Cairns 2026

Kim Seeling Smith, Guest Speaker

Plenary: ‘AI & The Future of Leadership: Navigating Change & Inspiring Impact’ – Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Kim Seeling Smith is a Business Futurist who helps organizations thrive through the rapidly changing world of AI and the Polycrisis (where multiple crises intersect and affect each other). Kim has literally held a seat at the table with Sir Richard Branson for her innovative work around the Future of Work. She was named a Top 100 Thought Leader by Thinkers360 and a Top 101 Global Influencer on Employee Engagement. She wrote THE how-to guide on 1:1 employee 1:1s: Mind Reading for Managers, and co-wrote a Career Development Guide with mega author Brian Tracy. Kim Seeling Smith, CSP, CVP, VMP Bureau and Event Planner Information You will frequently see Kim on The Today Show, in Forbes, Fast Company, SmartCompany, CEO Magazine, CNBC Online, the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and many other print and radio media outlets. As a former professional accountant with KPMG, Kim is a rare individual who seamlessly blends her commercial acumen with cutting-edge Future of Work practices.

Plenary Synopsis:

In this session, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping the leadership landscape and what leaders can do to stay ahead. Practical strategies for adapting to rapid change, leveraging AI for better decision-making, and inspiring teams in a tech-driven world. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights and tools to future-proof their leadership approach.

Marty Wilson, Guest Speaker

Plenary: ‘Change Without Fear’ – Tuesday 2nd June 2026

Marty Wilson has spent his entire professional life studying resilience, partly because he was a full-time Stand Up Comic for 8 years in the UK (and nobody knows how to bounce back from adversity like an Aussie Comic performing to the Brits!), but also because he is a relentless entrepreneur who has leapt from one successful career to another – he’s a Pharmacist turned Award-Winning Advertising Copywriter turned Stand Up Comic turned Bestselling Author and Speaker. He has spoken to over 500,000 people since he first leapt up on stage in 1997. In his first 12 months Marty won Australian Comic of the Year, appeared on the Footy Show, and was invited to the UK to become a full time Stand Up. He returned home 2008 and now helps people and businesses use humour and levity to lead behaviour change in the areas of health and innovation.

Marty structures his programs on the results of over 1,000 interviews he has done with inspirational and successful people for his 11 and counting books in his bestselling What I Wish I Knew series. From footy coach Wayne Bennett to a Buddhist Nun who works with prisoners on death row in L.A., from Comic Anh Do to a mother of eleven children, from a 911 survivor to chef Maggie Beer. This makes his programs incredibly human and instantly relatable to a wide variety of audiences.

Robyn Willis Kajiura, Executive Director – General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS)

Workshop – ‘Transparency & Accountability – Ethical Decision Making’ – Block 8, Thursday 4th June 2026

Robyn Kajiura serves as Executive Director of the General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS). With a team of more than 350 professionals operating from 45 plus countries, GCAS performs structurally independent financial audits, tests of policy compliance, and other services for denominational organizations worldwide. Robyn holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a certified public accountant in Virginia, and has more than 40 years of global audit experience.

Having lived in Australia, India, and the United States and worked on audits around the world, Robyn brings a broad, cross‑cultural perspective to financial reporting and decision making in diverse organizational settings. She is deeply committed to ethical decision making, financial integrity, and organizational accountability in support of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s global mission.  Robyn is passionate about equipping leaders to make principled decisions when values, risk, and responsibility intersect, and to ensure that business practices consistently reflect the Church’s mission and values.

Workshop Summary:

This session will explore the question “Why is Ethical Decision Making essential to the Mission of the SDA Church in the South Pacific Division?” We will review six common ethical ‘lenses’ people use to make and justify their decisions.​ We will also recognise the weaknesses and blind spots of each lens, and practice applying each lens using small-group case studies. We will address common ethical decision-making traps and how to avoid them. Finally, we will walk through an SDA aligned approach for building an ethical organisational culture.

Pr Glenn Townend, President – South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Developing Resilience for Long-Term Ministry’ – Block 4, Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Pastor Glenn Townend is the President of the South Pacific Division (SPD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Townend’s term as SPD president began in 2015 when he was elected at the GC Session in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to that he was president of the Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM). He has also served as president of the Western Australian Conference.

