Balveen is an experienced senior leader and advocate for women and children, with a diverse background spanning international corporate law and over a decade in the not-for-profit sector. 

The founder of Community Capital, she has held senior strategy and board roles across major organisations, including Queensland Treasury Corporation, GoodWolf Partners, and Endometriosis Australia. 

Now stepping into the role of CEO at WHEQ, Balveen is dedicated to advancing high-quality, uninterrupted services for Queensland women and their families, noting that "there has never been a more important time to advocate for women and their families." 

Mary-Anne has been a small business operator since the 80s and has decades of experience as an entrepreneur. 

Joining the global SheEO community (now Coralus) in 2018 as an Activator and discovering the persistent obstacles women face in accessing capital to grow their enterprises, rather than sitting complaining about the finance industry, she decided to dive in and do something about it.  

She started Amali Capital - an experimental finance company working with women in the Coralus community. It is intended to be supportive, catalytic, non-dilutive, non-extractive, low documentation and flexible, to work with the capital requirements of founders and their enterprises, in partnerships towards systems shifts. 

Suzanne Bosanquet is an award-winning architect, community leader, entrepreneur, business owner and active citizen with over 25 years of local and international experience across a diverse and broad portfolio of award-winning projects. Her work has taken her to Europe, Asia, UK and America. and her work has been widely published and awarded, both locally and internationally.  Beyond design advisory and expert opinion consultancy, Suzanne recent practice has been focused on community and residential projects. 

Suzanne is a passionate community capacity builder who makes positive change to the world, it’s people and planet, by realising and creating shared value through innovative strategies, sustainable partnerships that create enduring legacies with social, economic and cultural outcomes delivered through architecture, art and entrepreneurialism. She represents the Asia Pacific Region, on the International Union of Architects, within the Architecture and Children Work Programme, focusing on delivering humane, sustainable and culturally appropriate and respectful enduring legacies for the world, through built environment education and active citizenship.

Ellen never set out to do comedy.  She was writing a book and joined a comedy course to sharpen up her writing, did a 5 minute comedy set at the end of it and got hooked.  Shortly after that first step onto stage, she was a finalist in the prestigious RAW Comedy competition and won a National Foxtel competition that was voted on by peers and managers in the industry.  She has never looked back. 

Ellen is funny.  Surprisingly funny.  And warm.  When Ellen walks on stage, people listen.  So much of comedy is about making a connection with the audience and she does that the minute she walks out.  Audiences fall in love with her which gives her the ability to lead them into places other comedians can’t.  Comedy comes naturally to her and relating to her comes instantly to audiences. 

When Quentin Bryce was sworn in as Australia’s first female governor-general in 2008, she made history. It was one of many firsts in a trailblazing career dedicated to reform and serving community.

Her early childhood in a western Queensland bush town shaped her sense of self and her destiny. Young Quentin dreamed of changing the world and then set out to do it. She was the first from her school to go to university and among the first women admitted to the Queensland Bar. In revolutionary times her advocacy for human rights – especially for women, children and First Nations Australians – underpinned her every role, which included teaching in the male-dominated university law faculty, federal sex discrimination commissioner, CEO of the National Childcare Accreditation Council, principal of Sydney’s Women’s College, governor of Queensland and Australia’s governor-general.

Mother of five and grandmother to twelve, it is her partnership with soulmate Michael Bryce and the love of family, enduring friendships and belief in community that have sustained her. Her passion for the arts and elemental connection to Australia’s ancient landscape feed her soul.

Ellen Buttrose is drawn to architecture and city shaping that reflects the diverse cultures, climates, and communities to which they belong—expressed through policy, strategy, and built form outcomes. In 2024 Ellen was appointed Cairns first City Architect, which brings a strategic design lens to the city’s future by bridging policy with on ground outcomes.

She draws on experience in private practice across regional and remote communities in Queensland, as well as in the cities of Adelaide and Melbourne with institutional, civic and cultural projects.

Christine Castley OAM is a values-driven leader whose career spans government and the for-purpose sector, grounded in a deep commitment to inclusion, equity and belonging. Christine is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). Prior to this she was Chair of the Australian Multicultural Council and CEO of Multicultural Australia.She previously spent 25 years in the Queensland Government, including as Deputy Director-General in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Housing andPublic Works, where she led major reform across housing and social policy.

