Consulting Groups Sydney

SydDT #131: Lead Change That Matters with Ben Pecotich

Join us for the launch of my Ben Pecotich's new book Lead Change That Matters: Design the Conditions for Momentum! Your ticket includes all the usual SydDT goodness… plus a set of limited-edition Lead Change That Matters cards that we’ll use on the night to catalyse conversation and help you choose your own journey. You’ll also get a special launch discount on Ben's new book. 300+ people shared their experiences, goals, frustrations, and hopes through the research behind the book – including so many of you from the SydDT community. Lead Change That Matters is a call to action. It says the work matters, the people involved matter, and what we choose to do next matters. This session is for you if you’re: * Leading change you’re accountable for but can’t really control * Navigating complexity with increasing ambiguity and uncertainty * Caring for everyone’s wellbeing but dodging your own burnout * Firefighting the tactical when you want to lead the strategic change that matters At the heart of the book is a tension that ran through the research. Leaders are expected to juggle more as the work becomes faster, more complex, and more scrutinised… but the conditions around them haven’t kept pace with what’s being demanded. We want people to collaborate, adapt, take the initiative, and deliver meaningful results. What are we doing to make that possible? The premise is that leading change well is about designing the conditions for people to do meaningful work together – bringing purpose and performance together to build momentum and deliver results that matter. We’ll explore these themes together… with a focus on how we design the conditions for momentum, so we can lead change that matters. Come join us for some fun conversations with interesting people in and around the design thinking community. New members are welcome! **SPEAKER** **[Ben Pecotich](https://www.linkedin.com/in/benpecotich/)** **Design & Innovation Director/Founder, [Dynamic4](https://dynamic4.com). Author of Lead Change That Matters: Design the Conditions for Momentum** Ben's a designer, adviser, and founder of Dynamic4. He works alongside leaders and their teams on their most complex challenges across strategy, design, and tech. For 30+ years, Ben's led, designed, and delivered strategic change in financial services in Australia, NZ, Asia, the UK, and Europe – and co-founded 20+ startups and social enterprises across health and fitness, fintech, events, and community building. He founded Dynamic4 in 2001. Ben takes a human-centred design and living systems approach to helping clients design, build, and launch ideas that customers and teams love, make money, and do great things for people and our planet while increasing wellbeing. Everything he does is about accelerating the transition to more regenerative ways of living and doing business, creating the conditions for people and communities to be happier and live on a healthier planet. Ben's the author of Solve Problems That Matter and his new book Lead Change That Matters: Design the Conditions for Momentum is launching now. He's also the co-founder of Sydney Design Thinking. **EVENT SPONSORS** This event is brought to you by [Thoughtworks](https://www.thoughtworks.com/), [Shapeshifters](https://www.shapeshifterscreative.com.au/), and [Dynamic4](https://dynamic4.com/). We take photos and record our events for documentation and promo purposes. Just let us know if you prefer not to be featured.

Careers in Insurance - Sydney (Panel Q&A and Networking)

# ​An evening for students (or anyone curious about a career in insurance) to meet seasoned professionals working within the insurance industry — panel talks and networking, and a shot at winning a free 1-on-1 one hour insurance career consultation. ​Forget everything you think you know about a career in insurance. It's one of the biggest, most human industries out there — and it's HIRING. The CC:OVER is bringing together seasoned recruiters and insurance professionals from across the industry for one relaxed evening of real talk about what these jobs actually look like. **\*\*\* ACCEPTING REGISTRATION VIA LUMA LINK ONLY: (https://luma.com/oflce7nf)** ​**🕔 How the evening runs** * ​5:00 – 5:30pm — Doors open. Grab a coffee, settle in, meet a few faces before things kick off. * ​5:30 – 7:00pm — Panel sessions and Q&A. Hear directly from people working across the industry — what they do, how they got there, and what they wish someone had told them at uni. * ​7:00 – 8:00pm — Networking. Swap the panel format for real conversations — ask the questions you didn't want to ask in front of a room. ​**🎤 Meet the panel (lineup TBC)** We're locking in speakers across the breadth of the industry, including: * ​Recruiters * ​Underwriters * ​Brokers * ​Insurtech founders * ​Claims * ​Actuaries ​Full names and bios to be announced closer to the date — different job, different path into the industry, every one of them. ​**🎁 Why you'll want to be in the room** * ​An exclusive lifestyle perk, for every attendee * ​The chance to win a free 1-on-1 careers consultation with a highly regarded veteran of the industry. * ​First access to future CC:OVER events, before anyone else hears about them ​ ​**📍 The details** * ​Free entry * ​Sydney CBD - UTS STARTUPS * ​Open to university students or anyone curious about a career in insurance, risk, actuary or insurtech — no experience or existing industry knowledge needed. ​Come with questions. Leave with a much clearer idea of what a career in this industry could actually look like. *** ## ​Further instructions ​This event is free but RSVP is essential **via Luma link (https://luma.com/oflce7nf)** as spots are limited — we'll follow up closer to the date with full panel bios. Location UTS STARTUPS SYDNEY CBD. NSW, Australia