During his period as President, Pastor Townend has had a clear focus on mission and disciple-making, encouraging churches to follow the Harvest Model of preparing the soil, sowing the seed, cultivating the plant and harvesting the crop.

Glenn is married to Pam, who works for SPD Health as the coordinator of the 10,000 Toes Campaign, which is targeting the epidemic of diabetes in the South Pacific. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

Rodney Brady, former Chief Financial Officer – South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Good Church Governance Principles – Block 1, Monday 1st June 2026

Rodney Brady has served as the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of the South Pacific Division since 2000, making him the longest-serving person in this role in the Division’s history. A graduate of Avondale College (now University), Rodney has dedicated more than 40 years to Adventist financial leadership, working across Australia, Fiji and New Zealand at both conference and division levels. He is known for his steady leadership, strategic financial stewardship and ability to guide the Church through changing economic landscapes. His work has been shaped by a commitment to efficiency, resource optimisation and mission-focused financial management.

Workshop Summary:

Today more is being expected of Governing Boards by Directors, Employees and Members. When Governance is regarded as “good” it improves outcomes, trust, morale, and stakeholder support. Good Governance is not just the responsibility of a Governing Board but extends to management and staff. What is “Good Governance” and what can Directors and Management do to achieve Good Governance? It’s not hard but it does require focus and effort in a few key areas. This workshop will explore some of the principles of Good Governance in a denominational context and what you can do to help Good Governance. The presenter will draw on real life experiences and examples to illustrate what can go right and wrong in denominational governance. Time will be allowed for questions to discuss things arising from the presentation.

Dr Brendan Pratt, President – Australian Union Conference

Devotionals – Monday-Thursday

Brendan Pratt was appointed the Australian Union Conference (AUC) President of the SDA Church in September 2025. Brendan began is ministry as a local church pastor in New Zealand before moving into various ministry positions at the Greater Sydney Conference. He then served as ministerial association director at the AUC until 2024 when he became director of the Global Mission Centre for Secular and Post-Christian Mission and AUC associate ministerial secretary.  Dr Pratt is married to Amanda Bews, and they have three adult sons. Brendan will be sharing during our morning devotionals, teaching from Jeremiah 17:7 ‘But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.‘

Andrew Rigele, Partner – Grant Thornton Australia

Workshop: ‘Reporting Update: Sustainability and ESG Reporting in the NFP Sector’ – Block 8, Thursday 4th June 2026

Andrew Rigele is a Partner in Audit and Assurance and the National Managing Partner for Sustainability and ESG at Grant Thornton Australia, based in Sydney. He specialises in audit, corporate sustainability and ESG advisory, working closely with boards and senior executives on assurance, reporting, risk management and sustainability strategy. Andrew supports organisations with sustainability reporting, carbon strategies and the practical implementation of initiatives that enable sustainable growth, and also leads Grant Thornton Australia’s focus on sustainability, both internally and through its client work.

In particular Andrew has worked with a number of religious organisations and with our own Church in delivering assurance requirements and therefore has a good knowledge of our structure and accounting framework.

Murray Nicholls, Director – Saward Dawson Chartered Accountants

Workshop: ‘Remuneration Issues for Ministers of Religion’ – Block 1, Monday 1st June 2026

Murray Nicholls is a director at Saward Dawson Chartered Accountants in its Remuneration Services team.  Murray has extensive experience in fringe benefits tax and salary packaging issues and has provided advice on these matters to many charities, churches and not-for-profit organisations.

Workshop Summary:

Murray’s workshop, ‘Remuneration Issues for Ministers of Religion’, will outline how ministers of religion occupy a distinct position within Australia’s taxation and payroll framework, particularly with respect to exempt, non‑reportable fringe benefits traditionally provided in recognition of pastoral duties.

This workshop provides a practical, up‑to‑date overview of the unique remuneration landscape for ministers of religion, focusing on taxation, exempt benefits, salary packaging, and current compliance obligations.

Throughout the workshop, Murray draws on his extensive expertise in fringe benefits tax, salary packaging, and not‑for‑profit remuneration, offering practical guidance to ensure churches and religious organisations remain compliant while supporting their ministers effectively.

