SYDNEY FPA Keynote - SEPT 2026 - From Wellbeing to Liability: What For-Purpose Leaders Need to Know About Psychosocial Risk

Psychosocial risk has become one of the most significant leadership and governance challenges facing the for-purpose sector.

Issues such as excessive workload, bullying, poor organisational justice, chronic understaffing and workplace conflict are no longer viewed solely through the lens of employee wellbeing. Under work health and safety legislation, they are now recognised as workplace hazards carrying real legal and governance responsibilities.

For leaders navigating funding pressures, workforce shortages, restructures and increasing operational complexity, understanding psychosocial risk has never been more important.

Join us for a timely and practical panel discussion bringing together clinical, operational and legal expertise to explore this critical issue from complementary perspectives:

• The human and clinical perspective with Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia and Clinical Psychologist

• The operational HR and IR perspective with Mandy Cann, General Manager Partnering & Employee Relation Mission Australia (

• The legal and regulatory perspective with a leading employment law expert (speaker to be announced)

Together, our panel will unpack:

• What psychosocial risk actually looks like in today's workplace

• The early warning signs leaders should recognise

• How psychosocial hazards arise through restructures, performance management, workload and organisational change

• Where wellbeing becomes regulatory exposure, including the intersection of SafeWork and Fair Work obligations

• The practical steps leaders, executives and boards can take to better protect both their people and their organisations

This promises to be one of our most relevant and thought-provoking conversations of the year, equipping leaders with practical insights to strengthen workplace culture, reduce organisational risk and create psychologically safer organisations.

The Sydney September keynote will be expertly facilitated by:

Elisabeth Shaw | CEO - Relationships Australia, NSW

Elisabeth Shaw is the Chief Executive Officer of Relationships Australia NSW and a clinical and counselling psychologist with extensive experience supporting individuals, workplaces and leaders. Her expertise spans psychological safety, organisational culture, governance and leadership, making her a leading voice on psychosocial risk in the for-purpose sector.

Mandy Cann | General Manager Partnering & Employee Relations - Mission Australia

Mandy Cann is General Manager, Partnering & Employee Relations at Mission Australia, where she works closely with executive leaders to navigate workforce challenges, drive organisational performance and build inclusive workplace cultures. With extensive expertise in employee and industrial relations, organisational change and employment law, Mandy brings a practical, people-centred perspective to managing psychosocial risk and supporting sustainable leadership in the for-purpose sector.

EVENT DETAILS: 

• Date: Thursday 3 September 2026

• Time: 11.30am – 1pm (followed by optional lunch)

• Location: Cliftons Event Space, Level 13 - 60 Margaret St, Sydney

PRICE: 

• FREE for FPA members (FPA Leadership HUB; Coaching; Associate Members only)

• $49 for Guests/Non-members (excluding lunch)

• $74 for Guests/Non-members (including networking lunch - following the keynote)

Register/purchase your tickets below. We look forward to you joining us.