Speakers

Mel Marshall is one of the most respected figures in international swimming, known for her success both in the pool and on the pool deck. A dual Olympian and five-time Olympic finalist, Mel claimed over 20 international medals during her swimming career before transitioning into high-performance coaching.She is best known as the long-time coach of Olympic and World Champion Adam Peaty, guiding him to eight Olympic medals and 15 world records.

Kate is a physiotherapist with over 20 years’ experience in elite women’s sport. She currently works with the Australian Women’s Cricket Team and previously spent over a decade supporting the Matildas as lead physio. Her career has included roles at multiple World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Olympic Games, where she has contributed to interdisciplinary teams focused on athlete health, performance, and longevity.  Kate’s approach to high performance care is grounded in practical experience and shaped by long-standing collaboration with athletes and support teams across elite sport. 

Dr Ferris is a high-performance sport coach, researcher, and educator with over 15 years’ experience in developing elite athletes and advancing applied sport science. He lectures in Exercise and Sport Science at UNE and recently completed his PhD at Griffith University, focusing on biochemical indices of training and competition in elite contact sport athletes. Dan has held leadership roles as Head of Physical Performance for several NRL clubs, including the Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles, and Gold Coast Titans. 

Associate Professor Crowther is a specialist in human movement science with research expertise in dynamic systems theory, movement variability, tissue adaptation, and human-computer interaction. He is the Discipline Convenor and Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science and Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of New England. 

Ellice De Giovanni, founder of Eligned, is a leading expert in health, movement, and brain function, with over 20 years’ experience in the wellness industry. Her innovative “brain changing movement” methods combine brain mapping, functional neurology, and cellular health to help thousands improve well-being, empowering individuals with effective, accessible wellness practices.

Over 20 years’ experience creating and delivering shared excellence through industry engagement. Experienced across business development, relationship management, sales, marketing, communications and complex negotiations in Australia, China, Asia and Europe. Danielle has worked in sport during this time, including the NBA and PRISM Sport and Entertainment. She is well-connected, with a breadth of experience across a broad range of industries and categories to support business growth and pipeline management. 

Dr. Clare Minahan is an Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport at Griffith University, specialising in the unique physiology of female athletes and optimising human performance. Her work has advanced the understanding of how women respond to exercise and training, with over 45% of her research outputs focusing exclusively on female participants—well above global averages. With more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and numerous keynote presentations at international conferences, Dr. Minahan is widely regarded for her contributions to advancing female-focused sports science.

Australian swimmer Ella Ramsay, 21, made her Olympic debut in Paris in 2024 after competing in the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in 2022. Driven by a love for helping young people, she hopes to work in mediation in family law while juggling elite sport and earning a Bachelor of Psychological Science. In and out of the water, Ella’s narrative is one of perseverance, balance, and pursuing ambitious goals 

Jodie has etched a strong career in sports administration, with almost two decade’s experience across a variety of sports and roles particularly lead cricket and now Swimming. Jodie is responsible for driving commercial and sponsorship revenue growth, developing diverse revenue generation strategies, managing broadcast negotiations, and delivering impactful events. Her leadership also extends to overseeing marketing and communications, consumer-facing technology, staff development, stakeholder management, and budget planning, along with advocating for the sport across various levels. 

Leanne Bats is a Future of Sports Architect, blending creativity, technology, fandom, and purpose to shape the industry’s evolution. As Head of Digital & Innovation at Sport Waikato, she drives transformative initiatives, and as Co-Founder of GENSport, she unlocks commercial opportunities in global women’s sport, helping investors drive growth, equity, and next-generation fan engagement. With two decades of experience at the intersection of sport, fandom, digital transformation, and commercial strategy, Leanne is a trailblazer in fan engagement and innovation. She previously led Innovation at New Zealand Rugby, pioneering emerging technologies to deepen connections with the iconic teams in black. Her global impact includes serving as ANZ Regional Partner for FC Barcelona, delivering the club’s developmental philosophy to young athletes across Australia and New Zealand. 

Jacqueline Smith-Dubendorfer is a strategic growth and digital commerce leader with a track record of scaling iconic global brands. At adidas, she was instrumental in growing the digital business from €60M to €4B, leading the brand’s transformation across DTC and B2B channels. She later led digital sales acceleration at Porsche, uniting premium brand storytelling with scalable tech infrastructure. Now as a founding member of GENSport, Jacqueline is focused on reshaping the future of women’s sport—helping organisations build investable, culturally resonant, and revenue-ready brands and assets through a proven growth framework.  Her work draws on two decades of global experience and a firm belief that the playbook of the past won’t unlock the potential of what’s next. 

Leanne Bats is a Future of Sports Architect, blending creativity, technology, fandom, and purpose to shape the industry’s evolution. As Head of Digital & Innovation at Sport Waikato, she drives transformative initiatives. As Co-Founder of GENSport, she unlocks commercial opportunities in global women’s sport, helping investors drive growth, equity, and next-generation fan engagement. With two decades of experience at the intersection of sport, fandom, digital transformation, and commercial strategy, Leanne is a trailblazer in fan engagement and innovation. She previously led Innovation at New Zealand Rugby, pioneering emerging technologies to deepen connections with the iconic teams in black. Her global impact includes serving as ANZ Regional Partner for FC Barcelona, delivering the club’s developmental philosophy to young athletes across Australia and New Zealand. 

Hannah is highly regarded within the sports industry as an innovative and insightful leader with the power to both devise and articulate brand marketing and content strategies that drive audience and consumer engagement and business growth.

A dynamic Business and Culture Change Leader in Marketing, Distribution, and Corporate Strategy, including experience working internationally, and across Australia and New Zealand.

