Navigating Risk and Opportunity in the Regions: Public, Private, and NFP Governance

What are the top 5 regional risk issues for organisations and how can you manage them?

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from risk and governance experts that work with leaders from the public, private, and NFP sectors discussing the hottest topics in governance and risk management and how to manage them. This event brings together diverse perspectives from their respective fields, tackling today’s most pressing challenge and uncovering new opportunities to improve governance and risk practice and organisational resilience.

The issues explored by the panel will include areas which should be challenging governance professionals across all sectors:

• Infrastructure and Connectivity Risks – Regional areas often face inadequate infrastructure, such as unreliable internet, poor transport links, and limited access to services, hindering business operations, communication, and cybersecurity and AI.
• Workforce Attraction and Retention – Attracting skilled workers is challenging in regions leading to skills shortages and reduced competitiveness. 
• Economic Volatility and Industry Dependency – Regional economies often depend on a few industries, like mining or agriculture, exposing them to risks from market fluctuations, climate events, or regulatory changes.
• Climate Change and Environmental Risk – Regional areas are vulnerable to environmental risks, including extreme weather and climate change, which can disrupt operations, damage assets, escalate insurance costs, and increase financial and reputational risks.
• Community and Stakeholder Expectations – Regional organisations face high scrutiny from local stakeholders, with expectations for contributions to social and environmental outcomes, intensifying pressure on businesses.

Event Highlights

• Networking: From 5pm for a 5:30pm session start; connect with peers and industry leaders over refreshments
• Panel Discussion: Engage with our speakers as they discuss real-world challenges and solutions in governance, strategy, and risk
• Q&A Session: An opportunity to ask direct questions and receive expert advice

Contributors

Host for the evening: Dave Schenk GIA(Affiliated), State Manager QLD, Governance Institute of Australia

Dave comes from a marketing, sponsorship, and event management background of more than 20 years that included running corporate events and large-scale festivals. Having overseen the evacuation of more than ten thousand people during a weather-related emergency event, Dave is passionate about the importance of good risk management. Dave also spent several years as Business Manager and Company Secretary for three not-for-profit and charitable organisations and on the board of a private school. Having also founded and built a successful event management business, he understands the need for effective governance.

Chair: Michael Brennen LLB MPA GCertInsol Practice, Director, SV Partners

Admitted as a solicitor in 1999, Michael is an experienced commercial lawyer, liquidator, and bankruptcy trustee. With over 20 years of experience, his focus has shifted from insolvency to restructuring and informal workouts post-COVID. He actively volunteers in the not-for-profit sector, supporting small businesses. Michael has held leadership roles, including Deputy President of the Queensland Law Society, Deputy Chair of ARITA QLD, and Chair of the Townsville Business Development Centre, contributing to both the legal and insolvency professions. Michael has seen first-hand what gaps in governance and risk management results.

Speakers:

John Weaver FGIA LLB MSc Risk Management, Partner, Deloitte

A Townsville local and JCU law alumni, John is a Partner at Deloitte in Risk and Regulatory Advisory, has over 25 years of experience in Australia and the UK, working with financial services companies, regulators, and various listed and unlisted entities. His expertise spans risk management, compliance, regulatory response, and professional obligations. John has led teams to assess regulatory compliance and deliver large remediation programs. He previously held senior roles at ASIC and the Financial Services Authority in the UK, focusing on financial services law enforcement, compliance, and corporate governance. John is a member of the Governance Institute’s Qld State Council.

Sean Johnson FGIA LLB MBA GCertEd, Managing Director, Lakefield Drive

Sean is the Managing Director of Lakefield Drive and a Senior Research Fellow at James Cook University. With over 30 years of legal and business advisory experience, he specialises in governance advisory, risk management, and regulatory compliance, particularly in complex NFP organisations. He has held leadership roles across law, financial advisory, higher education, and the public sector. Sean integrates innovative tools like AI with agile design thinking to deliver high-performance governance solutions, while also contributing to academic governance research. He is a recognised leader in strategic governance and quality assurance.

Christine Mushaya FGIA, FCG, BSc (Hons) Econ MBA GradDip App Risk and Corp Gov. Risk and Governance Advisor, Lakefield Drive

With over 10 years of experience in risk management and compliance in local government, Christine excels in aligning organisations with governance frameworks, risk appetites, and legislative requirements, ensuring operational excellence and measurable results across corporate functions within acceptable risk levels. Christine won the LGMS Risk Excellence Award 2019 and National Dux Risk Mgt. Project Award 2018. She is also the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of EC Care and a consultant for Lakefield Drive governance advisory. Christine is completing her PhD focusing on the integration of risk, strategy and performance, building on her extensive tenure as a Principal Risk, Compliance and Governance.

Please note that attendee details will be provided to Smart Precinct NQ and Governance Institute of Australia as event co-host organisations.