ISC2 Melbourne Chapter - October In-Person Meeting
Location
Lumify Work Melbourne
About
Join the ISC2 Melbourne Chapter on Thursday, 8 Oct 5:30 -7:30pm for an exclusive in-person meeting with the panel discussion at the Lumify Office Melbourne.
Topic: Leading the Cyber Function Through AI: People, Operating Models and Decision-Making
Leading the cyber function through AI requires security leaders to fundamentally reshape their teams, operating models, and decision-making approaches. Rather than replacing human talent, AI demands an upskilled workforce focused on critical thinking and governance, supported by agile operating models that embed security directly into cross-functional business units. As these industry shifts unfold, the ISC2 Melbourne Chapter warmly welcomes all members and guests to join our upcoming October meeting to explore these themes further and learn from an expert panel discussion.
Moderator: Matt O'Keefe
Panelist: Anya Avinash, Simon Ellis, Jimmy Wong
Venue: Lumify Melbourne Office (12a/45 Williams Street Melbourne)
Date: 8 October 2026 5:30-7:30pm
Speakers Bio:
Matt O'Keefe - Cyber Consulting Partner
Matt has more than 30 years' experience in cyber security and technology. This has included more than 20 years as a KPMG partner, where he led the APAC Cyber Consulting practice for 7 years and was a member of the global cyber leadership group. After leaving KPMG nearly a year ago, Matt established an Advisory capability in a professional services firm.
Matt's cyber focus is on helping Boards and Senior Management in understanding and managing cyber risk at an Enterprise level, with a view to supporting organisations to get value out of and manage their investment in technology. He has a specialisation in financial services, and has worked with numerous organisations as they transform and uplift their cyber capabilities.
Anya Avinash - Head of Cybersecurity, Bank First
Anya is a senior cyber security leader with nearly 20 years of experience in Technology and Cybersecurity across multiple industries such as Banking and Finance, Federal government, Victorian government, Telecom (Australia and North America), Transport, Retail and Big 4 consultancy. She is passionate about industry mentoring and sharing her cybersecurity knowledge via public speaking and panel discussions within the industry.
Listed in 2025 as the Top 100 Most Influential Cybersecurity Leaders in Australia & New Zealand and Finalist in 2026 for the ‘Women in Security Awards’ in the categories of ‘Australia’s Most Outstanding in IT Security’ and ‘Cybersecurity Champion’.
Simon Ellis - Head of Cyber Security and Technology Risk, Lendi Group
Simon Ellis is an outcome-driven leader focused on making security practical and effective, while helping organisations adopt AI in ways that create real business value.
Jimmy Wong - Former CISO and Founder
Jimmy is a global cybersecurity executive with 15+ years leading enterprise security, risk governance, cyber crisis management, and executive engagement across regulated financial services environments in APAC. He has a proven track record of owning major enterprise cyber capabilities and transformation programs end-to-end, from threat detection through Board reporting, while building high-performing teams and sustained security cultures.
In recent years, he has focused on developing next-generation cyber leadership, strategy frameworks, third-party risk management, and technology regulatory change. He holds a first-class honours Master's degree in Executive IT Management from the University of Melbourne, completed during the COVID lockdown, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He is the current President of the ISC2 Melbourne Chapter.
Topic: Leading the Cyber Function Through AI: People, Operating Models and Decision-Making
Leading the cyber function through AI requires security leaders to fundamentally reshape their teams, operating models, and decision-making approaches. Rather than replacing human talent, AI demands an upskilled workforce focused on critical thinking and governance, supported by agile operating models that embed security directly into cross-functional business units. As these industry shifts unfold, the ISC2 Melbourne Chapter warmly welcomes all members and guests to join our upcoming October meeting to explore these themes further and learn from an expert panel discussion.
Moderator: Matt O'Keefe
Panelist: Anya Avinash, Simon Ellis, Jimmy Wong
Venue: Lumify Melbourne Office (12a/45 Williams Street Melbourne)
Date: 8 October 2026 5:30-7:30pm
Speakers Bio:
Matt O'Keefe - Cyber Consulting Partner
Matt has more than 30 years' experience in cyber security and technology. This has included more than 20 years as a KPMG partner, where he led the APAC Cyber Consulting practice for 7 years and was a member of the global cyber leadership group. After leaving KPMG nearly a year ago, Matt established an Advisory capability in a professional services firm.
Matt's cyber focus is on helping Boards and Senior Management in understanding and managing cyber risk at an Enterprise level, with a view to supporting organisations to get value out of and manage their investment in technology. He has a specialisation in financial services, and has worked with numerous organisations as they transform and uplift their cyber capabilities.
Anya Avinash - Head of Cybersecurity, Bank First
Anya is a senior cyber security leader with nearly 20 years of experience in Technology and Cybersecurity across multiple industries such as Banking and Finance, Federal government, Victorian government, Telecom (Australia and North America), Transport, Retail and Big 4 consultancy. She is passionate about industry mentoring and sharing her cybersecurity knowledge via public speaking and panel discussions within the industry.
Listed in 2025 as the Top 100 Most Influential Cybersecurity Leaders in Australia & New Zealand and Finalist in 2026 for the ‘Women in Security Awards’ in the categories of ‘Australia’s Most Outstanding in IT Security’ and ‘Cybersecurity Champion’.
Simon Ellis - Head of Cyber Security and Technology Risk, Lendi Group
Simon Ellis is an outcome-driven leader focused on making security practical and effective, while helping organisations adopt AI in ways that create real business value.
Jimmy Wong - Former CISO and Founder
Jimmy is a global cybersecurity executive with 15+ years leading enterprise security, risk governance, cyber crisis management, and executive engagement across regulated financial services environments in APAC. He has a proven track record of owning major enterprise cyber capabilities and transformation programs end-to-end, from threat detection through Board reporting, while building high-performing teams and sustained security cultures.
In recent years, he has focused on developing next-generation cyber leadership, strategy frameworks, third-party risk management, and technology regulatory change. He holds a first-class honours Master's degree in Executive IT Management from the University of Melbourne, completed during the COVID lockdown, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He is the current President of the ISC2 Melbourne Chapter.