Change Happens

Today, we’re unpacking why leadership feels so much harder right now, and what it takes to navigate a world defined by constant change.
Futurist Dominic Price explores the pressures facing modern leaders, the shift from efficiency to effectiveness, and why upgrading our human operating systems matters more than adopting the latest tools.
Dom breaks down the rising disconnect between leaders and teams, how AI is increasing both productivity and stress, and the practical mindset shifts leaders need to thrive.
In this episode, Dom shares:
Why “best practice” no longer exists, and leaders must create their own.
How to find anchor points when “normal” has disappeared.
Why organisations need to evolve their ways of working, not just add new tech.
How imagination, experimentation and the “plus one” mindset unlock progress.
Host: Jenelle McMaster, EY Regional Deputy CEO and People and Culture Leader, Oceania
Guest: Dominic Price, Work Futurist, Technologist, Founder

Today, we’re diving into what the next generation of talent actually wants from work - and what employers can do about it. Adam Jacobs, Co-founder and CEO of Hatch, returns to Change Happens to unpack fresh insights from Hatch’s latest Hotlist research: why ’security‘ is the headline for 2025, how Gen Z views AI as an accelerant (not a threat), and the practical shifts organisations can make to attract, grow and keep early-career talent.
In this episode, Adam shares:
Why saying “here’s our take on AI today” beats dodging the question, especially for junior roles.
Side hustles - and why employers should embrace them.
The big mismatches to fix: vague growth paths, hidden pay, fear-driven AI talk.
How to put people back in hiring by using AI to reach the human conversation faster and reduce ghosting.
Hatch Hotlist Survey Link: where Gen Z most want to work
Hotlist insights report 2025 Link: 
Host: Jenelle McMaster, EY Regional Deputy CEO and People & Culture Leader, Oceania
Guest: Adam Jacobs, Co-founder & CEO, Hatch

Generative AI has sparked excitement, fear, and a whole lot of uncertainty. 
Are we on the cusp of a new industrial revolution - or stuck in a national holding pattern?
In this episode of Change Happens, Jenelle sits down with two of Microsoft Australia’s top AI leaders: Sarah Carney, National Chief Technology Officer, and Tim Allen, National Skills Director. Together, they explore the reality behind the AI hype and offer a clear-eyed view on how Australia can move from hesitation to transformation.
In this conversation, Tim and Sarah share:
Why we’re in a ‘collective limbo’ when it comes to AI adoption
What Australia risks by holding back - and what we gain by leaning in
Why we need to build AI literacy across industries, from nurses to sales teams
Why leaders must make space to “play” with AI, and how that can lead to scale
The growing importance of coaching, clarity, and communication as core leadership skills
How AI can enhance, not replace, our humanity at work and home
Host: Jenelle McMaster, Deputy CEO and People & Culture Leader at EY
Guests: Tim Allen and Sarah Carney, Microsoft Australia

Today, we’re stepping into one of the most urgent conversations in tech right now: bias in artificial intelligence.
Tracey Spicer AM is a Walkley Award-winning journalist, author, and longtime activist for gender equity. In this episode, she unpacks the unseen biases coded into the technologies we use every day—and what happens when we leave them unchecked. Drawing on years of research for her latest book Man-Made, Tracey explores the ethical challenges and opportunities in AI development, and why we all have a role to play in shaping more equitable outcomes.
In this episode, Tracey shares:
How gender, race, age, and ability bias are embedded into AI systems
The real-world impacts of biased tech—from hiring software to image generators
Why ‘human in the loop’ systems are critical for ethical AI
How organisations can audit their data, clean up algorithms, and lead responsibly
Host: Jenelle McMaster, Deputy CEO and People & Culture Leader at EY
Guest: Tracey Spicer AM, journalist, author, and AI ethics advocate

If you haven't already, be sure to go back and listen to Part 1 of this episode with renowned social demographer Bernard Salt, where he lays the groundwork for understanding the dynamics at play in our society.  From the housing market to the care economy and labour force participation, Bernard explores the challenges and opportunities ahead, advocating for the smart integration of technology and the critical role of social skills in navigating change.
In this bonus deep dive, we’ll further explore the Aged Care sector with Tim Hicks, Executive General Manager of Policy and Advocacy at aged care provider, Bolton Clarke. 
Host: Jenelle McMaster, Deputy CEO and People & Culture Leader at EY
Guests: Tim Hicks, EGM of Policy and Advocacy at Bolton Clarke.
Listen now: Apple Podcasts or Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.