<style> canvas { position: absolute; inset: 0; display: block; z-index: 2 !important; } </style> <canvas id="globe"></canvas> <style> canvas { position: absolute; inset: 0; display: block; z-index: 3; background: transparent; } </style> <canvas id="globe"></canvas> <script> const canvas = document.getElementById('globe'); const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d'); const globes = [ { xPercent: 9, yPercent: 0, radius: 200, color: 'green', baseDotCount: 7000, dotMinSize: 1, dotMaxSize: 1.25, dotScaleFactor: 1, opacity: 1, rotationSpeed: 0.003, wobbleSpeed: 0.02, wobbleAmount: 0.1, orbitOffset: { x: 0.1, y: -0.05 }, transparencyZone: { x: 0.5, y: 0.5, radius: 0.5 } }, { xPercent: 15, yPercent: 90, radius: 400, color: 'orange', baseDotCount: 3000, dotMinSize: 1.5, dotMaxSize: 2, dotScaleFactor: 1.5, opacity: 1, rotationSpeed: 0.002, wobbleSpeed: 0.01, wobbleAmount: 0.1, orbitOffset: { x: 0, y: 0 }, transparencyZone: { x: 0, y: 0, radius: 2 } }, { xPercent: 90, yPercent: 70, radius: 350, color: 'green', baseDotCount: 3000, dotMinSize: 6, dotMaxSize: 6, dotScaleFactor: 1, opacity: 1, rotationSpeed: 0.001, wobbleSpeed: 0.005, wobbleAmount: 0.2, orbitOffset: { x: -0.1, y: 0.05 }, transparencyZone: { x: 0, y: 0.9, radius: 2 } } ]; function resizeCanvas() { canvas.width = window.innerWidth; canvas.height = window.innerHeight; regenerateGlobeDots(); } function regenerateGlobeDots() { const scaleFactor = Math.min(window.innerWidth / 1200, 1); globes.forEach(globe => { const count = Math.floor(globe.baseDotCount * scaleFactor); globe.dots = []; for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) { const theta = Math.random() * 2 * Math.PI; const phi = Math.acos(2 * Math.random() - 1); globe.dots.push({ theta, phi }); } }); } window.addEventListener('resize', resizeCanvas); resizeCanvas(); let tick = 0; function interpolateGradient(r, palette = 'orange') { if (palette === 'green') { const t = r; return { r: Math.round(50 * (1 - t) + 180 * t), g: Math.round(255 * (1 - t) + 255 * t), b: Math.round(100 * (1 - t) + 50 * t), }; } if (r < 0.5) { const t = r / 0.5; return { r: Math.round(255 * (1 - t) + 255 * t), g: Math.round(160 * (1 - t) + 100 * t), b: Math.round(0 * (1 - t) + 50 * t) }; } else { const t = (r - 0.5) / 0.5; return { r: Math.round(255 * (1 - t) + 100 * t), g: Math.round(100 * (1 - t) + 20 * t), b: Math.round(50 * (1 - t)) }; } } function draw() { ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height); // Transparent background ctx.save(); globes.forEach((globe, index) => { const x = canvas.width * (globe.xPercent / 100); const y = canvas.height * (globe.yPercent / 100); const radius = globe.radius * (canvas.width / 1200); const { dots, color, dotMinSize, dotMaxSize, dotScaleFactor, opacity, rotationSpeed, wobbleSpeed, wobbleAmount, orbitOffset, transparencyZone } = globe; const rotation = tick * rotationSpeed; const wobble = Math.sin(tick * wobbleSpeed + index) * wobbleAmount; ctx.translate(x, y); for (const dot of dots) { const theta = dot.theta + rotation; const phi = dot.phi + wobble; const sx = radius * Math.sin(phi) * Math.cos(theta); const sy = radius * Math.sin(phi) * Math.sin(theta); const sz = radius * Math.cos(phi); const scale = 0.6 + sz / (2 * radius); let px = (sx + (orbitOffset?.x || 0) * radius) * scale; let py = (sy + (orbitOffset?.y || 0) * radius) * scale; // Transparency zone adjustment let transparencyFactor = 1; if (transparencyZone) { const zoneX = (transparencyZone.x - 0.5) * 2 * radius; const zoneY = (transparencyZone.y - 0.5) * 2 * radius; const zoneR = radius * transparencyZone.radius; const dx = px / scale - zoneX; const dy = py / scale - zoneY; const d = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy); if (d < zoneR) { transparencyFactor = d / zoneR; // fades in } } const alpha = (0.4 + 0.6 * ((sz + radius) / (2 * radius))) * opacity * transparencyFactor; const dotRadius = dotMinSize + (dotMaxSize - dotMinSize) * scale * dotScaleFactor; const dist = Math.sqrt(px * px + py * py) / (radius * 1.2); const grad = interpolateGradient(Math.min(dist, 1), color); ctx.beginPath(); ctx.arc(px, py, dotRadius, 0, Math.PI * 2); ctx.fillStyle = `rgba(${grad.r}, ${grad.g}, ${grad.b}, ${alpha})`; ctx.fill(); } ctx.translate(-x, -y); }); ctx.restore(); tick++; requestAnimationFrame(draw); } draw(); </script>
canvas { pointer-events: none !important; }
Speakers

