The audience was kept on the edge of their seats wanting to hear more!

Aisling Smith is an award-winning speaker on Workplace NeuroInclusion and Employee NeuroEmpowerment. Specialising in teaching managers and leaders on how to empower and support their Neurodivergent employees and create NeuroInclusive Workplaces for all. Combining lived experience as a mother of a neurodivergent child and a late-diagnosed woman with Autism and ADHD with her extensive research and expertise in psychological and neuroscience to inspire and empower her audience.

Monika Tu, founder of Black Diamondz Group, has redefined Australia's luxury real estate market by bridging Eastern and Western business practices. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, she is a media personality and philanthropist, actively supporting children's health, the arts, and women's empowerment.

Trisha Greentree, Executive Chef at Sydney's Fratelli Paradiso, emphasizes high-quality ingredients prepared with a distinct Italian flair. Her culinary journey includes roles at Bird Cow Fish, Red Medicine in California, Henne Kirkeby Kro in Denmark, Mr. Wong, and Brae in Victoria. She is known for her produce-driven approach and commitment to sustainability.

Lisa is the author of three books, ?Look Gorgeous Be Happy? (2013) ?Juggling in High Heels? (2016), ?The Lickable Third? (2018). She believes that we all want to be happy, to have energy and to live fully expressed lives - but so few know how. How to have, be and do everything you want while you are alive.

​Gus McLachlan is a retired Major General with a 37-year Australian Army career, culminating in leading 35,000 personnel.Post-military, he transitioned to the private sector, holding senior roles in strategy and business improvement.He now advises defense and technology companies on leadership and innovation, and serves as Chair of the AI and Cyber Futures Institute at Charles Sturt University.

Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre, a political commentator, and former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has worked with the Democrats in Congress and was a senior executive at Fairfax Media. An accomplished author, Bruce delivers expert insights on US politics, global governance, and US-Australia relations.

Dr David Cooke is a renowned public speaker who draws on his 35 years of corporate experience to deliver engaging conference presentations and executive workshops. His real life stories have moved audiences across a diverse range of sectors from ASX corporates, Federal Government, academia, and civil society, including United Nations conferences in New York and Geneva.

Alina Gozin'a is a Cannes Lions-nominated, award-winning interdisciplinary artist specializing in photography, film, and art. A former PwC tax advisor, she transitioned to storytelling through media arts. Her portraits feature global leaders, Oscar winners, and industry icons, appearing in AFR Magazine, Forbes, and Harper's Bazaar. She has executed campaigns for HBO, Universal Music, and Sony. A sought-after keynote speaker, she presents The Art of Seeing at major institutions. Passionate about social impact, she supports Art Start and R U OK

Maz Farrelly has captivated audiences over eight billion times, creating TV juggernauts like The X Factor, Big Brother, and The Celebrity Apprentice. She's worked with global icons from Beyoncé to King Charles, mastering the art of storytelling, influence, and audience engagement. Now, she helps businesses and leaders win attention, elevate customer experience, and lead like rock stars. Drawing on behavioural science, psychology, and entertainment industry secrets, Maz delivers high-energy, unforgettable insights that drive real business results. If you want to make your messaging, leadership, or customer engagement un-ignorable, Maz is the speaker to transform your impact.

Charmaine Keegan-sales influencer, trainer, author, international speaker, and founder of Smarter Selling-is a transformational sales expert with over 30 years' international sales & leadership experience. She redefines modern sales excellence through the powerful intersection of mindset, communication, & strategic commercial savvy. Renowned for her dynamic, catalytic presentations, she empowers leaders and professionals to be collaborative Trusted Advisors - blending proven sales methodologies with neuroscience, NLP, and psychology to boost personal & team performance.

AI is evolving. Nature always has. The real question is-are we? New Paradigm Xperiences is a thought leadership brand founded by urban planner Melissa Neighbour and influence strategist Rebecca Maklad. We work with individuals and organisations ready to move beyond outdated thinking and evolve how they sense, decide and influence in an age where intelligence is no longer just human. At the core is The New IQ: a future-fit framework for embodied presence, heart-based influence, intuition and integrative action, designed to activate the next era of human potential.

The Daily Telegraph cartoonist Warren Brown and Editor-at-Large Matthew Benns are motoring adventurers who drove a 100-year-old car from London to Melbourne. Their epic adventure recreating Francis Birtles original 1927 drive was launched with the well wishes of King Charles III and welcomed home by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Along the way they faced storms, set backs and disasters that have made them masters of adapting to change, rapid decision making, working in a team and crisis management. The key to success - as with any keynote speech and message - humour.

