QUT Business Leaders' Forum - Sam Graham, Brisbane Lions and Dave Donaghy, Brisbane Broncos
The Forum
2025 was an extraordinary year for Brisbane, our teams didn’t just compete, we dominated the sporting arena. Behind these celebrations were two leaders navigating club expectations, community pride and the stewardship of organisations under intense pressure.
This year, the QUT Business Leaders’ Forum opens with an unmissable conversation with Dave Donaghy, CEO of the Brisbane Broncos, and Sam Graham, CEO of the Brisbane Lions.
Together, in a conversation moderated by Ellen Fanning, they will explore:
The defining moments of their personal leadership journeys
The mindset required to lead under constant public scrutiny
How to rebuild culture after adversity
The link between commercial strategy and on-field success
What Brisbane’s premiership year signals for the city’s future, particularly in the lead up to 2032
Join us for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience and building winning organisations.
The Speakers
Dave Donaghy, CEO, Brisbane Broncos
Dave Donaghy is a distinguished sports executive, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League. With a career spanning journalism, AFL, and elite rugby league management, Donaghy has established himself as a transformative leader in Australian sport. Born in Gladstone, Queensland, Donaghy’s professional journey began in journalism, where he worked with Australian Associated Press and the Herald Sun in Melbourne. His ability to understand the nuances of storytelling, media strategy, and public engagement laid the foundation for his transition into sports administration. He first made an impact with the Brisbane Lions in the AFL, before moving to rugby league—where his influence would become even more pronounced. In 2015, Donaghy was appointed CEO of the Melbourne Storm, a club that would thrive under his leadership. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in solidifying the Storm’s dominance, fostering a high-performance culture, and driving commercial success. His time in Melbourne was marked by premiership victories, financial stability, and a reputation for innovation both on and off the field. In 2021, Donaghy took on the challenge of leading the Brisbane Broncos, one of the most iconic and scrutinized clubs in Australian sport. Stepping into the role amid a turbulent period for the club, he faced immediate challenges—including a legal dispute delaying his start. However, Donaghy’s strategic vision, leadership acumen, and deep understanding of high-performance environments have seen him spearhead a cultural and operational transformation. In 2025 the Brisbane Broncos became double Premiers with both their NRLW and NRL squads winning this years Grand Final. A graduate of The University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Journalism, Donaghy combines media expertise with elite sports administration, making him a dynamic force in modern rugby league. His leadership continues to shape the future of the Broncos, to cement its place at the pinnacle of Australian sport.
Sam Graham, CEO, Brisbane Lions
Sam Graham has over two decades experience across a variety of leadership roles in the AFL industry, including – General Manager, Strategy; General Manager, Game Development; Chief Executive Officer, AFL NSW/ACT and General Manager, Tasmanian Expansion. Sam has lead or been involved in a number of key AFL industry initiatives including competition expansion (Gold Coast and Western Sydney), major infrastructure developments and the business case for the Tasmanian 19th AFL licence. He joined the Brisbane Lions as Chief Operating Officer in October 2023 before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in July 2025. Sam is a Chartered Accountant by trade.
The Audience
Join 500 senior executives from 150+ organisations across all industries.
This is the room where Queensland's corporate and professional community connects, collaborates and leads.
Members of Chartered Accountants ANZ and CPA Australia may claim this activity as formal CPD hours
The Inclusions
11.30am – Arrival networking with drinks
12.10pm – Doors open | Three-course lunch with drinks
2.00pm – Extended networking with drinks (until 2:30pm)
Arrive early and stay on to connect directly with our guest speakers and fellow senior leaders during our networking sessions.
The Partners
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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