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Special One-Day Seminar

Governing with impact in the new AI world

Leave with a board-ready AI governance framework

Keynote from Megan Motto OAM

    Friday, 23rd October, 2026
   9:30am-5:30pm
    Karstens - 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
   Event location guide

Limited to 80 Seats

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Introduction

Governing in the Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate, make decisions, and manage risk. Yet while AI adoption is accelerating, many boards and leadership teams are still determining how to govern its use effectively.

Join BoardPro, in association with the Institute of Community Directors Australia and governance partners, for a special seminar designed to help directors, executives, and governance professionals confidently navigate the opportunities and responsibilities of AI.

Be among the first to experience BoardPro's new AI suite, hear the latest insights from our AI Governance Pulse research, and learn practical approaches for governing with impact in an AI-enabled world.

This event is designed for leaders, executives, and decision-makers who want to shape the AI future for their organisations – CEOs, COOs, and senior managers from across small businesses, nonprofits, charities and schools.

    
On the day

A day that's anything but ordinary.

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Some of the conversations we'll be having on the day include:

  • AI – Our future (today's) changed workforce
  • What AI cannot fake: leading with character in a world of competent machines
  • Lead the Opportunity: How Directors Move from AI Anxiety to AI Advantage
  • AI for Directors – You can use it but you can’t blame it
  • Real-world adoption of AI for Governance
Plus, plenty of space for peer discussion. If there's a topic you'd like to explore with fellow leaders, we'll make room for it.
    
Speakers

Event Speakers

Megan Motto OAM
CEO - Motto Advisory

Megan Motto OAM

KEYNOTE - AI - Our future (today's) changed workforce 10:20am

Megan Motto OAM is an experienced executive, board director and governance leader with more than 25 years’ experience across professional associations, public policy and governance. Formerly CEO of the Governance Institute of Australia and Consult Australia, Megan has held influential leadership and advisory roles across Australia’s business and governance sectors. She is currently General Manager of the Ambulance Provident Fund, Principal of MottoAdvisory, Strategic Counsel for Codex Communications, and serves on the Nominations Committee of auDA. A Fellow of the AICD, GIA and CGI, Megan was awarded an OAM in 2025 for her outstanding contribution to business and governance.

Adele
Executive Director - Institute of Community Directors Australia

Adele Stowe-Lindner

KEYNOTE - What AI cannot fake: leading with character in a world of competent machines 11:15am

Adele Stowe-Lindner is Executive Director of Institute of Community Directors Australia, which delivers leadership and governance support to over 250,000 people in the for-purpose sector, annually, across Australia. Adele has worked over two decades across homelessness, refugee support and educational equity in London and Melbourne. She holds a Master’s in Community Work from the University of London and a Master’s in Leadership from Deakin University. Adele’s career centres on scaling for-purpose organisations for innovation and impact and she currently enjoys serving on three community sector boards.

Steven-1
Managing Director - Conscious Governance

Steven Bowman

SPEAKING: What AI cannot fake: leading with character in a world of competent machines 3:00pm

Steven Bowman is Managing Director of Conscious Governance and brings a great depth of experience facilitating Board reviews and strategic planning processes. Steven has held numerous senior executive, CEO and Board positions in USA and Australia, as well as authoring and co-authoring over 14 books on governance, strategy, risk and executive leadership.

Julie (2)
Managing Director - Directors Dilemma

Julie Garland McLellan

Q & A PANELIST: 1:30pm

Julie Garland McLellan is a governance expert and board-whisperer. With elite postgraduate qualifications and extensive practical experience serving on diverse boards, she combines academic rigor with real-world expertise. An accomplished author of six books on governance, Julie’s approach emphasizes strategic clarity, accountability, and sustainable success. Her masterclasses and keynotes empower leaders to foster responsible, ethical governance that builds trust and protects reputation. Grounded in her disciplined martial arts background and a deep understanding of organisational culture, Julie delivers actionable insights that inspire confident, principled board leadership in today’s complex business environment.

Alexie
Managing Director - Leadership Academy.AI

Alexie O'Brien

SPEAKING: Lead the Opportunity: How Directors Move from AI Anxiety to AI Advantage - 12:45pm

Alexie O’Brien is a seasoned Chair, Non-Executive Director, and AI transformation expert with a passion for integrating AI to enhance governance, productivity, and innovation.
As the founder of Leadership Academy.AI, Alexie helps boards and executive teams leverage AI to drive better decision-making and operational efficiency. Her leadership in AI stems from pioneering efforts in organisational transformation and executive coaching, and she continues to be a thought leader in using AI to unlock human potential and build future-ready organisations.

David Renwick
Product Marketing Manager - BoardPro

David Renwick

SPEAKING: Real-world adoption of AI for governance - 2:30pm

David Renwick is the product marketing manager at BoardPro, a SaaS board governance platform serving NFPs and businesses across New Zealand and Australia. He works closely with the product and marketing teams, leading positioning, GTM strategy, sales enablement and competitive intelligence.