Sarah Pirie-Nally is a force for transformation, blending entrepreneurship, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. As the founder of Evolve X, she has created a dynamic ecosystem supporting families, businesses, and mastermind groups. Her recent Stewardship Expedition to Antarctica showcased her commitment to sustainable change. Whether leading immersive experiences, writing, podcasting, consulting, or planting trees at home, she is dedicated to impact. Passionate about neurodiversity, she holds a Diploma in Neuropsychology, designing inclusive and empowering experiences. With a global outlook and a heart for change, Sarah continues to shape a better world-one epic design at a time.

The 2025 Ignite Innovation Marketing & Sales Speaker Showcase delivered two unforgettable mornings of insight, energy, and game-changing ideas in Sydney and Melbourne. Hosted at the Cliftons venues, the free event attracted a room full of event organisers, marketing professionals, and business leaders, all eager to discover fresh speaker talent and future-focused strategies to elevate their events and influence.

Jon Faine AM is a legendary ABC broadcaster, award-winning author, and former lawyer known for his sharp intellect, fearless interviews, and masterful storytelling. With decades of live radio experience, he’s a sought-after keynote speaker and conference facilitator who brings insight, humour, and gravitas to every stage—cutting through spin and engaging audiences across politics, law, business, and social change.

Carolyn Miller is a marketing strategist, media commentator, and regular panellist on ABC's Gruen. With over 20 years in advertising, she's worked with top brands like Nespresso and Pfizer and is the founder of consultancy The Honeycomb Effect. An engaging speaker and MC, Carolyn combines strategic insight with real-world experience to inspire audiences and drive communication success.

Erin Molan is a prominent Australian media personality with over two decades in television, radio, and print.She made history as the first female co-host of The NRL Footy Show and later hosted her own Sky News program.An advocate for online safety, she championed Australia's Online Safety Act.Erin is also a dedicated charity ambassador and single mother.

Mike Munro AM is a renowned journalist and keynote speaker with over 40 years in Australian media, including roles on 60 Minutes, A Current Affair, and Sunday Night. A Walkley Award-winner and Order of Australia recipient, he delivers powerful keynotes on truth in journalism, resilience, and Australian history-blending personal stories with deep insight and unwavering integrity.

Mike Larkan is a dynamic keynote speaker, MC, and former TEN News weatherman with over 25 years of media experience. Known for his charisma, humour, and quick thinking, he delivers engaging keynotes on communication, confidence, and connection. A trusted face in Melbourne, Mike is also a passionate community ambassador and one of the city's most in-demand event hosts.

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Michael Teoh was once a school bullying victim with a big dream-to inspire others to become their best and make a meaningful impact in the world. Today, he's a globally recognised speaker who has delivered keynotes to thousands across 39 countries, including teams within Fortune 500 companies. His insights on Gen Y engagement, motivation, and leadership have been featured on CNN, BBC, and The Huffington Post.

Maryanne Shearer introduced a new generation to tea when she opened the first T2 store using her product development and visual merchandising skills to create a retail experience Australians hadn't seen before. Competing with a strong coffee culture and facing a market accustomed to supermarket tea bags, Shearer knew it wouldn't be all smooth sailing, but she felt confident the market was ready for a new retail experience in the category ? one that allowed them to smell, touch, taste and learn about teas. She was spot on, and business took off. Now, just 15 years on, Shearer's teas enjoy cult-status amongst connoisseurs and modern drinkers alike, and she's built a booming retail business at a time when many are folding. T2 has 29 stores, employs 300 staff and supplies tea to many leading cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Lindley Edwards is the founder and Managing Director of The VentureBank Ltd, and its subsidiaries, Venture Consulting Group and Helptech Pty Ltd. The VentureBank Group specialises in providing financial and strategic assistance to emerging and growth companies. The work is a combination of investment banking, venture catalyst, commercialisation, advisory and consulting services. All work is premised around the concept of turning Vision into Reality and bringing it into the bottom line performance of the corporation. The group actively assists and works with the enterprise and the entrepreneur/CEO as well as in the commercialisation of technologies.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon is a highly respected financial editor, commentator, presenter and author, as well as a qualified financial adviser and stockbroker. She is the editor of The Australian Financial Review's newsstand magazine, Smart Investor, as well as the editor of Smart Investor's Money on Sunday newspaper liftout (published in The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age). She writes the widely read 'Money matters' column in the latter. Nicole's unique style has made her a sought-after public speaker, addressing investment audiences as far afield as the United States and the United Kingdom. She is also the front-woman, MC or facilitator for many AFR and Smart Investor events and presents much of the group's online video content. Nicole is the author of two books designed to demystify finance and empower people to secure their financial future. Double your wealth and halve your worries -without the mumbo jumbo. Halve your debt and double your freedom - without the mumbo jumbo was the second instalment in Nicole's 'no mumbo jumbo' series. The credit crunch edition of the latter is available now.

