Shannon Finch
Group General Counsel
Shannon Finch
She/Her
Group General Counsel
Westpac
Shannon joined Westpac in November 2021 as a group executive and leads Westpac’s legal function globally. She is the executive sponsor of the RESPECT Employee Advocacy Group, focused on domestic and family violence related issues, executive sponsor for Westpac’s Walk for a Cure initiative, and an executive mentor for the Generation Valuable program.
Shannon’s legal career commenced at the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department in Canberra. She then joined Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) where she practiced in litigation, mergers & acquisitions and capital markets for 25 years, in Canberra, London and Sydney, including as head of the Sydney office. On retirement from KWM, Shannon joined global corporate law firm Jones Day as a senior partner in the mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and financial markets practice areas, based in Sydney.
Shannon is an executive member of the Business Law Executive Section of the Law Council of Australia (LCA). She chaired the Corporations Committee of the LCA until 2021 and was a member of the Advisory Committee to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of the Legislative Framework for Corporations and Financial Services Regulation. Shannon has experience as a non-executive director, including as Deputy Chair of Forward Ability Support, and is a member of the AICD Law Committee, a member of Chief Executive Women Australia, a member of the Australian Corporate Counsel – GC100 and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. Shannon has been widely recognised by industry awards, including the Australasian Lawyers (Most Influential Lawyers – Changemaker & Corporate Lawyer of the Year awards), the Legal 500 GC Powerlist and Best Lawyers Australia.
SESSIONS
Day 2
2:15
Introduction to Unconference Leadership Sessions
Join our 50-minute mini leadership workshop led by leadership experts in an unconference format. In this session you will work through the challenges you have identified as key in your day-to-day operations and leadership role, by offering peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving. Gain actionable insights and co-create strategies to elevate your leadership impact.
Unconference Session for New and Emerging Leaders: Discover strategies and tips to excel in your first managerial roles. Engage in open discussions on navigating early leadership challenges and building a solid foundation for career growth.
Unconference Session for Middle Management: Gain practical insights to master the art of balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day operations, strategic decision-making, and driving team performance. Explore potential topics such as change management, conflict resolution, and cultivating a positive work culture.
Shreya Sethi, Global President, Salesforce Women's Network | Regional VP Sales of Tableau Financial Services, Salesforce
Unconference Session for Top-Level Management & C-Suite: Equip yourself with advanced leadership techniques including strategic leadership, executive communication, and leading high-performing teams. Engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as organisational vision, talent development, and driving innovation.
Shannon Finch, Group General Counsel, Westpac