Beyond Numbers: Business Referral Network for Accountants, Bookkeepers, Planners

**Beyond Numbers Business Referral Network** for Accountants, Bookkeepers, Lawyers, Planners and Brokers is designed for business owners in the Accounting, Legal, Bookkeeping and Financial Services Industry to connect with likeminded finance professionals, build meaningful and authentic relationships in a positive and supportive environment. Business owners in accounting and financial services often struggle to find networking opportunities tailored to their industry. **Beyond Numbers Networking Events** are dedicated to bring together accounting and finance professionals who truly understand their unique challenges and provide a platform for them to build connections, and trusting relationships and explore potential strategic referral partners. At Beyond Numbers Business Referral Network, our primary goal is to foster authentic connections among business owners in the accounting and financial services industry. Our event aims to facilitate the formation of strong relationships based on shared values, interests, and experiences. #### **Who is it for:** * Accountants in practice * Bookkeepers * BAS agents * Tax agents and advisors * Commercial Lawyers * Financial planners and advisors * Mortgage brokers operate over 2 years * Insurance brokers #### **What to expect:** 6:00 pm - Doors open and welcome in to network 6:30 pm - Event start, intro and topic discussion 7:30 pm - Discussion and Q&A 8:00 pm - Event closes (Drinks and finger food will be provided) Please be on time, as there is no late entrance after 6:30pm. #### **Why Join Us?** Being part of an accounting and financial services community means you’re not alone on your journey. You’ll meet potential strategic referral partners who not only understand the unique challenges in the finance industry but also share your drive to grow and succeed. Together, you can exchange valuable insights, build trusted relationships, and uncover new opportunities to expand your client base. This community is designed to foster collaboration, offering peer support and expert connections to thrive in a competitive market. Join us to create meaningful connections, explore collaboration opportunities and secure lasting success for your business and beyond. PS: Participation certification can be issued for you to claim 1 CPD hours with your industry body, if applicable. ##### **Event Photography Disclaimer** ##### ##### **By attending this event, you acknowledge and consent to being photographed and/or filmed. These images and videos may be used for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media posts, website content, marketing materials, and future event promotion.** ##### ##### **If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform event organisers upon arrival and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.** ##### ##### **For questions about photo usage or to request removal of your image, please contact the event organisers.**

What it means to have Mono-, Uni-, or Multiculturalism in Australia

Vinay Kolhatkar will be giving a short presentation on what it means to have Mono-, Uni-, or Multiculturalism, so we can all make up our own minds as to what’s best for us individually, and for Australia as a whole. There will be plenty of time for attendees to ask questions, make comments and interact. And please purchase a meal and/or drinks. After all this venue has been provided free by Shakespeare’s so that is the least we can do. Vinay is the author of the politically incorrect novels, *A Sharia London* and *The Frankenstein Candidate.* He is also a coauthor of Media Wars: The Battle to Shape Our Minds, and of *Modernizing Aristotle’s Ethics*, which was published by an academic press and sold to university libraries worldwide as a text for philosophy and psychology. His latest novel is Dreams of Orphans, which was released on 30th September. Until August 2026, he was the federal secretary and director of policy for the Libertarian Party and ran in two federal elections as their candidate. He is also an occasional columnist for *Spectator Australia*, where he likes to warn the western world of the incoming threat of neo-Marxism and their alliance with terrorist ideologies.

Machine Learning to mRNA: How I Built a Personalised Cancer Vaccine for My Dog

**Speaker bio:** * Paul Conyngham is the founder of Gamgee, a Y Combinator company developing personalised mRNA cancer vaccines for dogs. After 17 years in machine learning, Paul taught himself genomics and used AI to design a personalised vaccine for his dog Rosie, whose responsive tumours shrank by 50–75%. **Presentation outline:** \- Rosie’s cancer and why existing treatments were not enough \- Using AI to cross from machine learning into genomics \- The journey from tumour sequencing to an administered mRNA vaccine \- What worked\, what failed and what one patient can teach us \- Turning a year\-long manual process into repeatable software \- Why Gamgee is starting with dogs and where the technology goes next * Join our community on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14297125/ to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming events We are grateful to our new hosts and sponsors the Centre for Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (BIDA) at the Business School, University of Technology, Sydney

Sydney Singles Relational Lab — Facilitated Connection Experience

# Tired of dating apps culture and surface-level? This is different. And people often leave surprised by how quickly strangers can feel human, warm, honest, and real again. Free to RSVP, 👉 $59 to confirm your spot [https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/stayconnected](https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/join) Relational Labs is a guided connection experience for singles who want more honest, playful, emotionally intelligent interaction — without performance, pressure, or endless small talk. This is not speed dating. Not networking. Not “pitch yourself to strangers.” It’s a facilitated relational container rooted in psychology, emotional intelligence, attachment work, social dynamics, nervous system awareness, and real-world human connection — made practical enough that you can actually live it instead of reading another 50 books about it. ## What happens • A 2-hour guided online relational experience • Real-time connection exercises designed to create authentic interaction • A format that adapts in real time to whoever is present • Optional participant-led in-person continuation afterward • WhatsApp connection thread after the session ## This may be for you if: • You’re tired of shallow or repetitive social spaces • You want deeper connection without forced intimacy • You enjoy personal growth, psychology, communication, or relational work • You’re open to meeting people in a more intentional way ## Important This experience runs with whoever is present and takes its own shape each time. Sometimes expansive. Sometimes intimate. Both are the real thing.

