Who’s Speaking at HR Retail Australia 2026

Michael Werle

Michael Werle is a senior People & Culture executive with more than 25 years of experience leading human resources and organisational development initiatives across the public and private sectors. As Director of HR Consulting Australia, he partners with boards, CEOs, and executive teams to design and implement practical, high-impact people strategies that strengthen organisational capability, improve employee experience, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

His career spans industries including construction, emergency services, government, hospitality, infrastructure, publishing, professional services, retail, telecommunications, tourism, and waste management, providing a highly adaptable and commercially grounded perspective. Known for his pragmatic and people-oriented approach, Michael translates complex organisational challenges into clear, actionable strategies that align people, structure, and business priorities.

Michael has led significant transformation programs, including organisational restructures, enterprise agreement negotiations, workforce strategy development, and the implementation of learning, performance, and HR technology systems. These initiatives have consistently delivered stronger leadership capability, improved organisational alignment, and measurable performance outcomes.

He is a strong advocate for building sustainable organisational capability and embedding learning into the flow of work. This work was recognised nationally in 2026 when HR Consulting Australia received the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) National Excellence Award for Best Learning Culture in an Organisation, acknowledging the successful integration of learning to enhance employee development and organisational performance.

Michael holds a Master of Business Administration (HR) and certifications in behavioural and emotional intelligence analysis. He has a deep professional interest in systems thinking, psychological safety, and creating the conditions for success in environments where people feel valued, safe, and supported to perform at their best.

He has contributed extensively to the profession through governance and industry roles, including as Immediate Past National President and Non-Executive Director of the AITD, Non-Executive Director of the Australasian Corrosion Association, and Executive Committee Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Network.

He is currently a Divisional Councillor with the AITD, a member of the MentorLoop Advisory Council, and an active member of leading professional bodies, including the Australian Human Resources Institute, Industrial Relations Society of Victoria, Philippines Society for Talent Development, and the People Management Association of the Philippines.

Drawing on a diverse career across industries and senior leadership roles, Michael provides a commercially grounded perspective on organisational transformation, leadership effectiveness, workforce strategy, and employee experience.