Christine also serves on the Boards of the Residential Tenancies Authority, the Queensland Theatre Company,DV Connectand the Queensland Community Foundation.She is known for working at the intersection of people, policy and purpose, bringing together community voice, data and practical delivery to deliver social good, particularly for those in our community experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.

Tarang is an award-winning keynote speaker, writer and advocate. He also serves as Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, where he works to bring the voices and lived experiences of culturally diverse people to policymakers. He is also the co-founder of Not One More Niki, a grassroots non-profit working to end men’s violence against women.

Libby Cook-Black is a proud Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islander) woman with Irish heritage and kinship connections to the Butchulla people. She is passionate about creating opportunities where women and girls can lead, belong and thrive.

A former Jillaroo, Queensland Maroon, Indigenous All Star and Queensland Reds Rugby Sevens representative, Libby has dedicated her life to leadership through sport, community and business. She is also a graduate of the Indigenous Marathon Project and an alumna of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, experiences that reflect a lifetime of investment by both her own communities and non-Indigenous Australia.

Today, Libby is the Founder of The Female Co, Female First, Co-Founder of Southern Cape Farm, a player agent, speaker and advocate for women of colour, working at the intersection of leadership, sport, economic empowerment and First Nations knowledge.

Recognised as the 2024 Cairns Woman of the Year (Highly Commended) and an AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Queensland finalist, Libby is known for challenging traditional leadership models and creating spaces where women can have honest conversations about identity, visibility, confidence and influence. Her work is grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of Knowing, Being and Doing, bringing together culture, evidence and lived experience to inspire meaningful change. 

Dr Rana Dadpour is a Research Fellow at The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, where she investigates how people and communities respond to risk, uncertainty and socio-environmental change. Her work uses surveys, interviews and participatory mapping to connect community experience with policy and practical action.

As a migrant herself, Rana brings both scholarly and lived insight to her work with migrants, regional communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has published in leading international journals, and her research is grounded in ethical engagement, clear communication and a commitment to producing knowledge that supports more responsive institutions and communities.

Rana is also the founding director of AUSIRAN, an advocacy group for the Australian Iranian diaspora focusing on human rights and democracy. Her work has been recognised with the Jerzy Zubrzycki Award for Social Impact and a Planning Institute of Australia Commendation. 

Susan Davies is a housing activist and President of not-for-profit housing developer Sharing with Friends Foundation - working toward a solution to the problem of older women’s housing for the past seven years. Sharing with Friends’ has created an elegant model called Seniors Co-housing where a woman gets affordability, lifetime security, and friendship in a unique five-person housing development.

Susan’s background is journalism, communications, and business. She joined Zonta International in 1978 fighting to make women’s rights human rights. It helped her realise that the current state of housing for older women in Australia was a systemic - not an individual - failure.

Kirsty Davis grew up on Gimuy country (Cairns). She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership and has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing community-led reform, capability building and empowerment across Cape York.

Kirsty has held senior leadership roles with the Cape York Land Council and Puuya Foundation, Lockhart River and brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, partnership development and organisational growth and is passionate about families and communities taking responsibility for the next generation.

She currently serves on the boards of the Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Boarding College, Puuya Foundation, Girls from Oz Australia and the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.

Destiny Dewis is a proud Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander woman with over fifteen years of experience working with First Nations communities. Asa business owner specialising in First Nations consulting and facilitation, she is passionate about strengthening financial literacy and supporting economic empowerment for First Nations families and communities. Destiny focuses on creating practical, culturally relevant education programs that respond to community needs. Her work is guided by a commitment to helping communities grow stronger and achieve long-term wellbeing and prosperity.

Born and raised in Cairns, Naomi Evans has worked in the community sector for 15 years, and has a strong passion to bring together creativity, community connection and social impact. An artist, curator and community project facilitator, Naomi has developed and curated exhibitions, workshops and community arts projects that create space for connection, expression and empowerment.

She is currently the Events Manager for Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), one of Australia’s leading Indigenous art events. Through her arts practice and community work, Naomi is passionate about creating accessible spaces where people can share their stories, build confidence and recognise their own strength, creativity and resilience.

Evie is a proud Gimuy Walubara Yidinji woman who finds her strength and grounding by being on country, weaving, and deeply embracing her culture. Guided by the wisdom and teachings of her elders, she founded Digarra Creations — a small business dedicated to connecting community through the powerful passion of art.

Evie shares these sacred, generational practices with others, creating a safe space that embraces connection and healing through your hands. Her work bridges traditional knowledge with modern spaces, inviting participants to slow down, connect, and experience the grounding power of fibre art.

