The S Factor: dealing to win

This year we take a hard look at the extraordinary environmental, social and political challenges of our times and ask how can we deal a better hand for our society? Join us for this virtual event when our panel will share their insights on how social initiatives will help accelerate us to a sustainable future.

Speakers
Vanessa Hudson, Group Chief Financial Officer, Qantas
Nashen Moodley, Director, Sydney Film Festival
Fiona Trigona, Executive General Manager, Group Treasurer, NBN Co

Moderator
Adam Spencer Commentor, polymath, podcast host and author

Indicative program

4.45pm   Access virtual lounge
5.00pm   13th Annual Forum Opening Address
5.05pm   Panel discussion
6.00pm   Anticipated close

Vanessa Hudson has been Qantas Group Chief Financial Officer since 2019. She oversees financial planning and analysis, treasury, procurement and investor relations. With the onset of COVID, Vanessa has had a pivotal role in navigating the enormous impact of what has been an unprecedented crisis for global aviation on the national carrier’s balance sheet. This has included an equity raising, tapping debt markets and an increasing focus on recovery as domestic travel normalises. Since joining the airline in 1994 she has held a number of roles across network planning, sales, and product and service. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Business and has been a Chartered Accountant for almost 30 years.

2021 marks Nashen Moodley’s tenth year as Director of Sydney Film Festival. Recognising an important social power in film, Nashen’s passion for wide-ranging and inclusive cinema and film festival culture is evident in all nine programs he has delivered.

During Nashen’s tenure, the SFF program has expanded to include over 300 films from 55 countries, and he has been a driving force in many important initiatives to support Australian filmmakers and the film industry, including the Deutsche Bank Fellowship for First Nations Film Creatives launched in May this year. In 2020 and 21, with CEO Leigh Small, Nashen led SFF’s rapid pivots to include virtual programs and smaller in-cinema opportunities outside of lockdowns, with an overriding focus on providing opportunities for filmmakers in two years of major disruption.

Born in South Africa, Nashen studied English and philosophy at the University of Natal working as a journalist before turning to film. As Manager and Head of Programming at the Durban International Film Festival (2001–2011) he dramatically increased its content and reach, and raised the profile of the African film
industry, establishing the Durban FilmMart to give African filmmakers the opportunity to pitch projects to leading financiers. Nashen is highly respected on the international film festival circuit with current advisory and consultancy roles in major film festivals across Asia, Europe and the Americas.  Sydney Film Festival will return to cinemas in November with a 68th Edition that will truly reflect the times.

Fiona Trigona has been NBN Co Group Treasurer since March 2021 and is responsible for driving the strategic direction of funding activities, growing NBN Co’s investor base and running a broad range of funding programs.  Previously, Fiona was Head of Funding and Balance Sheet for NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp), where she was responsible for the management and funding of the $100bn Balance Sheet.

Fiona managed Australia’s largest-ever sustainability and green bond issuances to date in the Australian market, each valued at A$1.8bn. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, majoring in Pure Mathematics and Chemistry, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia (FINSIA). In addition to her accreditation with the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA), Fiona was a member
of the AFMA Market Governance Committee and AFMA Professionalism Committee and a former chair of the NSW Sustainability Bond Committee. Fiona’s passion for the profession extends to championing diversity and development, she is a regular panellist and speaker at diversity events, and an experienced mentor who has participated in numerous industry programs including at TCorp and now with NBN Co.

Adam Spencer was completing a PhD in Pure Mathematics when he happened to win the national Triple J Raw Comedy championship in 1996. From there, a television and radio career beckoned and Adam completed 15 years as one of Australia’s most respected, wittiest, and thought-provoking breakfast radio commentators across Triple J and later ABC 702. Also a celebrated author, Adam’s latest books include THE LITTLE BOOK OF NUMBERS, THE BIG BOOK OF NUMBERS, WORLD OF NUMBERS, TIME MACHINE, THE NUMBER GAMES, THE TOP 100 and NUMBERLAND available from adamspencer.com.au