Melbourne

Speakers

Jill Brazil

Diversity in Training

Jill Brazil CPA, is a DEI advocate, mentor, trainer and owner of Diversity and Training, which provides training and support in DEI education and framework development. Jill has a keen interest in inclusion of all genders at work and has launched a free gender equity framework and action resource for the local government sector in WA. Jill is the co-founder of Diversity and Inclusion Network of WA (DINWA), a network for all passionate Diversity and Inclusion practitioners or volunteers to share ideas, network and collaborate.With a background in accounting, Jill is also Chair of CPA Australia WA Gender and Career Balance Committee which focuses on mobilising members to address pivotal issues such as promoting workforce inclusivity, advocating for parental leave etc. Jill’s passion for inclusion combined with lived experience, is reflected in the provision of Menopause Awareness in the Workplace on behalf of Menopause Friendly Australia.

Topic: Menopause in the Workplace

Jill will discuss barriers that can be experienced in the workplace with perimenopause and menopause, and what employers can do to attract, support and retain people experiencing menopause symptoms.

Sughanda Chapman

Sugandha, known as Sig, is a modern polymath, unconventional thinker, and creative visionary celebrated for her human-centered approach to leadership and transformation. With nearly 20 years of experience across tech, social impact, entrepreneurship, and management consulting, she advocates for reimagining success to align with one’s evolving personal journey, leveraging a multi-passionate skill set for greater impact.

Her own journey, marked by a kaleidoscope of experiences as a woman of colour and a late ADHD diagnosis, showcases the strength in neurodiversity and embodies the essence of diverse thought and creativity she champions. Sig’s personal narrative is a declaration of her mission: to champion equitable systemic change and inclusive communities where every voice is heard, and every identity is valued.

As a Senior Manager of Client Delivery at Inkling Group, Sig combines psychological science with commercial acumen to drive cultural transformation and organisational wellbeing. Her global perspective, particularly in the APAC region, has led to successful partnerships with industry giants like Coca-Cola, Woolworths, Adobe, Aurecon, and CBA, fostering inclusive cultures that fuel innovation.

At Inkling Group, Sig helps lead the D&I practice, using her consulting expertise and executive coaching skills to help organisations harness the power of diversity and inclusion for competitive advantage. Known for her human-centered approach, she equips leaders with essential insights to build high-performing, inclusive teams.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Sig is a sought-after thought leader and keynote speaker on D&I, leadership, neurodiversity, and professional wellbeing. She is passionate about mentoring future female leaders through initiatives like Future Women and in STEM. For organisations looking to make a meaningful impact, Sig’s message is clear: embracing diversity and inclusion is not just a social responsibility but a competitive edge. Offstage, Sig enjoys family life, salt and vinegar chips, and K-dramas. Sugandha Chapman’s authentic, results-driven approach makes her an influential voice for leaders committed to driving significant change in their organisations.

Dr. Tanya Finnie

Global Cultural Strategist , RedHead Communications

Dr Tanya Finnie, the founding principal of RedHead Communications, is a global cultural strategist with over 20 years of experience working in leadership and cultural domains. Tanya hails from a widely diverse cultural background, having lived and worked throughout several African, European, and Australasian countries.

Over time, she has built valuable cultural and intellectual experience to coincide with her academic knowledge on cultural topics and challenges. She holds a PhD in Cultural leadership, postgraduate Diploma in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management.

Topic: From Shadows to Safari: A Journey to Equity and Inclusion

Tanya’s brand-new keynote covers overcoming adversity, adventure, and the pursuit of equity and inclusion. Growing up in an abusive household across Africa during tumultuous political times, Tanya’s story unfolds with her adventures as a game ranger and her ultimate success as an inclusive practitioner. This transformative journey highlights the importance of creating equity and inclusion, offering profound lessons and actionable insights to inspire and guide others in fostering a more equitable world.

Maureen Frank

Chief Disruption Officer and Lead Coach

Maureen Frank is the Founder and CEO of Emberin, a global leader in delivering award-winning diversity and inclusion solutions that focus on accelerating results with impactful outcomes. Her diverse career and various accolades include the Head of Mergers and Acquisitions for Aon in UK and Australia, Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, and BRW Rising Star. She is an international speaker and bestselling author, with her publications and programs having been used by over 50,000 people worldwide. Since she moved into the D&I space, she has amassed almost 20 years’ experience on global stages, mentored 35,000+ people worldwide, and influenced the D&I strategy and experience of 25,000 international leaders — across every industry. Bestselling author of book ‘The 6 Habits of Being Inclusive’ and a LinkedIn names diversity and inclusive global influencer. Maureen is passionate about disrupting the way we’ve traditionally delivered D&I programs. It’s time to rip the band aid off! We need to empower our leaders to be more inclusive in their everyday behaviours. It’s a big journey, but the first step starts by unpacking unconscious bias.