Netta Finney Mejia is a journalist and podcast producer. She produces 'Lioness Heart' at Radio 4EB, a podcast where different women of colour showcase their journeys and successes. She is also a journalist from The Wire, a national current affairs program on community radio, and Fair Comment, a multicultural current affairs program, both going on air nationally through the Community Radio Network.  Netta is passionate about women's issues and the stories behind them. In 2024, Netta won the Best coverage in Women's Issues category from the NEMBC Awards (now Multicultural Voices Australia).

Henry Fourmile is a Gimuy Wallabara Yidinji Elder, deeply passionate about his people and his Country.

He is also a gifted artist and storyteller, sharing cultural knowledge through his Welcome to Country ceremonies, always grounding people in connection to place.

Henry carries a wealth of knowledge about Gimuy (Cairns) - stories held in the land and waters, passed down through generations. His teachings offer a deeper understanding of Country and the ongoing cultural presence of Yidinji people.

Jessica Gihozo Mupenzi is a poet and emerging writer. She writes at the intersection of science and story, exploring how identity, migration, and belonging mirror paradoxes of the natural world.

Her work blends the rational and the emotional, the seen and unseen, searching for meaning between the lines and between the states. She is inspired by her lived experience and aspires to use her love for science and storytelling to build bridges between understanding and empathy.

Jessica was a 2025 Young Writers Fellow with Engaging Science QLD and SWN.

Tracy is a proud Gimuy Walubara Yidinji woman, she loves spending time on Country, being with family and keeping connected to culture through the things she enjoys doing. She has a strong interest in weaving, traditional dance, fishing, gathering natural materials and learning more about the cultural practices passed down through family and community.

For Tracy, weaving is about much more than making something — it is about sitting together, having a yarn, sharing stories, learning from each other and keeping culture strong. She enjoys creating spaces where people feel comfortable to connect, learn and share, and is always keen to keep building her own knowledge along the way.

Professor Susan Harris Rimmer is a Professor at Griffith Law School, Griffith University. Originally from Coonabarabran in New South Wales, she has lived in Brisbane for around 20 years, with periods spent in Canberra.

She completed her undergraduate studies in Arts/Law at the University of Queensland and later undertook her doctorate at the Australian National University.

Susan worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Federal Parliament and the peak body Australian Council for International Development before joining academia Her research career began in the field of women’s rights and gender equality in contexts of armed conflict and post-conflict transition. Over time, her work has expanded to address one of the defining challenges of the present era: how societies manage the profound transitions required by climate change without eroding gender equality gains or human rights protections.

Grace Hogan is a queer Australian comedian known for her outlandish physical humour, quirky life observations, and infectious stage presence.

A finalist in Queensland's RAW Comedy State Final and nominated for best comedy at Newcastle Fringe Festival, she has graced stages from Brisbane to Melbourne and even LA, including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Winner of the AACTA LMAO short comedy content project, she shares her comedic content with a global audience on multiple social media platforms.

Her performances often blend slapstick physicality, observational humour, and original songs, creating a unique and engaging comedic experience

Alexandra shares entertaining little musings about her experiences as a disabled woman. With a knack for transforming discomfort into humour, Alexandra has impressed audiences across Australia and worldwide.

Alexandra's list of accomplishments include taking out joint first place in the National final of Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s RAW Comedy Competition in 2022.

Alexandra was a 2023-2024 recipient of the Creative Australia’s Arts and Disability Initiative with her accessible and Auslan interpreted debut solo hour 'Making Lemonade."

Cathy Hunt AM is a mission-driven leader and change-maker in the cultural, creative, and community sectors. She champions cultural expression as key to solving societal challenges, innovating to deliver impact and has extensive international experience in cultural project management, planning and policy development. Cathy co-founded the WOW movement in Australia and has initiated 10 WOW Festivals across the Country including directly producing 8 in Queensland.

Cathy has always had a focus on the economic security of artists and women, developing initiatives like the QuickstART microloan fund and investing in women led businesses. Recognised with an AM for services to arts, culture, and women, she is committed to equity and inclusion and serves on various governance boards including Screen Queensland.

Sam Jockel is an award-winning entrepreneur and content producer with over 15 years of experience, known for founding ParentTV, an innovative parenting platform, and building ALDI Mum and School Mum, online communities with over 650,000 members. Recognized by the World Summit Awards Globally winning the Learning and Education category for the Quality Education SDG, she also took on the role of producer tackling the tricky topic of parenting in modern times with the recently released documentary Seen. 

