Robyn Collard is a Whadjuk Ballardong Yorga Elder. Robyn comes with a wealth of knowledge from previous roles within the Government and Catholic education systems as a Principal, Team Leader and Education Consultant and she continues in her role of storyteller and educator.

Minister for Education; Early Childhood; Preventative Health; Wheatbelt

Sabine was first elected to Parliament in 2017, as the Member for

Wanneroo. During the 40th Parliament, she was a member of the Education and Health Standing Committee and served as Acting Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Sabine was re-elected in 2021 and appointed as the Parliamentary

Secretary to the Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Public Sector

Management; Federal-State Relations. As part of this role, she was the

Chair of the Steering Committee for the Aboriginal Cultural Centre project.

In December 2021, she was additionally made the Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Minister for State Development; Jobs and Trade; Tourism; Science; Commerce.

In December 2022, Sabine was elevated to Cabinet as the Minister for Early Childhood Education; Child Protection; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services.

Prior to entering politics, Sabine was a teacher for 27 years and taught in

various locations across Western Australia including Fitzroy Crossing and

the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. More recently, Sabine held the position of

Primary Extension and Challenge Coordinator (PEAC) with the Department of Education from 2005-2017, where she also achieved the status of Level 3 classroom teacher.

Sabine attended Wanneroo High School and remains a long-time Wanneroo local, where she raised her three daughters.

Dan Gregory helps leaders and teams explore critical trends in search of opportunities, to identify the meaning behind the data and turn information into actionable strategies. In short, he helps you READ and LEAD human behavior.

Rated in “the top 25 C-Suite Speakers to watch” by Meetings & Conventions USA, Dan Gregory is a captivating speaker whose business acumen is matched by a rapier wit and rare human insight gained during three years on the road working on the US and UK stand-up comedy circuits – skills put to great use in front of millions of viewers as a regular on ABC TV’s “Gruen Planet” and Channel 7’s “Masters of Spin”.

He is also the co-author of: SHIFT - The trends shaping how we shift products, people and perceptions, Selfish Scared & Stupid - A guide to harnessing human nature & Forever Skills - The 12 skills to future proof yourself, your team and your kids.

He has created leadership strategies for global technology firms, designed performance strategies for sales teams and C-Suite executives and driven engagement strategies for organisations as diverse as Coca-Cola, Unilever, the Royal Australian Navy and the UN/UN Women in Asia.

Ultimately, Dan is in the business of helping smart people become people smart!

Michelle is co-founder and Director of People of Influence.She spends most of her time with executive teams and senior leaders, helping them to elevate their leadership impact. She works across a diverse array of industries from the likes of PepsiCo, Wesfarmers and CBA to government and educational institutions. Michelle (GAICD) also works with boards on organisational strategy and team development.

With over 20 years of experience with tens of thousands of leaders, Michelle is a nationally recognised and award-winning educational leader and has used this expertise to co-design all of People of Influence’s programs and leadership diagnostics. 

Michelle is known for the energy and practicality that she brings to all client engagements, whether it be presentingthe opening keynote to 1,300 leaders, facilitating an executive team offsiteor designing and delivering a 9-month senior leadership program. 

Outside of work, she is a wife, a mother, a runner (sometimes), a singer (sometimes) and Beyonce fan (always). 

You can follow Michelle on LinkedIn Connect on Linkedin the People of Influence Youtube Channel , or subscribe to , where she shares insights and inspiration on leadership and high-performing teams.

Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres

Strait Islander man. He lives on Larrakia land in Darwin and is the

Assistant National Secretary of the MUA.

Thomas has more than twenty years of experience in leadership and

advocacy, including the development of the Uluru Statement from the

Heart in May 2017. He is a signatory to the Uluru Statement and has

been a leading campaigner for its proposals for a Voice to Parliament

and a Makarrata Commission.