Brian Parker, Chief Economist – Australia Retirement Trust

Workshop: ‘Where are We Now? Where Are We Going? and How Best to Get There’ – Block 2, Monday 1st June 2026

Brian Parker is Chief Economist at Australian Retirement Trust with over 30 years experience in economics, portfolio management and communications. He is a highly respected economist and investment strategist whose work at ART combines deep analytical expertise with clear communication, helping members navigate long-term investment decisions and retirement planning. His career reflects a blend of academic rigor, practical investment experience and public engagement, making him a key figure in Australia’s superannuation and financial advisory landscape.

Workshop Summary:

Join Chief Economist Brian Parker from Australian Retirement Trust for a concise and engaging investment and economic workshop. Brian will explore the current economic and market landscape, the outlook for growth, inflation, and interest rates, and what this means for long‑term retirement savings. The session will provide practical insights into managing uncertainty, understanding risks and opportunities, and staying focused on long‑term outcomes in a constantly evolving environment.

Julian Archer, Stewardship Director – South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Stewardship in Leadership: From Transit Flats to the Intercontinental’ – Block 3, Monday 1st June 2026

After a fast-paced business career, Julian retired in his thirties and founded the ministry Faith vs Finance. He is also author of the book, HELP! I’ve Been Blessed: How to stop God’s blessings from becoming curses. Since 2021, he has served as the Stewardship Director for the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Together with his Proverbs 31 wife Melinda, they live in a small country town on Australia’s east coast and have two adult sons.

Workshop Summary:

This workshop will revolve around the fact that all church money is holy to the Lord, and that, as church leaders, we each face the real struggle of being constantly vigilant to ensure that we are stewarding God’s resources prayerfully and carefully, in a way that is both right and has the appearance of being right. It will be a series of stories and testimonies to gently remind us that we are called to be exemplary leaders in faithful stewardship.

Dr Glen Hughes, Dentist

Workshop: ‘Giving to God While Deep in Debt’ – Block 1, Monday 1st June 2026

Glen Hughes is a dentist who runs a private practice in Ballina NSW and leads the dental service at the Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation in Casino NSW. The son and grandson of missionaries, he has always been passionate about integrating faith and practice. He is also actively involved in the Manna Haven Cafe Ministry run from the Byron Bay SDA church.

Workshop Summary:

This testimony-based workshop was voted as the #1 presentation at Hyve Australia. His message is very focused on whole-of-life stewardship for people who God has placed in responsible positions in their professional careers or the leadership of church operations.

Korey Dowling, General Manager – People & Culture, South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Committed or Dating? 5 Steps to an Engaged [Employee] Relationship’ – Block 6, Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Workshop: ‘From Surviving to Thriving: Strategies for Wellbeing’ – Block 8, Thursday 4th June 2026

Korey Dowling is a global Human Resources Executive with over 20 years of experience leading people strategy, organizational development, and excellence across North America (VP for People & Excellence), Europe (Talent Management and Executive Assessment), Australia and the Pacific. He now serves as the General Manager for People & Culture for the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He holds a Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management and carries global experience in Governance, Leadership Development, Excellence Frameworks, Training and Organizational Development.

Workshop Summaries:

‘Committed or Dating? 5 Steps to an Engaged [Employee] Relationship’ – This workshop explores what it means to move from a transactional “dating” relationship with work to a committed, purpose-driven engagement. Participants will learn five practical areas to strengthen connection, ownership, and motivation, helping employees feel more aligned, valued, and invested in their role and our mission.

‘From Surviving to Thriving: Strategies for Wellbeing’ – This workshop focuses on practical strategies to support personal wellbeing and sustainable performance. Participants will explore ways to manage stress, build resilience, and create healthy rhythms that enable them not just to cope with demands, but to thrive both personally and professionally.

Lyndel Smith, Human Resources Director – People & Culture, South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Culture Under the Microscope’ – Block 9, Thursday 4th June 2026

Lyndel Smith is Human Resources Director for the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, leading HR strategy and workforce development across the region. She brings deep experience as a strategic HR generalist, with expertise in governance, policy, and people systems built through roles in both corporate and educational sectors. Lyndel is known for promoting intentional HR practice aligned with organisational mission and improving HR capacity across church entities.