Anna Jones is a public health educator and community leader with experience advancing health literacy, cultural safety and inclusion. She has managed projects with Queensland Tropical Public Health Services and delivers primary health education to First Nations students. As President of the Cairns African Association, Anna advocates for African, migrant and refugee communities across Far North Queensland. She also coordinates the Maisha Bora Skills Appreciation Program, supporting diverse participants to build confidence, foundational skills and pathways into employment. Her work brings together public health expertise, cultural understanding and leadership to amplify women’s voices and challenge barrier.

Claudia Kurowski is a young leader from Cairns in regional Queensland, driven by a passion for public service, youth advocacy and creating meaningful opportunities for others. She is committed to ensuring young people—particularly young women and girls—have a genuine voice in the decisions that shape their futures, while breaking down barriers to leadership, politics and traditionally underrepresented spaces. 

Believing that leadership is measured by service rather than titles, Claudia has dedicated much of her time to advocating for equity, strengthening youth representation and building stronger communities.  

She currently serves as the Youth Mayor of Cairns and was recognised as the 2026 Cairns Young Citizen of the Year and the 2025 Cairns Young Woman of the Year for her contribution to civic leadership and community service. 

Pauline is the Artistic Director of Miriki Performing Arts is a company of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancers based in Cairns and the surrounding regions. Aged between 11 and 20 years, the dancers learn alongside mentors and Elders like Pauline who share their passion to express their Indigenous heritage and history through unique choreography and the presentation of their work.

Francoise Lane is a descendant of the Meriam and Kaurareg peoples of Zenadth Kes and lives and works on Yindiji Country (Gordonvale, Far North Queensland). As a multidisciplinary artist, curator and designer her creative practice straddles the intersection of art and design. Her practice draws upon her family’s cultural values of respecting and caring for land, sea and community. She is co-founder and director of Indij Architecture and Design an award winning architectural practice bringing Indigenous design values into built environment projects.

Most recently, Francoise was Artistic Director of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (2022 to 2024), Queensland’s largest and most celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island arts and cultural event. She is committed to elevating the voices of First Nations creatives to raise the social conscience of the broader community. Her exploration of new approaches in the creation, understanding and valuing artworks in the genre of contemporary Indigenous art has seen her awarded the 2022 HIAP Helsinki Residency from the Australia Council for the Arts. She is a 2016 British Council Accelerate Alumni, Edinburgh Creative Collaborations Award (2018) finalist and NIFA Collaborations Award (2022) nominee. Lane is an Indigenous Art Code Board member and inaugural NSW GA State Design Review Panelist.

Nathan Lee is an experienced Mental Health and Wellbeing leader with more than 20 years working across the community services sector. As General Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Centacare FNQ, Nathan leads multidisciplinary teams delivering mental health, psychosocial and wellbeing services across Far North Queensland.

His work has given him a strong interest in how we talk about mental health, particularly the expectations we place on ourselves, our relationships and the way we seek support when things aren’t going well. Nathan is passionate about making conversations about mental health more practical, relatable and part of everyday life.

His approach is grounded in connection, early intervention and the belief that strong individuals, relationships and communities are central to good mental health and wellbeing.

Straight off the back of a sold-out tour of her new hour of stand up “Miss!”, Urvi Majumdar is a teacher by day, award winning comedian by night and hoping not to get recognised for the wrong one.

Urvi’s debut ABC pilot ‘Urvi went to an All Girls School’ was nominated for Best Comedy at the 2026 Australian Writers’ Guild Awards, and you might recognise her from hit shows ‘Guy Montgomery’s Spelling Bee’, ‘Spicks &Specks’ or ‘Fisk’.

Urvi is a regular on Triple R, Triple J and ABC Radio and is also currently developing a new 6 part TV series idea with Co-Curious and SBS Australia.

Professor Henrietta Marrie (née Fourmile) (born 1954) is an Honorary Professor with the Australian Research Council. She is an Aboriginal Australian from the Yidinji tribe, directly descended from Ye-i-nie, an Aboriginal leader in the Cairns region. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2018 for her service to Indigenous rights, education, and cultural heritage 

Professor Henrietta Marrie is an advocate for the rights of her own Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji families, as well as for the cultural rights of indigenous peoples nationally and internationally and has been involved in extensive research in the areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage and museums, the politics of Aboriginal heritage and the arts and recently the area of Aborigines and cultural tourism. 

