Perth

Speakers

Colin Archibald

Director and Founder, Eleven Consulting

Born in London to migrant parents from Jamaica,

To understand the process of Colin coming to this place and time, we first have to go back to London during the 80s, a time when racial inequality was rife. Coming from a disadvantaged background, he understands the impact of having positive role models and innovative diversity and inclusion programs that can make a major impact on people’s lives. By unlocking unconscious bias, he believes we can remove roadblocks and, in many cases, give participants the opportunity to develop a better understanding of others.

He focuses on creating narratives where people can place themselves in someone else’s shoes to see how long-term exposure to societal racism weaves its way through generations. By amplifying voices that are often unheard and allowing people to be the authors of their own stories, Colin believes we can drive the change we need to see. He invites others on a journey of discovery, encouraging them not just to be part of a moment, but to join a larger movement aimed at building better-connected communities.

Colin brings valued life experience to Eleven Consulting. Having spent his formative years in London, he has overcome many obstacles, but through good fortune, timing, and opportunity, he’s developed the resilience to follow his passion. Eleven Consulting is the result of years spent identifying pathways and opportunities for all. His undeniable skill and ability to create change have inspired people from vastly different backgrounds and cultures to achieve their true potential.

Asha Bhat OAM

Chief Executive Officer, Southern Aboriginal Corporation

Asha Bhat OAM is the CEO of Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC), where she has served for 17 years, including 12 as CEO. A visionary leader, Asha is dedicated to community-led solutions, empowering First Nations communities, and advancing cultural preservation. Under her leadership, SAC secured $5.2 million from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program for the Kairli Cultural and Language Centre in Albany.

She is currently leading the development of a purpose-built emergency accommodation facility for women and children fleeing domestic violence, funded by the federal government with $3.8 million. This facility will celebrate Noongar culture and language while fostering truth-telling, cultural competency, and Indigenous enterprise development. Asha, a proud migrant Indian woman, is passionate about courageous leadership and building inclusive, culturally responsive workplaces.

Henry Cooper

Strategic Partnerships & Engagement Manager, CEOs for Gender Equity

Born and raised in New York City, Henry Cooper has built a career centered on empowerment, equity, and transformation. With extensive experience as a youth worker in high schools, Henry has dedicated himself to inspiring young people to realize their full potential, especially children of color. His work is deeply rooted in the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to become more than they ever imagined possible.

As the Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Manager for CEOs for Gender Equity (CGE), Henry collaborates with business leaders to drive meaningful change and create inclusive environments where equity thrives. His commitment to equity is not just professional but profoundly personal, grounded in his understanding of the parallels between the struggles of African American communities and the challenges faced by First Nations peoples—particularly in education.

Henry is passionate about addressing the systemic barriers that hinder access to information, resources, and opportunities. He believes that equity in education is a cornerstone for building a more just and inclusive society. For Henry, the fight for equity is about more than fairness; it’s about ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the tools and support to succeed and become anything and everything they ever dreamed of.

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, a postgraduate Diploma in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management.

Dev Singh

Director of Public Policy, For Purpose Leaders

Devinder is a proponent of NFP strategy with a social conscience and commercial social impact. His family and cultural pedigree stems from four generations of armed forces, family traditions and Sikh cultural values of sense of purpose, and community service. His life’s purpose is to scientific temperament, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform within himself and the people he serves.

He is a qualified Engineer with an MBA in Finance and Operations, with 20 years of experience in the Not-for-profit, Energy, and Manufacturing sectors. He is currently engaged in various social strategy projects across the disability, aged care, community services, and mental health sectors.

Devinder is a firm believer in pushing the social conversation in the mainstream media and bringing the dialogue front and centre of decision-makers. He hosts Australia’s first podcast focused on For-purpose Sector with an aim to surface challenges and stories from the vast landscape.

Emily Kendall

Principal, Concept Studies | Decarbonisation, South 32

Emily is a Neurodivergent Process Engineer with over 10 years’ experience in the resources industry. Emily knows firsthand what it feels like to be misunderstood, mismanaged, and undervalued as a neurodivergent individual attempting to navigate the neurotypical corporate world.

