The Power of Her Story
Description
We’re thrilled to welcome Kathryn Giudes, Founder and Managing Director of ORCA Opti, for an exclusive on-the-couch conversation and Q&A hosted by SPNQ’s Shelley Grainger.
Kathryn will share her journey as a founder building AI-powered cybersecurity solutions and her perspective on how responsible AI can protect privacy, strengthen cyber defences and supply chains. She will also reflect on her roles at Microsoft, where she was the Executive Senior Director of XBox Games Marketplace and Microsoft Store Online, overseeing global expansion and billion-dollar revenue budgets.
A trailblazing technology leader, Kathryn is shaping Queensland’s innovation landscape through ORCA Opti - a platform that gives small and medium businesses the same cyber and risk assurance as enterprises and government.
Today, Kathryn also advises ASX-listed and private companies on scaling, governance, cybersecurity and AI strategy. Her work continues to inspire collaboration and real-world impact across Queensland’s tech and innovation ecosystem.
This session is designed to deliver practical, real-world insights for innovators, entrepreneurs, founders and SMEs navigating growth, risk and digital transformation.
Who Should Attend:
Founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about innovation, AI, cybersecurity, sustainability and business.
Highlights:
Fireside chat with Kathryn Giudes
Meet Cohort 2 of the Accelerating NQ Female Founders Program
Network with like-minded, motivated business owners and changemakers
Light refreshments provided
Proudly supported by the Queensland Government with thanks to Townsville City Council.
Guest Speaker
Kathryn Giudes
Kathryn Giudes is a trailblazing technology leader dedicated to shaping Queensland’s innovation landscape through AI-powered cybersecurity solutions. As the Founder and Managing Director of ORCA Opti, she empowers organisations of all sizes, from agile startups and SMEs, to government agencies. ORCA Opti protects supply chains, by affording small and medium business the same cyber and risk assurance that enterprises and governments have. This is done by automating cyber defence, preventing sensitive data leaks to 3rd party AI tools, ensuring top industry and regulatory compliance, and handling complex contracts adherence, all while boosting operational agility. Kathryn honed her expertise at Microsoft, architecting Windows Update’s distribution architecture, as Sr. Director of Xbox Games Marketplace and Chief Architect of Office 365 digital supply chain, she understands cyber security confidentially. As product and P&L lead for Live Meeting (now Teams), Xbox Games Marketplace, and the Microsoft Online Store, Kathryn grew revenue to US $1.4 billion in annual sales and drove large-scale digital transformation. Today, when not working in ORCA Opti and enabling small organisations to procure with enterprise, government, and defence, she advises ASX-listed and private firms, scaling ventures, strengthening governance, and delivering cybersecurity and AI strategies. Her vision inspires Queensland’s tech community to collaborate and achieve real-world impact.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