Professor Henrietta Marrie was a senior fellow at the United Nations University and an Adjunct Associate Professor with the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at the University of Queensland. In 2018, Professor Henrietta Marrie was named as one of the Queensland Greats by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. 

Alofaina Mamea is the Production Officer at Radio 4EB. She has three years of experience in radio and podcast production and she leads the podcast projects across the radio station. She co-ordinates and schedule more than 200 language programs across the FM and Global Digital frequencies and she's the Project Lead of 4KWAVE, a youth initiative for young Australians with a CALD background to make them thrive in the arts sector.

Natasha Mitchell is the host of the ABC's popular Big Ideas program and podcast. 

She is a multi-award winning ABC journalist, radio presenter, podcaster and documentary maker. Natasha founded the internationally popular radio show and one of the ABC's first podcasts, All in the Mind, which she hosted and produced for a decade. 

Natasha's audio journalism has received accolades internationally, including the overall Grand Prize and four Gold World Medals at the New York Radio Festivals, four Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Broadcast Media Awards, the Yooralla Broadcast Media Award, the Public Health Association of Australia Media Award, the Australasian Association of Philosophy Media Professionals' Award, amongst other awards. She was finalist for two Human Rights Awards and in the Eureka Prizes. 

Tynan Narywonczyk is an Australian mental healthand suicide prevention advocate. After surviving a severe workplace accident and subsequent personal crisis, he became a prominent lived experience leader, co-chairing the National Men’s Lived Experience of Suicide Network (Men's LENS) and working with Roses in the Ocean and the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network

Tynan co-hosts the podcast Over the Fence.

Proudly walking in the footsteps of her ancestors, Shennae is a powerhouse community leader, business owner, and cultural connector grounded in the rich lineages of Yidinji and Djabugay (through her mother) and Kuku Djungan and Gunggandji Gurubana from Yarrabah (through her father). Her life’s work reflects a deep dedication to service, community empowerment, and cultural integrity. 

With over a decade of frontline experience at Services Australia, Shennae has consistently centred her community in everything she does—whether it’s coordinating care for families or building new pathways for economic and cultural self-determination. 

Currently serving as a Senior Care Coordinator at YETI Youth, Shennae is a steady presence and role model for many, supporting young people through culturally safe, trauma-informed, and empowering practices. 

Mandy Nolan is a force of nature. She's not just a comedian; she's an author, journalist, activist, educator, humour therapist, a mum of 5, and a bloody good sort – truly "never just one thing!" From pioneering the Byron Bay comedy scene and teaching Hannah Gadsby, to her acclaimed national show 'Women Like Us' and innovative 'Stand UP for Dementia' therapy, Mandy uses her wit to spark change and challenge the status quo. She's a passionate voice for the unheard, a "trouble maker" who reframes it as a "change maker," ready to use a joke or a vote to drive progress. 

Francis Nona is a Torres Strait Islander man from the Dhoebow clan of Saibai Islandand Badulaig from Badu Island. He is a Registered Nurse, Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Medical Education at Queensland University of Technology, and a PhD candidate at The University of Queensland. His research sits at the intersection of climate change, Indigenous health, human rights, and Indigenous Knowledges, with a strong focus on community-led research and advocacy. Francis works to strengthen Indigenous leadership across research, policy, education, and governance, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices shape decisions that affect Country, culture, health, and future generations. 

Andrea Obeyesekere is the Multicultural Services Manager at Centacare FNQ, a small local community service in Far North Queensland. Her team provides innovative services to both well established and new and emerging diverse communities, including Refugee and Migrant Settlement Services, CALD Community Engagement, and Diverse Employment and Training.

With 18+ years of experience in remote and regional Queensland and the UK, her inclusive leadership is evident in leading a diverse workforce, with over 95% being from a CALD and/or First Nation backgrounds. Andrea’s team has gained national recognition for their Women Empowerment programs and COVID-19 Resilience initiatives, along with receiving state and regional accolades for their Diverse Employment and Training Programs.

Rita Pryce is a Kulkalgal and Kawrareg woman, a nationally recognised creative leader, Cultural ambassador and performing arts practitioner. With a career spanning dance, Cultural development, leadership, education and arts innovation, Rita has built a reputation for challenging conventional thinking and creating pathways for

First Nations talent across regional and remote Australia. As Artistic Director of Pryce Centre for Culture and Arts, she continues to champion young people and emerging artists across Far North Queensland communities and the Torres Strait.

