CEO Roundtables Melbourne

From Crisis to a Multimillion-Dollar Food Empire

Brendan Marsh: Operationalising Strategy with Bets & Flight Levels

In October, the Melboure Business Agility Meetup welcomes Brendan Marsh to discuss how you can **Operationalising Strategy with Bets & Flight Levels (feat ABC & Spotify)** *Why this is important:* Big bloated 'Agile' frameworks are out, but the challenge remains - how do we coordinate 10s or 100s of teams towards a central portfolio level product strategy? Using experience as a coach at Spotify and the ABC as a recent consulting case study, Brendan will demonstrate a simple model for aligning teams to strategy without the need of big frameworks like SAFE *About Brendan:* Brendan Marsh is a Product & Org Advisor and Director at Organa, where he helps organisations improve product strategy, org design and execution at scale. He previously served as Chief Product Officer of a mental health non-profit and spent five years at Spotify during its hyper-growth phase, first as an Agile Coach supporting innovation and product discovery teams and later as a Product Manager responsible for the Mac and Windows clients (40M+ MAU). Thanks to TeamForm, our event sponsor for providing a great place to meet and refreshments. Look at [teamform](https://teamform.co/) for operating product organisations with 10s, 100s, and 1000s of teams. From alignment to strategy, desigining and operating the workforce behind them, and clearly understanding which teams and supporting AI agents are responsible for what parts of your ecosystem. [https://teamform.co/](https://teamform.co/)

An evening with Diem Fuggersberger

A11y Allies Roundtable: Accessibility Horror Stories

**Accessibility Allies monthly roundtable** **2nd Tuesday of each month** **Proudly supported by** [Builure](https://www.linkedin.com/company/builure/posts/) **Topic for October: Accessibility Horror Stories** **Bring your favourite example of an “accessibility horror story” (#AccessibilityFail) and let’s discuss how it could have been avoided. This isn’t about naming and shaming; this is about workshopping solutions.** **Wearing a spooky hat is optional, but encouraged.** **Meet accessibility professionals and advocates.** * **No presentations** * **Open discussion** * **Exchange ideas** * **Genuine connections** **Tuesday 13 October 2026** **5:30 pm - 7:30 pm** **Free** **Light refreshments provided (incl vegetarian and GF)** **Location: WeWork** **120 Spencer Street, Melbourne** * **Quiet exclusive space** * **Wheelchair access** * **Accessible toilet** **This is a secure building so** **[registration via Humanitix](https://events.humanitix.com/a11y-allies-2026-10) is essential.** **Building Entry** **Enter via the entrance on Spencer Street.** **Meet near the green couches in the lobby. Meet other attendees. You will be escorted to level 22 to sign in.** **Running late?** **Post a message to let us know you'll be late with an ETA. We will come get you when you arrive.** **Accessibility** **Please contact us if you have any accessibility needs or questions not covered in the FAQs on the event registration page. We will do what we can to help you feel comfortable attending.** **Please contact us if you have any accessibility needs or questions about this event.**

