Global Crises. Local Decisions: What Leaders Need to Do Now

An international executive panel on AI disruption, cyber risk, global uncertainty and leading through pressure.

Global Crises. Local Decisions: What Leaders Need to Do Now

The decisions leaders make during uncertainty determine what happens next.

Artificial intelligence is changing how organisations operate. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. Geopolitical tensions are disrupting markets, regulation and supply chains.

At the same time, leaders are expected to make confident decisions, often without complete information.

Global Crises. Local Decisions brings together experienced leaders and practitioners from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and the United States for a focused international discussion on what these changes mean for organisations now.

This is not a political debate.

It is not an academic lecture.

It is a practical executive briefing for decision-makers who need to understand what is changing, distinguish material risks from noise and prepare their organisations for what comes next.

## Meet the International Panel

Four experienced practitioners. Four markets. One practical conversation about the decisions leaders need to make now.

Rather than treating artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, global uncertainty and leadership as isolated issues, the panel will examine how these forces interact, and what that means for organisations operating in the real world.

### Asher Finlayson

AI for Business and Digital Strategist - New Zealand

Asher Finlayson helps organisations understand and apply artificial intelligence in practical business settings. He brings a commercially grounded perspective on AI adoption, digital strategy, implementation risk and the decisions leaders need to make as AI becomes embedded in everyday operations.

Asher will contribute across the full discussion, with a particular focus on AI, digital transformation and practical business implementation.

### Dr Sarah Whyte

Speaker | Expanding Capacity | Facilitator - Singapore

Dr Sarah Whyte is a speaker and facilitator specialising in expanding human capacity for sustainable performance in high-pressure environments. Drawing on her doctorate in emotional intelligence and expertise in behavioural science, she helps leaders understand how pressure affects decision-making, behaviour, communication and organisational performance.

Sarah will contribute across the full discussion, with a particular focus on the psychology and behaviour of leadership under pressure, including how leaders maintain clarity, strengthen trust, adapt to uncertainty and make sound decisions when demands exceed available capacity.

### Marcia J. Drake

Global Changemaker, CEO and Fractional CDO - United States

Marcia J. Drake is a global business leader, chief executive and fractional chief digital officer. She works at the intersection of business leadership, digital transformation and organisational change.

Marcia will contribute across the full discussion, with a particular focus on AI, strategic adaptation and translating emerging technology into business value.

### Andy Graham

CIO, CTO and Founder - Australia

Andy Graham is an experienced technology executive and founder with senior leadership experience across technology, digital operations and organisational resilience.

Andy will contribute across the full discussion, with a particular focus on cybersecurity, technology risk, executive accountability and building resilient digital organisations.

## What Will Be Discussed

### AI Disruption and Business Value

Artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging concept. It is becoming part of everyday business operations.

The panel will examine:

• Where organisations are creating genuine value with AI
• How AI is changing leadership and workforce expectations
• Common implementation and governance mistakes
• Ethical, regulatory and organisational considerations
• Practical opportunities leaders should be assessing now
• How organisations can prepare for AI-enabled work

The focus will be on practical application. Not hype.

### Cyber Risk and Digital Resilience

Cybersecurity is no longer solely an information technology responsibility. It is now a board and executive leadership issue.

The discussion will cover:

• Emerging cyber threats and AI-enabled fraud
• Social engineering and human vulnerability
• Third-party and supply-chain exposure
• Executive responsibilities before, during and after an incident
• Building organisational resilience and response capability
• What leadership teams should already have in place

### Global Uncertainty and Strategic Decision-Making

Inflation, trade tensions, changing regulation, geopolitical instability and shifting customer expectations are making long-term planning more difficult.

The panel will explore:

• Which global developments business leaders should pay attention to
• How to separate material business risks from media noise
• Making strategic decisions without perfect information
• Building adaptable organisations
• Protecting performance during disruption
• Finding opportunity and competitive advantage during uncertainty

### Leadership Under Pressure

Technology may change the operating environment, but it does not replace leadership. It magnifies it.

The speakers will discuss:

• Leading through ambiguity
• Making difficult decisions with incomplete information
• Communicating clearly during uncertainty
• Maintaining organisational trust
• Building resilient teams
• Protecting performance without losing organisational culture

## What You Will Take Away

By the end of this session, you will have:

✓ A clearer understanding of the risks and changes leaders should be preparing for
✓ Practical perspectives from experienced international practitioners
✓ A framework for separating meaningful business risks from noise
✓ Actionable ideas you can take back to your organisation
✓ Greater clarity about the questions your leadership team should be asking now
✓ A stronger understanding of how organisations can remain resilient, adaptable and competitive
✓ A clearer view of what leadership teams should prioritise over the next 90 days

## Who Should Attend

This briefing is designed for:

• Board members and governance professionals
• Chief executives and founders
• Senior executives and business leaders
• Risk, compliance and cybersecurity leaders
• Strategy and transformation professionals
• Operations and technology leaders
• HR and people leaders
• Professional advisers and consultants
• Decision-makers responsible for organisational resilience

## International Perspectives. Practical Decisions.

The challenges facing organisations are global, but the decisions that determine outcomes are made locally.

This panel brings together perspectives from four markets to identify the common challenges leaders face and the practical actions organisations can take in response.

You will hear where the speakers agree, where their perspectives differ and what they believe leadership teams should prioritise now.

The objective is not to predict every future development.

It is to help leaders make better decisions now.

## Event Format

Format: Live international online panel
Duration: 75 minutes
Platform: Zoom
Includes: Moderated panel discussion and live audience Q&A
A private access link will be provided to attendees after registration.

## About the CATO Global Executive Forum

The CATO Global Executive Forum brings together proven practitioners and business leaders from different markets to examine the issues shaping organisational performance, risk and leadership.

Each forum is designed to move beyond commentary and provide decision makers with practical perspectives they can apply inside their organisations.

Real-world expertise, structured for execution.