Space Matters

Lineup

• More details about Simon Banks (Co-Host)

  Simon Banks (Co-Host)

  Simon Banks is an recovering artist and creative facilitator who uses hands-on art and conversation to spark connection, fresh thinking, and meaningful dialogue in community spaces.

• More details about Ben Pecotich | Dynamic4, SydDT (March 26)

  Ben Pecotich | Dynamic4, SydDT (March 26)

  Ben Pecotich is a designer, coach, and founder of Dynamic4 – a social enterprise and B Corp focused on regenerative leadership, design, and innovation for happier communities… and making the transition to more regenerative ways of living and doing business. He works alongside leaders to solve problems that matter by designing and building business models, products, and services that customers and teams love, make money, do great things for people and our planet, while increasing wellbeing. For 30+ years, Ben’s led, designed, and delivered strategic change in financial services, digital & tech, health & fitness, and founded startups/social enterprises – in Australia, NZ, Asia, the UK, and Europe. Ben’s the author of Solve Problems That Matter: Design, Build & Launch Your Social Enterprise Idea and co-founder of Sydney Design Thinking.

• More details about Dr Barbara Doran | UTS (March 26)

  Dr Barbara Doran | UTS (March 26)

  Dr Barbara Doran is a specialist in creative intelligence and transdisciplinary innovation, and Course Director of the Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation program at the University of Technology Sydney. Working across the arts, education, research and industry, Barbara explores how people generate ideas, make decisions and collaborate to create meaningful change. Her practice spans more than 100 creative and research projects, from exhibitions and performances to innovation programs supporting new approaches to health, sustainability and community wellbeing. An award-winning artist and researcher, Barbara has twice received the United Nations Bioethics and Art Award. She works at the intersection of creativity, leadership and systems thinking, challenging traditional approaches to problem-solving and encouraging new ways of understanding how spaces, physical, social and psychological, shape collaboration and innovation.

• More details about Anna Sheppard | CEO | Bambuddha Group March 26)

  Anna Sheppard | CEO | Bambuddha Group March 26)

  Anna Sheppard (they/them) is a keynote speaker, impact producer, and responsible leadership advisor known for their work at the intersection of business, media, and social change. They are the Founder and CEO of Bambuddha Group and Bambuddha Studios, a Sydney-based impact production and leadership development company working to catalyse a global shift to Responsible Leadership by 2035.Bambuddha is dedicated to helping organisations create measurable positive outcomes for people, community, and the environment. With over 20 years of global leadership experience across, Anna has worked with executives, founders, government, and purpose-driven organisations to build cultures of accountability, inclusion, and sustainable performance. Their work is underpinned by the Bambuddha™ Impact Index, a framework designed to strengthen leadership capability across People, Customers, Community, Environment, and Responsible Leadership. Anna is known for combining evidence-based leadership theory with powerful storytelling, creating learning experiences, events, and media that are both practical and deeply human. Through their speaking, coaching, and studio productions, they champion the idea that kindness, courage, and responsibility are not soft skills, they are the future of leadership. They are a multi award winning thought leader recognised internationally for their contribution to responsible leadership and social impact, and continue to work with leaders and organisations who want to build influence that lasts.

• More details about Louise Pearson | ASPECT Studios (26th Feb)

  Louise Pearson | ASPECT Studios (26th Feb)

  Louise trained as an artist and designer and has more than 25 years’ experience in landscape architecture, architecture, and art. Driving significant public‑realm projects, she has been instrumental in shaping many award‑winning public places including the Ian Potter Wild Play Garden and the Darling Square Public Domain. Her ability to set city‑shaping moves based on first principles combines with a love of detail to develop coherent, rich, and immersive places. Louise has also played a key design leadership role on major infrastructure and city‑shaping projects such as the new Sydney Fish Markets public domain and the Inner West GreenWay, bringing clarity of vision, sensitive integration of complex systems, and a strong environmental ethic to these landmark initiatives. Her work on these projects reflects her commitment to creating public spaces that are deeply connected to place, people, and ecology. As Studio Director, Louise is integral to setting the studio’s vision, maintaining quality, and guiding the broader team through weekly critique sessions. She believes that having an inspiring and diverse design process is central to the creation of excellent works. Her art practice – which includes drawing, painting, and sculpture, informs inventive approaches to design and fosters the studio’s creative culture. Interested in refining the urban condition, Louise considers projects from city‑scale strategy through to construction detailing: the bones of a city through to its intricacies. Combining unique skills in architecture, art, and public‑space design, her broad perspective leads to the creation of inspiring works that are complementary to their environment.

• More details about Rousseau Anai | Pocket City Farms (26th Feb)

  Rousseau Anai | Pocket City Farms (26th Feb)

  Rousseau Anai is the Chair of the Board of Pocket City Farms, a Sydney-based social enterprise transforming underused urban spaces into productive, community-led farms. His work centres on food security, education, and reconnecting people with place.

• More details about Belinda Bean, Wilder Impact (Feb 26th)

  Belinda Bean, Wilder Impact (Feb 26th)

  Belinda Bean is the founder of Wilder Impact, a consultancy helping people, organisations and communities turn good sustainability intentions into real-world action – with less beige strategy and more wild impact. Her work focuses on urban greening, nature-based solutions and behaviour change, bridging big-picture strategy with practical, on-the-ground delivery. Through Wilder Impact, Belinda supports councils, industry, educators and community groups to design and communicate solutions that are credible, accessible and scalable – from backyards and local streets to precincts and city systems. Belinda is also the Executive Director of the Australasian Green Infrastructure Network and a sustainability educator, bringing a systems-thinking lens grounded in hands-on experience. She is passionate about reconnecting people with nature in cities, and showing how everyday greening decisions can drive climate, biodiversity and community benefits.

• More details about James Winter, Brand X (Jan 29th)

  James Winter, Brand X (Jan 29th)

  James Winter is the co-founder and Director of Brand X, one of Sydney’s most influential artist-led organisations dedicated to creating affordable, sustainable creative spaces across the city. With a background in theatre direction and nearly two decades shaping cultural infrastructure, James has played a central role in re-imagining how creatives access space. He currently advises government and industry on cultural strategy and the night-time economy.

• More details about Madeleine Jaine Lobsey, Wondiverse (Jan 29th)

  Madeleine Jaine Lobsey, Wondiverse (Jan 29th)

  Madeleine is a AuDHD creative and nationally recognised leader in neuroinclusive practice. She has spent more than two decades working in theatre, story, community arts, leadership training and inclusive design. She programs small inclusive events up to large-scale public programs and is the founder of Wondiverse, a neurodivergent-led organisation. WonderPlay Studio at L2, 101–111 William St. is Sydney’s first neuroinclusive creative development space. It will be a home where neurodivergent, disabled and diverse creatives can write, collaborate, develop projects and build careers in a safe, inclusive environment.

• More details about Ben Ward, Greenups (Jan 29th)

  Ben Ward, Greenups (Jan 29th)

  Ben Ward is a passionate, analytical and motivated advocate for people and planet, a clear communicator, systems thinker and strategist. He has recently re launched the community sustainability event Greenups that ran from many spaces for 15 years.