How to Build a High-Performance Culture Through Employee Engagement

Bruce Harkness was appointed Vice President of Human Resources of Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific in 2013. In his current role, he leads a team of over 500 dedicated HR, brand, PR, communications, customer experience and hospitality professionals across nine countries. His leadership spans the company’s portfolio of close to 70 Asia Pacific resorts and two vacation clubs with over 71,000 members. From Wyndham’s Gold Coast Headquarters, Mr Harkness oversees the recruitment, training and development of thousands of tourism and hospitality professionals for Wyndham’s Asia Pacific resort network, in addition to its corporate roles. Mr Harkness is based at the company’s Australian head office in Bundall on the Gold Coast. He serves on the Hotel & Tourism Management Industry Advisory Board at Bond University and oversees internship programs through the Bond University Career Development Centre. Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific is a division of Travel + Leisure Co. TNL (NYSE), the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, with a portfolio of nearly 20 resort, travel club, and lifestyle travel brands. Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific markets and sells vacation ownership interests, and the company’s management subsidiaries oversee a collection of resorts and hotels across the Asia Pacific region. During his extensive career, Bruce has worked for a number of large hospitality companies in Australia and abroad as a key member and advisor to leadership teams and CEOs, providing the tools to achieve KPIs and financial results. Prior to his role with Wyndham, Bruce was employed with Toga Hotel, Movenpick Hotels, Kempinski and the Rezidor Group, where he developed and implemented HR strategy and solutions. Bruce holds degrees in management, executive coaching and mentoring.

Alicia is an advocate for people and planetary health. Formerly a Gallup client, now their Business Solutions Consultant, she brings their mission to life by leveraging their behavioural economics, analytics and education to help leaders solve their most pressing problems by developing a deeper understanding of the attitudes and behaviours of employees and citizens. With 20 years of experience working internationally and in Australia for companies such as Estee Lauder, Marriott International, EVT, enviro impact-led start-ups and is a business owner of two F45 Training Studios, she knows how to light up an entire workforce to thrive, by first guiding leaders to measure what their employees need to perform their best and then deliver action plans that grows engagement. Alicia holds a Marketing Masters from The University of Sydney, an International Relations Degree Honours from The University of California, Irvine and Cert IV in Environmental Management & Sustainability. Her strengths are achiever, learner, arranger, focus and relator. With this, she cuts through complex jargon providing practical steps to leaders that develop their people and drives meaningful impact in the world.

Allan Watkinson is based in Gallup’s office in Sydney, Australia. As an expert in organisational development, talent management and leadership, Allan brings a wealth of corporate management and consulting knowledge and experience to Gallup clients. Allan consults with senior business leaders across Asia Pacific to improve employee performance by increasing engagement, leveraging the strengths of individuals and teams, improving employee selection and succession planning, and developing leaders. Allan is a sought-after speaker on people and performance and is often interviewed by prominent business publications and radio and television stations. Allan regularly conducts senior executive coaching engagements to improve leadership performance.