Newday Speaker Alumni
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado
Mountain-climber and social entrepreneur
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado's life has taken her all over the word. She has led more than one million people to march for girls' rights in Peru in 2018, addressed the world's leaders at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and inspired thousands of people with her humanitarian work.
Silvia's work in tech in California and global human rights has attracted plaudits from Fortune 500 magazine, CNET and the Peruvian government for her work in technology and social justice. Since 2014, her Courageous Girls initiative has supported the healing and empowerment of sexually abused girls through physical endurance, creative and mindfulness techniques.
As an avid adventurer and entrepreneur, Silvia has combined her many passions. She has climbed the tallest summit on each of the seven continents and became the first Peruvian woman to summit Mount Everest. It's exciting to think of where she will lead us at Newday Summit this year!
Silvia's work in tech in California and global human rights has attracted plaudits from Fortune 500 magazine, CNET and the Peruvian government for her work in technology and social justice. Since 2014, her Courageous Girls initiative has supported the healing and empowerment of sexually abused girls through physical endurance, creative and mindfulness techniques.
As an avid adventurer and entrepreneur, Silvia has combined her many passions. She has climbed the tallest summit on each of the seven continents and became the first Peruvian woman to summit Mount Everest. It's exciting to think of where she will lead us at Newday Summit this year!
Corey White
Comedian, film-maker and author
Corey White shares harrowing personal experiences in ways that spark recognition and provoke tears – often of laughter. Corey grew up in foster care and survived domestic violence. He's recovered from drug addiction and, like many, works through serious mental illness. There have been few dull moments in his 31 years.
In his short time as a comedian, Corey has won plaudits at the world's comedy festivals and fans through his appearances on ABC television, including 2018's hit, 'Corey White’s Roadmap to Paradise', a documentary series that finally solves "all the world’s problems".
Corey's memoir, 'The Prettiest Horse in the Glue Factory', is released in July. And we just may have some copies for him to sign at the summit.
In his short time as a comedian, Corey has won plaudits at the world's comedy festivals and fans through his appearances on ABC television, including 2018's hit, 'Corey White’s Roadmap to Paradise', a documentary series that finally solves "all the world’s problems".
Corey's memoir, 'The Prettiest Horse in the Glue Factory', is released in July. And we just may have some copies for him to sign at the summit.
Nicola Lipscombe
HeartWise Leader
Nicola Lipscombe is a heart-centred speaker who connects with genuine depth and warmth.
This belies Nicola's near obsession with academia, a passion that has led to degrees and certifications in Pharmacy, Higher Education, Neurolinguistic Programming, TAA, Management Practices, Mental Health First Aid, Resilience and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology. But she's not doing this for little letters after her name... learning is not just something Nicola does. She's a knowledge seeker.
After spending most of her career in the pharmaceutical industry leading from her head, Nicola's doctors made an alarming discovery: in 2011 a tumour the size of a grapefruit was detected on her lung – and it had started attaching itself to her heart.
With the safe removal of the tumour, Nicola started to listen more to her heart and HeartWise Leadership was born. Nicola will share from her experience and translate cutting-edge research into practical and engaging advice to help you and your organisation lead for the greater good.
This belies Nicola's near obsession with academia, a passion that has led to degrees and certifications in Pharmacy, Higher Education, Neurolinguistic Programming, TAA, Management Practices, Mental Health First Aid, Resilience and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology. But she's not doing this for little letters after her name... learning is not just something Nicola does. She's a knowledge seeker.
After spending most of her career in the pharmaceutical industry leading from her head, Nicola's doctors made an alarming discovery: in 2011 a tumour the size of a grapefruit was detected on her lung – and it had started attaching itself to her heart.
With the safe removal of the tumour, Nicola started to listen more to her heart and HeartWise Leadership was born. Nicola will share from her experience and translate cutting-edge research into practical and engaging advice to help you and your organisation lead for the greater good.
Dr Tom Nehmy
Award winning clinical psychologist
Tom didn't make it as a racing driver, so he became a black belt in karate and then a psychologist and professional speaker. Even today, he wants to keep pushing himself out of his comfort zone to reach more exciting, expanding horizons. More than anything, Tom gets joy out of teaching others how to expand theirs.
