Stewards on the Couch Series with Kat Stapleton
About this Event
IPAA Queensland is pleased to announce that our 2026 program will kick off with the Stewards on the Couch series welcoming Kat Stapleton, CEO Queensland Rail to the IPAA couch on 16 February 2026.
Queensland Rail has total assets of $11.3 billion and a network that extends more than 6,600 kilometres across the state. Its 8,000-strong workforce delivers over 8,500 services in South East Queensland each week, as well as regional services and supporting freight transport. Queensland Rail is a complex enterprise connecting communities across Queensland for the past 160 years.
Kat Stapleton brings a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges as Queensland enters a new era of rail—driven by major infrastructure investment, regional connectivity, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Kat leads an organisation focused on operational excellence, safety, customer experience, and its people, while championing diversity and inclusion to build a future-ready transport system.
We look forward to hearing about her leadership values and approach, what motivates her, and how she navigates the competing demands of leading a major organisation during this exciting period of growth and reform.
This session will also build on our most recent “on the couch” session with Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Sally Stannard, adding further depth to the exploration into the complex role of transport infrastructure and stewardship for supporting economic resilience and improving the lives of Queenslanders.
IPAA Queensland invites the public purpose community to attend the next instalment of our Stewards on the Couch series.
This event is a must attend for anyone keen to understand the career journey of one of Queensland’s top public leaders and connect with others in the sector.
FORMAT
Stewards on the Couch follows an ‘in conversation’ style format where the interviewer and the public steward take to the couch for an informative, engaging and interactive discussion.
The audience are invited to participate in a short Q&A opportunity after the conversation and network with colleagues afterwards over refreshments.
DATE & LOCATION
Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
Time: 4.15pm for a 4:30pm start to 6pm followed by networking refreshments
Location: Multifunction Rooms 1 & 2, 1 William Street, Brisbane Q 4000 and livestreamed
In person Pricing: free for individual (full financial) members, $35 for organisational members, $65 for non-members.
Livestream Pricing: free for individual (full financial) members, $20 for organisational members, $35 for non-members.
Orchard Talent Group is more than a search firm – we are your partner in public value. Born from the need for capable, values-aligned leadership in complex times, we help organisations navigate reform, uncertainty and opportunity with people strategies that deliver lasting outcomes. Guided by our purpose to elevate people, organisations and sectors, we work alongside our partners to reshape systems, strengthen capability and realise impact – contributing meaningfully to a stronger tomorrow, today.
Kat was appointed Queensland Rail CEO on 14 April 2022, following her tenure as CFO since 2019. She is a high-impact, agile leader with extensive executive experience across finance, commercial, and operational roles in public and private sectors, locally and internationally. Her career includes senior positions at nbnCo and Bahrain Telecommunications, where she led large-scale transformation programs in complex environments.
Kat began her professional journey as a naval warfare officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, gaining early leadership experience through operational sea-going assignments. She is known for her strategic thinking, customer-centric approach, and commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in transport. Kat is currently an Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Director, member of the Rail Industry Innovation Council, and sits on the CEDA Queensland State Advisory Council.
Stewards on the Couch is a regular and highly popular feature of IPAA’s annual event program, where one or more chief executives sit down for an informal, conversational-style interview.
These events provide the IPAA community an opportunity to learn more about the influences, priorities, and core values of stewards leading public purpose work along with the key challenges and opportunities facing their organisation and/or sector. Guests are invited to stay for networking and refreshments after the interview.
Accessibility – IPAA Queensland is committed to ensuring our events are accessible to everyone. Please contact us prior to the event to discuss any adjustments required. This may include (but not be limited to) use of a hearing loop, accessible seating or support with entering the building and accessing the event space.
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