Drawing from her lived experience she led a collaboration of like-minded individuals to launch the Perth Neurodiversity Network. Currently, she is the Neurodiverse representative on National Association of Women in Operations Intersectionality Advisory Committee, Engineers Australia’s I&D WA Committee, and City of Perth’s Inclusion and Accessibility Committee.

Topic: Neurodiversity Panel

Emily is a Neurodivergent Process Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the resources industry. Emily knows firsthand what it feels like to be misunderstood, mismanaged, and undervalued as a neurodivergent individual attempting to navigate the neurotypical corporate world. Only through finding her community to support her unmasking could she thrive authentically in the workplace. This lived experience led to her starting Neurodiversity Employee Resource Groups at Woodside and Fortescue, before collaborating with like-minded individuals to create the Perth Neurodiversity Network.

Currently, she is the Neurodiverse representative on National Association of Women in Operations Intersectionality Advisory Committee, Engineers Australia’s I&D WA Committee, and City of Perth’s Inclusion and Accessibility Committee.

Emma Ketley

Mental Health Therapist/ADHD Coach, Enriched by Experience

Emma is an HCPC and AHPRA registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist with an expansive range of over twenty years of professional experience from both the UK and Western Australia.

In 2022, Emma’s unquenchable curiosity- amplified by the social impact of the global pandemic- led her to recognize the lack of neuro-affirming and trauma-informed services available for neurodivergent adults. Recognizing this gap within adult supportive services, Emma undertook Adult ADHD Coach training at the highly regarded ADDCA Coaching Academy of New York. From there, she gained credentials as an ADHD Coach, an Academy Associated Coach (AACC), and as an International Federation of Coaching Accredited Coach (ICF ACC).

As a result, Emma’s Private Practice “Enriched By Experience” now provides a unique niche service for Adult Clients that can offer the choice of ADHD Coaching or Neuro-informed Mental Health Therapy. She is committed to both roles as an ICF-registered ADHD Coach and as an AHPRA Registered Therapist.

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.

Susan Kreemer-Pickford

General Manager, Engineers Australia WA

A Fellow of Engineers Australia and Engineering Executive, Susan joined Engineers Australia as General Manager WA in 2015. Previously, she worked in consulting engineering culminating in senior roles in client management and industry engagement. Susan was Project Director for the Living Smart program consultancy for the East Metropolitan Regional Council to reduce community travel, waste, water and energy use through behaviour change. Susan sits on a number of government and industry advisory committees. She is currently Chair of Curtin University’s Science and Engineering Faculty Advisory Council, a member of the Circular Economy WA steering committee and Board member of the Gravity Discovery Centre.

Topic: Inclusive Innovation Showdown

Our showcase where companies share their inclusive projects in a succinct 10-minute slot, aiming to inspire and share best practices. Ait includes audience interaction as voting for your favourite projects in categories such as Best Inclusive Innovation and Most Impactful Project. We promote continued discussion and collaboration and you may find a perfect partnership or idea to adapt to your organisation.

Special Guests and Entertainment 2024

Hon. Dr Brad Pettitt MLC South Metropolitan

Dr Brad Pettitt was elected to the Legislative Council of the WA Parliament in 2021. Until taking up this role in the Upper House of the State Parliament, Brad was the Mayor of the City of Fremantle. He was first elected mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2013 and 2017.

Prior to this Brad was the Dean of the School of Sustainability at Murdoch University. His research and teaching expertise included climate change, international development policy, and sustainability planning.

Brad has also previously worked with Oxfam in Cambodia and with the Australian Government Aid Program, AusAID, in Canberra.

When not working he likes riding his bike, drinking coffee, and playing with his 7-year-old daughter.

Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA

Hannah Beazley is the Minister for Local Government and Youth, and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development. She is also the local member for Victoria Park and proud mum of two boys, one of whom has extra needs. She knows first-hand how difficult it is to educate and support our kids. Also a former small business owner. She is passionate about representing her community in Parliament and being a strong voice for their values and accessible health and education for all.

Before entering Parliament, Hannah held senior executive positions across the not-for-profit and education sectors, including helping lead the team at local not-for-profit Western Australia Return Recycle Renew Ltd (WARRRL) to develop, roll out and administer the State’s highly successful container deposit scheme, Containers for Change.