The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) has announced that the Top Executives (TOPEX) Conference 2025 will take place from 20–22 November 2025 at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Denarau.

Now in its 11th year, TOPEX has become a signature event on Fiji’s business calendar, bringing together executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for three days of dialogue, networking, and fresh ideas. This year’s theme, “From Challenge to Catalyst: Global and Local Perspectives,” will highlight how leaders can turn adversity into opportunity.

The conference will focus on five pressing areas for Fiji and the region:

• Health and Productivity
• Economy and Shocks
• Trade and Tariffs
• Artificial Intelligence
• Labor Crisis

Keynote Speaker – Dr Zelinda Sherlock

Headlining TOPEX 2025 is Dr. Zelinda Sherlock, a Fijian-born leader whose career spans law, education, governance, and consulting. Born in Suva and raised in Tasmania, Dr. Sherlock is the CEO of Sherlock & Dutta Consulting and Deputy Lord Mayor of Hobart, making history as the first woman of non-European heritage to hold the role in the city’s 170-year history.

Her leadership journey includes 14 years teaching in Japan, senior roles in higher education in Australia, and ongoing advocacy for inclusive, resilient workplaces. In 2020, she was named Tasmania Winner of the Excellence in Women’s Leadership Award, and she has shared the stage with leaders such as Jacinda Ardern and Julie Bishop.

Dr. Sherlock’s story reflects the TOPEX theme — resilience, adaptability, and courage in a time of global uncertainty.

From Classrooms to Council Chambers

Dr. Sherlock’s career reflects the power of transformation. She spent 14 years in Japan, teaching across primary, secondary, and university levels, before returning to Australia to lead in higher education. Her roles included Law Lecturer, Head of College for the UTAS International Pathway College, and Education Officer at the Migrant Resource Centre, where she worked at the intersection of education, migration, and community building.

With over 25 years of experience, she has developed expertise in strategic leadership, innovative problem-solving, and fostering inclusive communities. Her work underscores the belief that resilience and adaptability are not just skills but necessities in a world defined by disruption.

A Vision That Resonates with TOPEX 2025

As CEO, Dr. Sherlock is known for promoting courageous leadership and wellbeing in the workplace. She believes that when people feel valued, organisations prosper — and when communities thrive, nations advance.Her vision strongly reflects the theme of TOPEX 2025, “From Challenge to Catalyst; Global and Local Perspectives,” which focuses on turning adversity into opportunity.

With global economies still recovering from COVID-19 losses and the Pacific facing challenges from trade disruptions, labor mobility, and new technologies like artificial intelligence, the need for resilient and innovative leadership has never been greater.

Dr. Sherlock’s journey is proof of that approach — showing that true leadership is not just about weathering storms, but about using them to chart bold new directions.

Why TOPEX 2025 Matters

As economies worldwide grapple with shocks from the pandemic, technology disruption, and shifting labour markets, Fiji’s business community is being called to lead with innovation and inclusivity. TOPEX 2025 will provide a platform for collaboration and solutions that can drive both national progress and regional impact.

Registration

Seats are filling fast and we encourage early registration to avoid disappointment. For more information and registration details, please contact the FCEF Secretariat or visit the link below.