An ACCELERATE Leadership Award recipient and Arts Leaders Program alumna, Rita is also a passionate advocate for child safety in dance, advocating for Culturally

safe, inclusive and protective environments where young people can flourish.

Donna Raymond is a catalyst for transformation, known for her visionary leadership, intuitive mentoring and ability to guide ambitious women through deeply transformative journeys in both life and business.

With over 15 years of experience as a speaker, ceremonialist, creative leadership consultant and intuitive mentor, Donna blends the mystical with the practical, creating deep healing experiences that empower women to step into their roles as visionary leaders. Her unique approach weaves self-mastery with creative expression, allowing women to break through limitations, embrace their wild feminine energy and confidently navigate the initiations and identity shifts during seasons of growth and expansion.

Donna is an author, mother of four based in Far North Queensland, Australia and is renowned for her ability to craft powerful transformational experiences, retreats, group programs and bespoke 1:1 mentoring.

Karen Reys is an Aboriginal artist, educator, healer, and author born on Gimuy Country, and a proud to Daarrba, Western Yalanji, Badjala and Djirrbal woman. She is the founder of CEED Healing, a cultural practice grounded in Deep Listening, ceremony, and colour-based teachings. Karen’s work weaves Indigenous cosmology with contemporary healing tools,supporting individuals and communities to reconnect with belonging, story, and spirit. Her upcoming book, Rainbow Songlines: A Journey back to Self, expands her lifelong commitment to cultural renewal, creative expression, and heart-centred learning. Karen facilitates workshops, gatherings, and programs across community, education, and wellbeing spaces. 

Susan is a Guugu Yimithirr and Butchulla artist, educator, and cultural facilitator whose practice centres on deep listening and gentle, metaphor-based learning. Raised in Far North Queensland, she works across painting, clay, and community workshops to create culturally safe spaces for reflection and connection.

Her Animal Totem framework supports participants to explore identity, communication patterns, and emotional literacy through symbolic animal archetypes. Drawing on her family’s teachings and her own creative practice, Susan guides communities toward clarity, self-awareness, and grounded presence.

Juliet Rieden is an author, journalist, magazine editor, royal correspondent, book reviewer and Quentin Bryce: The Authorised Biography. Her previous books include The Writing on the Wall, a personal investigation into Juliet’s family’s fate in the Holocaust; Rising Heart, the memoir of Sierra Leonean kidnap survivor Aminata Conteh-Biger; and The Royals in Australia. Juliet spent more than two years researching and writing Quentin Bryce: The Authorised Biography, involving 120 exclusive interviews covering every aspect of Dame Quentin’s life.

Yupin Robson is a Thai-Australian healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and transformation leader with over 25 years of experience across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, specialist care operations, clinical research, and AI-enabled healthcare. She holds a clinical foundation in microbiology alongside postgraduate qualifications in Business and Science.

Yupin is CEO and Co-Founder of Edify Medical, where she leads the development of AI-enabled solutions that streamline clinical documentation and reduce administrative burden for healthcare teams. Its flagship product, Dict8ion, has become the foundation for new innovation streams in voice banking, voice preservation, and language technology aimed at improving inclusion in healthcare.

A committed advocate for women in business, Yupin has served as an Activator with Coralus (formerly SheEO) since 2018.

Shaan Ross-Smith is a respected executive leader and one of Australia’s most sought-after international speakers on the role of the bystander in the prevention of violence and harm, primary prevention, leadership, and gender equality.

With 25+ years’ experience across government, non-profits, and higher education, Shaan brings deep expertise and a strategic lens to some of the most urgent social issues of our time.

A trauma-informed psychologist, accredited mediator, and NDIS-registered Behaviour Support Practitioner, she’s held senior roles in Queensland Corrective Services, led frontline responses to domestic violence, and shaped policy at the highest levels. She currently serves on the Queensland Parole Board and multiple peak bodies, including a previous seven-year term as Chair of DVConnect.

Shirley-Ann Rowley is a Christian songwriter, musician and creative community practitioner with 38 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse. Much of her nursing career was spent working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in health, education and leadership.

A Stage IV bowel cancer survivor, Shirley-Ann understands the importance of compassionate, culturally respectful and community-centred healthcare from both professional and lived experience. 