Girl Founders Council - Focus Group - Founders and Builders Session 5

**Location:** East Melbourne Library - Room **Session**: 6!!! **Spots:** 6 maximum *We are at the early stages! Come help us figure out what it becomes.* The Founders Council is a weekly gathering for women in Melbourne's south-east who are building something — a business, a side project, a creative practice, an idea that keeps coming back. It is not just a networking event. It is not a workshop. It is a council — a small room of women who show up weekly (or help out the one-off joiners to the group) to give and receive honest input from people who are in the same season of building but might be doing it alone. You will meet other girls who are building something too, let's help each other out with whatever each of us is working on. Share your inputs and ideas. Because I believe we have so many skills and pieces of knowledge that can help the person next to you. This can be your accountability group come when you can, touch base and keep yourself accountable with what you planned to build. **Session 4 will run like this:** We will start with a quick round of names and what everyone is working on — thirty seconds each. Then the council opens. Anyone who wants to bring something gets fifteen minutes — a problem, a decision, a pitch to test, something they need honest eyes on. (You can also treat this as your accountability group where in your 15 minutes you can share what your plan is for this week. Then come again next week to check in and plan the next week) The group responds. Not with prescriptive advice. With real honest reactions from people who get it. We close with each person naming one thing they are doing before next week. That is it. That is the accountability. Then the last thirty minutes are open — coffee, conversation, the kind of talk that only happens when the room is right. **You do not have to share anything.** Come and contribute to the group. Listen. Give your perspective on someone else's problem. That seat is just as valuable as any other. **Others you could find here:** Women aged 20+ in Melbourne who are actively building something. Early stage, side hustle, just an idea — all welcome. The only thing that connects everyone in the room is that you are building and you want to be around others who are doing the same. **What to bring:** Yourself. Coffee. Optionally — one thing you are working on or stuck on that you would like the group's eyes on. **Spots are limited to 6.** Small by design. The council only works when the room is small enough for everyone to have the time to share and get the response. *This is a weekly event. Come once or come every week — no commitment required. The door is always open.* Started by Veronika — Building an app for couples, and someone who started this group because she needed it and could not find it.

Trusting humans in the era of Intelligence | Melbourne TED Talk Community Event

Join the Melbourne TED Talk Community for an engaging session and meet people who like being an ideator, who want to bring their voice to a larger community. In contrast to a typical public speaking training event, where you receive feedback on your amms and aas and the way you present, this goes beyond that. **The objective of this community is to get inspired by some of the best ideas serving humanity, find your own calling and voice, be an ideator, and share your ideas clearly and persuasively.** The talk we will play is one of the amazing talks from the TED Library. In this session, we will delve deeper into the topic and gain perspective, and learn from each other. Be prepared to network, engage in meaningful conversations, and embark on a journey of professional development and leadership growth. **Mark your calendars and don't miss this opportunity to refine your public speaking abilities with the Melbourne TED Talk Community!** **TED Talk link to watch together: TBA** **Agenda (as a guide)** 6.00 PM Registration 6.10 PM Introduction by Attendees 6.15 PM 10-12 min TED talk on screen (optional) 6.30 PM Breakout session (Group / Individual) based on topic 6.40 PM Individual / Group shares their takeaways 7.00 PM Practice the Art of Public Speaking - 2-3 talks of 2-5 minutes 7.10 PM Feedback to the Presenters and overall session 7.20 PM Event Concludes & floor opens for Networking **Location Guide:** We are in the Sue Healy Room which is on 2nd floor. For any issues in locating the room, please call or message on the number displayed in the Foyer near the lift. **Fees:** The event has **a $5 contribution** towards hiring the hall and Audiovisual. This can be paid through PayPal at the time of registration. **RSVP and Non-attendance is taken very seriously by us including a block to attend the future events. So for any reasons you can't attend please change your RSVP to NO atleast a day in advance. This will help the Organisers manage the venue and seating.** Looking forward to seeing you there. The Organizers Raj

Our teams have the best AI tools but nothing changed

[Josh Centner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcentner/), Principal PM, Seek: will be taking us through this topic building on some discussions from ProductCamp. **Our teams have the best AI tools but nothing changed** Most organisations now have AI tooling across their product and engineering teams. Most of them are moving just a little faster then they were two years ago. The tools aren’t the problem. The operating model underneath them is. Build is no longer the bottleneck. The new constraint is coordination: how teams align on what to build, how functions like legal, security, and design stay genuinely involved without becoming the gate everything stalls behind, and how leaders shift from approving decisions to setting the conditions that let good decisions happen without them. This session draws on a live transformation across a large technology organisation, redesigning not just how teams build, but the entire system from idea to customer impact. We’ll cover the three things that actually have to change for AI tooling to translate into speed: – how work gets defined before it’s built – how specialist functions engage without creating queues – and how the PM role changes when coordination overhead drops and intent has to survive further and faster than ever before. This isn’t a talk about tools. It’s about what your organisation needs to look like for the tools to matter. Our fabulous sponsors: **Netwealth** Netwealth is one of Australia's leading wealth management platforms, providing technology and investment solutions for financial advisers and their clients. Since 1999, we’ve focused on innovation and challenging the status quo, building digital products that help Australians see wealth differently and achieve better financial outcomes. At the heart of Netwealth is a culture of curious, collaborative, courageous, optimistic, agile and genuine people who are passionate about solving meaningful problems and creating better experiences for customers. For more [about careers](https://www.netwealth.com.au/web/about-netwealth/careers/) at Netwealth.

