Navigating What’s Next: Shaping Your Future in a Rapidly Changing World

Join us for the final Young Leaders Program (YLP) event of the year with David Thodey AO, one of Australia’s most respected and forward-thinking leaders.

From his time as CEO of Telstra and Chair of CSIRO to his current roles as Chair of Xero and Ramsay Health Care, and Chancellor of the University of Sydney, David has helped steer some of Australia’s most influential institutions through transformation and challenge. 

In this session, David will share powerful insights from his remarkable career — exploring how technology, education, and industry are converging, what this means for the future, and how you can position yourself for success in a world defined by unprecedented speed and disruption.

OUR GUEST SPEAKER

David Thodey AO is an Australian business leader and investor whose career spans a diverse range of sectors, including business, healthcare, public policy, technology, innovation and research, tertiary education, environmental initiatives, and corporate governance. He is recognised for his contributions to both the private and public sectors.

He currently serves as Chair of Xero, a global leader in cloud-based accounting software, and Ramsay Health Care, a prominent international hospital group. In July 2024, he was appointed as the 19th Chancellor of the University of Sydney. He also co-chairs the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving one of Australia's most important natural assets and is a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Governance Board. 

David has held numerous board positions throughout his career. He served as Chair of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), supporting advancements in scientific research and innovation. He also chaired Tyro, Australia's largest independent payments company and a number of other companies. 

Mr Thodey has played an active role in public policy in Australia. In 2019, he led an Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (APS). He also chaired a New South Wales Government-appointed panel tasked with an independent review of Federal Financial Relations and led a user audit of the myGov digital portal, enhancing government services. In 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as Deputy Chair of the Federal Government’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCC) Advisory Board. 

Prior to his focus on non-executive roles, David enjoyed a successful executive career. He was CEO of Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications provider, and earlier held the position of CEO at IBM Australia and New Zealand. 

He has been honoured for his achievements and ethical leadership. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Science and Technology from Deakin University, as well as Honorary Doctor of Business degrees from both the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney. In recognition of his ethical business leadership, he was appointed an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia.