Future Boards: Governing for Uncertainty

The boards of the present and future are facing emergent and disruptive opportunities and challenges created by rapid technological developments, energy transition, and global events. Our 2025 Future Boards event aims to explore the role of sound organisational governance and leadership in guiding organisations through uncertainty and what it takes for modern organisations to thrive in turbulent times.

Join us on 25 March to learn first-hand from a panel of governance experts and industry leaders, moderated by QUT’s Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz, discussing how modern organisations can leverage these opportunities for success in times of uncertainty.

Future Boards events are an initiative of the Colin Brain Governance Fellowship, established in 2007 to further education and research in corporate governance, financial management, and business ethics.

The event will begin at 6.00pm with a poster session and refreshments followed by a panel session and Q&A.

Please register your attendance by Monday 17 March.

Dress code: business attire/neat and tidy smart casual

Moderator

Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz, Faculty of Business and Law, QUT
Prof. Marek Kowalkiewicz is a Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School. Listed among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in Artificial Intelligence by thinkers360, Marek has led global innovation teams in Silicon Valley, was a Research Manager of SAP's Machine Learning lab in Singapore, a Global Research Program Lead at SAP Research, as well as a Research Fellow at Microsoft Research Asia. His upcoming book is called "The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions".

Panellists

Helen Burns, Queensland Public Sector Partner, IBM
Helen is an Executive Leader in IBM’s Public Sector team with deep experience in improving the delivery of citizen services through technology and human performance. She has worked with over 30 operational agencies at a federal and state level from health through to aviation and social welfare over the past 20 years. Helen takes a highly collaborative and human-centred design approach to her work and keeps a keen eye on emerging technology. She helps clients first define a desired future state and then focuses on bringing the best capability to bear to achieve a sustainable and successful outcome.

Jacqui Walters, Non-Executive Director, Transurban | Chair, UNIQ You | Non-Executive Director, Port of Brisbane | National Rail Manufacturing Advocate, Department of Industry, Science and Resources | Non-Executive Director, Slater and Gordon Lawyers
Jacqui is an experienced non-executive director, contributing her expertise in governance, risk management, innovation and strategic planning. Her board experience spans sectors including infrastructure, energy, and professional services, where she has championed new approaches to navigating complex and evolving challenges. As a co-founder of Era Innovation, she is known for her deep understanding of innovation and she excels in bridging the gap between traditional business practices and emerging opportunities.

John Grant, Non-Executive Chair, Advisory Board at Entacon Pty Ltd
John Grant has extensive experience in engineering and construction, information technology and sports administration. He has held leadership positions including as Managing Director of ASX listed Data#3 Limited and as inaugural Chair of the Australian Rugby League Commission, and has been a member or chair of various industry and government advisory groups and industry associations

Speaker

Dr Jackie Bettington, Lecturer and current Colin Brain Governance Fellow, QUT
Jackie Bettington is a researcher and lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, specialising in corporate governance, business ethics, and boards of directors. Her PhD research, completed in 2021, focused on director financial literacy, developing a psychometrically robust test administered to over 200 Australian directors, and uncovering key barriers to financial capability development, such as low self-efficacy and board practices. With a Research Masters and over 20 years of experience as a director and chair on nonprofit boards, Jackie brings deep expertise in governance, board dynamics, and financial monitoring. She also has extensive professional experience in information governance across public, nonprofit, and commercial sectors.

Dr Natalie Elms, Senior Lecturer and Colin Brain Governance Fellow, QUT
Dr Natalie Elms is a QUT Faculty of Business lecturer, teaching management accounting and corporate governance. Natalie’s research focus is on boards of directors with an interest in understanding how boards can be more effective and structure themselves to navigate future challenges.