With two decades of experience spanning media, sport and entertainment, Karren has led a number of Meta’s most significant partnerships in the region, including the company’s first sports deals in Asia, its inaugural Olympics sponsorship with the Australian Olympic Team, and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

At the Summit, Karren will bring her expertise in sports media, strategic partnerships and commercial strategy to a discussion on the future of women’s sport.

Bec Haagsma was appointed as AFL Executive General Manager Customer, Commercial and Technology in February 2025.  As a member of the AFL Executive, Bec’s remit includes the AFL’s commercial portfolio, fan engagement and growth, marketing, brand, the AFL digital product and content functions, and the technology, AI and IT transformation of the league.

Prior to joining the AFL, Bec held the role of Chief Product and Technology Officer at Nine Entertainment Co. Alongside her executive role she also held NED positions at Domain Group (ASX DHG) and Future Women. This included running the streaming operations for the Paris Olympics.

Before Nine, Bec spent seven years at Telstra in senior executive roles, and she has also held executive roles at ACP Magazines (now Are Media), and the global B2B publisher, Reed Elsevier. Her career started in the Museum and Heritage sector.

Jennie Sager is the Director, Baseball NSW. 

She has over 20 years experience in global commercial executive leading transformation, growth, and business reinvention across sport, technology, media, entertainment and consumer platforms.
 
Most recently, as Director of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), she led the relaunch and transformation of the league during a defining period of growth and momentum – repositioning the business for long-term commercial success, expansion, and greater cultural relevance.
 
In a single season, the WNBL delivered record-breaking results across audience growth, engagement, sponsorship, and revenue.
 
Prior to the WNBL, Jennie held executive leadership roles at publicly traded global media companies, Nextdoor and Twitter, leading commercial, growth, and market expansion initiatives across Australia, Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. My experience spans global market leadership, organisational transformation, revenue acceleration, IPO readiness, strategic partnerships, and operating in complex stakeholder and regulatory environments.

Beck Hamilton is the inaugural CEO of Sport Climbing Australia and a sports executive with leadership experience across AFL, Rugby, Judo, Olympic and Paralympic sport. Following an 18-year career in marketing and entertainment, including as Director of Marketing for Disney Theatrical Australia and New Zealand.

She was selected for the Australian Institute of Sport’s inaugural Executive Women in Sport program in 2019, in the ‘not a sports person’ spot. 

Passionate to use the power of sport to improve health, education, and community outcomes, Beck is focused on building Sport Climbing Australia into a human-centered, financially sustainable NSO that delivers both sporting success, looks after its people, and delivers broader community impact. Outside of work, she is a 30-year volunteer lifesaver and Australia’s most successful female surf boat sweep and coach. The bigger the waves, the better. 

Sarah Loh is the Chief Executive Officer of Softball Australia since 2023, where she is leading the organisation through one of the most significant and exciting periods in its history, including preparations to host the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027 in Australia. 

With an extensive executive career spanning regional, state and national sporting organisations, local & state government, higher education and the not-for-profit secton, Sarah brings more than three decades of experience across the sport and recreation industry.

She holds a Master of Sports Business and is recognised for driving strategic growth, major partnerships and transformational change.

As the first female CEO in the AFL system in 2016, she continues to redefine what leadership in sport looks like. Passionate about the power of sport to inspire and connect communities, she is focused on leveraging major events to elevate softball’s profile, grow participation and create a lasting legacy for the sport. 

Sarah has served on the South East Community Links Board, the Victoria AFL Masters Board and the AFL Masters National Board. She was recently appointed to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Softball Commission, helping shape the future of the game on the global stage, and was recently recognised by Brisbane 2032 as one of Australia’s Most Influential Women in Sport. 

Kim Crane is the CEO of Paddle Australia, bringing over 30 years of experience in high-performance sport and leadership. She grew up in Torquay, Victoria, with a strong sporting background—her father was a champion surf ski paddler and kayak racer. Kim herself represented Australia as a Hockeyroo and later re-engaged with paddling through outrigger canoeing, competing in events like the Molokai Ultra Marathon. Her extensive career spans leadership roles in organisations such as Hockey Australia, Surfing Australia, and the Queensland Academy of Sport.

Before becoming CEO, Kim was Paddle Australia’s National Performance Director, where she led sprint, slalom, and para high-performance programs, notably preparing athletes for the Paris 2024 Games, regarded as the most successful in the sport’s history. Known for her strategic vision, high emotional intelligence, and people-focused leadership, she is now driving innovation, growth, and a values-driven culture at Paddle Australia, with a focus on broadening the sport’s reach and impact. Kim is also completing an MBA and actively supports women in sports leadership.