Workshop Summary:

Every workplace has two cultures: the one we talk about and the one we actually live every day. This is an energetic, interactive workshop that will help us zoom in on the real forces shaping how we work together — the visible moments, the invisible habits, and the unspoken rules that influence performance, trust, and collaboration.  Together, we’ll examine workplace culture with clarity and curiosity, not criticism.

A lively, candid, and eye‑opening look at how our culture really works.

Dean Banks, Leadership Development & PD Manager – South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Be Your Best Self: Play to Your Strengths’ – Block 2, Monday 1st June 2026

Dean Banks currently works as the Leadership Development and PD Manager for the South Pacific Division.  He has worked in Australia, London and Singapore spanning the corporate, educational and non-profit sectors, and is a registered Counselling Psychologist and Certified Principal Business Psychologist.  Dean loves helping people grow to achieve their potential, bringing a blend of commercial insight with human behavioural expertise.  Areas of specialisation include leadership strategy and coaching, career management, project management and psychometric assessment.

Workshop Summary:

Discover what makes you thrive!  In this interactive workshop you’ll learn how focusing on your unique strengths can boost your energy and life satisfaction, backed by research in positive psychology.  You’ll complete a scientifically validated online strengths questionnaire to uncover your Signature Strengths and explore practical ways to use them every day.

Jane Gibson-Opetaia, Pacific HR Manager for South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘People-First Formula for Change’ – Block 5, Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Jane Gibson‑Opetaia is the Pacific Human Resources Manager for the South Pacific Division, a role she stepped into in October 2025, after serving as the first female General Secretary of the Trans Pacific Union Mission. Married to Billy Opetaia and a mum of four, she brings both professional depth and lived perspective to her leadership. Jane’s management experience spans South Asia, Australia, and the Pacific, across corporate, nonprofit, faith‑based, education, finance, construction, health, and hospitality sectors. This breadth of experience enables her to move confidently between industries, cultures, and periods of change.

Jane has excelled in complex, evolving contexts, navigating restructures, responding to crisis, building new systems, and helping teams refocus on purpose. With hands‑on experience across Asia and the Pacific, Jane’s approach to change is practical and people‑first, grounded in strong relationships, cultural awareness, and a clear sense of mission. Jane sees change as an opportunity shaped by how people are led forward, renewing trust, refocusing direction, and responding with clarity and courage.

Workshop Summary:

How can leaders use simple, people‑first techniques to build trust and momentum during change?
In this interactive session, Jane Gibson‑Opetaia uses real case studies and practical tools to explore how psychological safety, clear communication, and purpose‑driven leadership shape the way people experience change. Through discussion and lived examples, participants will unpack what strengthens trust, what erodes it, and how leaders can guide teams confidently through uncertainty.

Jonathan Hale, Manager – Risk Management Service for the South Pacific Division

Jonathan Hale is Manager of Risk Management Service (RMS) for the South Pacific Division (SPD), bringing decades of experience across finance, insurance, audit, and risk management in both church and corporate contexts. Having served in senior roles across Africa and the South Pacific, Jonathan combines deep technical expertise with a strong commitment to protecting people, property, and mission. His leadership is grounded in governance, assurance, and practical risk solutions that support the Church’s work across a diverse and complex region.

Gugu Ncube, Internal Auditor – South Pacific Division

Workshop: ‘Data to Decisions’ – Block 6, Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Gugu Ncube is the SPD Internal Auditor for the South Pacific Division, bringing extensive experience across internal audit and senior finance roles. She began her career with Ernst & Young and Deloitte before moving into leadership positions, including Manager at Adrians Chartered Accountants, Finance Manager at Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Financial Accountant and later General Manager for Lifestyle Communities at Adventist Senior Living. In her current role, Gugu has been involved in a range of audits across the South Pacific region, including work in SPD, Tasmanian Conference, Pacific Adventist University and PNG Union Mission, partnering with leaders to strengthen governance, risk management and financial controls. Gugu is a CPA, FCCA and holds an MBA.

Workshop Summary:

This session will explore how internal auditing enables organisations to move beyond data and reporting toward risk-informed decision-making.

It will introduce a practical model that connects data, information, insight, decisions, and learning—highlighting where organisations commonly fall short and how these gaps impact risk governance.

