We're proud to welcome Oleg Bilyanskiy as one of our international keynote speakers. Oleg is a leading Ukrainian physical therapy and rehabilitation expert with over two decades of academic, clinical, and leadership experience. A graduate and later associate professor at the Lviv State University of Physical Culture and the Ukrainian Catholic University, he has authored more than 65 scientific publications and trained hundreds of specialists. He has played a pivotal role in advancing rehabilitation in Ukraine, co-founding the All-Ukrainian Association of Physical Therapists, advising the Ministry of Health, and leading national and international training programs. Since 2023, Oleg has served as Head of the National Rehabilitation Center “Unbroken,” overseeing large-scale rehabilitation initiatives for war-affected populations, while continuing to shape national rehabilitation standards and education.

We're excited to welcome Sammy J as our Awards Gala Dinner MC. A master of satire, storytelling, and song, Sammy J is one of Australia’s most versatile and sharp-witted performers. He’s a comedian, author, composer, and broadcaster who has entertained audiences across the globe — from Netflix sitcoms to viral political sketches and everything in between. Whether you know him from his iconic man/puppet duo Sammy J & Randy, his award-winning solo shows like Hero Complex, or his five-year satirical run on ABC, one thing’s certain: Sammy brings energy, insight, and a serious amount of laughs wherever he goes. He’s had more career eras than Taylor Swift (and collectively, their tours have brought in over a billion dollars — not that we’re counting). From Melbourne Fringe to the ARIAs, from breakfast radio to Paramount+ specials — Sammy J’s comic timing and razor-sharp wit make him the perfect host to bring sparkle, sass, and surprise to this year’s Gala Dinner at the ICC.

We’re delighted to announce Dr Nora Koslowski as the Conference MC for this year’s event. With expertise in both psychology and management, Nora brings a unique mix of academic depth and real-world business insight to the stage. Nora began her career as a researcher, exploring human-technology interaction and gendered career pathways, before moving into academic leadership—becoming a head of department before the age of 30. Since then, she has worked extensively with some of Australia’s most prominent organisations, including many ASX Top 100 companies, as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant. Her mission: to guide leaders through the complexities of an AI-driven world with clarity, purpose, and optimism. Her work in leadership, innovation, digital business, and workforce transformation has impacted thousands, through programs delivered across companies like Samsung, NBN, CBA, and Suncorp—a name close to home. As the inaugural Chief Learning Innovation Officer at Melbourne Business School, Nora led the creation of MBS Online, helping to digitally transform one of Australia’s most established education institutions. Deeply committed to the future of learning, Nora is passionate about reshaping business education to meet the needs of tomorrow’s leaders. Her insights have been featured by the Australian Financial Review, the BBC, and 3AW. With her sharp intellect, engaging style, and deep understanding of business transformation, Nora is the perfect guide to lead us through as this year’s Conference MC.

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr Claire Madden as a keynote speaker at this year’s conference. Claire is one of Australia’s foremost social researchers, widely recognised as an expert on Generation Z and the broader impacts of generational change on our workplaces, communities, and culture. She’s an acclaimed keynote speaker, author, and media commentator known for her ability to make complex social trends accessible and actionable. With a PhD exploring what drives Gen Z in the workplace, Claire offers powerful insights into how organisations can adapt their culture, leadership, and engagement strategies to connect with emerging talent. She’s the author of Hello Gen Z: Engaging the Generation of Post-Millennials, and the Founder and Director of Hello Clarity, a research and strategy consultancy. Claire’s presentations are renowned for their energy, clarity and relevance—translating research into real-world strategies for business leaders, educators, and policymakers alike. She regularly advises some of Australia’s biggest brands on workforce strategy and social change, and is a familiar face in the media, with appearances across ABC, Channels 7, 9 and 10, Sky News and more. With her blend of data-driven insight and engaging delivery, Claire will challenge and inspire us as we explore the future of work and leadership at this year’s conference.

We’re proud to welcome Professor Joel Pearson as a keynote speaker at this year’s conference. An internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, psychologist and author, Joel Pearson is at the forefront of research into the intersection of human cognition and artificial intelligence. As the Founder and Director of the Future Minds Lab at UNSW and a Professor in the School of Psychology, Joel’s work delves into the remarkable capabilities of the human mind—particularly around intuition, imagination, and decision-making in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. What makes Joel truly unique is his fusion of scientific rigour with creative thinking. Originally trained in art and filmmaking before earning a PhD in neuroscience, he brings a rare perspective that blends analytical insight with storytelling flair. His keynotes are thought-provoking and practical—offering audiences a fresh lens through which to view leadership, innovation, and the future of work. Joel’s insights have been sought after by some of the world’s most forward-thinking organisations, including Pixar, Google, KPMG, Lexus, and Macquarie Group. He also hosted The Brain Box on ABC Sydney, where he engaged listeners with accessible, compelling explorations of the mind. His latest book, The Intuition Toolkit: The New Science of Knowing What Without Knowing Why, has been praised by Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull as “inspiring and deeply original”—and is quickly becoming a must-read for leaders facing complex, high-stakes decisions. With his deep expertise and engaging delivery, Joel will take us on a powerful journey into the future of human potential and AI—setting the stage for bold thinking and new ideas as a keynote speaker at this year’s conference.

We're excited to welcome Tetiana Stawnychy to PIEF 2025, joining with Oleg for one inspiring keynote. Tetiana is a Ukrainian-American leader with over three decades of experience in humanitarian, church, and development work in Eastern Europe. After earning an Economics degree from the University of Chicago, she contributed to early economic reform reporting in newly independent Ukraine. She later spent 15 years establishing the Patriarchal Curia of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, designing grant systems, and serving on its Strategic Planning team, while earning a Theology MA and Executive MBA. As Director at the USCCB, she oversaw aid to 28 post-Soviet countries before becoming President of Caritas Ukraine in 2021. Under her leadership, Caritas rapidly scaled its operations after the 2022 full-scale invasion, mobilising thousands of staff and volunteers, expanding its network from 20 to 50 local branches, and aiding over 2.5 million people with a focus on dignity, compassion, and professionalism.