Verity Edgell is a commercially minded senior marketing and partnerships leader with more than 15 years’ experience building brands and partnerships that connect with consumers and deliver tangible value. Currently the Director of Consumer Marketing & Sponsorship for Australasia at Mastercard, she leads a team who are responsible for integrated marketing and partnership strategy across some of the region’s most high‑profile platforms, including the Australian Open and the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team.

With a career spanning agency, rights holder, and brand side roles, Verity brings a rare, end to end understanding of how partnerships work from all sides of the fence — from how they are sold and governed to how they are activated and measured. Known for her collaborative style, she focuses on building strong relationships and partnerships that balance brand integrity, commercial outcomes, and long term impact beyond a single campaign. 

Shaun Moody is a senior sports and entertainment executive with more than 17 years of experience driving commercial growth, strategic partnerships, and major event delivery across Australia’s leading sporting organisations.

Currently serving as Head of Partnerships at Tennis Australia and following 11 years in the business, he leads a team of 20+ professionals managing a portfolio of more than 65 global partners impacting the sport and major Events eco-system of Tennis Australia year-round.  

Throughout his career, Shaun has built a strong reputation for delivering high-value and impactful partnerships, enhancing fan engagement through the commercialisation of premium sports properties, and leading high-performing teams.  

Combining connected, strategic relationships across brands, media, venues, rights holders, and government with a strong understanding of the Australian sports landscape, Shaun is recognised as a collaborative leader who delivers sustainable growth and impactful commercial outcomes for brands and organisations globally. 

Having worked and studied in the sport & leisure industry for over 20 years, Kathryn has played a pivotal role in elevating professionalism, performance & standards within the industry. She has represented and guided many of Australia’s leading athletes and stands among a select group of women accredited as a Professional Sports Agent in the AFL, AFLW and Netball. From grassroots through to the elite level, Kathryn has built and managed brands across sport, entertainment, wellness and lifestyle, helping clients develop high-performing, professional and credible identities.

Rhiannon Pearce is South Australia’s Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

 Previously, Rhiannon served as Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

 Rhiannon also previously served as Assistant Minister and Parliamentary Secretary to the former Deputy Premier, the Hon Susan Close, and Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation.

 Rhiannon grew up in Telowie in South Australia’s magnificent southern Flinders Ranges, completing high school in Port Pirie.

 Upon moving to Adelaide, she completed a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Adelaide.

 Rhiannon entered the South Australian Parliament at the 2022 state election after being elected as the Member for King in Adelaide’s north and north eastern suburbs.

As CEO of Sport SA, the peak body for sport in South Australia, Leah has championed women’s sport from vision through to reality, establishing the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport, a program that empowers and connects all women in sport.

Leah has over 30 years of experience in Executive roles in Sport, Education and Human Services, with roles in Government and Non-Government in Australia, Turkey and Hong Kong. She holds a Master of Sociology from the University of Leicester (UK), a Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education from the University of Tasmania, a Diploma of Government in Project Management and is a recent graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Carly Goodrich is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in government and the sport, active recreation, and health sectors. Carly led the planning and development of open space, sport, recreation, play, and leisure infrastructure in the local government areas of Monash and Casey, working closely with Sport & Recreation Victoria to unlock investment into rapidly growing communities.

Since joining Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia in 2022, Carly has built the golf sector’s capability in government engagement, leading advocacy to reshape perceptions of golf and forge strategic partnerships with government, grounded in research and insight. She is passionate about demonstrating golf’s economic, social, and environmental value to Australian communities, and led the Community Benefits of Golf in Australia Report for the Australian Golf Industry Council — a landmark project highlighting golf’s role as a community asset and equipping decision-makers with a powerful evidence base. Carly continues to drive initiatives and policy that raise the profile of golf as a vital contributor to Australia’s sporting landscape.

Belinda Marsh is SANFL’s Head of Infrastructure, Government Relations & Community Engagement.

With extensive experience in placemaking and stakeholder partnerships, she leads football facility development across South Australia and now oversees broader community football planning, supporting the growth of the game in emerging development areas.

She works closely with government and industry partners to deliver infrastructure and community outcomes that help football thrive.

Liza manages a diverse portfolio of sports partnerships for Viva Energy Group, with primary responsibility for the Shell V-Power Racing Team.

She also oversees key relationships across the AFL, QRL and Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, working closely with rights holders and stakeholders to deliver commercially focused outcomes.

With more than two decades of experience with the Shell brand, Liza combines her passion for sport with deep sponsorship expertise to create meaningful connections between brands and fans that strengthen brand equity and deliver measurable results.

Mark Falvo is Chief Executive Officer of Netball Australia and one of Australia’s most experienced sports executives, with more than 15 years’ experience leading major sporting organisations, international events and transformational projects.