Mikki Sellton is a respected music industry professional known for her work in artist management and the development of musical talent. Mikki also was the founder of the much loved ReggaeTown Festival in FNQ.

She has been closely associated with Katchafire, the successful New Zealand roots reggae band, supporting the group’s career, touring, bookings and international growth. Through her management experience, Mikki has helped build strong industry relationships and create opportunities for artists to reach audiences in different countries.

Her work involves organisation, communication, promotion and an understanding of the changing music industry. Mikki Sellton’s contribution highlights the important role managers play behind the scenes, helping artists focus on their music while managing the business and professional side of their careers. Her dedication and experience have contributed to the continued success and international presence of Katchafire.

Lisa Siganto’s focus is on impact investment and supporting female founders through loans. She has experience as a board member (including as Chair of the Bama Services Board in Cairns) business advisor and founder of for purpose organisations and social enterprises.

Lisa has worked on building both the social enterprise and the impact investment sector in Australia. She is a grandmother of two special little people who represent the future that she contributes to.

Natalie is an educator, mum of two, and advocate for positive, inclusive sex education. She founded Tell Your Daughters to address the gaps she saw in school-based sex ed and now delivers engaging, age-appropriate workshops for tweens, teens, and their parents.

With a Master’s in Psychology and a calm, compassionate presence, Natalie combines evidence-based knowledge with deep empathy to support young people as they navigate consent, relationships, and online life.

She also works with Women’s Health and Equality Queensland, developing health promotion initiatives focused on mental health, respectful relationships, and gender equality.

Deb Suckling has worked in the music industry for 3 decades. A singer/songwriter/label owner/manager and event manager, Deb has done many things in her 30 odd year career.

Deb worked for QMusic for many years, setting up the Queensland Music Awards. She has run songwriting programs elevating women across the country and telling women’s stories including The Soldier’s Wife, Big Sky Girls and her most recent project is working with young people on a live onstage program  - The Brisbane Teenage Fanclub. 

Deb is a survivor of early childhood sexual assault and teenage partner DV and ran a massive nationwide program in the music industry called #noton - encouraging the music industry to get behind  - I am making noise to end violence against women. 

Deb is passionate about making change through music as a shared language to address trauma and heal through music. Deb s also engaged with the gender in-equailty and ongoing sexual assault that is rife in the music industry and ensuring a safe future for all artists.

Patty Preece and Melania Jack are producers, artists and social practitioners whose work spans electronic music, sound art, performance, installation and experimental instrument design. Together, they form The Ironing Maidens, a queer electronic arts project exploring the intersections of gender, labour, technology, climate and collective experience. Their work has travelled from Thargomindah to Mexico City, from festival stages in Australia and Europe to international conferences, contemporary art galleries and laundromats in remote and regional towns. Moving between experimental art, research and the dance floor, they have embraced diversity as a creative strategy — and as a practical means of keeping two queer, fringe-based artistic careers alive and kicking.

Their recent work Hot & Heavy uses the queer dance floor as a space to

explore collective action, queer joy and the messy possibilities in a climate-changed world. Both artists bring research-led, community engaged approaches to their practice, drawing on queer, feminist and posthuman thinking alongside experimentation, improvisation and humour.

Trevor is a proud First Nations man with deep roots in the Waanyi/Gangilidda tribe on his father’s side and Erub Darnley Island in the Torres Strait on his mother’s side. He has called Cairns home for 46 years and is the first Indigenous Councillor elected to represent Cairns.  Trevor and his wife Jackie, both alumni of Cairns State High, have been married for 33 years, built a life in Brinsmead, raising four children and enjoying their four grandchildren. Trevor’s career spans three decades in the tourism industry, and he has co-founded a motivational speaking business, “Success With Attitude”.  Trevor is also the host of “National Talkblack,” a popular program on Cairns Indigenous Radio Station, Bumma Bippera Media (BBM 98.7FM). He is dedicated to keeping the Cairns community informed, connected and healthy, known for his positive, healthy lifestyle; he is passionate about making a difference in the community.

Jacinta has worked in financial planning since 1998. She thrives on helping people get financially organised and take purposeful steps towards living their best lives.

Jacinta is known for her down-to-earth style and ability to simplify complex decisions. Whether clients are thinking about reducing work, clearing debt, or setting clear retirement goals, she helps them build a structure that supports the lifestyle they want.