Startup Networking Melbourne: Founders, Investors & Talent Mixer

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Melbourne.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startup-networking-melbourne-founders-investors-talent-mixer-tickets-1987629760118?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true) Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment. **💡 Why This Event Is Different** Most networking events end with exchanged LinkedIn profiles. This one focuses on real conversations and real opportunities. We bring together founders, investors, engineers, operators and talent in a curated environment designed to create meaningful connections. Through interactive networking rounds, open conversations and pitch opportunities, participants can share challenges, exchange insights and build relationships that last beyond the event. 🤝 What to Expect * **Interactive Networking** Structured networking rounds where participants briefly introduce themselves, share current challenges and explore collaboration opportunities. * **Talent Corner** Recruiters and hiring managers can briefly share open positions, while engineers and operators can introduce their skills and interests. * **Startup Conversations** Open discussions about fundraising, product development, growth and startup challenges. **👥 Who Should Attend** • Startup founders • Investors and angels • Engineers and builders • Operators and product managers • Recruiters and HR professionals • Sales and business development professionals • Job seekers interested in startups • Newcomers to the Melbourne tech ecosystem

Presenting - Stage style & class workshop

Smashing! Try something new Thursday Interactive reality workshops- Tonight get involved and have some fun. Tonight we study and learn unique stage styles and techniques of world-class presenters. Be inspired by the styles of Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King, etc. Add class, presence, vocal variety and impact to your own presentations. Serious about improving your leadership - **Why mess, come to the best** Why is Smashing different to other speaking clubs? Just two member's thoughts, "The fun/laughs factor is definitely a point of difference. We keep it moving with high standards so it’s a nice balance. Too strict makes it tense and boring, too loose and we can lose the energy/commercial feel. SmashSpeak's vibe's in the sweet spot." "At other clubs I used to listen to long speeches and lectures, here we get so many chances to talk every meeting, that we have to improve" **Free parking** close: O'Connell and Cobden streets **IMPORTANT: Be on time, as doors close when the show starts** “Proudly Australian" – Free-flowing teamwork, greater good focus, sharing the stage, etc Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, RED Room (End of corridor) More to come...