The former Chief Operating Officer and Deputy General Secretary of Football Australia, Mark played a lead role in the growth of Australian football, including Australia’s successful bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, record broadcast deals, equal pay and conditions for the Socceroos and Matildas, the establishment of the Western Sydney Wanderers, A-League expansion and the creation of the FFA Cup and National Premier Leagues.

Following his appointment as CEO of the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 in June 2025, Mark led the tournament’s strategic planning and foundation phase before stepping into the dual role of Interim CEO of Netball Australia in April 2026. He was appointed permanent CEO in August 2026 and now leads the organisation’s strategic direction and growth of Australia’s most popular sport for women and girls as it enters its centenary year in 2027.

A media, social media, PR and brand specialist, Michelle has over 16 years experience in the sports media industry.

Originally from Tasmania, Michelle worked in public affairs, media and social media roles in cricket for eight years across Cricket Australia, Cricket Tasmania, Hobart Hurricanes and Durham County Cricket Club in the UK. 

She joined the Sydney Swans in 2017 and over that time has built the club’s social media presence and also worked across media management, PR, marketing and brand partnerships.

Her current role is focussed on creator and content brand partnerships and developing athletes’ brands and working on the important role sport, culture and athletes play in the current media landscape.

Kate has nearly 20 years experience working in State and Local Government, primarily in advocacy, sport and major events.

Kate’s current role at the City of Ipswich focuses on advocacy to the State and Federal Governments for funding for major projects. Her responsibilities also include coordination and planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for Ipswich City Council as a co-host city. Including compiling and releasing a Team Attraction brochure for international high performance pre-games training at Ipswich venues.

Her previous State Government roles spanned multiple portfolios, but most recently she was involved in sport, tourism and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She was part of the 2021 successful Olympic and Paralympic Games bid team which saw Brisbane granted the 2032 Games.

An accomplished Senior Manager with over 25 years of experience spanning the private and public sectors, specialising in human resources, tourism development, and economic growth. Over a 15-year career in local government, Elaine has a proven track record of revitalising regional economies by leveraging tourism and major event delivery.

During her tenure as Manager of Economic and Community Development at Northeast Victoria’s Alpine Shire Council, she successfully spearheaded the expansion of the regional tourism cycling economy and oversaw major community events. Additionally, as Chair of the Board for Alpine Community Plantations, she played a pivotal role in the transformation and evolution of Mystic Park Mountain Bike Park.

Now returned home to South Australia, Elaine leads economic activation, strategy, and community growth for the iconic The Barossa Council. In her current capacity, she serves as the primary liaison between state government, the AFL, and local communities to spearhead major regional initiatives, including the high-profile Gather Round at Barossa Park

Jeremy started out as a journalist with News Limited and Australian Associated Press, covering everything from police rounds to Test cricket, royal commissions and feature writing (Clive James was funny and Magic Johnson was tall . . . probably still is). He moved to the dark side of media and PR management with the Western Reds during the tumultuous Super League war, before taking on executive media and marketing gigs with the Australian Jockey Club (the infamous Royal Randwick lawn parties were a glorious shambles), and Triathlon Australia. In establishing his own consultancy, Barking Dog Communications. 

Jeremy has worked for not-for-profits, niche businesses, government behemoths, and billionaires – being often inspired and sometimes bemused. He held a long-standing contract managing Destination Wollongong’s major events portfolio, crowned by securing the 2022 UCI Road Cycling World Championships and 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals. He is now the general manager of Destination Wollongong, which delivers cheeky destination marketing campaigns, champions key tourism infrastructure projects and is aiming to land its next global event, which is akin to catching a marlin with a hand reel. He has written two sporting books, One of Those Days and Test of Character, and is a director of The Man Walk.

Chantella is the Group General Manager at KOJO and President of Women Sport Australia.

An experienced senior leader specialising in sports marketing and event services, Chantella has led projects and major accounts both domestically and globally.

Her expertise spans strategy and ideation through to creative, production and delivery, with a focus on creating exceptional experiences for fans.

Chantella also brings the perspective of a former professional athlete, having competed at the highest level in both the WNBL and AFLW. She won four WNBL Championships with the Canberra Capitals before going on to play AFLW for the West Coast Eagles.

Melanie MacGillivray is a U.S.-born sports and commercial executive with nearly 20 years of global experience across the sports, media, and digital fitness sectors. She has held senior roles with Major League Soccer, Bundesliga International, Women’s Professional Soccer, and Adelaide-based digital fitness app Sweat leading strategic growth, partnerships, and audience engagement across the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

A former collegiate basketball and soccer player, Melanie brings deep insight into athlete and fan culture. Now based in South Australia, she is passionate about advancing women’s sport, building strong community connections, and driving purpose-led innovation across the industry.

