From change-averse to future-ready: Tips to optimise change project outcomes

The business world of 2025 can feel like its characterised by change on top of change. Change projects – particularly digital transformations – are occurring at a quicker pace and are becoming more complex.

Unfortunately, many are not delivering the results expected. Change fatigue and widespread scepticism are now commonplace. Research shows that just 16% of surveyed executives feel their organisation’s digital transformations have improved performance and equipped them to sustain changes in the long term. What’s going wrong, and how can your chances of success be improved?  

Our expert panellists will cover:

• What typically hinders the success of transformation projects

• How to take a people-first approach to transformation

• How to identify internal change agents to win over the tech sceptics

• Tips for engaging frontline workers in digital transformation projects
  

Speakers

Jane Ward, CEO & Founder, Tomorrow's People

Jane is the founder and CEO of Tomorrow's People. Her early career experience in HR, combined with her nerdy passion for the latest technologies made for a natural progression into establishing New Zealand's first specialist consultancy in HR Tech.

Jane has extensive experience in ensuring the successful selection, implementation and ongoing operation of processes and systems to support HR and payroll. With the strong generalist HR knowledge necessary to understand key business needs, she has worked with a wide range of technologies and industries. Jane's experience, thought leadership and independence in the HR technology space set her apart.

Jane is passionate about providing and enabling flexible and part-time work and living and breathing a truly modern approach to work. As a recognized voice in HR technology and workplace innovation, she frequently shares insights at industry conferences and corporate events. Jane welcomes speaking opportunities where she can contribute her expertise on HR tech trends, workplace transformation, and the future of work.

Kathryn Fletcher, Talent + Project Lead, Arvida Group Limited

Kathryn Fletcher is the Talent Lead for Arvida. With 35 resident-led retirement communities across NZ, Arvida provides independent living and aged care services to older New Zealanders. 

With a natural curiosity of what makes people – and organisations – tick, Kathryn has gathered experience in change management, recruitment, communications, and governance across several industries including utilities, retail, and healthcare in both Canada and New Zealand. Regardless of role, she has always found herself in the thick of organisational transformation – leading system implementation, championing employee experience, and keeping things simple.

After working with corporate and co-operative boards for several years in Canada, Kathryn returned home and was the Head of People & Communications for a NZ-owned pet food retailer. Deciding to change her ‘why’ from pets to people, she joined the Arvida team in 2023 where she is responsible for talent strategy and is the design and change lead for Arvida’s HRIS and ATS project.

Jessica Hawkins, People & Change Manager, Humanforce

Jess initially worked as a HR Generalist and more recently has followed her passion for change management into roles with change as a key focus. Her change management experience has covered ERP implementations, HR digital transformations, operating model changes, as well as culture transformations.

Jess also has experience working overseas with roles in the UK, New Zealand and Australia across a diverse range of industries including healthcare, technology, property, and professional services. She is passionate about working with people, driving change, and seeing businesses succeed.