AI & Tech Networking Event in Melbourne by Ascent Valley

Join founders, investors and tech talent at this curated **startup networking event in Melbourne.** Meet ambitious builders, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities in a dynamic community environment. **RSVP: [Use this link](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-tech-networking-event-in-melbourne-by-ascent-valley-tickets-1992455198133?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Please note that RSVP is managed via Eventbrite to control attendee lists — don’t ignore it to avoid issues with on-site payment.** **🚀 Meet investors, founders, AI experts, operators, and immigrant entrepreneurs building the next generation of global companies.** * Share your project and get feedback. * Connect with capital. * Expand your network. * This is where conversations turn into partnerships. * Use our participant mini app to keep every contact and insight from the event — nothing gets lost. 👥 Who You’ll Meet • Startup Founders • Angel Investors & VC firms • AI Experts • Entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia & the UK • Marketers, Sales leaders & Business Advisors • Builders & Game Changers Startup Pitch Session Selected founders take the stage for a focused 5-minute presentation in front of active investors and tech leaders. Each startup receives: ⚡ Professional evaluation ⚡ Investor feedback ⚡ Visibility inside our global ecosystem **Why You Can’t Miss It** • Meet Tech & Business professionals, founders, and active investors • Gain real feedback from venture capitalists and angel investors • Discover new opportunities in AI, Tech & early-stage startups • Build meaningful connections in a global entrepreneurial community If you’re serious about startups — you should be in the room. 📈 Want to Pitch? Send your deck to: 📧 events@ascentvalley.club or fill [form](https://ascentvalley.com/pitch) Limited spots. Curated selection. 🏆 The startup recognized as “Most Investment-Worthy” will be featured across our social media and included in our investor newsletter. **🌟 About Ascent Valley** [Ascent Valley ](https://ascentvalley.com/infrastructure)is a global ecosystem connecting founders, innovators, and investors. We believe great ideas shouldn’t stay hidden — they deserve to be heard, challenged, and supported by the right people. Our mission is to create environments where ambitious builders connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Mastering ESG & Sustainable Business Practices: 1 Day Workshop | Melbourne

**Overview** Build practical ESG and sustainability skills to meet modern compliance needs, reduce risks, and create responsible, high-impact business practices. **Ready to secure your spot? 🎯 Choose your registration fee below and complete your payment securely via Stripe Checkout!** [Click Here](https://buy.stripe.com/8x2bJ1aam1YGeG4aeg2oE43) #### **About the course:** **Duration:** 1 Full Day (8 Hours) **Delivery** **Mode**: Classroom (In-Person) **Language**: English **Credits**: 8 PDUs / Training Hours **Certification**: Course Completion Certificate **Refreshments**: Lunch, Snacks and beverages will be provided during the session **If you would like weekend training sessions, kindly reach out to us at [info@mangates.com](info@mangates.com) for availability and scheduling.** **Course Overview** This workshop provides a clear, practical introduction to ESG and sustainable business practices for modern organizations. Participants explore environmental responsibility, social impact, governance standards, risk reduction, and stakeholder expectations shaping today’s business landscape. The course emphasizes how companies can integrate ESG into operations, reporting, compliance, and long-term strategy. Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and structured frameworks, attendees learn how to improve sustainability performance, strengthen ethical practices, and respond to growing regulatory, investor, and customer demands. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with actionable steps to build responsible, future-ready business practices. **Learning Objectives** By the end of this training, you will be able to: • Understand ESG standards and their business relevance • Reduce environmental risks through better operational practices • Strengthen social responsibility and workforce wellbeing • Improve ethical governance, transparency, and accountability • Develop ESG-aligned KPIs and reporting structures • Integrate sustainability into business strategy • Build an actionable ESG roadmap **Target Audience** • Corporate leaders and managers • Sustainability & ESG teams • Operations and compliance departments • HR, CSR, and people managers • Risk, governance, and audit professionals • Marketing and investor relations teams • Anyone responsible for responsible business practices **Why Choose This Course?** This training equips professionals with the essential tools and frameworks required to meet growing ESG expectations across global markets. Participants learn how to strengthen compliance, build responsible operations, and enhance stakeholder trust. **The course helps organizations improve reputation, reduce risks, and align with modern sustainability standards.** **©2026 Mangates Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd. This content is protected by copyright law. Copy or Reproduction without permission is prohibited** **Want to train your entire team together?** Organizations can request tailored in-house sessions that match their industry, operational needs, and sustainability goals. These workshops help teams build consistent ESG practices, improve reporting accuracy, and adopt a unified approach to long-term sustainability. **This alignment supports stronger compliance, better performance, and a future-ready culture.** **📧 Contact us today to schedule a customized in-house session: [corporate@mangates.com](corporate@mangates.com)** **Modules** **Module 1: Foundations of ESG** • Understand ESG concepts and why they matter globally. • Explore the business case for sustainability and compliance. • Identify ESG risks and opportunities. • **Icebreaker Activity** **Module 2: Environmental Responsibility & Climate Action** • Reduce environmental impact through operational improvements. • Understand carbon footprints, emissions, and resource efficiency. • Align with global sustainability standards. • **Activity** **Module 3: Social Impact & Workforce Responsibility** • Strengthen employee wellbeing and community engagement. • Promote DEI, ethical labor practices, and safe workplaces. • Build trust through social responsibility initiatives. • **Role Play** **Module 4: Governance, Ethics & Transparency** • Improve accountability, compliance, and ethical decision-making. • Explore anti-corruption, reporting, and board oversight. • Strengthen internal controls and transparency. • **Case Study** **Module 5: ESG Reporting & Disclosure Essentials** • Learn ESG reporting frameworks (GRI, SASB, ISSB). • Identify metrics and KPIs for effective sustainability reporting. • Understand expectations from regulators and investors. • **Simulation** **Module 6: Building Sustainable Business Operations** • Integrate ESG into strategy, supply chain & daily operations. • Embed sustainability into culture and leadership practices. • Address stakeholder expectations proactively. • **Group Brainstorm Activity** **Module 7: ESG Roadmap & Action Planning** • Create a practical ESG improvement roadmap. • Set goals for environmental, social, and governance progress. • Define next steps for implementation and monitoring. • **Action Plan Review** **Frequently asked questions** 1. **Is this course suitable for beginners?** Yes, it starts with foundational ESG concepts and builds upward. 2. **Does it cover reporting frameworks?** Yes, GRI, SASB, and ISSB basics are included. 3. **Is the training practical?** Yes, it includes activities, case studies, and simulations. 4. **Will I learn about regulatory requirements?** Yes, current global ESG expectations and trends are covered. 5. **Is this useful for operations teams?** Absolutely, ESG is important across all business functions. 6. **Do I need prior sustainability experience?** No, the course is suitable for all professional levels. 7. **Can this be delivered in-house?** Yes, customized versions are available for companies. 8. **Do participants receive a certificate?** Yes, a completion certificate is included. 9. **Are PDUs provided?** Yes, the course includes 8 PDUs / Training Hours. **10\. Is this relevant for USA\, Canada\, and Australia?** Yes, ESG is rapidly growing in all three markets due to regulations.