Tom is now a Director of Healthy Minds Education & Training, a leading provider of preventive mental health services to schools and companies in Australasia.
Tom's is the author of 'Apples for the Mind' a result of years of work helping people to overcome challenges and discover the foundation of their quality of life: wellbeing. The two most misunderstood aspects of wellbeing are psychological skills and the link between wellbeing and performance.
At Newday, Tom will address the misunderstandings by revealing the things you need to know now in order to create emotional balance, peak performance and lifelong wellbeing.
Tom is now a Director of Healthy Minds Education & Training, a leading provider of preventive mental health services to schools and companies in Australasia.
Tom's is the author of 'Apples for the Mind' a result of years of work helping people to overcome challenges and discover the foundation of their quality of life: wellbeing. The two most misunderstood aspects of wellbeing are psychological skills and the link between wellbeing and performance.
At Newday, Tom will address the misunderstandings by revealing the things you need to know now in order to create emotional balance, peak performance and lifelong wellbeing.
Megumi Miki
Quietly powerful
As a softly spoken introvert, Megumi used to believe that her quieter nature was a disadvantage. Throughout her career with some of Australia's largest organisations, including banks, super funds, insurers and government departments, Megumi came to realise that the ‘fake it till you make it’ approach was not only unfulfilling for her; it was unsustainable.
In 2016, Megumi launched Quietly Powerful to share the successes, challenges and learnings from a new approach to leadership.
In our uncertain and interconnected world, Megumi believes that the ‘alpha’ or ‘hero’ leadership style alone is outdated and inadequate. Quietly Powerful expands the definition of what good leadership looks, sounds and feels like and empowers quieter professionals and those outside majority groups to fulfil their potential.
In 2016, Megumi launched Quietly Powerful to share the successes, challenges and learnings from a new approach to leadership.
In our uncertain and interconnected world, Megumi believes that the ‘alpha’ or ‘hero’ leadership style alone is outdated and inadequate. Quietly Powerful expands the definition of what good leadership looks, sounds and feels like and empowers quieter professionals and those outside majority groups to fulfil their potential.
Mickey Kumatpi O’Brien
Cultural educator
Mickey Kumatpi Marratyu O’Brien is an Aboriginal person and descendant of the Kaurna (Adelaide Plains) and Narrunga (Yorke Peninsula) peoples. He has been providing cultural advice for many years and is a proud ambassador for the Kaurna people.
Culture is an important part of Mickey's life and he honours the responsibility passed down to him by his father, well-known Kaurna elder, Uncle Lewis O’Brien, by incorporating culture into every Welcome to Country.
Mickey connects with audiences through his engaging storytelling ability where he delivers powerful lessons passed on to him through his people, culture, history and experiences. Reminding audiences that, "cultural knowledge and respect is part of every story and each human journey."
Culture is an important part of Mickey's life and he honours the responsibility passed down to him by his father, well-known Kaurna elder, Uncle Lewis O’Brien, by incorporating culture into every Welcome to Country.
Mickey connects with audiences through his engaging storytelling ability where he delivers powerful lessons passed on to him through his people, culture, history and experiences. Reminding audiences that, "cultural knowledge and respect is part of every story and each human journey."
Nick Lee
Health advocate
With a beautiful family and a role as director of multi-national consumer goods company, Nick Lee had good reason to be happy and optimistic about his future. That changed in an instant when his wife Jodi was diagnosed with stage IV bowel cancer at the age of 39. After battling with the disease for 2 years, Jodi passed away in 2010.
After Jodi’s death, Nick made the brave decision to leave his job and use his experience to do all he could to stop others suffering a similar experience. He established The Jodi Lee Foundation to inspire others to protect themselves against bowel cancer and make positive choices to improve their health. The work of the Foundation has saved many Australian lives. This passion to improve the health of ordinary people continues to grow.
Nick has a wealth of corporate experience and is able to relate his own personal experience to current thinking about mental health, coping with stress and making the right choices when confronted with critical hurdles in our lives.