Thomas has been a National Councillor for the Maritime Union of

Australia since 2013 and was a board director at Australians for

Indigenous Constitutional Recognition between 2019 to late 2024. He

has been on the board of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation since

January 2024 and was previously on the Indigenous Advisory Board

for the Diversity Council Of Australia. He is currently also on the

steering group for the First Nations Clean Energy Network, influencing

clean energy policy and supporting First Nations peoples and their

communities in policy development, energy access and negotiations.

Thomas is the author of seven books published by Hardie Grant and

has many articles and essays published across the major media

providers.

In 2024, Thomas published two new books; a children’s book about the

Torres Strait Islands flag by Magabala Books, and a book about how

the campaign for justice and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples continues after the referendum was lost in 2023.

Thomas was inspired to write his first book: Finding the Heart of the

Nation – the Journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and

Truth, after being entrusted to carry the sacred Uluru Statement from

the Heart canvas to Australians from all walks of life, soon after its

creation in the heart of the country in 2017. This best-selling book is

now in a paperback second-edition.

He traveled throughout the nation for eighteen months with the Uluru

Statement, taking it to the smallest of communities to large city

gatherings, playing a key role in building the peoples movement for a

constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to what it is today. His

first children's book: Finding Our Heart, is a children's book about the

Uluru Statement. It has enjoyed success because of its contemporary

art and powerful truth telling with a uniquely clear call to action.

Thomas’ other recent works are a children’s book about the Gurindji

Wave Hill Walk Off, Freedom Day – Vincent Lingiari and the story of

the Wave Hill Walk-off, co-authored with Lingiari’s granddaughter,

Rosie Smiler; and Dear Son – Letters and reflections from First Nations

fathers and sons.
In Dear Son, Thomas invites twelve other First Nations men to join him,

writing about life, love, masculinity and racism. Thomas writes that

Dear Son is a celebration of First Nations men – an act of defiance

against everything they were taught about themselves, and the

stereotype taught to all Australians.

With respected journalist and author, Kerry O’Brien, Thomas published

The Voice to Parliament Handbook that was published by Hardie Grant

in May 2023. The book made a significant impact, selling more than

100,000 units in around 6 months, topping the charts for 2023 across

many bookstores and online booksellers. In 2024c, the Voice to

Parliament Handbook won Social Impact Book of the Year, Non-Fiction

Book of the Year, and Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry

Awards.

Thomas continues to passionately advocate for workers rights and for

justice and recognition for First Nations People.

Now entering his fourth year at the helm of WAPPA, Niel Smith continues to provide steadfast leadership that amplifies the voice of primary school leaders across Western Australia. During his tenure, WAPPA has remained the professional Association of choice for principals, deputy principals, and aspiring school leaders, upholding its reputation as a trusted and influential authority in public education.

Under Niel's guidance, WAPPA has advanced a compelling Strategic Plan (2025–2027), titled All Leaders – All Levels. This plan builds upon previous initiatives emphasizing support and advocacy, while placing greater focus on fostering best practices and peer learning through newly launched Professional Communities. Niel has also spearheaded efforts in high-profile advocacy, supporting primary leaders on critical issues such as equitable infrastructure funding, primary-specific resource allocation, wrap-around support services for students with complex needs, and continued backing for the Principal Chaplaincy Program as evident in WAPPA’s active engagement with election commitments and policy conversations.

Beyond advocacy, Niel has overseen a strengthened emphasis on professional learning and connection. WAPPA continues to deliver rich offerings, including collaborative half-day workshops in partnership with the Standards and Integrity Directorate, leadership-transition programs like “Making the Leap,” and the introduction of a dedicated Remote Leaders community to meet the unique challenges of geographically isolated school leadership. 

Throughout his presidency, Niel Smith has upheld WAPPA’s core values of support, advocacy, leadership, connection, inclusivity, excellence, integrity and empathy, ensuring the association remains responsive, transparent and committed to member well being and professional growth.

