Leadership Conference 2026: Leading with Purpose

Sean Pollard - Along For The Ride

Sean Pollard is a Paralympic snowboarder and 2026 Australian Winter Paralympic Team Captain, having recently returned from the Winter Paralympics. In 2014, Sean was on holidays in Esperance, Western Australia when he survived a shark attack while surfing. He lost his left arm, right hand and suffered deep lacerations to both of his legs in the attack. Despite this devastating setback, Sean refused to let it define him, and instead turned to snowboarding to stay active and push himself to new limits. He quickly became passionate about the sport and trained tirelessly to improve his skills, eventually earning a spot on the Australian Paralympic Snowboarding Team. Sean has competed in numerous international competitions, including the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang where he finished 5th in the Banked Slalom, and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics where he was named team captain, competed in both Snowboard Cross and Banked Slalom, and was chosen as Australia's flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony. Sean's story is one of courage, optimism and resilience that he has told to a number of different schools, community and corporate groups since the life-changing incident in 2014. Taking the audience through the most profound events that he has endured, Sean delivers an inspiring presentation that focuses on facing adversity, mental health and the ability to turn any challenge into a positive outcome.

Bethan Winn - The Human Edge: Building a Thinking Culture in an AI-Driven Workplace

Bethan Winn is a speaker, facilitator, author and director of Human Skills Co, delivering tailored, transformative training to professionals, government, academic and corporate audiences. She has been an international educator for over two decades. Featured in Forbes, ABC news and radio, countless podcasts and industry magazines, Bethan is passionate about sharing critical and creative thinking skills and enhancing communication and connection in relatable, pragmatic and playful ways. She's also a mum, a runner, a chocoholic and a Welsh speaker.

Marion Fulker - The Purposeful Leader: Learning Everywhere, All The Time

Experienced Non-Executive Director and CEO, executive coach, and opinion writer. Marion is WA State Chair of ASX-listed Smartgroup Corporation and has previously served as Chair of a number of Statutory Authorities including Perth Zoo, the Heritage Council of Western Australia and the Conservation and Parks Commission, with former directorships at Infrastructure Australia and RugbyWA. From 2007 to 2022, Marion was the inaugural CEO of the Committee for Perth, where she led more than 160 research projects to shape the region and state's future - including the landmark Filling the Pool study into women's participation and progression in the workforce and Bigger & Better Beyond the Boom to provide a roadmap for a more diverse economy. She has conducted on-the-ground research across 40 cities worldwide to uncover best practice.

Johnny Debnam - Leadership Learned Under Pressure: From Deep Sea Diving to Disney to Human Happiness

Johnny Debnam is a filmmaker, explorer, commercial diver and co-producer of Disney+ hit series Shipwreck Hunters Australia. With a lifelong passion for the ocean, Johnny has built a career uncovering remarkable stories beneath the surface, combining adventure, history and storytelling to engage audiences around the world. As founder of JOYD and an advocate for mental wellbeing, he is passionate about helping people live with greater purpose, resilience and curiosity.

Charlotte Ingham - A Brain-Based Approach to Psychosocial Safety

Wellbeing & psychosocial safety expert. Charlotte's session is set to introduce leaders to the science of stress through the lens of cortisol, the brain’s primary stress chemical. Charlotte has 10 years of experience in helping organisations improve their psychological safety and specialises in emotionally intelligent leadership and management of Psychosocial Hazards in the workplace. Charlotte’s genius zone is a captivating intersection where the brilliance of neuroscientific insights converges with the realm of conscious leadership, creating a dynamic landscape for transformative growth. In this zone, the intricate dance between the neural architecture of the brain and the artistry of conscious decision-making unfolds. It is a space where leaders harness the power of neuroplasticity, understanding that the brain’s adaptability is not just a biological phenomenon but a strategic tool for shaping organisational culture. You will leave this session not just informed, but equipped to lead differently.

Georgia-Mae O'Brien - Do It Scared: Courage vs Bravery

As Manager Community Connection, City of Bunbury, Georgia-Mae leads teams working at the frontline of community need, service delivery, and place-based decision making. Her role focuses on people, relation-ships, and outcomes where expectations run high and resources stay tight. GM is also an active member of South West Leaders. Through this work, she contributes to regional leadership development and cross sector collaboration. She works alongside other leaders to strengthen local capability and share practical leadership experience. In her “Do it Scared” session, GM draws on real situations from local government and regional leadership. She speaks plainly about fear, responsibility, and acting before certainty arrives. The focus of this session is on making decisions, owning the outcome, and moving forward even when anxiety tags along.

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Spindrift Media