After Jodi’s death, Nick made the brave decision to leave his job and use his experience to do all he could to stop others suffering a similar experience. He established The Jodi Lee Foundation to inspire others to protect themselves against bowel cancer and make positive choices to improve their health. The work of the Foundation has saved many Australian lives. This passion to improve the health of ordinary people continues to grow.
Nick has a wealth of corporate experience and is able to relate his own personal experience to current thinking about mental health, coping with stress and making the right choices when confronted with critical hurdles in our lives.
Durkhanai Ayubi
Writer and restauranteur
Durkhanai is an Afghan-born migrant to Australia. She is a restaurateur, running restaurants with an ethos of food as a means for sharing stories, breaking down barriers and reshaping narratives. She is also a writer, with opinion pieces in various publications nationwide and an editor and co-founder of an online magazine, Sultana's Dream, written by Muslim women from across Australia.
Durkhanai is an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity – a global Fellowship which brings together change makers from across the world with a shared vision of advancing fairer, healthier and more inclusive societies. She is currently writing a book on food and migration.
Durkhanai is an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity – a global Fellowship which brings together change makers from across the world with a shared vision of advancing fairer, healthier and more inclusive societies. She is currently writing a book on food and migration.
Dr Fiona Kerr
Humanist, technologist and complex systems thinker
Fiona is a world-renowned academic researcher, author, consultant and speaker. Dr Kerr is on a mission “to change the way we think about how we think.”
Consulting across continents with governments and corporations to discuss the neurophysiological effects of the interactions between humans and multiple types of technology, Dr Kerr is a powerful advocate for the transformative qualities of human interaction. Encouraging organisations to understand how leaders change our brains and how to maximise face to face contact through technology.
Dr Kerr was a part of the 2018 Newday Summit via a video interview and by popular demand she will join us in person at the Newday Leadership Summit teaming up with Dr Gills Hicks to discuss 'Out of Touch' – how human contact can make all the difference in the world.
Consulting across continents with governments and corporations to discuss the neurophysiological effects of the interactions between humans and multiple types of technology, Dr Kerr is a powerful advocate for the transformative qualities of human interaction. Encouraging organisations to understand how leaders change our brains and how to maximise face to face contact through technology.
Dr Kerr was a part of the 2018 Newday Summit via a video interview and by popular demand she will join us in person at the Newday Leadership Summit teaming up with Dr Gills Hicks to discuss 'Out of Touch' – how human contact can make all the difference in the world.
Dr Gill Hicks
Activist and peace-maker
Considered one of the most thought-provoking, powerful and life-affirming speakers in Australia, Gill Hicks’ determination to triumph over tragedy is nothing but inspirational. A survivor of the 2005 London terrorist bombings, she founded M.A.D For Peace. To this day she continues to work with extremist organisations around the globe, including those whose violent doctrines almost took her life.
At Newday 2019, Gill will partner with Dr Fiona Kerr to discuss 'Out of Touch' – how human contact can make all the difference in the world.
At Newday 2019, Gill will partner with Dr Fiona Kerr to discuss 'Out of Touch' – how human contact can make all the difference in the world.
Matthew Wright-Simon
Engagement specialist, event emcee
Matthew Wright-Simon is delighted to be working with Katrina and the Newday Leadership team on bringing this event together and hosting our inspiring leaders on stage as our Emcee. As he did in 2018, Matthew will link the intimacy of what's shared with the big picture and the events that shape our lives as leaders.
Matthew engages changemakers to confront tough personal, social and economic challenges — while having as much fun as possible in the process. His diverse commercial work is informed his roles in thought leadership, philanthropy and conservation with TEDxAdelaide, the Awesome Foundation and Landscape Partnerships, an environmental NGO he co-founded several years ago.
Matthew engages changemakers to confront tough personal, social and economic challenges — while having as much fun as possible in the process. His diverse commercial work is informed his roles in thought leadership, philanthropy and conservation with TEDxAdelaide, the Awesome Foundation and Landscape Partnerships, an environmental NGO he co-founded several years ago.