Dr Marny Lishman is a Health & Community Psychologist, Mindset Coach, Author, Keynote Speaker and Media Commentator. A nurturer at heart, Marny brings with her the valuable knowledge and experience of the vastness of the human condition and brings it to her powerful learning and development experiences where she entwines the philosophy and practicalities of positive psychology as well as her passion for prevention into a wide array of settings. Marny arms her audiences with the psychological tools to increase their own psychological capability, adaptability and flexibility to fit with todays fast-moving and uncertain world.

Marny has a vast amount of experience working in a variety of roles over the last two decades, from private practice, designing and implementing government health prevention programs, to training professionals in cutting edge evidence-based programs in the health industry. She has also worked at a number of Australian Universities as a sessional academic delivering a variety of psychology courses. She is also the author of “Burnout to Brilliant”, “A Beautiful Mess” and “Crisis to Contentment” and appears regularly on Today Extra and Sunrise talking all things mental health and wellbeing.

Mark McCrindle is a social researcher, best-selling author, influential thought leader and TEDx speaker. He is recognized globally as coining the name for the emerging generation, Generation Alpha. Mark’s advisory, communications and research company, McCrindle, count among its clients more than 100 of the nation’s largest companies and leading international brands.

Mark’s highly valued social commentary is presented through his engaging keynotes, research, reports, info graphics, videos and media input. He is a trusted advisor and sits on the board of a number of different organisations, after having developed his regard as an expert demographer, futurist and social commentator.

Mark McCrindle, BSc (Psychology), MA, is the author of five books on emerging trends and social change. Generation Alpha, Work Wellbeing: Leading Thriving Teams in Rapidly Changing Times, The ABC of XYZ: Understanding the Global Generations, Word Up: A Lexicon and Guide to Communication in the 21st Century and The Power of Good.

Andrew Whitehouse is the Deputy Director (Research) of The Kids Research Institute Australia. He is also the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research, the Director of at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and the Research Strategy Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC). Prior to coming to The Kids Research Institute Australia, Andrew was a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford.  

At The Kids Research Institute Australia, he leads a network of clinical centres (called CliniKids) for children with neurodevelopmental differences that embeds clinical trials within everyday community practice. Andrew has published over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles and attracted over $80 million in competitive research grants. He currently presents an internationally syndicated video series called "60 Second Science”, which has had over 2 million views. He is an advisor to State and Commonwealth Governments on policies relating to children with Autism Spectrum Conditions. He chaired the committee that generated Australia’s first national guideline for autism diagnosis, and co-chaired the committee that developed Australia’s first national guideline for early therapies and supports for autistic children. 

Andrew has published one edited book with his twin-brother (Ben), and a popular science book that examined the science behind some of the myths of pregnancy and child development (Will Mozart Make My Baby Smart?). He has also been awarded a Eureka Prize for his research, and is the youngest person ever elected to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. In 2023, he was a Western Australian of the Year award winner. 

Kristen Douglas has worked for three decades with organisations, executives and teams across education, health, mental health, suicide, large scale incident response, and natural disasters.

Kristen currently heads up a large multidisciplinary national team with head space and presents nationwide on school improvement, mental health, workforce well being and resilience, and other key topics.

Jay Peckitt was appointed as Director General in 2024, moving to the role from his position as Deputy Director General, Education Business Services. Jay has worked for Western Australia’s public sector for more than 20 years. He has held senior positions across several departments including child protection, finance and communities, as well as education. Jay holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and is a Fellow of CPA Australia. In 2018 the Western Australian Institute of Public Administration Australia named him Chief Financial Officer of the Year and Young Leader of the Year.

James Castrission is a famous Australian Explorer constantly pushing the boundaries of human endurance.

Most recently, on the 26th January 2012, he made history by completing the longest unsupported polar expedition of all time, alongside his best mate, Jonesy. In 100 years of polar exploration no-one had EVER walked from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back without assistance. Mahy had tried, none had succeeded. After 89 grueling days they made it back to the coast after having skied 2275km with everything they needed to survive in the harshest environment on Earth.