Topic: How to increase visible leader commitment and buy in to D and I

You have a DEI strategy and your leaders are supportive – but are they truly owning it?

Our discussions with DEI leaders has made it clear, the biggest issue most of you face right now is REAL and VISIBLE leader buy in. How can you move passion and ‘it’s important to me’ to visible action and leadership?

Mariane Power

Clinical Psychologist

Mariane Power is a future-focused Clinical Psychologist, Executive Coach for Neurodivergent Leaders and award-winning entrepreneur. The ultimate purpose-driven multi-hyphenate, Mariane’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to science-backed knowledge and strategies that promote human flourishing translates across her coaching, consulting, research, writing and speaking engagements, and has seen The Posify Group, a future ready workforce development company she co-founded, named by Deloitte Global and The World Economic Forum as a WorldClass Education Top Innovation.

Mariane is the host of podcast Classroom 5.0, interviewing today’s leading experts on topics related to the future of work, leadership and education. The author of The IMPACT Framework and IMPACT Mindset Theory, her academic and applied research explores the individual, cultural and environmental conditions that unlock human potential and drive inclusive impact.

Mariane’s lived experience of raising two twice-exceptional children (gifted and AuDHD) and her own late diagnosis of ADHD combined with her deep academic knowledge and neurodivergent affirming practices, makes her a sought after speaker and contributor to inclusive change initiatives and events.

Topic: Neurodiversity Panel

The robust and comprehensive panel discussion on neurodiversity will explore the diverse experiences of individuals with neurological differences, focusing on both early and late diagnoses. Panellists, including those diagnosed in childhood and adulthood, will share their unique journeys, highlighting the impact of timing on their personal and professional lives. Experts will discuss the challenges and benefits of late diagnosis, shedding light on the importance of awareness and understanding in creating inclusive environments. Audience members will gain insights into the varying needs and strengths within the neurodiverse community, fostering a more informed and supportive society.

Roman Ruzbacky

Principal DEI, Roman Ruzbacky & Associates

Roman is an experienced diversity, equity and inclusion leader and practitioner who helps to create equitable, inclusive and happy workplaces.

He is a principal DEI consultant at Roman Ruzbacky & Associates, which he established in 2021 and has previously worked in the scientific research, university and the Victorian Public Sector in a number of DEI roles. He specialises in diversity data literacy, gender equity, pay equity analysis, workshop facilitation and started his career as an analytical chemist with a music major in composition. He was the President of the Equal Employment Opportunity Network between 2017 to 2022, and a member of the AHRI and Swimming Victoria DEI Advisory Committees.

At the core of his work is the belief that people should be treated with dignity and respect, have equitable access to employment opportunities and outcomes and the ability to participate in all aspects of work and public life.

Topic: Harnessing Data for Inclusive Excellence

Roman will delve into the critical intersection of diversity data literacy and the human experience. Attendees will explore how understanding and effectively utilizing diversity data can illuminate the nuanced realities of different demographic groups within organisations. The session will emphasise the importance of data resistance and integrity, addressing how to navigate and counteract biases to maintain the authenticity and reliability of data. Participants will learn strategies for making their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives truly impactful by leveraging data to inform decisions, measure progress, and drive meaningful change. Through this comprehensive discussion, the speaker will empower attendees to transform their DEI efforts into actionable and measurable successes, ensuring that their work fosters a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Michael Walmsley

Diversity Atlas

Michael is an accomplished, highly respected people-first strategic leader working with organisations at the forefront of innovation, creativity and market growth in digital and emerging technologies. Michael has played pivotal leadership roles that have resulted in local and global expansions across diverse global teams. He leads the globalisation and commercialisation of Cultural Infusion’s Diversity Atlas platform, helping organisations and communities understand and transform their diverse workforces and communities to unlock the social, cultural and economic potential of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Prior to Cultural infusion, Michael led commercialisation of unique emerging technologies, building diverse and inclusive teams with technologies that focus on people, data and transformation from innovative start-ups in MarTech and HRTech domains.

Topic: Diversity Data Unpacked

Come and see how data drives diversity by analysing the data live of you as attendees. A data-driven approach offers organisations a nuanced, multifactorial understanding of their workforce’s rich cultural diversity, ensuring that everyone counts as the multidimensional person they are. This leads to a more inclusive and better performing workforce.