Kate Tomsett is the Community Development Coordinator at Women's Health and Equality Queensland. She works to create a world where women and gender diverse folk are equitably resources to be safe, healthy and thriving.

She was previously a Clinical Educator for the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program (PPEP Talk®) at the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia (PPFA).

With her honours in Biomolecular Science, Kate hopes to lift the stigma around pelvic pain and “women’s issues.”

Glenn is a Gold Coast City Councillor, community leader and long-time advocate for strengthening local communities through practical leadership and partnership. Representing Division 9 since 2012, Glenn has built a reputation for bringing people together around issues that matter, with a strong belief that lasting change happens when communities take shared responsibility.  Over the past two years, Glenn has worked closely with Be There Group to pioneer a community-led approach to domestic and family violence prevention on the Gold Coast. He has invested significant time alongside local organisations and residents to help build bystander capability, strengthen community connection and explore what a whole-of-community response can look like in practice. A father of three, basketball enthusiast and passionate supporter of the local music scene, Glenn brings a grounded and practical perspective to conversations about leadership, accountability and the role men can play in creating safer, healthier families and communities.

Kirsty Tschirpig is an Australian social entrepreneur, strategist, and culture leader known for her extensive work in bystander education, harm prevention, and workplace culture reform.

She is the co-founder and Director of Be There Group, an organisation that consults with corporations, governments, and community groups across Australia and New Zealand to challenge inequality and cultivate respectful workplace behaviours.

Carol Vale is a Dunghutti entrepreneur, visionary leader, and Co-founder of Murawin, a professional advisory consultancy she established with her late husband, Greg McKenzie, 12 years ago. Murawin helps organisations work better with First Nations communities through culturally grounded strategy, research and engagement. Carol is also the Founder of Tiddas in Business and the 2024 Supply Nation Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year. With more than 40 years’ experience, Carol has worked extensively across government, corporate and major infrastructure sectors, bringing integrity, professionalism and influence to complex environments while remaining grounded in her values. Through her leadership at Murawin, Carol supports organisations to deepen their understanding of, and engagement with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and Country—ensuring Indigenous voices, knowledge and aspirations are genuinely represented, respected and realised.

Carol is also a highly sought-after national and international speaker, and a passionate advocate for First Nations women’s economic empowerment. Through Tiddas in Business, she has created a powerful platform that strengthens the capability of Indigenous women entrepreneurs—sharing skills, knowledge and lived experience to support business growth, self-determination and economic independence for women, their families and communities.

Anita Veivers is the Executive Director of Centacare FNQ, leading a diverse team delivering mental health and wellbeing, children and families, early learning, aged care, multicultural and community services across FNQ. With more than 35 years of experience, Anita is passionate about working alongside communities to create practica and local solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.  

Anita’s work is grounded in collaboration and relationships, bringing people together around shared purpose. Anita has worked with government, schools, businesses, and organisations to strengthen services, improve access, and create opportunities for people and communities to thrive. 

She is Chair of the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee and a Board Member of Regional Development Australia Tropical North. 

As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Anita is proud to call Far North Queensland home and feels fortunate to work alongside passionate people, committed to making the region an even better place to live, work and raise a family. 

Carolyn Vincent is the Founder of the Ubuntu Foundation, a Queensland-based philanthropic organisation built on the philosophy of Ubuntu — "I am because you are." Guided by a lifelong belief in community and generosity, Carolyn invests her time, ideas and resources in building a kinder, fairer world. As a 2025 Dancing CEO, she raised nearly $120,000 for Women's Legal Service Queensland, supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence.

The Ubuntu Foundation was a finalist for Philanthropic Foundation of the Year at the Queensland Philanthropy Awards. Carolyn is launching Kindness Out Loud, a movement amplifying everyday acts of kindness — because kindness shouldn't stay quiet anymore.

Alaina is a financial adviser working closely with couples in their 40s to 60s who are ready to plan for retirement. With a strong technical foundation in superannuation and strategy, Alaina helps clients navigate their financial decisions with clarity, structure, and purpose.

Known for her practical approach and ability to simplify the complex, Alaina works with clients to build personalised retirement roadmaps that align with their lifestyle goals and financial position. She understands how to balance cash flow, market movements, and government rules to deliver outcomes that feel achievable and empowering.

Jenny is an award-winning comedian, keynote speaker and mental health advocate. From dusty outback towns to glittering stages in New York, she has trodden the boards around the world - a genius musical improviser with a song ready to go!