Beyond Now
Building confidence, credibility & influence in HR
BRISBANE | 30 JULY 2026
There is no one way to build a HR career
Following the success of our first Beyond Now event, one message came through clearly: emerging HR professionals want greater visibility into the many pathways a career in HR can take.
Join us for an evening of practical advice, honest career stories and meaningful connections as we bring together experienced leaders from across the HR profession.
Whether you're exploring your next step or simply curious about where your career could lead, this event is designed to help you navigate what's next.
Event details
Date
Thursday 30 July 2026
Time
5:30pm Arrival & Networking
6:15pm Panel Discussion & Q&A
Location
Davidson, Level 12, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane
Enjoy an evening of networking with peers and industry leaders before hearing from our panel of experienced HR professionals.
Who should attend?
HR students, Coordinators, Administrators, Advisors, Business Partners and anyone looking to broaden their understanding of the opportunities available within the HR profession.
Hear from leaders across:
- Organisational Development & Capability
- Industrial & Employee Relations
- Candidate Experience, Employer Branding & Talent
- Senior People & Culture Leadership
Gain:
- Exposure to different HR career pathways
- Practical advice from experienced HR leaders
- Insights into building confidence, credibility and influence
- Real-world career stories and lessons learned
- Opportunities to expand your professional network
- Connections with Brisbane's emerging HR community
Meet your Beyond Now panel
One of the strongest themes from attendee feedback was a desire to better understand the many career pathways available within HR. For Beyond Now – Building Confidence, Credibility & Influence in HR, we've brought together leaders from four very different specialisations to share their career journeys, lessons learned and practical advice.
Because there is no one way to build a HR career.
Naomi Bruton
Organisational Development, Learning
& Capability
Naomi Bruton is a senior Organisational Development and transformation leader with more than 20 years’ experience across sectors including banking, infrastructure, utilities, tourism, manufacturing and the public sector.
Naomi will share her career journey and insights into building a successful career in Organisational Development, Learning & Development and Capability, including how HR professionals can help shape workforce strategy, leadership capability, culture and future-ready organisations.
Brad Kent
Candidate Experience, Employer Branding & Talent
Brad Kent is an experienced Talent Acquisition leader with more than 20 years’ experience across recruitment, talent attraction, employer branding, EVP development and early careers programs.
Brad will share how his career has evolved from agency recruitment into broader Talent, Candidate Experience and Employer Branding leadership, including how exceptional candidate experiences and strong employer brands can shape organisational reputation.
Brendan Cleaver
Industrial & Employee Relations
Brendan Cleaver is the Senior Industrial Relations Lead at Alliance Airlines, with a career spanning Industrial Relations, Human Resources and workplace relations across Australia and Europe.
Brendan will share his journey through one of HR’s most misunderstood but highly rewarding pathways, offering practical insight into bargaining, dispute resolution, investigations, difficult conversations and the stakeholder influence skills that are so valuable in HR.
Helena Kohl
People & Culture
Leadership
Helena Kohl is an experienced People & Culture executive with more than 20 years’ experience across professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, community services and industrial organisations.
Helena will share her journey from HR Coordinator to Chief People Officer, offering practical advice on building confidence, establishing credibility with leaders and becoming a trusted business partner throughout your HR career.
