Grow your public sector connections whilst watching the biggest debate of the year.

Returning in its twenty-first year, our CEO and Young Professionals Breakfast is one of the sector's largest face-to-face events. This unmissable event explores the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation of public servants.

Is this event for you?

Are you a leader keen to support your staff to understand the unique operating environment of the NSW public sector?

Would your team of young professionals benefit from building networks to collaborate across the sector?

What will you gain?

Our annual debate will this year explore whether:

• Using Artificial Intelligence for my work is cheating 
• Using Artificial Intelligence for my work makes me more efficient and effective. 

One leader will team up with a young professional to unpack the nuances of using AI for your government work, expressing concerns about the potential uses of AI. 

The opposing team will discuss how the implementation of AI can lead to innovative efficiencies and improvements in government.

The light-hearted debate is your opportunity to discuss the big issues facing our sector and vote on which side’s argument was the most convincing.

By booking a table, you’re showing your commitment to building talent within your organisation.

Sponsorship Acknowledgment

Host

Damien McCabe
Senior Events Officer
NSW Department of Communities and Justice

Damien McCabe has worked in the NSW Public Sector since 2015 and has undertaken a number of roles. He has always had a passion for events and is currently working for the NSW Department of Communities and Justice as a Senior Events Officer. Damien delivers a wide range of events which allow the people of all ages from right across NSW to be connected and celebrated.

During his early career, Damien worked for the NSW Department of Education as a Special Education Teacher, working with incredible students who have a wide range of complex learning needs. He always went above and beyond to deliver opportunities which allowed his students to achieve their personal best. Through his outstanding commitment to Public Education, he was offered to relieve as the Assistant Principal Support, leading a dynamic, hardworking and inspirational team of teaching and support staff.

Following this, Damien worked at The Arts Unit, NSW Department of Education, as the Student Performance and Events Officer, delivering the annual Schools Spectacular. This large-scale arena event showcases the talents of 5500 students from across NSW and is broadcast nationally.

The Debate Panel

Greg Wells
Chief Executive Officer
Service NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service

 Greg Wells is a leader who is passionate about services and technology that enable genuine customer impact and foster collaboration. He has more than 20 years of experience in delivering major programs and strategic development that drive government reform and better customer outcomes, and continue to transform NSW into a global leader.

Current position
• Chief Executive Officer, Service NSW
Former positions
• NSW Government Chief Information and Digital Officer and Deputy Secretary, Digital.NSW
• Managing Director, RillstoneWells 
• Chief Information Officer, NSW Health/eHealth NSW 
Education
• Honours degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New South Wales.

Laura Christie PSM
Government Chief Information + Digital Officer and Deputy Secretary Digital.NSW 
NSW Department of Customer Service

Laura is an experienced public sector leader having spent 15 years in roles in the NSW Government, Commonwealth Government and the not-for-profit sector. Her expertise and achievements were acknowledged in 2018 as the recipient of a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to policy development and reform initiatives. 

Prior to leading Digital.NSW, Laura led Service Delivery for Service NSW, where she was responsible for the Service NSW shopfronts and Contact Centre (13 77 88), leading over 3500 staff. She joined Service NSW as Executive Director Partnerships where she was instrumental in providing Service NSW with dedicated cluster and agency partnership support. Before Service NSW, Laura was the founding Executive Director for Office of the Secretary at the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation and held various roles at the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

Taylah Ribarovski
Media and Communications Advisor
Parliament of NSW

Taylah is a seasoned media and communications professional at Parliament of NSW's Department of Parliamentary Services, with a strong track record in the public and private sectors.

She began her career in the dynamic world of digital media with News Corp, where she honed her skills during her tenure at Foxtel. Notably, she spearheaded multiple campaigns for renowned international brands, specialising in developing advertising and sponsorship solutions.

In 2022, Taylah made a successful transition to the NSW public sector through the esteemed NSW Government Graduate Program, joining Transport for NSW. During her tenure, she worked on a variety of projects, contributing to proactive media campaigns, internal communications enhancements and championing inclusion, diversity, and well-being initiatives.

Taylah has since furthered her career as a key member of the Department of Parliamentary Services' Communication, Education and Engagement branch. In various roles within the Media and Communications team, she has played an instrumental part in shaping the department's public engagement efforts, bolstering its mission to inform and educate democracy in NSW.

She is an advocate for empowering young professionals in the public sector and joined the IPAA NSW Young Professionals Committee in 2022.

Taylah holds a double degree in Business and Communications from Western Sydney University and a Diploma of Government from the University of New England.

Thomas Beckerton
Senior Transport Planner
Planning West, Planning and Programs, Regional and Outer Metropolitan
Transport for NSW

Thomas is a Senior Transport Planner with Transport for NSW, living and working in Orange. Having joined Transport for NSW in 2021, Thomas has also worked in strategic planning in local government and the private sector, across NSW and Queensland.

Thomas' current role as a Senior Transport Planner involves planning transport network upgrades, primarily road, walking and cycling across the West region, spanning from the Blue Mountains to Broken Hill. The role ranges from local scale planning, through to state-shaping initiatives, such as providing advice on development applications and planning proposals, through to identifying longer term transport network needs. From active transport to A-Triple road train access, there’s plenty of planning work in the Planning West team.   

Thomas is a co-chair of the Transport Young Professionals Network and enjoys leading the committee to deliver in-person and online events, including a pilot program for supporting young professionals across Regional NSW.

How to register

If you are a NSW public sector employee, click here to become an Affiliate membership free of charge.

After you have registered - Manage your booking

After you have registered, please book in your attendees using the below link:

Manage your booking

These instructions are available to assist you with guest management if needed.

Please ensure your attendees are registered no later than Friday 15 March 2024.

Each table is to be hosted by a senior executive, plus nine young professionals aged 34 and younger from your organisation.

Download the full Terms and Conditions here.

Event Details

Be at your best, for NSW.
Register now to secure your spot.