Jamila Rizvi

Craig Cowdrey

Mark Oostergo

Shelley Johnson

Raechel Gavin

Kevin Figueiredo

Cilla Robinson

Stella Petrou Concha

Jono Nicholas

Jodi Paton

Steven Read

Lainie Cassidy

Julia Bageski

Andrea Clarke

Justin Angsuwat

Anna Glynn
Program
Get a high-level overview of the day’s flow to help you plan your attendance and manage your schedule. Please note that session timings are approximate and subject to change.
Arrivals and check-in
Registrations and enjoy a light breakfast with tea and coffee before the day begins
Morning session
Welcome
Jamila RizviOpening remarks to set the day’s context and a little bit about Jamila’s own resilience story
Morning keynote
Craig Cowdrey, Co-founder and CEO, Sonder
Steven Read, Chief Product and Technology Officer, SonderA reflection on the state of employees today, Sonder’s role in supporting them and what’s next for workplace health, safety and wellbeing
Building high performing teams in challenging times interactive workshop
Shelley Johnson, Founder and Leadership Coach, BoldsideAn engaging, interactive workshop exploring practical strategies to build teams that sustains high performance in the long term
Morning tea / break
Enjoy refreshments, tea, and coffee while meeting Sonder’s experts at our pop-up Support Centre, and take the opportunity for connection and networking
Mid-morning session
Beyond compliance: The real work of managing psychosocial risk
Mark Oostergo, Chief Executive and Workplace Psychologist, Australian Psychological Services (Moderator)
Cilla Robinson, Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
Lainie Cassidy, Director - People, Culture & Inclusion, KPMG
Nicole Boyce, Senior Manager, Health & Safety Governance, AusgridThis panel explores how organisations are managing psychosocial risk — moving beyond regulatory compliance to embed safer, healthier, and more supportive cultures. With perspectives spanning law, psychology, corporate practice, and frontline realities, the conversation will provide attendees with both strategic and practical insights.
Wellbeing experience
Rory Warnock, Performance and Wellness CoachBreathwork
Leading through change: Staying grounded when everything shifts
Raechel Gavin, Chief People Officer, Sonder (Moderator)
Kevin Figueiredo, Chief People & Safety Officer, Super Retail Group
Stella Petrou Concha, CEO, Reo Group & Co-Founder, HiveQ
Jono Nicholas, Founder & Managing Director, Wellbeing Outfit, Chief Mental Health Advisor, EY OceaniaThis panel explores what it takes to lead in a fast-moving era of change, focusing on the leadership skills needed to navigate disruption, wellbeing as a core responsibility, and how to keep culture strong and resilient. With insights on self-leadership, team engagement, and practical ways to sustain trust and performance, the discussion offers actionable guidance for leaders in today’s evolving workplace.
Afternoon session
Aggression isn’t part of the job: Tackling the rise in customer abuse
Julia Bageski, Head of Customer Success, Sonder (Moderator)
Jodi Paton, Chief People Officer, Hoyts
Jane Bourke, Group Director, Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Woolworths
Becki Gliddon, Senior Manager – Wellbeing, Health and Safety, BOQ GroupThis panel explores how organisations are addressing the rise in customer aggression — not just as a regulatory or compliance issue, but as a fundamental challenge to creating safe, supportive, and high-performing workplaces. The discussion will unpack both the strategic and practical responses organisations are using to protect employees, support leaders, and shift workplace culture.
Live performance by string quartet
String SpaceLive performance by String Space at the iconic ACO on the Pier, honouring the venue’s rich history
Human potential and AI: Shaping the future of work together
Anna Glynn, Speaker, Author and Coach (Moderator)
Justin Angsuwat, Chief People Officer, Culture Amp
Amber Johnson, People and Culture Leader and AI Optimisation Lead, MYOB
Nell Hardie, Head of People, Heidi HealthAI is rapidly changing how organisations operate, from HR strategy and workforce planning to culture and performance. This panel brings together senior HR leaders and expert voices to explore how AI can be harnessed responsibly to enhance employee experience, unlock productivity, and future-proof workplaces — while keeping humans at the centre.