Through real-world examples and an interactive case study, the session will demonstrate how internal audit can transform data into actionable, risk-oriented insight, strengthen decision-making, and ensure internal controls effectively support organisational outcomes.

Participants will gain practical perspectives on linking data, risk, and controls to improve decisions, reduce blind spots, and sustain value.

Suitable for: CFOs, finance leaders, accountants, managers, and business professionals involved in financial management, reporting, and governance.

Rachel Glasbergen, Head of Foodservice & International – Sanitarium

Workshop: ‘An Alternative Example’ – Block 8, Thursday 4th June 2026

Collaboration with partners and enabling healthy choices for consumers are passions of mine, as is driving strategic and sustainable sales growth. I enjoy empowering a team to do this work well and from building an authentic culture where people feel confident, capable and proud of the difference we make together. At Sanitarium, I have the privilege of leading the Café, Foodservice & International teams, drawing on 21 years of FMCG experience, including 19 at Sanitarium, and a foundation in Finance.  I love my teenage daughters, camping, great food with friends and sharing morning almond lattes with my husband.

Workshop Summary:

A strategic look at how Sanitarium built a profitable, values‑driven system: people, product and partnerships, that enabled The Alternative Dairy Co. to become a market leader through humility, innovation and continuous improvement.

Phil Worthy, Senior Creative – Sanitarium

Workshop: ‘AI-Powered Creativity: From Concept to Campaign’ – Block 2, Monday 1st June 2026

Phil Worthy is a Senior Creative at Sanitarium, working within the in-house Studio team to deliver innovative and effective creative solutions for the various brands in their portfolio. With over 12 years of experience in the creative industry, he has developed a strong skill set across graphic design, photography, and content creation. Phil is passionate about exploring how emerging technologies like AI can enhance creative workflows and unlock new possibilities. Based on the Central Coast of NSW, he lives with his wife and two young daughters, and outside of work enjoys capturing surfing and coastal culture through photography.

Workshop Summary:

This session explores the critical role leaders play in managing psychosocial risks and building psychological safety. It will challenge leaders to move beyond compliance and into intentional leadership practices that foster trust, performance, and wellbeing.

Tom Bitmead, Director – Johnstaff

Workshop: ‘Unlocking a sites development potential – Case Study: The Wahroonga Estate’ – Block 3, Monday 1st June 2026

Tom Bitmead is a Director of Johnstaff, an independent Australian and New Zealand owned consulting practice that specialises in client-side Advisory and Project Management services for the planning and implementation of infrastructure investments.

Tom has experience across more than 70 projects valued at over $2 billion, and has delivered complex commercial, industrial, education, health, retail and residential developments for both public and private clients.

Tom has been working with the Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 15 years on the Wahroonga Estate, and in that time assisted with master planning, design and delivery of the Sydney Adventist Hospital Redevelopment, new Wahroonga Adventist School, Clinical Education Centre for Avondale College, San Clinic Parkway medical consulting suite building, and The Quarters, key worker housing and student accommodation.

Tom specialises in early-stage advisory, design development, procurement strategy, and end‑to‑end project delivery.

Workshop Summary:

This session will detail how the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Wahroonga Estate development potential was unlocked, from initial master planning, through town planning approvals, and into the design and construction phase delivery.

Sam Chenoweth, Associate Director – Johnstaff

Workshop: ‘Planning to Meet the Care Needs of Australia’s Ageing Population’ – Block 4, Wednesday 3rd June 2026

Sam Chenoweth is a highly regarded service planner, analyst, project manager, business case author and leader with over 20 years’ experience across a broad range of health and social service domains.

Sam has successfully delivered a large variety of projects and advice across all Australian jurisdictions, in a broad range of metropolitan and rural/remote settings, and nationally for the Federal Department of Health.

Internationally, he has supported the delivery of health and social sector programs across five different countries, spanning national institutional strengthening activities through to the design and delivery of community led local health programs.

As Associate Director Sam plays a key role in the leadership of the Johnstaff’s national Advisory team.

Workshop Summary:

This session will investigate the current and future impacts of Australia’s burgeoning ageing population on health and aged care services. Through reviewing a range of recent case studies the session will examine the key role that committed community needs assessment and service planning should play in supporting health and aged care services to deliver the right care, in the right place.