Helix PR is a South Australian public relations and brand partnerships agency, specialising in product launches, brand awareness campaigns, and strategic PR.

With over 25 years’ experience managing professional athletes and building impactful brand collaborations, we’ve developed a trusted network of both local and global brands.

While our roots are in sport, we’re now expanding our services to offer a full suite of modern marketing solutions – from influencer campaigns and social media strategy to content creation.

By blending new-age marketing with traditional PR tools like media releases and television commercials, we deliver results that are both creative and commercially effective.

Whether you’re a business looking to work with a professional athlete or simply elevate your brand through smart, story-driven publicity – Helix PR is ready to help you make your next move.

James Pederson is an experienced, people focused senior executive and leader with a strong financial and commercial background across multiple territories and at a national level.

He has spent most of his career working with leading brands in the media and marketing sector, with proven ability to deliver key business outcomes as well as turn around underperforming teams.

Passionate about coaching and mentoring those around me, as well as navigating change management and driving innovation.

Leanne McClurg is a senior executive and governance leader with extensive experience across energy, infrastructure, strategy, and business transformation. Recognised for her trusted leadership in complex and high-stakes environments, she has built a reputation for delivering sustainable commercial outcomes while developing high-performing teams and future leaders.

Leanne is known for her outcomes-focused approach, commercial acumen and ability to build strong, long-term relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders. She also serves on the Board of the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA), contributing to the governance and strategic direction of one of Australia’s leading sporting organisations. Passionate about the role sport plays in strengthening communities, she is a strong advocate for effective governance, women in leadership and creating pathways for the next generation of talent.

Nikki Ayers OAM PLY is a Paralympic gold medallist, ICU nurse, midwife, public speaker and advocate whose story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. A traumatic knee injury in 2016 ended her Wallaroos dream, leading to sixteen surgeries and thirteen months of rehabilitation before she discovered para rowing. In 2024, she and doubles partner Jed Altschwager won Australia’s first-ever Paralympic rowing gold medal at the Paris Games.

Away from sport, Nikki is a passionate advocate for inclusion, LGBTQIA+ rights and serves as Co-Chair of the Tennis Australia LGBTQIA+ Advisory Group. She is also an advisor to the Clayton Church Homes governance committee and a recently appointed Board Director of the same not-for-profit organisation.

Nat Cook is a five-time Olympian and beach volleyball Gold and Bronze Medallist. A passionate athlete advocate, she has long championed the transformational power of sport and the lessons learned in the pursuit of excellence. Her trademark authenticity and energy, paired with a career that spans elite competition and business leadership, make her a compelling motivational speaker and advisor.

Cook currently serves as a Director of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee and sits on the World Olympians Association Board. She is a firm believer in the Games’ potential to create enduring legacies for individuals, businesses, and communities. Her work with the Aussie Athlete Fund reflects this commitment, helping athletes prepare for success on and off the field in the lead-up to 2032 and beyond.

Danielle Grant-Cross is a respected leader with more than 30 years of experience in people and change management, specialising in communications, stakeholder engagement, organisational transformation and operational leadership. She has successfully initiated, designed, delivered and evaluated organisations, services, programs and projects across primary health, aged care, hospital and health services, sport, and health promotion sectors.

Currently CEO of the SA Sports Medicine Association, Danielle is recognised for her ability to build strong relationships, unite diverse stakeholders and lead high-performing teams to achieve meaningful outcomes. Her experience spans the Royal Commission, federal, state and local government, the not-for-profit sector, and business ownership.

With extensive board and committee experience, Danielle brings strategic insight, practical leadership and a collaborative approach to complex challenges. A former Australian Squad and National League netball player, Adelaide Ravens and State Captain, she combines high-performance leadership with a passion for empowering people, strengthening communities and driving positive change.

Clare is Client Services Director and women’s sport expert at Two Circles, a data-driven sports agency. She helps teams and clients turn data into strategy, marketing plans into measurable ROI, and customer touch-points into relationships that bring commercial and not-for-profit benefit & loves bringing the stories of sport to life and thinking about where we might go next.

Nicole Pensko is a a strategic commercial leader driving the integration of data and performance in the sports technology landscape. As Catapult Sports’ Vice President, Commercial for the APAC region.

Nicole is at the forefront of the sports industry, partnering with elite federations, leagues, and teams to turn complex performance data into both a competitive advantage and a tangible commercial asset.

With over 20 years of experience in the sports and technology sectors, including leadership roles at Canterbury of New Zealand (rugby sports clothing brand), Basketball Australia, and Basketball Queensland, Nicole has a proven track record of scaling revenue and fostering data-driven client engagements.