Level Up Leadership Academy Conference
Description
Every student leader starts somewhere, from putting your hand up as a volunteer to leading a team, a project or an entire club. Wherever you are in your leadership journey, the Level Up Leadership Academy (LULA) Conference is your chance to build connections, grow your skills, and take the next step.
LULA is a space built for student leaders. Meet like-minded peers navigating the same challenges and connect with industry professionals who’ve turned those early leadership experiences into meaningful careers.
Whether you’re a new volunteer finding your footing or a seasoned exec ready to level up, this is where your leadership journey evolves.
At this conference, you’ll:
Build genuine connections with student leaders across clubs, societies and communities
Expand your network beyond campus by engaging directly with industry professionals
Learn how to turn your university experience into leadership confidence and career-ready skills
With LULA, you’re stepping into a network that supports your growth beyond the university campus.
Start your journey with LULA. Grow through connection. Lead with impact.
ClubComms Points: +15 Points per exec, capped at +45 points per club (execs can claim across multiple clubs if they hold more than one exec role*)
VTeam Points: +40 Points for the entire day.
Lineup
Thomas Bennet
Thomas Bennett is the founder of Foster the Future, an Australian charity providing free one-to-one tutoring and mentoring for children and young people in out-of-home care. While studying at the University of Sydney, Thomas founded Foster the Future and began building what has grown into a national volunteer movement involving more than 200 university students. He later completed a Master of Science at the University of Oxford, where his current research explores how AI can support learning and collective memory.
Josh Farr
Josh Farr is the Founder of Campus Consultancy, a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author, 2x TEDx Speaker, and recognised LinkedIn Top Voice in Leadership Development. Now in his 10th year, Josh has delivered 1,600+ workshops to more than 100,000 students and tertiary leaders across 40+ universities, equipping high-achieving leaders with the confidence, clarity, and skills to excel. Josh is an Amazon #1 bestselling author, PhD candidate and podcast host of the #1 Student Leadership Podcast in Australia, Better Student Leaders. New in 2026, Josh and his team are working pro-bono to raise $122,000 for homelessness! His mission is simple: to help your student lead with confidence, deliver results and increase student engagement and retention on campus
Mohan Dhall
Mohan is the CEO of the Australian Tutoring Association, an organisation that regulates tutoring in Australia. He is a lecturer in education at UTS and is pursuing his doctoral studies through QUT. He has trained tutors, teachers, and business managers.
Juliet Boni
I’m a passionate Program Lead with a strong commitment to supporting older adults in maintaining their independence, safety, and wellbeing at home. Currently leading a volunteer-driven gardening program, I plan and implement initiatives that promote healthy ageing through physical activity, community connection, and shared interests between clients and volunteers. With a focus on people-centered support, I thrive on creating meaningful opportunities that benefit both our older community members and the volunteers who serve them. My role allows me to combine strategic planning, hands-on coordination, and compassionate engagement — all while making a real impact in the lives of others. I’m especially driven by causes that promote community health, inclusion, and the power of everyday actions to create positive change.
Yasmin Andrews
Yasmin Andrews is the current Education Programs Developer for Reverse Garbage, a creative reuse center that has operated in Marrickville since 1975. They oversee workshops for all ages that focus on educating the community on principles of the circular economy through hand-on craft workshops. In recent years they have establish programs that focus on how Australian textile waste and marine waste, and was awarded the Emerging Leader in Sustainable Education 2024 by Environmental Education New South Wales.
Matthew Haywood
Matthew Haywood (Matty) is the Student Communities and Leadership manager for University of Sydney Union (USU), where he primarily oversees the USU Clubs Program. His approach focuses on creating sustainable, scalable approaches to student engagement, with a particular interest in balancing student ambition with their volunteer capacity and utilising data to understand impact beyond base level participation metrics. Matthew is an advocate for student safety and wellbeing, and is currently designing GBV prevention campaigns across USU, expressing how student-facing initiatives can drive meaningful cultural change.
Ayesha Shaikh
Ayesha Shaikh is the Volunteer Programs Coordinator who manages over 900 student volunteers across multiple programs. A strong advocate for holistic skill development, she has built her career by embracing opportunities beyond traditional pathways. Despite studying Chemistry and Environmental Studies, she leveraged her involvement in student clubs and societies to pursue leadership and event coordination roles, while also securing a sustainability grant to make slow fashion more accessible. Now a recent graduate, Ayesha has revamped the volunteer program to expand the diversity of opportunities available to students, helping them build skills, confidence, and meaningful experiences. She also serves on the committee of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), supporting students to develop industry connections. Passionate about sustainability and student empowerment, Ayesha is a firm believer that success comes from making the most of every opportunity.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
