Moving Forward - An Update on NextGen Pay and HR for the Government of Canada - Episode 134
Release Date: 05/18/2025
From Legacy Systems to AI Enabled Technology | Victorian Public Sector’s Technology Transformation Journey - Emily Mailes - Episode 146
Public Sector Podcast
In this episode, Emily Mailes, Chief eHealth Strategy Officer at the Victorian Department of Health, joins us for a fireside chat on navigating digital transformation in healthcare. She shares how Victoria is tackling outdated systems, adopting AI, and reshaping its digital strategy to improve patient care and system efficiency. From managing billion-dollar IT backlogs to building interoperable platforms and developing AI governance frameworks, Emily offers practical insights into balancing innovation with safety, ethics, and long-term sustainability. Essential listening for health leaders,...
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Conversations with City CIOs & CITOs - Jan Bradley & Scot Barker - Episode 145
Public Sector Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with two visionary leaders driving innovation in municipal government: Jan Bradley, Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) of Calgary, and Scot Barker, Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) of Burlington, Vermont. From AI adoption and cybersecurity to legacy system modernization and equitable digital access, they share candid insights on: Balancing innovation with risk: How cities experiment with emerging tech (like Calgary’s "Wave Centre" for rapid prototyping) while safeguarding data and public trust. The post-COVID mandate: Why digital transformation is no...
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How to be Agile in Government Procurement: The Test and Buy Innovation - Mark Lenzner - Episode 144
Public Sector Podcast
This episode features Mark Lenzner, Executive Director, ICT / Digital Sourcing, Digital.NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service, who explores how the Test and Buy Innovation model is transforming public sector procurement. Learn how agencies can adopt more agile, outcome-focused approaches to tackle community challenges—by prioritising the problem rather than prescribing the solution. From fostering procurement flexibility to unlocking access to a wider pool of tailored, innovative offerings, the discussion dives into strategies that drive better results in public service delivery. A...
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Customer-Obsessed Cyber Security - Joshua McKenzie - Epsode 143
Public Sector Podcast
In this episode, we hear from Joshua McKenzie, Manager, Cyber Governance, Risk and Assurance, Parliament of NSW who explores how government service providers can strike the right balance between compliance, cost-effectiveness, and risk management—without compromising on safety or service delivery. Listeners will gain insights into prioritising tasks through a people-centric lens, applying threat-based risk strategies, and implementing practical, scalable approaches to achieve compliance. Whether you're in operations, policy, or cyber risk, this conversation offers actionable takeaways for...
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OPOR by Design: Building Resilient and Trusted Health Systems - Jamey Martell - Episode 142
Public Sector Podcast
In our latest episode, Jamey Martell, Senior Director, One Person One Record, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Dr. Julie Maranda, Chief Medical Information Officer, One Person One Record, Nova Scotia Health Authority highlight that as healthcare systems go digital, trust and security must be built in from the start. Our healthcare leaders from Nova Scotia Health and its OPOR (One Person One Record) share how they’re designing a unified, province-wide health record system that puts governance, privacy, and user needs at the centre. Find out how OPOR is embedding protections throughout system...
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Practical Application of AI - How Do You Get the Right AI Tools, What Do These Look Like in Action, And How Do You Embed Them to Serve? - Nicholas Davis - Episode 141
Public Sector Podcast
This episode, Nicholas Davis, Co-Director, UTS Human Technology Institute takes listeners on a deep dive into the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence and the essential guardrails needed to ensure its safe, ethical, and effective application. Drawing on global best practices, emerging domestic trends, and state-level strategies, the conversation explores how NSW and the broader Australian public sector can harness AI’s potential while maintaining public trust and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. From understanding the technology and building a clear strategy, to...
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The Future of Ontario: Digital Twins, Secure ID, and Citizen-Centric Innovation - Infrastructure Ontario - Episode 140
Public Sector Podcast
The future of government is being rewritten—and it’s digital. In this insightful episode, we sit down with Aneesh Joshi and Omar Shabbir from Infrastructure Ontario (IO) to explore how cutting-edge technologies like Digital ID systems, AI, and Digital Twins are revolutionizing public services. From eliminating bureaucratic silos to creating seamless, citizen-centric experiences, Aneesh (Technology Advisory Lead) and Omar (Growth Practice Lead) break down: - Why Ontario needs a secure Digital ID—and how it could transform everything from healthcare...
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Diversity in Cyber Security: Insights on the retention of women in the workplace - Jacqui Loustau - Episode 139
Public Sector Podcast
This thought-provoking episode invites Jacqui Loustau, AWSN Executive Director, Australian Women in Security Network, Professor Matthew Warren, Director of the RMIT Centre of Cyber Security Research and Innovation, RMIT who tackle the pressing issue of diversity in Australia’s cybersecurity sector, featuring Jacqui Loustau and Professor Matthew Warren. They discuss the current under-representation of women—just 17% of the workforce—and examine the barriers, including gender pay gaps and limited career advancement, that hinder progress. Through insights from a recent study, they...
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Space - The Final Frontier: A Case Study on Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital - Stewart Wong - Episode 138
Public Sector Podcast
In this engaging episode, we hear from Stewart Wong, Vice President of Strategy, Sustainability and Communications, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, as he takes us on a creative and candid journey through one of the hospital’s most ambitious challenges: space optimisation during rapid growth. Blending Star Trek metaphors with real-world strategy, Stewart shares how Holland Bloorview responded to a post-pandemic staffing boom, disorganised booking systems, and mismatched clinical workspaces—transforming the chaos into a cohesive, people-first space strategy. From establishing...
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Teams, Talent and Diversity | How to Recruit, Retain and Build Top Teams - Natalie Bekis - Episode 137
Public Sector Podcast
In our latest episode, Natalie Bekis, Assistant Secretary Health Workforce Planning and Strategies Branch, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Fiona Notley, Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President, RMIT delve into the pressing issue of the technology skills shortage in Victoria, unpacking the challenges and opportunities that come with building a resilient, future-ready workforce. It explores how partnerships between the tertiary education sector and the public sector can strengthen the talent pipeline, ensuring that Victoria has the right skills to meet its digital...
info_outlineIn this candid and compelling episode, Alex Benay and Karen Figuerola share an unfiltered look at the cultural and systemic issues behind Canada’s HR and pay challenges—and the bold transformation underway to fix them. From the $7 billion Phoenix failure to the rollout of Dayforce, Alex explains why fixing the tech alone isn’t enough. True change, he argues, starts with shifting behaviours, embracing radical transparency, and putting people at the centre of every decision.
With real talk on AI, automation, executive accountability, and the power of user-centred design, this episode is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for leading transformation in the public sector. If you care about meaningful change, leadership that’s unafraid to fail, and building systems that simply work, you won’t want to miss it.
Alex Benay, Associate Deputy Minister, (Enterprise Pay Coordination), Public Services and Procurement, Karen Figuerola, Partner, People Consulting, EY.
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