Four years earlier they Crossed the Ditch – paddling 3318km without assistance across the Tasman Sea for another world first. They braved 10 metre swells, howling winds, endured severe food and sleep deprivation and adverse winds and currents. They became the first kayakers to cross the Tasman Sea as well as becoming the longest transoceanic double kayak expedition. Staggering upon the shores of New Zealand, the adventures were sunburnt, bearded, underweight, and physically and mentally wasted… but most of all happy to be alive.

In 2013, he founded MyAdventure Group – business commited to providing Australia’s premier corporate Adventure-based development programs. Harnessing lessons learnt from the most hostile environments on earth, his corporate programs are designed to develop teams and drive competitive advantage in organisations.

He holds 2 Guinness World Records for his accomplishments and is highly regarded as one of Australia’s premier public speakers. He has written 2 bestselling books: Crossing the Ditch and Extreme South.

Dr Carrington was the Australian Institute of Management Business Leader of the year in 2016 and a finalist in the Qld Philanthropist of the Year 2016, 2018 and 2019. He was the Harvard Club of Australia Fellow for 2013. In June 2018 last he was one of only 22 Business Leaders selected from around the world to attend the London School of Business International Leaders Program in London. He has worked in schools across the globe. 

Neil recently stepped down after 10 years as the CEO of a national charity ‘ACT For Kids,’ an organisation dedicated to supporting abused and neglected children. He most recently was the Director of the Leadership Centre for the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Dr Carrington was the Foundation Director of Learning and Organizational Development for Mater Health Services in Brisbane Australia (a group of seven hospitals). Dr Carrington spent over 3 years as Queensland University of Technology’s Director of Teaching and Learning with university wide responsibility for teaching quality, staff development and online learning services for over 40 000 students. Dr Carrington has held educational academic and leadership positions at a number of universities including, the University of New England and the University of Western Sydney.   

He has presented at over 1800 conferences throughout Australia, the UK, Middle East, USA, NZ and across Asia. His featured presentation in the business strand of the ‘World Conference on Thinking’ in Malaysia sold out. He was invited to work with the New Zealand Elite Coaching Academy and the coach of the All Blacks commented Neil’s leadership workshop was the best he had ever attended. His PhD into perceptions of intelligence was judged one of the largest and most rigorous studies of its type ever undertaken in Australia.

Masterful storyteller, inspiring changemaker… Julie is one of the most inspiring keynote speakers in Australia. She recently received the “Keynote Speaker of the Year’ Award from ‘Professional Speakers Australia’. She is a masterful storyteller and inspiring change maker, combining powerful insights into human behavior with practical strategies that leaves audiences with powerful tools for living their best life, reconnecting to their resilience, lifting their energetic frequency, and setting a higher standard in all aspects of their existence. Julie connects the information in our heads with the inspiration in our hearts. 

Julie is an adventure seeker, an author, a mother and one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers thanks to her unique style and commitment to empowering her audiences. Her speaking business growth over 25 years is due to referrals, an indication of her huge impact on her audience. And while her business grew her personal life has offered many immense challenges and opportunities for growth. It is this ‘real life’ experience that forms a foundation of an authentic and relatable message – one that only Julie could deliver. 

If you are looking for a long list of her academic qualifications then you will have trouble finding them… but you see, that is what makes Julie so inspiring and relatable. Her success comes from a foundation of applying disciplined self-leadership, focused self-belief, inspiring resilience and proven business skills and strategies. She truly has excelled in the university of real life. If you want your delegates to feel inspired, energized and entertained with an energy and practical strategies that can immediately make a difference both personally and professionally, then Julie Cross can add great value to your event. 

Julie customizes content to the events theme and outcomes, her genre of speaking is inspirational and motivational with themes around self-leadership, personal energy and mood management, resilience and emotional and mental well being.