Plenary - Leading with Pride: Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI
| Thursday, February 4, 2027 |
| 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM |
Overview
Joey Callandra
Chair of Outcome Health, Australia
Day 1 Wrap Up and Facilitated Open-Mic
Details
What if the experiences that once made us feel different are the very qualities that make us better leaders? As artificial intelligence reshapes healthcare and pharmacy, our uniquely human capabilities have never been more important. In a world where AI is becoming increasingly capable, perhaps our greatest leadership advantage lies in the very human experiences that have shaped who we are.
Joey will explore how growing up queer and navigating our personal and professional lives can cultivate powerful leadership strengths — empathy, adaptability, resilience and the courage to challenge conventional thinking. Drawing on personal experiences and insights from emotional intelligence, he will invite us to recognise that what once made us feel different may be precisely what enables us to lead with greater authenticity, compassion and purpose.
The open mic session will start with a summary and key messages and themes from Day 1. This will be followed by an opportunity for wide sharing of thoughts and experiences and to help explore other issues that resonate with delegates.
Speakers
Joey Callandra
Outcome Health
Plenary - Leading with Pride: Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI
Biography
Joey Calandra Beginning his career as a community pharmacist in Australia and the UK, Joey has held senior leadership roles with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), AIA Vitality, Medibank and the Victorian Department of Health, where he most recently led innovation, emerging technologies and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. He is currently Chair of Outcome Health and works with Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL) on strategy and AI-enabled transformation.
Joey holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), an Executive MBA and postgraduate executive education credentials from Harvard Medical School, the University of Sydney and Melbourne Business School.
A passionate advocate for human-centred leadership, Joey recently created Emotional Intelligence for AI, a 12-part thought leadership series exploring why our uniquely human capabilities matter more than ever in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Drawing on his professional journey and lived experience as a queer healthcare leader, Joey believes that empathy, curiosity, courage and the ability to connect diverse perspectives are among our greatest leadership strengths. He is passionate about inspiring others to embrace their individuality, challenge conventional thinking and create a more inclusive, compassionate and innovative future for healthcare.
