Diversity Speakers

5 Tips to #BreakTheBias when creating your Agenda

For International Women's Day 2022, Leanne Christie, Chief Of Everything O shares five tips to #breakthebias when planning your Agenda for your next event.

5 Tips to #BreakTheBias when planning your next conference

Leanne Christie, Chief Of Everything O shares five tips to #breakthebias when planning your next conference.

Abraham Kuol

Abraham Kuol is a youth leader, PhD candidate in Criminology at Deakin University, and a 2026 Young Australian of the Year. Co-founder of the Black Rhinos sports club and director at Sandown Lions Football Club, he has helped raise over $3.5 million to support African-Australian families and at-risk youth. Abraham inspires genuine social change through sport and mentorship through his keynote speeches.

Amanda Reid

Amanda Reid, a two-time Paralympian and proud Indigenous woman, shares her journey from swimming to cycling, winning a historic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. A record-breaking athlete and mentor, Amanda inspires audiences with her messages of resilience, leadership, and embracing heritage, motivating others to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams with determination.

Australians of the Year 2026: Book Inspiring Keynote Speakers Through Ovations

The 2026 Australians of the Year have just been announced, and what a lineup it truly is. From an astronaut opening pathways for Australia and women in STEM, to an ultra-marathoner running across Australia for change, to doctors transforming rural healthcare, and young leaders reshaping how we support grassroots communities. These are the individuals whose stories, experiences, and drive to change the status quo can inspire your next big audience.

Casey Conway

Casey Conway is one of Australia’s hottest and most unique properties right now. The former NRL Sydney Roosters player is one of Australia’s few, and most successful, Aboriginal male models, having starred in campaigns for Sluggers swimwear, aussieBum apparel and BLK performance apparel.

Consent starts with a conversation

Australia is currently experiencing a time of reckoning with regards to sexual consent. The approaches being taught in schools have failed young people, and the consequences have been allowed to flow through to our workplace and social environments unchecked.

At Ovations we present three speakers who are experts in the field of consent training. Our speakers invoke the much the needed discussions using the latest research on the subject of sexual consent, and provide a catalyst for all organisations in all sectors to make the much needed changes to enable people to understand and get better at sexual consent.

Damien Thomlinson

The story of Damien Thomlinson, an Australian veteran of the war in Afghanistan, is one that continues to evolve and inspire people around the world.

It was while serving in Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment that Damien's life was changed forever. In April 2009, whilst on night patrol in Southern Afghanistan, Damien’s unit drove over an improvised Taliban bomb. Damien suffered horrendous injuries in the explosion, which resulted in both of his legs being amputated. The damage to his body was so severe his medical team claim it is a miracle he wasn’t killed, and there were many times throughout his immediate treatment and beyond that medical staff did not think he would pull through.

Damien’s incredible journey of triumph over adversity, positive attitude and ambition for the future stands as proof that no challenge is too great and that the ANZAC spirit truly is alive and well. His is a story of reinvention, of embracing change and of approaching life with a mindset of positivity.

International Women's Day: Is your event embracing equality?

When selecting a keynote speaker for a corporate event there are a lot of factors to consider. The keynote speaker is selected to make a big impression on the audience and set the tone for the entire event. So, what factors should be considered when it comes to selecting the perfect keynote speaker? And why is diversity one of the most important elements to consider?

J-MILLA

J-MILLA is a proud member of the Marranungu people, who are the traditional landowners of the Litchfield National Park in the NT. Born in Darwin J-MILLA's life started hard from the get-go, yet he managed to find a way to stand outside the intergenerational trauma pathway that affects so many Aboriginal families. Losing himself in music and storytelling got him through and it was this part of his culture that he clung to. When J-MILLA noticed the power of narrative and its influence on those around him; mainly his brothers and sister - J-MILLA’s passion for writing lyrics and telling his own stories began. J-MILLA used this passion as a weapon to maintain a healthy mental state for himself and his siblings. His lyrical content swings between deep societal commentary and bangin’ club vibes.