Kirsty Wark, Speaker, Award-Winning Journalist and Presenter
Speaker/s
Michael Land, City Manager of Coppell, Texas, and President-Elect of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Brenda Orchard, President of CAMA and Chief Administrative Officer, Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, Canada
Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Council, Sydney, Australia
Following on from the morning’s discussion on Equity and Purpose, this session widens the frame to explore how local government leaders across the world are navigating similar challenges and opportunities.
Our international guests will share insights from North America and Australia — from embedding equity and inclusion in local systems, to building organisational cultures that foster trust, purpose, and innovation. Together, we’ll look at how different governance models, community expectations, and leadership approaches are shaping more resilient, responsive, and equitable public services.
This is a chance to reflect on what connects us globally as leaders, learn from alternative perspectives, and consider how international practice can inspire meaningful change at home.