Bobbi Brown changed the face of makeup with a handful of lipsticks and a simple philosophy: "Women want to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident. The universally flattering, brown-based lipsticks were a dramatic departure from the cosmetics available at the time, and they ushered in a new era of wearable, natural-looking makeup. Bobbi's unique approach to cosmetics was an instant hit with women who wanted a more natural look and caught the attention of cosmetics empire Estee Lauder Companies, which acquired Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 1995. However, Bobbi's impact extends well beyond the beauty and fashion industries. Bobbi's belief is that all women possess natural beauty, and with the right tools and knowledge, are empowered to be their very best.

Defined by resilience, this natural born leader has had a few bumps on the road but that hasn't stopped her from rising up the ladder of success. Following her mantra 'nothing is impossible', her natural talent of meeting, interacting and establishing strong bonds with people has made her a powerful and unique entrepreneur. With more than 25 years juggling between a huge array of roles - Finance, Marketing and Senior Management, her professional life has been defined by strong and healthy relationships with a wide range of memorable clients including Nestle, Campbell Arnott's, Emirates, Panasonic, Diageo, The Good Guys, Weight Watchers and GlaxoSmithKline. Dedication, true commitment to go above and beyond and exceeding expectations are the main reasons why Kylie still maintains unbreakable bonds with most of the brands she has handled through her solid career. Kylie has found a passion for developing innovative ideas, launching and growing businesses. Kylie was named Finalist in the Telstra Women's Business Awards. Kylie is also on the Board of Directors for Layne Beachley's 'Aim for the Stars Foundation'. Kylie's persona, full of bravery, courage and passion has taken her and the companies she is associated with on an amazing journey - always changing and always evolving.

Maggie MacKellar is a writer and speaker. Her bestselling book, When it Rains, is a memoir chronicling her journey through grief after her husband died tragically while suffering from a mental illness leaving her a single parent of their daughter and pregnant with their son. Shortly afterwards her mother was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and died quickly. When it Rains describes the redemptive process of her journey through grief that began with Maggie's decision to resign from her academic position at the University of Sydney and move to the country. Maggie's writing and speaking has helped many people come to terms with their own losses and she speaks with great hope about overcoming the unexpected in life. She has also published extensively on the histories of the frontiers of Australia & Canada. She is currently living with her two children on a farm on the east coast of Tasmania and writing full time.

Therese Rein graduated from the Australian National University with honours in psychology. She had met Kevin Rudd in their first year in Canberra when both were residents of Burgmann College and members of the Student Christian Movement. They married immediately after completing work for their degrees. After starting a family Therese worked part-time, assisting people who needed retraining after workplace injury. With a colleague she set up a private company to provide these services.Therese Rein's company has grown to a transnational operation with 66 offices in Australia, Britain, France and Germany and was the third-largest provider of services to the Howard government's Job Network agency. Therese Rein was the first businesswoman to be prime ministerial wife. She was also the first to retain her own name.Therese Rein's distinctive contribution to public life was her commitment to reducing the impact of inequity and injustice with practical strategies. She gave active support to disability organisations, homelessness and child abuse initiatives, teenage mental health, the national Indigenous literacy project, and OzHarvest. The Australian Human Rights Commission awarded Therese Rein the Human Rights Medal, a major accolade in the field, for her long-term dedication to human rights, especially the rights of people with disability.

Well known as one of Australia's most exciting and dynamic speakers, Carren captivates her audience with humour, energy and genuine engagement! Having spoken for groups from 20 to 2000, Carren leaves her audience feeling inspired to take action and make positive changes in their life, their business and in their relationships. T

Elise May has a diverse business and creative background. Career roles have included Marketing Manager, Director of Public Relations, Event Producer, Television Producer & Creator. Commencing her television career as a model on 'The Price is Right', Elise went on to create her own television program, 'Australian Success' following a host of presenting and producing roles across Australia. Elise went on to establish her own media consultancy company, managing the ongoing communications and public relations activities for clients including Chadstone the Fashion Capital, Herald Sun Melbourne Career Expo, Olive Fashions, Redken, BIBA Academies and Salons, along with event based contracts with L'Oreal Australia and Northland Shopping Centre. Elise compliments the success of her company by continuing to MC and assist promoting a range of Australian oganisations and events.