Leading with care: How empathy and trust drive performance — A fireside chat with Andrea Clarke
Craig Cowdrey, Co-founder and CEO, Sonder
Andrea Clarke, Author and Work FuturistThe best leaders know that care is more than compassion — it’s a competitive advantage. In this fireside chat, work futurist and author Andrea Clarke joins Sonder CEO Craig Cowdrey to explore how empathy and trust transform the way organisations adapt, perform and thrive. They’ll unpack why care is a critical leadership skill in times of disruption, how empathy builds the trust that unlocks resilience and innovation, and what practical habits leaders can adopt to balance high support with high expectations. Through stories, data, and lived experience, Andrea and Craig will show that leading with care isn’t soft leadership — it’s the foundation of sustainable performance.
Sondies awards and closing remarks
Julia Bageski, Head of Customer Success, Sonder
Jamila RizviCelebrate outstanding achievements and reflect on the day’s highlights and leave you inspired for what’s ahead.
Networking, canapés, drinks
Meet our Sonder’s experts at our pop-up Support Centre, and join us with premium hospitality, drinks and networking by the harbour before the event wraps up at 5:30 pm.
Suite 3, 13A Hickson Road, Dawes Point, NSW 2000
Why Sonder Summit?
About Sonder
Sonder Summit FAQs
I missed out on an in-person pass, what do I do?
You can still register to join us virtually via live stream and join the waitlist for an in-person spot. If a space becomes available, we’ll be in touch – so keep an eye on your inbox for updates.
What can I expect at Sonder Summit?
Get ready for a one-day-only event, packed with a great line-up of speakers, energising Sonder activations, and executive-level networking opportunities, plus so much more.
- Be the first to hear the latest insights on employee health, safety and wellbeing
- Catch up with industry friends, both old and new
- Learn practical strategies to implement, both in the immediate future, and looking ahead
- Feel inspired and uplifted to make a positive change in your workplace and community
Who should come to Sonder Summit?
Sonder Summit has been designed for people who lead employee safety, health and wellbeing. You’ll be in great company; expect to connect with senior leaders in people & culture, wellbeing, safety, and risk – as well as those who are passionate about building a safer, healthier, and more supportive workplace.
When and where is Sonder Summit 2025?
Sonder Summit 2025 will be held on Thursday, 18 September at ACO on the Pier – Suite 3, 13A Hickson Road, Dawes Point, NSW 2000
On the day, our online delegates will be sent a live streaming link to tune in to our main stage.
When will the full program and speakers be announced?
We’re continuing to update the program and will announce speakers as they’re confirmed. Bookmark this page to check back for the latest updates.
Is this a paid event?
Nope – it’s completely free to attend! As this is our first Sonder Summit, we’re delighted to offer this experience at no cost to our guests. Please note that as spots are limited, in-person passes are invite-only, so be sure to register early once invited to secure your spot.
Will Sonder Summit be live streamed and recorded?
Yes! We’ll be live streaming the main stage, so be sure to register online so you don’t miss out.
When and how will I receive my registration pass?
If you’ve registered for in-person attendance, your confirmation will be emailed to you within a few minutes after you complete your registration. We’ll send your Sonder Summit access pass a few days before the event.
If you’ve registered to attend online, you’ll receive a confirmation email with live streaming details closer to the event date.
I can’t attend in person anymore, what should I do?
No problem! Please let us know as soon as you can by emailing summit@sonder.io, and we’ll reassign your Sonder Summit access pass to someone on the waitlist.
Is there a dress code?
Business casual is recommended. Feel free to dress comfortably.
How do I get to ACO on the Pier?
You can find all transportation information on the ACO on the Pier website, including directions, parking, and public transport options.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Contact us at summit@sonder.io