 

      
Agenda

Event Agenda

Registration
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Step in, grab your name tag and immerse yourself in the welcoming atmosphere. A refreshing cup of coffee awaits you, along with the company of friendly faces. Take a moment to savor your drink and engage in delightful conversations.

Welcome and Introduction
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

BoardPro's CEO Charlie Nowaczek will welcome everyone to the event, outline the new BoardPro livery and introduce the agenda for the day

Keynote - Megan Motto OAM
10:20 AM - 11:15 AM

Special keynote address from Megan Motto OAM. Understand how AI is transforming the workforce today and what boards and leaders need to do to navigate the opportunities and risks ahead.

Keynote - Adele Stowe-Lindner
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
What AI cannot fake: leading with character in a world of competent machines

As artificial intelligence takes on more of what leaders produce, a pressing question emerges for those working in the community and not-for-profit sector: what remains distinctively yours?

AI can replicate competence. It can draft the strategy document, synthesise the data, and generate the board report. Increasingly, it can also replicate warmth, empathy, and the language of human connection. In some ways, AI is getting better at being human than humans are at being human.

When the tools around us can perform so much of what we once considered distinctly human, what can authentic leadership look like when AI handles the technical heavy lifting and frees us to execute more quickly and thoroughly? What does it mean to lead with character, judgement, and presence when the tools around us are getting better at everything except being human?

Lunch
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Enjoy a sumptuous lunch while networking with peers and continuing the conversation on the future of AI and governance.
Guest Speaker - Alexie O'Brien
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM

Lead the Opportunity: How Directors Move from AI Anxiety to AI Advantage

This session reframes the AI governance conversation from risk management to strategic opportunity, showing what becomes possible when boards govern AI as opportunity rather than threat. It covers the permission directors need to lead with curiosity rather than defensiveness, real evidence of what AI-empowered organisations are achieving right now, and three practical governance actions directors can take immediately.

TEDx-style panel Q & A
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Join leading governance experts Julie Garland McLellan, Steven Bowman and Alexie O'Brien for a dynamic TEDx-style discussion exploring the opportunities, challenges and future of AI in governance. This is also an open session for you to ask any questions of the panel you would like. AI or governance, the topic floor is yours.

BoardPro Presentation
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM

See BoardPro's new AI suite in action as David Renwick demonstrates how governance-grade AI can transform board preparation, decision-making and organisational oversight.

Guest Speaker - Steven Bowman
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

AI for Directors – You can use it but you can’t blame it

Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday governance practice. Directors are using AI to research issues, summarise information, challenge assumptions, draft content, and improve productivity. However, while AI can support decision-making, it cannot replace director judgement or accountability.

This session explores the critical distinction between using AI as a governance tool and delegating responsibility to it. Directors remain accountable for decisions, regardless of how those decisions are informed.

Closing remarks
3:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Join us for closing reflections as we bring together the day's discussions and explore what comes next for boards in an AI-enabled future.

Networking and Refreshments
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Conclude the day with networking drinks and canapés, connecting with fellow directors, executives and governance professionals in a relaxed setting.
Back to top
    
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
10am - 5:30pm EST
Karstens - 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
          

What Makes This Experience Unmissable

Our latest research reveals a significant gap between AI adoption and AI governance. As organisations prepare strategic plans and budgets for the year ahead, there has never been a more important time for boards to understand where AI fits within effective governance.

Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or looking to strengthen your governance approach, this event will provide the insights, tools, and confidence needed to lead in an AI-driven future.

Here's what sets this experience apart:

            

Event Partners

Early bird pricing until September 30th

            
Tickets

Purchase Tickets

Only 80 Seats Available 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the tickets refundable?

We are unable to provide refunds for cancellations made within seven (7) days of the event, as event planning and catering commitments will have already been finalised. and catering commitments will have already been finalised. 

Do I need to be a client to attend this function?

This event is open to all business professionals. You do not need to be a customer of BoardPro or a member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) to attend. We welcome anyone with an interest in governance, leadership, and business excellence.

Are there group booking discounts available?

We welcome group bookings for organisations wishing to send multiple attendees. To discuss group registration options and pricing, please contact Sean McDonald at sean@boardpro.com.

Consider these packages when;

  • your organisation is establishing it’s governance practices, or
  • you have multiple users, committees, or entities.
Can I transfer my ticket to another person?

Yes. If you are unable to attend, your ticket may be transferred to a colleague. Please contact us before the event so we can update the registration details.


Will presentation slides or recordings be available?

Selected presentation materials may be provided after the event. Due to the interactive nature of the sessions, recordings may not be available.

Is catering provided in my ticket price?

Yes. Morning refreshments, lunch, and networking drinks and canapés are included with your registration.

What happens if the event is cancelled?

If the event is cancelled by the organisers, registered attendees will receive a full refund.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

For any enquiries regarding registration, tickets, or event details, please contact Sean McDonald at sean@boardpro.com.