IN PERSON | Financial Modelling with Copilot

Lean Beer F2F IRL

Join us for an **in-person Lean Beer Sydney** session — great conversations, great people, and a relaxed pub atmosphere. We use the **Lean Coffee** format: * No fixed agenda * Everyone suggests topics they care about * We vote on what matters most * Then we dive into short, focused discussions **What to expect:** * A friendly, informal setting at a local pub * Conversations about agile, product development, leadership, and more * A chance to learn, share, and connect with like-minded people **What to bring:** * Your curiosity and a few topics you’d love to discuss * No slides, no presentations — just ideas and conversation **Why join?** * Meet new people in the Sydney agile community * Share your experiences and learn from others * Enjoy a drink while having meaningful discussions Grab your favorite beverage, bring your ideas, and let’s make this an engaging Lean Beer Sydney session!

Women in Projects Australia presents: Building an Ai agent

Stay tuned for more details.

Building AI Agents That Remember, Reason, and Act

Hello Amazonians, For our next AWS Sydney Meetup, **MongoDB** and **PolarSeven** are bringing together two practical talks exploring what it takes to build AI agents for real-world environments! **🎤 Hear from:** **Mark Sailba, Senior Solutions Architect @ MongoDB** *Building AI Agents That Remember, Reason, and Act* *AI agents are moving beyond simple prompt-and-response experiences, but getting them to reliably complete real-world tasks requires more than a capable model. In this session, we’ll explore the architecture behind production-ready agents: how memory and context help agents maintain continuity, how data and tools enable meaningful action, and how governance, observability, and state management support secure operation at scale. Using AWS and MongoDB, we’ll share practical patterns for building agents that can remember what matters, reason over enterprise context, and act with confidence.* **Florian Huebscher, Cloud Support Engineer @ PolarSeven** *Talk title TBC* After the talks, stick around for networking, pizzas, and drinks with the local AWS Sydney User Group community! 🍻🍕🤤 **Agenda:** 17:30 - Arrive & drinks 18:00 - Introductions 18:05 - Talk 1: *Building AI Agents That Remember, Reason, and Act* Mark Sailba, Senior Solutions Architect @ MongoDB 18:35 - Talk 2: *TBC* Florian Huebscher, Cloud Support Engineer @ PolarSeven 19:05 - Networking, food, and drinks! 🍻🍕 **Event details:** 🗓️ Date: Wed, 7 October 2026 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM 📍 Location: Level 8/2 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000 *(Please enter via Kent St to access the building).* RSVP now to save your spot. We look forward to seeing you there! Cheers, **The PolarSeven Team** *Would you like to present? Complete [this form](https://forms.gle/GAqrJggTjme6Uzsu6) and we'll be in touch soon.*

Meet up with your analytics peers and chat

**What's this all about?** On the second Wednesday of every month the digital analytics community gets together for one or two short talks in an informal setting. There's lots of time for open ended discussion and to socialise. Plus there's free drinks! Open to anyone interested in digital analytics, we have people ranging from beginners through to analytics gurus and from marketing through to technical spaces, and everything in between.

Killing CVEs at the Source: Supply Chain Security in Practice

Join us for an evening of insightful talks, valuable connections, and great company. One evening on what it actually takes to secure a software supply chain, from hardened container images through to what this looks like inside a regulated environment. Talk 1 - Engineering for a World Where Exploits Arrive Before the Advisory Speaker: Cameron Martin (Chainguard) Most teams meet their supply chain problem downstream, as a scanner report full of criticals and a patching queue that never empties. This talk looks at the other end of the pipeline: what changes when images are built minimal and rebuilt continuously, so vulnerabilities are removed at the source rather than triaged after they land in production. We'll cover the practical patterns teams are using for container hardening, how this plays with SBOMs, signing and provenance, and where it fits alongside your existing scanning and admission controls. Plus a forward look at the Chainguard roadmap and what's coming next. Talk 2 - Supply Chain Security in a Regulated Environment Speaker: Brad McCoy (Cuscal) The theory is one thing, running it inside an Australian financial services business is another. Brad shares what this looks like in practice at Cuscal: the platform decisions, the trade offs, and how container security and compliance requirements actually get met day to day without grinding delivery to a halt. An honest look at what worked, what didn't, and what he'd do differently. This is a relaxed, highly interactive evening built for platform engineers, security engineers, DevSecOps leaders and architects who are actively working through supply chain risk, container hardening and compliance. On the night: Free entry · Food & drinks · Networking · Live Q&A Seats are limited - RSVP to save your spot. See you there! 👋