforce, before taking up his current role in June 2023.

PK continues to support initiatives and organizations that enhance the health and well-being of veterans and their families.

Prue has extensive regulatory experience and a strong focus on practice improvement and public benefit. Prue is currently the General Manager Codes and CEO Banking Code Compliance with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). In this role, Prue supports the work of five independent Committees overseeing code monitoring activities, investigations of alleged code breaches and promoting industry best-practice across Australia’s financial services sector.

Prior to joining AFCA, Prue was the Executive Director of Regulatory Operations at Australia’s higher education regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. She was previously Director of Compliance at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). This included responsibility for the ACNC’s Compliance directorate focused on identifying and investigating abuse and mismanagement in Australia’s charity sector and helping charities build their governance capabilities.

She has also held senior roles in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, including as the National Manager of the Allegations Assessment Team and overseas postings in Shanghai and Beirut focused on program integrity, compliance, and fraud prevention.

Prue holds an Executive Master of Public Administration.

Simon is the CEO of Sedgwick Australia.

Simon joined Sedgwick’s Australian team in November 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, having previously served as the acting Chief Operating Officer in Australia in 2023.

For 2 years prior to returning to Australia, Simon held the role of director of executive services, UK & International, providing leadership support across the Asian market. Simon has more than 30 years of claims handling and senior leadership experience in the loss adjusting profession having progressed through a no of senior roles with Sedgwick in the UK before moving to work for the organization across multiple countries.

Simon brings both a deep understanding of the claims industry and proven leadership skills, with a passion for developing colleagues, leading client relationships, driving growth and delivering operational excellence.

Tim Mathieson joins the panel with an impressive 11 years at the Steadfast Group and has over 25 year’s industry experience, most recently as CEO of QIB Group, one of the largest insurance broking groups in Australasia.

He was previously Head of Broker Network at Steadfast and prior to this held several leadership roles with QBE Insurance which he joined as a graduate in 1998.

He holds an MBA, Master of Insurance and Risk Management, and Bachelor of Commerce. He is an ANZIIF Fellow, AICD Graduate and director of more than 10 companies, including the Steadfast Foundation.

Sales is the oxygen and lifeblood of any business.

For over 30 years, Charmaine Keegan has been a recognised leading sales expert transforming how professionals’ approach modern sales through the powerful intersection of mindset, communication, and commercial savviness.

During her formidable international high-performance sales career, Charmaine has trained and inspired over 35,000 professionals worldwide. As a certified trainer in multiple modalities including NLP, Hypnotherapy, Timeline Therapy, Myers-Briggs, Situational Leadership, and Extended DISC, Charmaine translates complex behavioural insights into practical sales techniques.

Her profound sales knowledge is centred on deep understanding of:

Client buying strategies and decision-making styles
Behaviours that distinguish top-performing sales professionals
Unconscious communication patterns and underlying beliefs

Pragmatic by nature and having 'walked the walk,' Charmaine delivers high-impact, thought-provoking content that challenges conventional thinking. Her keynotes and workshop sessions seamlessly blend proven sales methodologies with latest neuroscience insights to unlock personal and professional potential.

Audiences are captivated by her dynamic, informal style—memorably rich with humour, relevance, and expertise. She empowers professionals to:

Embrace sales with integrity and authenticity
Build collaborative relationships that drive business growth
Become Subject Matter Experts, Authorities in their Field, and Trusted Advisors

A sought-after keynote speaker, panellist, and content contributor across Australia and abroad, Charmaine has authored over 20 eBooks and serves as a spokesperson for leading sales platforms.

Charmaine does more than connect with an audience—she catalyses transformative experiences that inspire confidence and equip people with sophisticated frameworks, actionable tools and strategies that yield immediate and lasting results.

Simone is the CEO of Insurtech Australia, a national not-for-profit organisation with a vision to create a world leading insurtech ecosystem which aims to foster a diverse community of insurance innovation and collaboration across the Australian insurance industry.

An experienced leader in the insurance industry, Simone has held senior executive roles in both Australia and the UK. Her previous role was that of Chief Operating Officer for Munich Re in Australasia. Additionally, she was a Non-Executive Director of ANZIIF between 2018 and 2024.

Sunil has more than 15 years’ experience across insurance, risk management and executive leadership in Australia and the UK. He was Chief Operating Officer of ASX-listed AUB Group and Chief Executive of its Risk Services division, and previously held senior executive roles with CGU Insurance. In the UK, Sunil led the transformation of Royal & Sun Alliance’s claims operating model as part of Accenture’s BPO and technology partnership.

More recently, Sunil served as CEO of Motorsport Australia, where he led the largest financial and operating model turnaround in the organisation’s 70-year history. Alongside implementing a new broker model for the organisation’s $100 million liability insurance program, Sunil led development of proactive risk management capabilities across the sport encompassing grassroots clubs, national championships and Formula 1.

Drawing on first-hand experience across insurance, risk governance and live event operations, Sunil founded D-Risk AI, a specialist event risk intelligence platform for the sports and entertainment sector. Working with event organisations, boards and insurers, D-Risk AI helps elevate risk capability at event level, and connects that risk intelligence to better inform boards, and insurer decision making.

Sunil is based in Melbourne, holds an MBA from Warwick Business School UK and is a member of Insurtech Australia.

Katrina has spent much of her career in financial services. A Chartered Accountant by trade, Katrina started her career in Audit, spent time at Newton Fund Management in London and then joined Westpac Trust. She has owned her own small accountancy business for seven years, after which she was the Financial Controller for the New Zealand National Party.

Katrina has a deep understanding of the legislative process and how to influence policy development, drawn from her experience as a two-term Member of Parliament. During that time, she chaired Select Committees and was a member of the Commerce Select Committee during the significant legislative changes in the financial services sector.

Katrina has considerable experience leading membership bodies, working with regulatory change, creating public awareness, and has developed a learning academy. In addition to this she has managed the significant Funeral Trust Fund.

Katrina has been the CEO of Financial Advice NZ for five years. She was the inaugural CEO which merged three industry bodies into one professional body. In this time the organisation has become the voice of the financial advice sector, influenced significant legislative and regulatory change, and delivered quality professional development. In addition to this she has ensured research has been the basis for promoting the value of advice to consumers, enabling more New Zealanders, to seek quality financial advice to increase their financial health, wealth and wellbeing.