Config APAC 2024
We're excited to bring Config to the Asia Pacific region for the first time in 2024, designed to connect a dynamic ...
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Katja Forbes
Executive Director, Head of Client Experience
CIB, DCDA, Standard Chartered
Katja is a published author and regular media commentator, known for her determination and sense of purpose as a thought leader and inspiration for women worldwide. A proven leader in the digital industry, Katja is renowned for driving growth and innovation. With expertise spanning customer experience, data science, product strategy, and emerging technologies, she is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition as one of the top 50 Australian professionals, Top 10 Women Disrupters, and one of Westpac/Australian Financial Review’s ‘100 Women of Influence’.
Currently serving as the Head of Client Experience at Standard Chartered bank, Katja leads a team dedicated to creating high-impact products and services that promote financial inclusion and contribute to a net-zero carbon future. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in her role as the DE&I Director on the global board of the Data Visualization Society. Previously, she served as an International Director and Vice President on the Global Board of the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). When she’s home, Katja’s dog, Queen Polly, first of her name, rules over her with a gentle paw and a heart full of love.
Her story
Katja Forbes has had personal experiences that opened her eyes to the ethical pitfalls of technology. Whether it was seeing companies prioritise growth over user privacy, or watching profits being put ahead of people – those moments motivated her to become a voice advocating for ethical and responsible practices in the tech industry. Technology moves at such a rapid pace that ethical considerations are often left behind. That’s what drives Katja – being that ethical navigator and human voice that forces companies to slow down and carefully think through the implications of what they’re building.
Honesty, integrity and accountability guide everything Katja does. She is direct – always giving an unvarnished perspective, never sugar-coating the ethical issues at hand. And she holds herself and the companies she works with to the highest ethical standards, ensuring people are prioritised over profits. When Katja imagines data being misused against vulnerable groups, or technology increasing societal divides, she is reminded why this work of being an ethical steward matters so much.
The people and communities impacted by unethical technology are Katja’ driving inspiration. Serving as an ethical navigator in areas like customer experience, data science and emerging tech, she strives to be a force for good that protects the rights and wellbeing of society. Katja won’t stop pushing companies to get this right and develop technology that benefits humanity in a responsible manner.
Her career
Katja’ journey started in human-centred design and digital technology. She worked with big companies like Standard Chartered Bank, Qantas, Commonwealth Bank, Insurance Australia Group, NSW Government and the Australian Federal Government on customer experience, data science, and product design. Katja saw how technology that connects us globally also comes at a cost – our data gets collected and used in ways that aren’t always ethical or beneficial to society. That’s why she became the “Ethical Navigator” – to steer businesses in the right direction.
Katja asks difficult questions of the biggest companies and smallest players, so they think about what they’re doing with all our data, how they’re keeping it private and using it for societal benefit, not detriment. She believes that “If you can’t respect it, don’t collect it.” One of the biggest challenges has been getting companies to think critically about their technology instead of just chasing profits. It’s not always easy, but seeing positive change makes it worth it.
Currently, as Head of Client Experience at Standard Chartered Bank, she leads a team to create high-impact products and services that promote financial inclusion and contribute to a net-zero carbon future.
Her passion
Katja is determined and passionate about driving positive change, earning a reputation as a thought leader who inspires others, especially women, through her focus on courageous leadership to enact ethical transformation. She aims to create an inclusive environment where marginalized voices feel heard and valued. Her passions extend beyond just ethics in technology and finance, as she is equally ardent about the vital issue of mental health and its intersection with the modern, digital world, reinforcing her zeal for exploring the connections between mental health and emerging technologies.
While Katja’ professional expertise lies in customer experience, data science and ethical tech practices, she also advocates for better understanding and prioritising mental health – especially through technological solutions and driving societal change. Viewing mental health as one of the potential “costs” of technology that needs ethical navigation, with her background, Katja is uniquely positioned to examine this complex intersection and develop mindful, ethical practices that prioritise societal wellbeing alongside innovation. Her enthusiasm extends further through volunteering for sustainability drives, evincing a holistic vision for a just, thriving world.
Her speaking style
Bold, human, and refreshingly honest, Katja directly challenges companies on ethical issues related to technology, data and customer experience. No corporate fluff – she’ll ask the tough questions and engage you with real-world stories and practical insights.
Keynotes
Katja's career
2024 | Panellist | Primetime Business
Make Mental Health A Movement in 2024!
We are happy to be collaborating with PrimeTime Business and Professional Women's Association for their April 2nd Thursday in-person event, through a panel discussion that promises to enlighten, inspire, and empower ...
2024 | Speaker | CCO & Enterprise Leaders Summit
Connecting the Dots: Building a Digital-First, Customer-First Enterprise
Amid economic uncertainties, the ever-evolving technology landscape is fundamentally altering customer behaviour. This brings an inherent complexity in how technology is integrated ...
2024 | Speaker | Women in AI
Empower, Educate, Excel: Women Driving Change in STEM and AI
Join us for an exclusive round table discussion, brought to you by Women in AI and Goodnotes, as we delve into the pivotal role women play in STEM and AI ...
2023 | Keynote | World Design Assembly Tokyo
33rd World Design Assembly Tokyo 2023 - Design Beyond
We face numerous challenges like global warming which cannot be resolved at the national or regional level alone. At the same time, digital technologies have driven ...
Recommendations
Unyielding, innovative, and endlessly insightful, Katja Forbes stands as a trailblazer at the intersection of ethics and emerging technology. Her ability to navigate the labyrinth of moral challenges presented by cutting-edge design trends with clarity is fascinating.
Steven Tang
Divisional ManagerCustomer Experience, IQPC Conference
Katja seamlessly blends her extensive knowledge of the industry with her passion for innovation to deliver a truly inspiring and thought-provoking talk. I highly recommend Katja as a keynote speaker for anyone looking to bring a fresh and cutting-edge perspective ...
Neil Rapley
DirectorNSW The CEO Institute
Katja's knowledge is very deep, and she has a knack of demystifying complex information into easily digestible snippets, whilst backing up her content with great examples. Her straight-forward communication style and great sense of humour endeared her to the audience ...
Carolyn Hyams
Marketing DirectorAustralia, Aquent