Janine Allis is founder of Boost Juice Bars, which has more outlets in more countries than any other juice bar in the world. Janine is amongst Australia's most respected business women, having been presented numerous retail, franchise and business awards. In 2014, business magazine BRW named her one of fifteen people that changed the way Australia does business in the last 35 years. Her vision was to ?do retailing differently?, delivering a unique customer experience based on the ?love life? philosophy. In 2000, the first Boost Juice opened its doors in Adelaide, South Australia. Five years later, Janine and her husband Jeff wanted to expand the Australian business. They knew the solid platform they created for Boost could support new brands because it enabled maximum growth potential. The first acquisition was in 2007, a four-store Mexican food business, Salsa's Fresh Mex Grill, which has grown to 49 stores Australia wide. Boost's holding company, Retail Zoo, acquired CIBO Espresso in December 2012. This Italian espresso bar franchise has 24 stores with expansion plans in place for the west coast of Australia. In 2014, Retail Zoo launched Hatch, chicken concept stores. There are almost 7000 people working across the four businesses under the holding company Retail Zoo of which Janine is executive director. Retail Zoo turned over $230 million in the last 12 months. Based in Melbourne, Janine is a working mother of four. Janine is an advocate for a healthy lifestyle ? she maintains a five-day-a-week yoga practice and she is a very average surfer and tennis player...but loves both. Janine is actively involved in the continued growth of Boost, its international expansion and other special projects such as writing a book The Secrets of My Success and the story of Boost Juice ? Juicy Bits and All (2013).

Karen was Twitter Australia's first Managing Director before stepping down in November 2016.  Karen was responsible for local operations including its advertising business and operations. Twitter Australia experienced strong growth under Karen's leadership. Australia is part of the fastest growing region in the world for Twitter, which has more than three-quarters of its users outside the United States.

 

Karen was the 2014 Patron for Go Girl, an initiative to encourage more young women to consider study business/IT or IT at a tertiary level, and to appreciate the opportunities a career in IT can bring. She was an Ambassador for the World Netball Cup in 2015 and now sits on the Board of Netball Australia.

 

Karen was recently named one of the Most Influential Women in Australian Media by B&T magazine.  

 

Prior to joining Twitter, Karen had a distinguished six year career at Google. In her most recent role she was the Managing Director, Mobile and Social Solutions, responsible for sales strategy and commercialisation for Google's Mobile and Social Advertising products across Asia Pacific.

 

Before joining Google, Karen worked at Vodafone for 12 years, most recently as General Manager for Service Strategy.

 

Karen holds bachelor's in Financial Administration, an MBA and is a member of CPA Australia with a passion of bringing new technologies to enhance the customer experience.

Karen loves competitive Netball and getting outdoors. When she's not online, she's walking on the beach or playing taxi to her family.

ANZ Banking Group has hired the head of Google's Australian operations, Maile Carnegie, to help it catch up to rivals in the multibillion-dollar technology arms race between banks.

In a surprise move, Ms Carnegie, who has been the managing director of Google in Australia since 2013, was appointed to the newly created position of group executive for digital banking.

Ms Carnegie's decision to leave one of the world's most prominent and successful companies is a sign that Australian banks are throwing more resources at technology as customers embrace online banking and technology-based rivals eye the industry's high profits.

 

She will have responsibility for digital projects, innovation, and "strategic relationships" with the nascent "fintech" sector that is seeking to challenge the power of the big four banks. 

Ms Carnegie's position is one of the most senior roles in the bank, reporting to ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott.

 

Pip is deeply committed to ensuring Microsoft meets the needs of its Australian customers, whether they are consumers, small-and-medium businesses, large enterprises or government agencies. Pip is also passionate about the 14,000 local partners and independent software vendors that sell or build on the Microsoft platform. Beginning her career with Microsoft in the Australian Partner team in 1996, Pip then moved to Microsoft's head offices in Seattle, USA, for eight years where she held a succession of senior roles including General Manager for US Channel Sales. Returning to Microsoft Australia, Pip held the joint role of Enterprise and Partner Group Director and Public Sector Director before her appointment as Managing Director. Pip enjoys working in a vibrant team environment and her proudest achievements are those that have come from collaborating with others. Pip was born, raised and educated in Palmerston North, New Zealand. She currently lives in Sydney with her Scottish husband and two daughters, Sophie & Lucy.

