CONFERENCE MC

Elizabeth Wright is an Australian Paralympic Medallist and ABC journalist with a drive to help people understand what disability is, the issues disabled people face and how to be a better disability ally.

Elizabeth was born with limb difference and since childhood has advocated for her right to be included in mainstream schooling, in sport, at university and in the workplace. A master at reinvention and spotting allies and opportunities, since retiring from sport, Elizabeth has been an artist, academic, writer, and magazine editor.

Recently, Elizabeth moved back to Australia after 13 years in the UK, to take on a role at the ABC, her biggest challenge yet. Her experience in the UK gives her a global perspective on disability, inclusion and diversity, a perspective that is key to the work she does now.

Elizabeth uses her lived experience to educate and challenge those across education and business sectors, providing practical tips and know-how on how to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace, organisation, or school.

A storyteller at heart, Elizabeth inspires positive social change and illustrates how supporting all people in our communities leads to a more thriving society. She demonstrates that allyship is the way forward if we are to be more inclusive of disabled people, both through accessibility and representation.

KEYNOTE

Hugo Toovey is an Australian Army Major, founder of 25 STAY ALIVE, and a keynote speaker recognised with the 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize (Lived Experience).

Still in his early thirties, Hugo has lived through serious illness twice, repeated major surgeries, and ongoing uncertainty.

What shaped Hugo most was learning how to keep going when the finish line keeps moving. He could not control the circumstances, but he could control his next decision, his standards, and the conversations he was willing to have.

On stage, Hugo blends humour, honesty and a calm, direct style to deliver practical tools for resilience under pressure. His message lands across corporate, government and frontline audiences because it is human, actionable, and free of jargon.

Hugo doesn’t just tell a powerful story, he shifts what people think and what they do next. He helps audiences drop the guardrails around hard topics, find common ground quickly, and reconnect to what matters when pressure is high. People leave with practical tools for resilience, better conversations, and a clear prompt to act early, not later.

GUEST SPEAKER

Dr. Michael Sullivan is a clinical psychologist who is currently Professor of Psychology at McGill University (Montreal, Canada).

He has served as a consultant to numerous national and international health and safety organisations, veterans’ administration organisations, insurance groups as well as social policy and research institutes. In addition to his university appointment, Dr. Sullivan has been in clinical practice for the past 30 years.

In 2011, Dr. Sullivan received the Canadian Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession. In 2025, he received the Distinguished Career Award from the Canadian Pain Society.

KEYNOTE & SPEED PAINTER

Sarah Rowan is an artist and thought leader who empowers individuals and organisations to ignite a better future through creativity.

As one of Australia’s top-speed painters, she has lived and breathed the dynamic process of transformation for over 20 years, turning blank walls and canvasses into thought-provoking pieces of art, with limited time and often in front of a live audience.

Rowan’s strong emotional and funny storytelling, along with her ability to paint fast and think fast has captivated hundreds of clients.