With over 20 years’ experience leading high-performing and Award-winning Commercially focused Marketing Teams across Film and Media, she has also been an Executive Board Director for the last 7 years, with responsibility for corporate strategy, communications and building people-first initiatives.

Over 20 years’ experience creating and delivering shared excellence through industry engagement. Experienced across business development, relationship management, sales, marketing, communications and complex negotiations in Australia, China, Asia and Europe. Danielle has worked in sport during this time, including the NBA and PRISM Sport and Entertainment. She is well-connected, with a breadth of experience across a broad range of industries and categories to support business growth and pipeline management. 

Jennie Sager is the CEO of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL). Jennie is a globally recognised leader in the entertainment, media, and technology sectors, and brings a wealth of experience and an innovative approach as the WNBL enters an exciting new chapter following its acquisition by Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate and the NBL.

Ann is one of Australia’s leading business executives with a career that spans Government, Banking and Cruise Tourism. She is an active philanthropist with a passion for improving opportunities and removing barriers for women in STEM and sport, and supporting opportunities for Indigenous Australians.

Ann is the Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology and a Non-executive Director of National Australia Bank. She is the Chair of Queensland Airports Limited, the Port of Townville, UNICEF Australia, Super Members Council of Australia, Circa Contemporary Circus and Climate Leaders Coalition. Ann is a Member of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

Emma McKeon is the most decorated Australian Olympian in history and a proud UNICEF Australia Ambassador. With a remarkable 14 Olympic medals to her name, Emma made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by becoming the most successful female swimmer at a single Olympics, winning seven medals.

Beyond the pool, Emma is a proud UNICEF Australia Ambassador, a role she took on in November 2022 to advocate for children’s rights and global health issues.

Holly is a top-netballer, turned VFL player, and a passionate advocate for the advancement of females in sport and leadership. In 2016 she channeled her passion into Play Like a Girl, a movement she founded dedicated to empowering females through the lens of sport.

Carinda is a dynamic and passionate leader with an exceptional background in sports marketing spanning from Australian Sailing to Classic Sportswear.

With expertise spanning marketing and PR, brand and campaign management, event and project management, social media strategy, and athlete, influencer, and ambassador management, Carinda’s career and approach have a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on execution.

Britt Wickes is a creative and commercially minded marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience building brands that connect — emotionally, culturally, and commercially. With a career that spans 18 years across Australia and the UK, Britt has worked with some of the world’s most recognised brands across sport, retail, finance, and entertainment. 

Currently leading Event Brand Marketing at Tennis Australia, she plays a pivotal role in shaping how the Australian Open — and a broader calendar of global tennis events – shows up to fans and partners alike.

Jason Cadee is a former professional basketball player whose career spanned over 15 seasons in the NBL. He represented clubs including the Sydney Kings, Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets, and Gold Coast Blaze. Known for his leadership, playmaking ability, and elite basketball IQ, Jason played 424 NBL games and was a consistent presence at the top level of Australian basketball.

Since retiring from professional basketball, Jason has transitioned into the business world, taking on a key role with Step One as Partnerships Manager. He now focuses on brand/Athlete partnerships, product development, and bringing the same passion and discipline he had as an athlete into the next chapter of his career.

Gretel is a sporting legend and soon-to-be mother of 3, arguably one of Australia’s most identifiable and marketable netball personalities. Gretel Bueta stamped her authority in Australian Netball as one of the great innovators, highlighted by her trademark lay-up shot.

Karren Rogers is a Global Media Partnerships Manager at Meta, working with partners in the Sports, Entertainment and Media industries across Australia and New Zealand. 

With 17 years experience in the media industry, Karren has worked with businesses, rights holders, federations, teams, public figures and athletes to help them achieve business objectives, involving negotiating Meta’s first sports deals in Asia, securing Meta’s first Olympics sponsorship where Meta sponsored the Australian Olympic Team, plus partnership deals, including partnering with the Commonwealth Games Committee for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. 

Former Young Matilda’s player and Populous’ APAC Wayfinding Lead, Sophie is the driving force behind the wayfinding team, focusing on strategy, concept, overlay, and signage outputs. Her sporting and architectural background gives her a deep understanding of the specific requirements for wayfinding integration, coordination, and operation in high-performance facilities and precincts. Her work reflects a strong belief in the importance of connecting people to places and creating identity. 

Sophie’s sporting careers have allowed her to travel the world, experience many different cultures, and foster a passion and drive that have innately transferred to her design career. She is focused on the continued development of women’s sport and creating opportunities for young women to develop long-lasting, successful careers in their sport of choice.

Taryn is a highly skilled architect specialising in elite training facilities, sports precinct master planning and stadia projects. Her portfolio includes Elite Training and community facilities for the West Coast Eagles, Carlton Football Club and the recently completed Home of the Matildas, one of the first dedicated training facilities for a national elite women’s team. 

Taryn has a keen interest in training facilities as spaces for both athletes and the community, and is passionate about universal and inclusive design. This passion fuels a commitment to creating environments that go beyond mere functionality by focusing on usability, adaptability and aesthetics to meet the diverse needs of the primary users and the wider community. Her design approach involves thoughtful consideration of organisational and intuitional ethos, user experience, accessibility, mobility, and sensory stimulation. 

Jessica has built a career around her passion for sport. With over 20 years of commercial experience spanning 10+ Olympic Games, multiple Commonwealth Games and two Rugby World Cups, Jess has been at the forefront of corporate partnerships in both Australia and the UK. 

Jess most recently spent a decade running the commercial program for the Australian Olympic Committee. Before that, she led the corporate partnerships team for the British Olympic Association (Team GB) in the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. She is currently building the Australian consultancy business for global sports agency SPORTFIVE, serving as VP of Strategic Brand Solutions, and sits on SPORTFIVE’s global taskforce for growth in women’s sport.