SPEAKERS

Ashton is one of a rare breed when it comes to speakers in that he’s actually out in the field applying his theories and working the tools with some of Australia’s largest brands every day. This is because he believes that with things changing so quickly, the only way to constantly provide value to audiences is to be a part of the madness himself.

Ashton has spent the last 14 years working internationally on some of the world’s biggest brands, running million-dollar campaigns for billion-dollar brands — specialising in Predatory Marketing — pinpointing how brands can grow by outsmarting their competitors. He’s a business owner and serial entrepreneur, always challenging, often controversial, and always focused on what gets results.

Ashton’s path to the stage was a somewhat unusual one. After graduating with a commerce/law degree, he turned his hand to street performing, TV presenting, stand-up comedy, film directing, and even literally ran away with the circus. Now that he has found his niche, he uses these past life skills to develop presentations that are a mix of theory, workshop, and Whose Line Is It Anyway — always relevant, topical, and entertaining.

Deputy President Peter JA Sams AM was appointed to Fair Work Australia (as it then was) in 2010 after eleven years as a Deputy President of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW.

He was Secretary of the Labor Council of New South Wales between 1994 and 1998, having served as Industrial Officer, Organiser and Assistant Secretary between 1982 and 1994.

He was also President of the NSW Branch of the ALP between 1997 and 1998. His responsibilities at the Fair Work Commission (formerly Fair Work Australia) include membership of the Major Resources/Infrastructure Project Panel and a number of industry panel assignments.

He is a former director of Sydney Water Corporation, Federal Airports Corporation, the Maritime Services Board of NSW, Chifley Financial Services and Labour Union Insurance.

Liz Volpe is one of Australia’s most prominent female entrepreneurs dedicated to empowering the next generation with the skills to navigate a business landscape… yet to be imagined. She is a courageous innovator, empowered woman in business and is driven by an unshakeable belief that the pursuit of our dreams can positively affect change in the world.

Matt Church is a seeker of truth, sharing his learning through teaching and writing.

As the founder of Thought Leaders and a highly respected conference presenter, he communicates, connects and challenges audiences and himself to be the best version of themselves.

Matt invites all leaders to expand their view of what is and find true inspiration. Highly intuitive, Matt experiences much of life beyond the observable and explainable. His ability to make the complex simple and the way forward clear, has him speaking all over the world. Grounding big ideas in practical perspectives, the evolution of Matt’s thinking can be traced through the eleven books he has written.

Always one to draw a line in the sand, his latest book Rise Up; an evolution in leadership represents the next level for Matt, as he turns inwards to understand and apply age old wisdom to leadership.

Steph Tisdell is one of Australia’s leading Indigenous female comedians, renowned for her uplifting yet earnest approach to comedy. Personable and hilarious, her bold stand-up routines never fail to entertain, yet always leave her audience deep in thought.