Michele Levine was born with a passion for people and what makes them tick, social justice and an insatiable curiosity about life.
With over 30 years’ experience as a researcher, Michele has been responsible for thousands of surveys, including many of the largest research projects ever undertaken in Australia, many of which continue to play a critically important part in shaping our society today.
With a fundamental belief in the empowering value of information, Michele was instrumental in the development and refinement of Roy Morgan Single Source, the world’s leading consumer study (based on over 50,000 interviews a year) and, in 2010, the introduction of the Roy Morgan Business Survey.
Michele was ahead of her time in foreseeing the exponential growth of Big Data and, consequently the need for software (like ASTEROID) which can manage and order massive volumes of data – as well as the need for highly trained analysts who can help make sense
of it.

Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine is a highly sought-after expert on market trends and factors that impact industries.

As well as providing an update on the current industry trends we are facing, Michele will provide insights into how she made her way to the top job as CEO of Australia’s largest independent market researcher and why this path is available to any woman who is prepared to challenge herself.

Aamir Qutub is a leading AI strategist, international bestselling author of The CEO Who Mocked AI, and founder of Enterprise Monkey—an award-winning tech and AI company operating across four countries. As a fractional Chief AI Officer and keynote speaker, Aamir empowers business leaders to embrace technology with confidence. He has helped over 500 organisations transform their operations with AI, automation, and digital innovation. Aamir also serves on advisory boards like the Geelong Authority and mentors students at Deakin University. His mission is to make AI accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes, especially those just starting their digital journey.

 Real-World Use Cases & Strategic Insights

The Problem:
Many retail businesses are struggling to keep up with shifting customer expectations, rising operational costs, and increasing competition from online marketplaces. While AI offers powerful solutions—from personalised marketing to inventory optimisation—most retailers don’t know where to start or how to implement AI in a practical, cost-effective way.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understand real-world examples of AI in retail
• Identify the most impactful areas to apply AI in your business
• Learn how AI can help reduce costs and increase sales
• Discover simple, affordable AI tools businesses are using today
• Learn how to assess your business’s AI readiness
• Get a step-by-step framework to start your AI transformation journey

Kistin Gunnis has worked internationally and domestically in the Telco Industry and knows how hard it can be to succeed as a woman and on your merit. Kistin is passionate about supporting women to get the rewards they deserve. With over 25+years of experience within Operations Management,she has seen it all. Today she works with business women to understand and articulate their value and how to make a difference in their profitability.

Dr Jackie King’s specialty lies in guiding people to embrace their internal tensions—culture, identity, trauma—and reframe them through design‑thinking and empathy. Jackie supports individuals and organisations to recognise, integrate, and lead through their unique “otherness.” Jackie is a lawyer by training, and has a PhD in public policy and EMBA in organisational leadership and strategy. She has had a long executive career dedicated to supporting purpose institutions in designing and implementing actionable strategies in leadership, governance, risk, compliance, sustainability, and operations/service delivery. She has made a career change, after going through the process outlined in her book “The Ultimate Other” which she shares to support individuals and organisations navigate change through the programs and advisory work she offers through JDK Research. www.drjackieking.com.au

How can professional women, particularly in a male dominated industry, with chaotic lives, with multiple identities, intersectionalities, pressures, use design thinking as a framework to have more empathy for themselves. 

Takeaways: 

• Understand their own sense of otherness  
• Become aware of  the benefits of empathy in professional and personal contexts as a leadership asset 
• Lead themselves with empathy 
• Start the process of articulating a vision for themselves through design thinking