IIBA Sydney (In-Person) - Thriving as Business & Product Professionals in an AI-Driven World

Kris Viner - Senior Director at Robert Walters NSW

Kris has spent over 20 years in recruitment, leading teams and shaping talent strategies across the UK and Australia. He started his career in London in 2004 and has built a reputation for combining commercial thinking with a deep understanding of how to get the best out of people and teams. Kris spent much of his recruitment career delivering into technology markets in London and Australia, both within the financial services space and with start-ups and deep tech organisations building technology products at the cutting edge. He’s led recruitment functions, helped businesses refine how they hire, and worked across industries including tech, financial services, legal, risk, marketing and operations. His focus is always on practical solutions, consistent delivery and building teams that last. Kris takes a hands-on approach and brings clarity to complex challenges. He’s outcome focused, values long-term partnerships and brings a thoughtful, collaborative style to every engagement.

Panellists

Leeanne Gray - Executive Director (Domestic Payments & Simplification) at Westpac Institutional Bank

Leeanne Gray is Executive Director, Domestic Payments & Simplification at Westpac Institutional Bank, based in Sydney. She leads the payments transformation agenda, supporting customers to transition to digital payments while focusing on investment across the payments portfolio. With over 18 years’ experience across Australia and New Zealand, Leeanne has held senior roles spanning product, transformation, and end-to-end transaction banking. She is a Board member of AusPayNet, contributing to the future direction of Australia’s payments ecosystem.

Muthindra Gunasekara - Senior Technology Executive at NSW Reconstruction Authority

Muthindra Gunasekara is a Senior Technology Executive with more than 23 years of experience leading technology, digital, data, and cybersecurity transformations across retail and government organisations. Having started his career as a business analyst, he remains passionate about understanding the "why" before defining the "how".

A strong believer in servant leadership, Muthindra is committed to building high-performing teams through empathy, kindness, curiosity, and clear communication. Outside of work, he is a proud father of three daughters and a passionate sports fan, though he readily admits his sporting talent doesn't quite match his enthusiasm.

Rebecca Nguyen - Senior Product Manager (AI) at KPMG Australia

With a heart for the world, Rebecca is driven by a desire to serve people, support marginalised communities, and create meaningful change through technology. Her early experiences as the child of migrant parents shaped her empathy and commitment to social and environmental betterment. After studying through the Information Technology co-op program at the University of Technology Sydney on a full academic co-op scholarship, she began her career at WiseTech Global as a Product Specialist, where she After developed a strong interest in global supply chains and the role of software in shaping globalisation, she later completed a Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of Sydney and broadened her perspective on sustainability through Copenhagen Business School. Following her experience studies, she joined KPMG's Start-up Venture as a Senior Business Analyst and is now a Senior Product Manager building AI-enabled products for KPMG globally. She continues to pursue her passion in serving others by exploring the intersection of sustainability, business and AI through a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business at the University of Cambridge.

Chaitanya Komma - BA Practice Lead - BIG W

Chaitanya began her career as a VB.NET Developer after completing her engineering studies in Computer Science before transitioning into Business Analysis in 2006. Since then, she has established herself as a transformation specialist, delivering and leading major transformation initiatives across both the public and private sectors in Australia and New Zealand.

She is passionate about driving business transformation and building high-performing teams, with a particular focus on simplifying processes and delivering outcomes in complex and ambiguous environments.

Outside of her corporate career, Chaitanya is deeply committed to creating social impact. She actively volunteers with Variety – the Children's Charity and the Raise Foundation. Coaching and mentoring are also significant passions, and she has lectured at Auckland University and GetSkills to help develop the next generation of professionals. Looking ahead, she aspires to transition into the not-for-profit sector to further contribute to meaningful social change.

Her diverse background also includes completing the initial thesis for a PhD (currently on hold) and launching an AI-based chatbot startup, reflecting her curiosity, entrepreneurial mindset and passion for innovation.