Sarah was appointed Managing Director of Officeworks in January 2019. Previously, she held senior roles at Coles, including Financial Controller, State General Manager Victoria, and Demerger Program Director. Earlier in her career, she spent over a decade in the UK, including as Strategy and Finance Director at Gatwick Airport. 

At Officeworks, Sarah has driven business growth, championed digital innovation, and modernised systems to meet the changing needs of customers. Under her leadership, the business continues to deliver on its purpose of helping make bigger things happen, underpinned by a people-centric culture and a shared commitment to delivering great customer experiences. 

She is a Council member of the Australian Retailers Association, a member of Chief Executive Women, and a Fellow of ACCA. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Bond University and a Master of Commerce from UNSW.

Rennie Freer is the General Manager of Marketing at Kmart.
Prior to Kmart, Rennie’s approach to embracing new challenges, creating high performance teams and partnering with her peers has been the foundation of the last two decades where she has shaped the marketing and growth strategies for some of Australia and New Zealand’s most loved brands (including MECCA, Nestle and Target).
With her experience uniquely bridging both advertising and client-side enterprises, Rennie is known for her ability to innovate, deliver results, navigate ambiguity and transform brands while giving her an extraordinary lens into a wide range of roles, career paths and industries. 
Above all, Rennie is passionate about helping those around her find their authentic path. 
Rennie is also a Director and Chair of the Strategy and Innovation Committee for the
Kids Plus Foundation.

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.

Talia Datt is a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and the visionary force behind The Social CliQ and The Content CliQ—two powerhouse agencies that redefined social media marketing and user-generated content. Since launching in 2018, she has propelled 300+ brands worldwide, from Fortune 500 giants to disruptive startups, to unprecedented digital success. In 2024, both agencies were acquired by Merchantwise, solidifying her legacy as an industry leader and expanding her expertise in licensing and retail.  Beyond marketing, Talia is a strategic investor in multi businesses, demonstrating her ability to spot and scale high-growth brands. She continues to shape the future of digital commerce with bold, data-driven innovation.

The Power of User Generated Content, Creators & Social Media

The Problem:
Your customers scroll fast. If your content doesn’t stop them, someone else’s will. In a world where trust is built by creators, not brands, your socials need to show up with native, real-feel content—or risk getting left behind.

What You’ll Learn:
Why polished brand content is out—and why native, relatable content wins on social
 The difference between reactive vs. proactive social content (and how to balance both)
 How to build a scalable, always-on content engine using creators and UGC
 What high-performing UGC, influencer, and social-first content actually looks like
 The biggest mistakes brands make on social—and how to avoid them
 How our team helps brands move fast, stay relevant, and win across paid + organic socials

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.

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 retailers are using today

• Learn how to assess your business’s AI readiness

• Get a step-by-step framework to start your AI transformation journey