What's on Your Agenda?
At the Summit we bring together thought leaders from Australia and beyond to focus on the real pressures facing households and institutions. Know which speakers and panels you want to see by downloading our PDF Agenda. Highlight key speakers for your own reference. (Note: Schedule and panels subject to change without notice)
Creating a financially resilient future of Australia
At the Summit we bring together thought leaders from Australia and beyond to focus on the real pressures facing households and institutions. Through rigorous dialogues with experts in economics, public policy, innovation and regulation, we will test ideas for redesigning our financial systems so they can absorb shocks, drive fair growth and preserve confidence. Expect actionable insight, comparative models and challenge to assumptions.
Supporting Australians to live their best financial lives
The Summit all is about putting people first. Giving decision makers the tools and stories they need to help citizens live with dignity, security and choice. You will hear from behavioural scientists, innovators and community voices about improving financial access, strengthening capability and reducing stress. From tackling debt burden to designing inclusive systems, the goal is to shape reforms and programs that give ordinary Australians confidence, flexibility and agency in their financial lives.
Keynote: Alan Kohler - Mapping the Macro: Australia’s Economic Crossroads
Time: 9:30 AM - 10 AM
Alan Kohler will distil complex macroeconomic forces — from inflation and interest rates to global instability and housing policy — into sharp, actionable insights. His keynote sets the stage for the day, equipping attendees with a clearer picture of the systemic pressures impacting financial wellbeing across generations.
Alan Kohler
CEO, Co-founder
State of the Economy: Rebuilding Economic Resilience in a Volatile World
Time: 10:05 AM - 10:45 AM
Australia is grappling with historic levels of consumer debt, lagging productivity, and deepening structural inequality. As global volatility and technological disruption reshape the economy, financial wellbeing is increasingly tied to the nation’s ability to drive inclusive economic development.
This panel brings together leading minds in economics to explore what it takes to build long-term economic resilience — from smarter regulation to productivity-focused reforms and systemic consumer protections.
Diana Mousina
Deputy Chief Economist
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Melinda Cilento
CEO
Ross Buckley
Scientia Professor
Morning Tea
Time: 10:45 AM - 11:20 AM
Grab a coffee, stretch your legs, and make space for fresh conversation. Whether you're continuing a session discussion or starting a new one, this is your moment to connect, reflect, and refuel.
Investing in Tomorrow – The Tech & Trends Shaping the Future
Time: 11:20 AM - 12 PM
For many Australians — particularly younger generations — the path to wealth building is increasingly out of reach. Traditional investment systems remain complex, opaque, and exclusionary, reinforcing inequality across income and demographic lines.
This panel explores how fintech is reshaping the investment landscape — from reducing friction and fees to changing how people engage with money. The conversation will unpack how digital innovation is making markets more accessible, and what it means for the future of financial empowerment.
Matthew Leibowitz
CEO, Co-founder
Dom Pym
Director, Co-founder
Yish Koh
Director, Co-founder
Financial Education That Works: Building Literacy from the Ground Up
Time: 12:05 PM - 12:35 PM
Financial literacy in Australia is dangerously low — and it's leaving young people unprepared for real-world money decisions. Without early, practical education, financial stress becomes the norm, not the exception.
This panel brings together the leaders reshaping financial education at both the grassroots and institutional level. They’ll explore what’s working in schools and communities, and how we can scale programs that equip the next generation with real financial capability.
Lunch
Time: 12:35 PM - 1:35 PM
Refuel and reconnect. Use this time to spark new conversations, exchange insights, and build relationships with fellow changemakers across finance, tech, policy, and community.
Dan Ariely on Financial Decision Making & Irrationality
Time: 1:35 PM - 2:15 PM
People don’t always make rational financial decisions — even when they know better. Whether it’s overspending, under-saving, or avoiding hard choices, behavioural traps are costing Australians their wellbeing.
In this keynote, Dan Ariely will unpack the psychological forces behind everyday money decisions — and reveal how small changes in design and systems can lead to better financial outcomes at scale.
The Psychology of Money: Behavioural Insights for Better Decisions
Time: 2:20 PM - 3 PM
Financial systems are still built on the assumption that people behave rationally — but we know they don’t. From overspending to under-saving, behavioural gaps are costing Australians at every stage of life.
This session bridges academic insight and real-world application. The panel explores how behavioural economics can be embedded into policy, fintech design, and community programs to create systems that work with human nature — not against it.
Dr Uwe Dulleck
Professior of Economics
Dr Nicholas Gruen
Economist, Entrepreneur, Commentator
Afternoon Tea
Time: 3 PM - 3:30 PM
Take a breather, recharge, and reconnect. Use this pause to dive deeper into ideas sparked earlier in the day — or start a fresh conversation that could lead somewhere unexpected.
Money, Media, and Meaning – The Inclusive Voices of Financial Wellbeing
Time: 3:35 PM - 4:15 PM
Too many Australians feel excluded from financial conversations — particularly First Nations communities, women, and culturally diverse groups. Traditional media and literacy campaigns often miss the mark on trust, relevance, and accessibility.
This panel explores how inclusive voices, culturally safe content, and new storytelling approaches are reshaping the narrative around money. Learn how media can empower rather than intimidate, and why representation is central to long-term financial wellbeing.
Lynda Edwards
Director of First Nations Policy
Pascale Heylar-Moray OAM
Founder, Author
Financial Services Awards
Time: 4:20PM - 5 PM
Progress in financial services often happens behind the scenes — with innovation, ethical leadership, and consumer-first thinking going unrecognised and under-leveraged.
This awards segment shines a spotlight on organisations and individuals leading with impact. From product innovation to inclusive design, we celebrate those setting the standard for a fairer, more responsive financial system.
Matthew Ikin
Excecutive General Manager
Networking & Soiree
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Location: Terrace at the Domain
Wind down the day on the Terrace at The Domain with drinks, canapés, and conversations that matter. As the sun sets, enjoy a special performance by the Australian Girls Choir and watch the creation of a live art installation — designed to capture the collective hopes and ideas of our financial future.
This isn’t just networking — it’s a celebration of the people, purpose, and creativity driving change.
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