Curious Thinkers 2024

Cuscal’s invite-only client conference, Curious Thinkers brought together industry leaders, innovators and experts to explore the trends shaping the future of payments, data and technology.  

First launched in 2018, Curious Thinkers has become a valued two-day event for clients and partners to gain insights, challenge thinking, and connect with peers across the financial services ecosystem.  

Curious Thinkers 2024 Event Overview 

The event was held on 12–13 November 2024 at The W Sydney, bringing together a diverse mix of local and international speakers to explore the possibilities of payments in an evolving digital world. The networking cocktail party was held at 29/30 Rooftop Bar & Wet Deck. 

Curious Thinkers 2024 was designed to give attendees a forward-looking view of the industry through: 

• Expert-led presentations on payments, data and emerging technologies 

• Panel discussions on regulation, risk and innovation 

• Real-world insights into fraud, security and customer experience 

• Opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders 

Themes explored in 2024 included: 

• The future of payments and global economic trends 

• Artificial intelligence and workforce transformation 

• Fraud, scams and cyber resilience 

• Data monetisation and operating model shifts 

Curious Thinkers 2024 Agenda  

The two-day program was designed to balance strategic insight with practical application. 

Day 1 highlights 

• Opening address and keynote sessions on the future of payments 

• Global economic insights and consumer trends 

• Panel discussion on the evolving payments landscape 

• Sessions on AI, workforce transformation and cyber security 

• Networking cocktail event at the rooftop venue 

Day 2 highlights 

• Deep dive into data monetisation and operating models 

• Panel discussions on AI, risk and governance 

• Sessions on financial scams and organisational protection 

• Closing keynote and reflection 

Explore the full Curious Thinkers 2024 agenda to view of all sessions, speakers, and timing details. 

Curious Thinkers 2024 Speakers 

Curious Thinkers 2024 featured a strong line-up of speakers from across financial services, technology, academia and government. 

Adam Spencer was the MC who guided discussions and moderated panels throughout the event.  

Speakers included: 

• Adam Spencer, MC  

• Alan Thorogood, MIT Sloan School of Management 

• Angela Powell, Cuscal 

• Anushri Bansal, Mastercard 

• Barbara Wixom, MIT Sloan School of Management 

• Brendan Dowling, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade 

• Cameron McEvoy, Olympian 

• Charlotte Rush, Inventium 

• Chris de Wit, KPMG 

• Dom Thurbon, Entrepreneur 

• Edle Everaert, Mantel Group 

• Evan Craig, Cuscal 

• Kausar Kenning, Visa 

• Lee Yearsley, aKin 

• Lynne Cardwell, NSW Treasury 

• Marc Eames, Bain & Company 

• Michael Blomfield, Cuscal 

• Monica Muski Angelis, Qantas 

• Nathan Churchward, Cuscal  

• Stela Solar, National Artificial Intelligence Centre (NAIC) 

• Tom Rundle, Azupay 

• Tracy Hall, Author