KMLF September 2026 - TBA

**The Evolution of Community and Knowledge Sharing** Community and Knowledge Sharing have been a hallmark of KM since the beginning and have remained one of the most resilient tools in our KM toolkits. Why is this the case? A pandemic scattered our people. AI showed up promising instant answers to the questions communities were built to work through together. Through all of it, practitioners kept turning to each other. But every disruption also exposed a gap: who gets a seat, who gets heard, and where practitioners go for peers instead of vendors. This conversation traces those ideas and how they led a small group of KM idealists to start a community that is turning into a movement. **Dr. Rachel Teague** is VP of Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning at Emory Consulting Services, where she sits at the intersection of KM, change and people. She is a co-founder of EmpowerKM, a practitioner-led KM conference created to give working practitioners a place to learn from each other rather than from a vendor stage. Its Global Stage virtual conference has reached practitioners across 10 timezones and 7 countries. She also co-hosts Not Another KM Podcast with Brittany Persinger, where she and her co-host dig into what KM actually looks like in the real world. Please note we are back at MinterEllison this month. Details below! **Session Details:** * **Date & Time:** 6:00pm AEDST, Fourth Wednesday of each month * **Format:** Virtual session on Teams * **Agenda:** * 6-6:30 pm networking * 6:30-7:45pm exploration of the topic * 7:45-8pm wrap up * 8pm dinner for those interested. KMLF has run monthly, almost uninterrupted since 1998, serving the Victorian Knowledge Management community with close ties to Change Mgt, Records Mgt, Information Governance and Academic communities.