Inside the 2026 forum

AICD Managing Director & CEO Mark Rigotti welcome attendees to the 2026 Tech Governance Forum. Mark will set the scene for the day ahead, outlining the key governance challenges and opportunities facing boards in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. 

Speaker

• Mark Rigotti MAICD, Managing Director & CEO, AICD

In this fireside chat, Pat O’Sullivan, Chair of CAR Group, SiteMinder and TechnologyOne, will share practical insights from the boardrooms of some of Australia’s leading technology companies. Drawing on his extensive experience overseeing high growth, globally scaled digital businesses, Pat will explore how boards can effectively govern in environments defined by rapid change, complex risk and continuous innovation. This conversation will offer directors a grounded perspective on what strong technology governance looks like in practice, from aligning strategy and execution through to building resilient, high performing organisations in the digital age.

Speaker:

• Patrick O'Sullivan MAICD
  Chair, CAR Group, SiteMinder and TechnologyOne

Moderator:

• Mark Pesce
  Tech Governance Forum MC

As artificial intelligence reshapes how organisations operate, compete and create value, boards are being challenged to rethink what effective oversight looks like. This session explores why AI literacy is becoming a core board capability, not as a technical specialisation but as a fundamental part of understanding strategy, risk and organisational culture. Directors will examine what “enough” knowledge really means, how to identify gaps in board capability, and how to govern AI as an embedded feature of the operating model. The discussion will provide practical insight into how boards can build confidence, ask better questions and lead organisations to responsibly capture the opportunities of AI.

Speaker:

• Sarah Carney
  National Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft ANZ
• Lee Hickin
  Executive Director, National AI Centre
• Christine Holman GAICD
  Director, AGL

Moderator:

• Mark Pesce
  Tech Governance Forum MC

While digital transformation is a strategic priority for most organisations, boards can struggle to ensure these initiatives deliver tangible outcomes. Beyond technology adoption, success depends on aligning transformation with business objectives, governance frameworks, and stakeholder expectations. This session explores how directors can oversee digital strategies that drive measurable value, manage risk, and avoid common pitfalls. Gain insights into setting clear performance metrics, ensuring accountability, and fostering a culture that translates digital ambition into sustainable growth.

Speakers:

• Dr Jane Andrews GAICD
  Director, TechnologyOne
  CEO, Magic Pudding Company

• John Hennessey
  General Manager of Small-to-Medium Enterprises,
  Microsoft ANZ

As digital and data-driven technologies become embedded in core business activities, boards face growing expectations to ensure technology is used responsibly, ethically and in the interests of stakeholders. This session examines the governance challenges that arise from technologies such as AI, automation and advanced data platforms, and the risks they create for trust, reputation and compliance. Directors will gain practical insights into setting clear principles for responsible technology use, overseeing AI and data-related risks, and embedding ethical oversight into their organisations.

Speakers:

• Nick Davis
  Co-Director, UTS Human Technology Institute
• John Galligan
  Head of Corporate, External Affairs, Microsoft ANZ
• Dr Zivit Inbar GAICD
  CEO & Founder, DifferenThinking

Moderator:

• Simon Mitchell
  Senior Policy Adviser, AICD

These intimate, interactive roundtable discussions provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the most pressing technology issues facing boards today. Expect practical insights, shared experiences, and robust conversations on what boards need to know - and do - now. Each discussion encourages open dialogue, peer learning, and practical insight on real-world governance challenges.

Technology governance is, at its core, about governing change. Organisations that excel at change are better equipped to implement new technologies and embed both the opportunities and risks they present into effective strategy execution. Drawing on 40 years of experience leading and adapting to technology change, Steve Vamos will share the critical factors directors should question and test in how their CEO and leadership team are executing strategy and leading change. Steve is the author of Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change, has held multiple ASX non-executive director roles, and was most recently CEO of Xero.

Speaker

• Steve Vamos GAICD, Former CEO, Xero, Microsoft Australia and Apple Asia Pacific.
  Author, “Through Shifts and Shocks”

Moderator:

• Mark Pesce
  Tech Governance Forum MC

Cybersecurity has become one of the most critical and complex risks facing boards — but it no longer sits in isolation. Digital operations now depend on extended technology ecosystems, third-party providers, cloud platforms and global supply chains, each introducing new points of vulnerability. This session examines how boards can strengthen oversight of cyber risk while building broader technology resilience across the organisation. Directors will explore their governance responsibilities for cyber preparedness, incident response and recovery, as well as emerging risks from suppliers, partners and outsourced services.

Speakers:

• Michael Burchell
  Board Member, Australian Information Security Association

• Rachael Falk MAICD
  Partner, Risk Advisory, Ashurst

• Alice Williams FAICD
  Director, Pro Medicus

Moderator:

• Christian Gergis GAICD
  Head of Policy, AICD

Emerging technologies are reshaping industries and redefining competitive advantage. For boards and directors, understanding these innovations is critical to informed decision-making and strategic oversight. This session provides a clear, practical guide to breakthrough technologies such as biotechnology, quantum computing and other transformative trends. Learn what these technologies mean for your organisation, how to assess opportunities and risks, and how to position strategy for long term success in a fast changing environment.

Speaker:

• Mark Pesce
  Futurist, Tech Governance Forum MC