YCA Panel Event: The Leadership Leap: Managing Up, Leading Down, and Thriving in Between

Overview

Leadership does not come with a clear roadmap. One day you are the technical expert. The next, you are leading projects, influencing stakeholders, managing teams and balancing competing priorities.

Join a panel of experienced leaders as they share the lessons, mistakes and turning points that shaped their leadership journeys. This practical discussion is designed for emerging professionals and explores what it takes to build credibility, earn trust and lead with confidence in today’s workplace.

Whether you are stepping into your first leadership role, managing former peers or preparing for your next career move, you will gain valuable insights on:

• Recognising when you are ready to lead
• Succeeding in your first 90 days as a leader
• Managing up and building influence with senior stakeholders
• Delegating effectively and leading high-performing teams
• Handling difficult conversations with confidence
• Developing the leadership skills that matter most for the future of work

You will leave with practical strategies, fresh perspectives and the confidence to take the next step in your leadership journey.

Speakers

Connor Brekett CA

Senior Group Financial Reporting Specialist, Flight Centre

Connor is a CA-qualified financial reporting specialist with more than eight years of experience spanning Big Four public practice and ASX-listed industry. He brings a technically rigorous approach to complex reporting environments, including group consolidations, statutory financial reporting, AASB/IFRS technical accounting, and external audit management.

His career progressed from Accountant to Manager at KPMG Australia over six and a half years, including a secondment to KPMG's San Francisco office, where he supported clients in the Technology sector. He subsequently transitioned into senior industry roles and currently serves as Senior Group Financial Reporting Specialist at Flight Centre Travel Group, one of Australia's largest ASX-listed companies.

In this role, Connor operates at the intersection of technical accounting and group reporting, preparing consolidated financial statements, ensuring compliance with AASB and IFRS standards, and managing relationships with external auditors across a complex global organisation. He is driven by the precision and discipline that technical reporting demands, with a strong focus on sound judgement, defensible decision-making, and the continuous development of technical expertise in an evolving regulatory environment.

Sidney James CA

Finance Manager, Queensland Investment Corporation

Sidney James is a Chartered Accountant and finance professional with international experience across Australia and the United Kingdom. 

Currently Head of Finance, Investment Initiatives at Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), Sidney leads strategic initiatives across QIC’s Finance, Investments team, with a focus on finance strategy and governance, stakeholder engagement, data-driven insights and business transformation. He brings strong technical expertise, commercial judgement and a practical leadership perspective to building and supporting high-performing finance teams in a changing workplace.

Mandeep Singh CA

Partner, PVW Partners

Mandeep has over 11 years’ experience in taxation, accounting and business advisory matters gained from working at PVW Partners and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

His experience includes advising on business structuring, specialist tax consulting, M&A support, financial reporting and corporate income tax compliance.

Mandeep has in depth expertise advising a diverse range of large family owned groups. He has provided recent advisory services to the following industries: property development, construction, agri-business, engineering, manufacturing, retail and professional services. 

Mandeep also serves on the board of the Townsville Business Development Centre and is a member of the 2019 Townsville Enterprise Emerging Leaders Program.

Chair

Harish Murugesan CA

Finance Manager, BYD

Harish joined the Queensland Young Chartered Accountants Panel in early-2024 and is a current and active member within the Panel advocating for Young CAs.

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