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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Welcome to Season Six of Change Happens. This season, we're going to explore the forces shaping the future of work. From emerging trends to technological developments, we'll uncover what's changing and how we're adapting. Bernard Salt AM is a leading demographer and futurist who has spent decades analysing the forces shaping society. In this episode, he unpacks the profound demographic and societal shifts post-COVID, introducing the concept of 'peak humanity' and what it means for Australia's future. 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.

A quarter of the way into this century, it’s the perfect time to step back, reflect, and consider what has changed—and what’s about to—across workplaces, industries, and our lives. This season, Jenelle McMaster—Deputy CEO and People & Culture Leader at EY—explores the forces shaping the future of work. Season 6 of Change Happens returns on February 27.

"The moment of discovery, that sense of awe and wonderment, is something I wish every scientist could experience." In this captivating episode, Professor Andrew Wilks takes us on a journey from the council estates of Liverpool to the forefront of molecular cancer biology. A scientist-turned-entrepreneur, Andrew’s career spans the discovery of JAK proteins, founding 12 biotech companies, and achieving the rare trifecta: discovering a protein, developing a therapeutic molecule, and creating a medicine that changes lives.

"Light gives safety, light gives hope, and I can see why children see the magic in it." Alice Chun is a humanitarian entrepreneur whose journey began with a simple yet profound idea: light can change lives. From creating origami-inspired solar lights to distributing them in disaster-stricken areas and war zones, Alice’s work has impacted vulnerable communities worldwide. Her innovations were featured on Netflix's Gutsy by Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, showcasing her relentless drive to make a difference.

"The music industry was the canary in the coal mine for digital disruption. What happened to us is now happening to every other industry." Dan Rosen’s career has been a balancing act between law, music, and leadership. He started out living a "double life" as a lawyer by day and a musician by night. This unique combination of skills eventually led him to the top of the music industry, first as CEO of ARIA and now as President of Warner Music Australasia. Dan shares insights from his journey of leading the industry through massive digital disruption.

Sometimes, professional experience in one field leads to using those skills to make a difference. This has been the case for Robert Pradolin, who has taken his more than 40 years of experience in the property industry and is using it to galvanise corporate Australia to get involved in solving the growing homelessness crisis.

“You think ‘Oh, I worked so hard for something I thought was going to change everything and it didn’t” Even Olympic gold loses its shine. What happens when everything you set out to achieve ends up feeling like a fleeting moment?

On today’s episode we explore what happens when change doesn’t happen. Professor Dr Megan Davis is a professor of constitutional law known for her work in creating the Uluru Statement from the Heart and advocating for the 2023 Voice referendum. As an international human rights lawyer, Scientia Professor, and academic, Megan discusses the lessons she learned about engaging with the heart, and not just the head. ·         How she finds the motivation to keep going after such a huge set-back ·         The complexity of poverty and how vulnerability never leaves you ·         Why she finds it difficult to call herself a leader ·         And the importance of being the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to a UN body

“It was the most horrendous thing that's ever happened, it was really challenging, and unfortunately made me distrustful of people, which is just not my normal stance” Not many people can say they have built something out of nothing and have stayed true to their vision and purpose. Simon Crowe, the Founder and Managing Director of Grill’d, is on a mission to liberate burgers from badness and pioneer sustainable food practices. For someone so accomplished, Simon emanates a rare vulnerability. He talks candidly about the many challenges he has faced: >his public court battle with a former co-owner and business partner >taking on the Goliath that is McDonald's >his superpowers that have helped him succeed >and why he’s a better businessman than a friend. Host: Jenelle McMaster Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Simon Crowe Founder and Managing Director of Grill’d Listen now: Apple Podcasts or Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

"What's the legacy we want to leave our kids? I don't want my kids to grow up in a world where women are abused and racism is just part of the DNA, absolutely not required, shouldn't be here, so how do we change it?" When it comes to the achievement of gender equality and the fight for human rights, the path to success requires big changes to happen. With International Women’s Day this month, CEO of UN Women Australia, Simone Clarke, shares the lessons she’s learned on becoming comfortable with discomfort, creating the space to make big changes, and looking for moments of hope in even the darkest of times. Host: Jenelle McMaster Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Simone Clarke CEO of UN Women Australia. Listen now: Apple Podcasts or Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

“I have no idea why I was the person that chose to fix the problem of surplus food. But I was. And that is the blessing that I have received, and the gift that I have received.”Ronni Kahn AO, is a vibrant force of energy, exuding a warm honesty accompanied by her infectious and unavoidable smile. In this episode, Ronni shares with Jenelle McMaster her unique and captivating story about making change happen, on the season finale of the #ChangeHappens Podcast. Host: Jenelle McMaster Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Ronni Kahn AO is a Visionary Leader and Founder of Australia’s Leading Food Rescue Charity and Author. Listen now: Apple Podcasts or Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

"24 hours of madness ensued, and at the end of that I found myself standing in the premier’s office and saying “my goodness, how did this happen” Mike Baird AO, former Premier of NSW and now CEO of HammondCare and Chair of Cricket Australia shares insights into his personal journey and key moments of change with host Jenelle McMaster. This is an open, honest account of life as the Premier of NSW and dealing with an unimaginable moment - the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney.

Despite many obstacles in his path, Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, successfully lead his team to run two Australian Opens during the pandemic. In this episode of Change Happens with host Jenelle McMaster, Craig explains how it was an “opportunity to show people what is possible. Host: Jenelle McMaster Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia

Dr Jemma Green has helped create one of the biggest innovation transformations to the energy market in years... “And lots of people would say, well, you can't do the Uberfication of electricity because it's different. And for me, it was like, well, it's not like you can't, but it takes something more. And maybe we're really naive in anticipating actually what it would take, but it actually can happen.” Dr Jemma Green, Co-Founder and Chairman of Powerledger, joins our Change Happens podcast host Jenelle McMaster, to discuss her entrepreneurial story about how she disrupted the electricity market by starting a technology company that uses blockchain for energy and environmental commodity trading. Host: Jenelle McMaster is Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Dr Jemma Green is Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Powerledger, EY Fintech Entrepreneur of the Year

“I think I, as a leader, learned a lot about diversity and inclusion. And it's not enough as leaders to just say, I want diversity and hope it's going to follow unwittingly. And I think it's just, again, because of who I am, it was incredibly inclusive, so I had no barriers to entry. I celebrated every single woman equally. And as a result, that visible difference meant that more and more women saw themselves in people they wouldn't have normally seen being celebrated…….” Dr Kirstin Ferguson who was recently awarded an AM in the Australia Day Honours List in 2023 for her significant contribution to business and gender equality, joins our Change Happens podcast host Jenelle McMaster to discuss her moment creating change with the #CelebratingWomen campaign.

“Can I do it? There was a massive amount of self-doubt when I took the job about a month later. The coach, Rafa Benitez, left … and took 18 staff with him. The whole department was gutted. There was me and an assistant coach to take the superstars through a training session … I was pitch side for Australia versus Serbia on Wednesday, arrived on Friday and started interviewing people on Saturday and Sunday to start on Monday. It was an incredible whirlwind.” Darren Burgess, Adelaide Football Club High Performance Director, previously Director of High Performance at Arsenal Football Club, joins our Change Happens podcast host Jenelle McMaster to discuss the lessons learnt from his time as Head of Fitness and Conditioning for Liverpool Football Club. Host: Jenelle McMaster is Deputy CEO Oceania and Markets Leader at EY. Guest: Darren Burgess is Adelaide Football Club High Performance Director and Senior Consultant at EPP Listen now: Apple Podcasts or Spotify or where ever you get your favourite podcasts.