Events 5 min read

Women In Sport Summit 2024: Speaker Spotlight

Written by MOS Editorial Team

Published on 5 July 2024

Taking place on July 24 at The Star Gold Coast, the Women In Sport Summit 2024 brings sport’s most influential women come together to inform, engage, and inspire all those in or aspiring to be part of the sports industry.Our esteemed lineup of speakers have worked in leading global and domestic organisations, and are influential leaders in levelling the playing field for women in sport.

With more speaker announcements to come, be sure to connect with Ministry of Sport on social media below:

Michelle Melky – Creative Director – Amplify

We’re thrilled to have Michelle Melky, Creative Director at major production and talent partner agency Amplify, as a major speaker within the Women In Sport Summit 2024’s Closing Session. Michelle has spearheaded numerous groundbreaking projects, including five Spotify Original Podcasts and TikTok’s first music reality show, UNDSCVRD, powered by Samsung. Her innovative work includes co-producing and directing the world’s first narrative web series for TikTok, Love Songs, and its successful second season in partnership with Tinder. Michelle’s expertise extends to producing Scattered, the first TikTok series funded by Screen Australia and VicScreen, and currently adapting the YA novel What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume. With her rich experience in online series and podcasting, Michelle offers unparalleled insights into engaging youth audiences. Join us as she delves into the topic of “Influencing Your Income,” sharing her strategies on leveraging creativity and digital platforms to drive financial success.

Barton Green – Executive Chair – Aussie Athlete Fund

Barton Green, Executive Chair of the Aussie Athlete Fund, will headline the closing session at the Women In Sport Summit 2024. With a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Barton brings unparalleled expertise in executive management, risk, and reputation to the stage. His impressive resume includes leadership roles at QMusic and Creative Brisbane Collab, and notable accolades like the Centenary Medal for his service to conservation. At the summit, Barton will delve into “Emerging to Elite: Funding Our Athletes’ Dreams,” sharing insights on how strategic funding can empower Australian athletes to achieve their full potential earnings.

Annie Naveh – Senior Data Scientist – Amazon Web Services

We are thrilled to welcome Annie Naveh, Senior Data Scientist at Amazon Web Services, as a speaker in the High Performance stream at the Women In Sport Summit 2024. She will be presenting on “Wave Of The Future: Integrating Data With Sport,” where she will delve into how data and AI/ML technologies are transforming the sports industry, offering valuable insights from her extensive experience.

Annie is renowned for her work in harnessing AI/ML to address complex industry challenges. With a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, she excels at bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical applications. Her impressive portfolio includes groundbreaking projects in quantum computing, predictive analytics, and a recent edge AI collaboration with Swimming Australia. Annie’s innovative approach continues to advance AI technologies, delivering significant benefits to customers and industries globally.

Patrick Walker – Chief Executive Officer – Australian Sports Foundation

We are thrilled to announce Patrick Walker, a distinguished leader in sports philanthropy and the CEO of the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), as a major speaker at the Women In Sport Summit 2024. Patrick’s illustrious career includes executive roles at PwC across the UK, Europe, and Australia, and a decade of leadership in the sustainability sector. Under his stewardship, the ASF has significantly boosted donations to sport, enabling countless Australian athletes and organizations to thrive. At the Summit, Patrick will delve into the critical topic of “Creating An Environment For Women In High Performance Sport To Thrive,” sharing his insights on fostering inclusive and supportive spaces that empower women to excel in their sporting pursuits. This session promises to be both inspirational and transformative, reflecting Patrick’s deep commitment to the social and community benefits of sport.

Taryn McQueen (Principal|Architect) and Sophie Hogben (Associate | Wayfinding Design Lead – APAC) – Populous

We are thrilled to announce that Taryn McQueen and Sophie Hogben from Populous, a global design firm, will be speaking at the Women In Sport Summit 2024. Both Taryn and Sophie bring a wealth of expertise to the Commercial stream of the summit, where they will explore “The Ripple Effect Of Equitable Training Facilities.”

Taryn McQueen, a Principal Architect at Populous, is renowned for her work on elite training facilities, sports precinct master planning, and stadia projects. Her portfolio includes designing facilities for the West Coast Eagles, Carlton Football Club, and the recently completed Home of the Matildas. Taryn’s commitment to universal and inclusive design ensures that her projects are not only functional but also adaptable and aesthetically pleasing, meeting the diverse needs of athletes and the community alike.

Sophie Hogben, the Associate and Wayfinding Design Lead for APAC at Populous, combines her background as a former Young Matilda’s player with her expertise in wayfinding design. Sophie’s work emphasises the importance of connecting people to places and fostering a strong identity within high-performance facilities. Her designs aim to create opportunities for young women to develop successful careers in sports.

Secure Your Tickets Before They Sell Out!

To hear from this wonderful lineup of speakers, gain actionable insights, network with professionals, and be part of a community driving the future of sports, grab your tickets to the Women In Sport Summit 2024 before they sell out!