
Kate Aitken
Pronoun
Chief People Officer
Optus
Highly motivated senior HR executive with extensive leadership experience across Australia, New Zealand, APAC and Europe, spanning investment banking, telecommunications, and tech sectors. Her expertise leading multigenerational teams through major business transformations - including acquisitions, partnerships, and crisis management - provides unique insights into harnessing generational diversity to drive innovation and results. Having developed strategies across diverse industries, she understands how to adapt leadership approaches to engage different generations while navigating complex change. As a member of Chief Executive Women and Founding Member of the Minerva Network, she brings practical experience supporting women across all career stages and building high-performing, inclusive teams.
SESSIONS
Day 1
1:10
Fireside Chat: Leading Multigenerational Teams with Purpose
Harnessing generational diversity to drive innovation, collaboration and results
Supporting and empowering women across all career stages and transitions
Adapting your leadership approach to bring out the best in every generation
Moderator: Charlotte Anderson, Head of People Experience, Canva
Kate Aitken, Chief People Officer, Optus
Lucinda Gemmell, Chief People and Culture Officer, Seven West Media