Workshop One - AM

Leadership Decision Making During Crisis
Facilitator: Mark "Squiz" Squirrell OAM

During this 3.5 hour facilitated workshop, participants will be taken on a journey to discover what it takes to serve with the Australian Special Forces, work across the globe with the United Nations World Food Programme and summit Mt Everest to raise awareness of global hunger. Along the journey, the audience will arrive at a number of high-stakes and time-critical situations and begin working in small teams (4-6 pax) to mitigate the circumstances. This will allow for a robust plenary discussion that reveals tips and strategies associated with leadership and decision making during a crisis. The tips and strategies can be taken back to all industries and applied when necessary. The session is gamified as team answers are tallied, allowing a winning team to be announced at the end of the session (which provides engagement and excitement throughout the session). Individual Virtual Reality goggles will be used on two occasions during the session to completely immerse the audience into the storyline. All participants are provided an electronic summary of the session with additional tips and strategies associated with risk management, leadership and decision making during a crisis at the conclusion of the session.

Workshop Two - AM

Sensemaking in complexity: When we don’t make sense of things, nothing makes sense
Facilitator: Simon Fieldhouse, Adaptive Cultures

This session uses a range of approaches in real time to help people see beyond what they currently observe in the contexts they are in. We work through how to increase curiosity, noticing and how to recognise the edge of our thinking and expand possibilities. Outcomes – participants will leave with a broader view of their context, notice where the limits of their current view are and have tools to continue the work ongoing.

Workshop Five - PM

Building Your Resilience Mindset: Practising foresight, not firefighting
Facilitators: Kate Gannon & Kate Cooper, ResilienceSOS x Ellen Hooper

Most organisations only sharpen their risk thinking after something has already gone wrong. Under pressure, decisions clarify and priorities focus but by then, the cost is real. This high-energy, fast-paced workshop focusses on building resilience before crisis hits when choices still exist and judgement can be shared. Grounded in High Reliability Organisation research and psychological safety science, the session blends behavioural insight with disciplined Lego Serious Play® and structured scenario rehearsal using the ResilienceSOS® Scenario Cards and Action Equation.
Expect movement. Expect interaction. Expect to think with your hands, test assumptions and rehearse real decisions. Participants actively surface blind spots, visualise complexity and practise practical actions that strengthen strategic risk thinking, constructive challenge and confident early escalation. It is serious work, delivered through serious play.
You will leave stretched, sharper and unexpectedly more energised than when you walked in.

Workshop Six - PM

Cyber Crisis Response: An interactive simulation for risk professionals
Facilitator: Cyber CX

In today’s digital landscape, cyber threats are a growing risk for businesses and finance professionals. As custodians of financial and business integrity, accountants and finance leaders must be prepared to respond effectively to cyber incidents. Rapid decision-making, strategic communication, and stakeholder management are critical skills in mitigating the impact of a cyber crisis. This immersive and interactive simulation will take participants through a high-stakes cyber crisis scenario. Using generative AI-driven visual effects, the session will provide a dynamic learning experience that mirrors real-world challenges. Participants will gain first-hand insights into the complexities of managing a major cyber event, learning from real-life case studies and hard-earned lessons.