MEET OUR SPEAKERS

CEO, BEYOND BLUE
Georgie Harman AO is one of Australia’s most influential and trusted figures in the mental health sector.
As the CEO of Beyond Blue, she believes passionately in doing better for people and communities affected by mental health issues and suicide. Like for most of us, it’s personal.
Georgie has steered Beyond Blue through significant change – expanding its services and supports, strengthening advocacy and community connection, and harnessing digital innovation.
She is Deputy Chair of the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol & Other Drugs and serves on the Board of mentoring organisation, Kilfinan Australia. She is a Patron of Out for Australia and was an inaugural Board member of the Victorian Pride Centre, the first purpose-built place for Australia's LGBTIQ+ communities. Previously Georgie served on the Board of Mental Health Australia. In a previous life, Georgie helped set up the National Mental Health Commission, where she was Deputy CEO, providing independent advice to government on reform and system performance. From 2006-2012, she was a senior executive at the Commonwealth Department of Health, with responsibility for mental health, suicide prevention, AOD, tobacco control, cancer and chronic disease policy and programs.
She started her career working in the HIV/AIDS sector in London before moving to Australia in 1999 when she was appointed as the inaugural Executive Director for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation in Sydney.

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, 89 DEGREES EAST
Dr Rebecca Huntley is one of Australians foremost researchers on social trends. She is the author of numerous books including How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way that Makes a Difference (Murdoch books, 2020). She writes regularly for The Monthly, Australian Traveller Magazine, The Guardian and the SMH. She is a Fellow of the Women Leadership Institute of Australia and of The
Research Society. He latest book is Sassafras: a memoir about love, loss and MDMA therapy.
Dr Rebecca Huntley is one of Australians foremost researchers on social trends. She holds degrees in law and film studies and a PhD in Gender Studies. She has lead research at Essential Media and Vox Populi and was a director at Ipsos Australia. For a number of years, she ran her own research and consultancy firm working closely with climate and environment NGOs, government and business on
climate change strategy and communication. She is now Director of Research at the agency 89DegreesEast.
She is the author of numerous books including How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way that Makes a Difference (Murdoch books, 2020). Rebecca was a broadcaster with the ABC’s RN and presented The History Listen and Drive on a Friday. She writes regularly for The Monthly, Australian Traveller Magazine, The Guardian and the SMH.
She is a member of the Advisory Group for the Climate Solutions Centre at the Australian Museum and a board member of the Dusseldorp Forum.
She is a Fellow of the Women Leadership Institute of Australia and of The Research Society. She is on the board of The Dusseldorp Forum
She is an adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS.
She was the Chair of the Advisory Board of Australian Parents for Climate Action. She has held board and advisory board positions with The Bell Shakespeare Company, The Whitlam Institute, Australian Parents for Climate Action and the Sydney Environment Institute.

LUCY BLOOM
Lucy is an award-winning leader and speaker. She’s a change-maker, exceptional communicator, and business fixer with the best mohawk in the business. Lucy led an advertising agency for 20 years before she held CEO roles leading international aid organisations, one in Ethiopia and another in Cambodia. She’s the founder of an education start-up and the author of four books including her memoir, Get the Girls Out, and her latest, a killer novel.
You will find Lucy challenging and entertaining in equal measure, with humour tied into a powerful business message. She’s a rule-breaker, idea-maker and momentum creator.
More speakers to be announced soon.