BIO: NICOLE VELIK, ? LEADING CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION EXPERT DIRECTOR/FOUNDER THE IDEAS BODEGA Nicole Velik is a creativity and innovation facilitator, trainer and consultant. She is the founder of an innovation company, The Ideas Bodega. Nicole believes we are all creative and with simple and practical tools and techniques she gets her audiences to experience light bulb moments where they too see how creative they really are. Nicole has facilitated and trained organizations across The United States, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia. Her clients include The United Nations, Nike, BBDO, TBWA, Coca-Cola, Caltex, Pepsi, JWT, One Green Bean, Edelman PR, eBay, Havas Worldwide, STW Group, Ogilvy PR, Hill + Knowlton, Foxtel, Seven Network, BBC and Google Nicole spent four years working in New York City where she helped her clients keep a competitive edge by thinking creatively and creating cultures where innovation would flourish. She returned to New York to work with her dream client, The United Nations. Her task was to arm them with creative thinking skills and generate big ideas for a UN global initiative, World Humanitarian Day. Nicole is a regular speaker on creativity and innovation and has educated, entertained and inspired audiences at global conferences such as Ad:Tech, Promax BDA, Creative Innovation 2015, CREA and Emergence Creative. A recognised thought leader on creativity and innovation, Nicole is regularly interviewed and has been part of round table discussions for the Australian Financial Review, The ABC, CMO Magazine and the Collective Magazine. Nicole's background is in advertising, as a Brand Strategist and spent most of her time working at two very creative agencies, Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners in New York City and Saatchi & Saatchi, Sydney. She has been trained in Idea Generation and Creative Problem Solving by the Creative Education Foundation (New York) and been a speaker and presenter at CREA, the European Creativity Association. She also holds a Communications Degree from Charles Sturt University and a certificate in Organizational Development from New York University. When she's not overhauling brands and nurturing ideas, Nicole can be found pursuing her other passion, music. Her song ?Tonight? was used on a national Channel Ten promo for the American TV drama, Medium.

Founder and CEO at Table of Plenty, Conscious Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Mentor, Marketing Strategist.

What Kate Weiss has developed with Table of Plenty is a food company that makes nourishing yourself easy, through food, education and inspiration. Table of Plenty and Kate's mission is to see each and every one of us find a state of wellbeing, so we can live and contribute our best to life.

For Kate, it starts with eating nourishing food, counting your blessings, finding what you are passionate about and working for something greater than yourself. This is true for the business she has created which makes food you can trust and also contributes hundreds of hours of meaningful employment for people with disabilities here in Australia. Kate is a business woman of influence and a winner of the National Telstra Businesswoman of the Year.

Cherie Blair, noted British attorney, human rights advocate, and the wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair, is a trailblazer in her professional life and a dedicated wife and mother in her private life. The New York Times wrote: "Cherie Blair is viewed as something of a wonder woman for her ability to balance her high-powered professional life, high-visibility public life and intensely consuming private life." Her husband, Prime Minister Tony Blair, has given his wife credit for being "...an enormous source of strength and an extraordinary person in her own right. I never know how she manages with all the different things she does- the work, the family."

Elena Salgado was the first woman in charge of the Spanish Finance Ministry. She's one of the most experienced European economists and has held positions of high responsibility in politics, economy and other sectors. She served as Second Vice President, Minister of Economy and Finance and Vice President of Economic Affairs. Elena Salgado's public civil service role could be resumed in three main areas: Health, Public Administration and Economy. During her tenure as Minister of Health, Salgado launched laws such as the Anti-Smoking Law; the Biomedical Research Law and the Law on Assisted Human Reproduction Techniques. She focused on prevention and on creating a sustainable model for the public health system. Se also was appointed as President of the 58th World Health Assembly, becoming the first Spanish Minister of Health in the post in times of great responsibility, having dealt with the avian influenza pandemic threat. Her firm and decisive economic measures managed to lay the groundwork for Spain's economic recovery in the midst of adversity.