Jane Tewson
Igniting Change
Founder and Director of Igniting Change, Jane is an innovator with a global reputation for inspiring individuals and organisations to work together for positive social change. She is ever curious and drawn to the humanity and courage of people doing it tough. To date, Jane has founded five charities, all of which are flourishing today. She is known for lateral thinking and creative initiatives including Comic Relief (Red Nose Day) in the UK, which has raised over a billion pounds and best-selling books including Dying to Know – bringing death to life.
Tim Gard
Motivational Speaker
Tim Gard has been on a life-long quest for laughter and discovered along his journey that we all smile and laugh in the same language. Laughter unites us and creates a common bond that transcends potential barriers and boundaries. Babies don't need to learn to laugh but adults need to be reminded of the importance of positive laughter and the power it can have in our personal and professional life. As an internationally recognised authority on stress reduction through humour and conflict resolution, Tim has spoken at over 2000 events globally from Texas to Tasmania. Tim says that stress isn't what happens to us, stress is based on our perception of what happens to us. Laugh and learn with Tim how to actively, positively change your perception to create your own reality and fight stress with humour. Anyone can harness the power of laughter as a skill using Tim's shortcuts, tips and easy to remember and hard to forget techniques.
Mike Worsman
A Million Smiles
Mike Worsman has risked his life in warzones, quit his job, sold his house and invested every ounce of his time and money to inspire people to find and pursue what makes them smile. Why? He believes if every person were to concentrate on what truly makes them happy, then many of the problems we face would disappear. From poverty and war, to climate change and family breakdown, Mike says these are merely an indication that our current focus and reality needs re-directing. In 2012, Mike founded ‘A Million Smiles’, an organisation dedicated to sharing stories about people, places and ideas that can inspire people to be truly happy.
Stephanie Lorenzo
Project Futures
With a Bachelor of International Communication from Macquarie University held in her hand, Stephanie Lorenzo didn’t start her career planning to start a charity. It was a chance encounter with a book about sex trafficking, and a life-changing trip to Cambodia that left her asking ‘how could this be real’?
In that moment Stephanie decided to unlock purpose, and play a bigger game. That game was to create a movement that would help facilitate the end of global human trafficking and slavery. For many combatting the worlds third largest crime is a mountain to big to climb. For Stephanie, that mountain was too big to Ignore. In 2009 fusing a passionate vision, with a purpose driven action plan, Stephanie founded a non-for profit organisation called Project Futures.
In that moment Stephanie decided to unlock purpose, and play a bigger game. That game was to create a movement that would help facilitate the end of global human trafficking and slavery. For many combatting the worlds third largest crime is a mountain to big to climb. For Stephanie, that mountain was too big to Ignore. In 2009 fusing a passionate vision, with a purpose driven action plan, Stephanie founded a non-for profit organisation called Project Futures.
Dr Tshering Hyolmo-Lama
Young Global Leaders
Born in the mountains of Nepal and the first of his generation to go to school and read, Dr Tshering Lama became a leader in his teens after discovering Where there is No Doctor. He studied the healthcare manual, which was widely used in developing countries, and was educating and mending wounds in his community by the age of 12. His work drew attention and support that enabled Tshering to attend university in the UK, where he completed a Masters of Public Health and a PhD in Telemedicine.
The generosity shown to him as a child has inspired Tshering to pay it forward and he has since cofounded the charity Childreach Nepal, which has helped more than 213,000 children, as well as Idea Studio Nepal, a platform to encourage and empower entrepreneurs to solve social and economic issues faced by the country. In 2015, Dr Tshering Lama was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.
A firm believer in the concept that helping benefits the helper more than the helped, Tshering will speak at newday about how faith, passion and hope are key to an integrated and a purposeful life.
The generosity shown to him as a child has inspired Tshering to pay it forward and he has since cofounded the charity Childreach Nepal, which has helped more than 213,000 children, as well as Idea Studio Nepal, a platform to encourage and empower entrepreneurs to solve social and economic issues faced by the country. In 2015, Dr Tshering Lama was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.
A firm believer in the concept that helping benefits the helper more than the helped, Tshering will speak at newday about how faith, passion and hope are key to an integrated and a purposeful life.
Sashenka Worsman
Oaktree
Twenty-four-year-old Sashenka is currently the CEO of Australia’s largest youth-run organisation, Oaktree , with over 250,000 members leading a movement to end poverty. She is also the youngest ever board member of the Australian Council for International Development, the peak body for the aid and international development sector, representing over 130 organisations across Australia working in over 90 countries.
Born and raised in wartorn Sri Lanka, Sash has an unwavering passion and commitment to lead young people in creating a world where equality and peace are commonplace for all.
Born and raised in wartorn Sri Lanka, Sash has an unwavering passion and commitment to lead young people in creating a world where equality and peace are commonplace for all.
Dr Nigel Farrow
Medical Research
Nigel and his wife were faced with every parent’s nightmare when their 10-week-old daughter, Ella, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. A 36-year-old career musician who had left school in Year 10, Nigel felt helpless but knew he had to do something for his daughter. He gave up music and began studying to help find a cure, completing a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Bachelor of Health Science with first class Honours, and a PhD in medicine.
Nigel went on to work at the Adelaide Cystic Fibrosis Airway Research Group based at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where he is helping to develop a cure for the life-threatening disorder that affects more than 70,000 people globally.
At newday Nigel will share how he was able to find purpose in heartache and utilise the experience to forge a positive direction that has inspired many people in the CF community, academia, business, sports, politics and everyday life.
Nigel went on to work at the Adelaide Cystic Fibrosis Airway Research Group based at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where he is helping to develop a cure for the life-threatening disorder that affects more than 70,000 people globally.
At newday Nigel will share how he was able to find purpose in heartache and utilise the experience to forge a positive direction that has inspired many people in the CF community, academia, business, sports, politics and everyday life.
Adam Thompson
MusoMagic
Adam Thompson is best known as front man of Australian rock band Chocolate Starfish, whose self-titled debut album went Platinum and won an ARIA after spawning their number one hit, You’re So Vain. Social responsibility has come to play a major role in Adam’s life and career as a solo artist, making him a highly sought-after entertainer and keynote speaker, working with remote indigenous communities and schools across Australia and corporate groups from around the globe.
Adam has combined his two passions and created the renowned team-building activity MusoMagic, which boasts its own TV show Outback Tracks (SBS) and has spawned a not-for-profit MusiKarma, which helps disadvantaged youth reach their potential.
At newday, Adam will unravel the mysteries of rock ‘n’ roll as only he can and discuss how tapping into his passion for music — one of the most powerful and universal creative mediums used by humans — is helping develop courage and shared knowledge to unify people across age groups, cultures and distance for the greater good.
Adam has combined his two passions and created the renowned team-building activity MusoMagic, which boasts its own TV show Outback Tracks (SBS) and has spawned a not-for-profit MusiKarma, which helps disadvantaged youth reach their potential.
At newday, Adam will unravel the mysteries of rock ‘n’ roll as only he can and discuss how tapping into his passion for music — one of the most powerful and universal creative mediums used by humans — is helping develop courage and shared knowledge to unify people across age groups, cultures and distance for the greater good.
Dr Sally Rundle
Leadership Developer
Sally is a spirited speaker, educator, healer and intuitive coach known for her sensitivity, second sight and skill. She has worked internationally for 20 years, co-authoring three books on leadership, values and energy, and working as a facilitator with the HeartMath Institute USA, a world leader in scientific tools to help people bridge the connection between their hearts and minds.
With a PhD in International Management and a Post Doctoral Certificate in Integrative Holistic Health, Sally is ideally placed to apply wellbeing principles and tools in the workplace.
Sally will bring cutting edge knowledge of contemporary wellbeing to newday 2018. She will help you to connect deeply with your heart, mind and spirit in business, allowing you to access your natural gifts, talents and strengths to empower and transform your organisation and your life.
With a PhD in International Management and a Post Doctoral Certificate in Integrative Holistic Health, Sally is ideally placed to apply wellbeing principles and tools in the workplace.
Sally will bring cutting edge knowledge of contemporary wellbeing to newday 2018. She will help you to connect deeply with your heart, mind and spirit in business, allowing you to access your natural gifts, talents and strengths to empower and transform your organisation and your life.