Melissa Norfolk created her internet marketing agency to provides keynote presentations and workshops on effective use of the Internet as well as search engine and email marketing advice. Now employing a small team of staff, the business has grown rapidly over the last four years and has celebrated 10 years in business. Melissa speaks on Web design specialising in search engine friendly Web sites and marketing savvy email newsletters that connect businesses with customers online. A member of NSAA, APESMA and BNI, Melissa speaks to business, school and community groups about effective use of the Internet, finding what you need online, Internet safety and online marketing. Her monthly workshops on Search Engine Optimisation, Email Marketing and Pay Per Click Advertising, educate both clients and members of the general public about how best to market their business on the Internet. Melissa regularly contributes to both offline and online publications including Parenting Ideas, Flying Solo, Womens Network Australia, Netpreneur and CEO Online. Her audio CD 'How to Turn Your Website into a Lead Generating Profit Machine' also aims to help small to medium sized business owners maximise their use of the Internet as a business marketing tool.

Di's Antarctic experience began in the 1980's. As the first woman appointed to lead an overwintering team she is regarded as one of Antarctica's pioneering women. Di has provided expert commentary on Antarctic sightseeing flights for over ten years and with a passion for polar history she now provides to corporate clients a special insight to the heroic age of Antarctic exploration by intertwining her own experiences of both the challenges of the polar environment and the realities of working and living in a small and isolated Antarctic community.

Holly Stiel is a trailblazing service philosopher who innovated a method of training based on her 17 years as a world-class concierge. Her clients include: Disney, Nordstrom, AVEDA, American Express, Visa Signature card, Hilton and Hyatt hotels. Stiel's 30 years of service experience have been parlayed into four books and three award-winning instructional DVDs. She custom designs corporate training programs and delivers inspirational talks and training classes.

Dixie was the first Australian woman sports reporter on TV to cover all major sporting events including AFL, the Seoul Olympics, international golf, tennis and basketball. Dixie also hosted Sportsworld with Bruce McAvaney. Dixie is widely regarded as one of Perth's best journalists as evidenced by her invitations to write a weekly column for The Australian newspaper and her regular weekly spot on 6PR's breakfast program. Dixie is an outstanding MC and has hosted many prestigious corporate functions and seminars, bringing a high standard of professionalism to the corporate arena. She has a wonderful sense of humour which she injects into her presentations.

Anna is a specialist in workplace relations and is highly skilled in facilitation, training, collective decision-making and consensus-building, and managing change in the workplace. She is an accredited mediator, Executive Director of CoSolve, a niche firm that specialises in dispute prevention and resolution, Non-Executive Director of Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd. and subsidiaries Members Equity Bank and Industry Funds Management and Non-Executive Chair of the law firm Slater & Gordon. In 1987 Anna became the first female National Secretary of the Clothing and Allied Trades Union of Australia and, upon amalgamation, the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia. She has been a vice president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and a member of the boards of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Centre for Policy Development, NRMA and Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG). Anna has spent her entire career in and around workplaces in the manufacturing, hospitality, retail and financial services industries. She is passionate about the development of people, particularly the development of what she calls the "competencies of co-operation".

SAMANTHA WILLS, Creative Director At only 21 years of age, Samantha Wills founded her own self titled accessories (jewellery) company. An instant hit with media and customers alike, Wills quickly gained a high profile in the media spotlight as one of Australia's most dynamic designers. Having her jewellery featured in Sex and The City, thrust Wills onto the International stage, and she was shortly after declared a 'Break Out Star' by the New York Times. Wills? online voice is natural & down to earth, whilst her imagery and jetsetting lifestyle are glamorous. This unique mix of aspiration and approachability in her down to earth voice has become bankable property, with brands such as American Express, SK- II & Mount Franklin engaging Samantha to work on projects with complete creative freedom. Most recently, iconic Australian sparkling wine brand Yellowglen appointed Wills as Creative Director, where she will be responsible for infusing her signature style across the brand's portfolio.

Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush. Rice was the first African-American woman secretary of state, as well as the second African American. Rice was President Bush's National Security Advisor during his first term, making her the first woman to serve in that position. Before joining the Bush administration, she was a professor of political science at Stanford University where she served as Provost from 1993 to 1999. Rice also served on the National Security Council as the Soviet and East European Affairs Advisor to President George H.W. Bush during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and German reunification.

The Mecca Cosmetics retail business was founded in 1997, but since then it's come a long way. With dozens of stores across Australia in a few different ranges, Jo Horgan has managed to take the business from its ?humble beginnings? to one of the country's leading prestige cosmetics labels. Horgan started the business in her twenties after working for L?Oreal. The company has kept a focus on maintaining each location like a department store ? Horgan believes the boutique style and customer service helps foster a sense of individuality.