Speakers

Dr Emma Fulu is a feminist activist, researcher, and entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to advancing gender equality and ending violence against women and girls. She is the founder and Co-CEO of the Equality Institute, a global organisation dedicated to creating a more just and inclusive world that has worked in more than 30 countries. Emma has led some of the world’s largest studies on violence against women, including at the United Nations, and co-founded VOICE, supporting women and girls in crisis settings. Emma has advised governments, UN agencies, and global brands, and her work has been featured on Q&A, The Project, the BBC, CNN, and beyond. A TEDx speaker and writer with a PhD from the University of Melbourne, she brings together data, storytelling, and lived experience to inspire change.

Olena Shevchenko is a prominent Ukrainian women's and LGBTI rights activist, serving as the chairwoman of the NGO Insight and co-founder of the feminist movement - Women's March in Ukraine (Marsh Zhinok). She advocates for marginalized communities, including LGBTQI individuals and women from vulnerable communities, while challenging discriminatory laws. In 2021, Shevchenko was awarded the Human Rights Tulip by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for her pioneering human rights work. The following year, she and Insight received the Prix international de la ville de Paris for the Rights of LGBTI+ People. Named Women of the Year by The Times in 2023, Shevchenko highlighted the increased vulnerability of women and LGBTQI people during the war in Ukraine, pointing to widespread discrimination, sexual violence, and gaps in humanitarian aid. She remains a powerful advocate for human rights in Ukraine.

Jackson Katz, Ph.D., is an educator, author, and scholar-activist who has long been a major figure in the global movement of men working to promote gender equity and prevent gender-based violence. He co-founded the first large-scale prevention initiative in university and professional athletics in North America, and the first system-wide prevention program in the U.S. military. He is one of the original architects of the “bystander” approach to prevention. He is the creator of award-winning educational documentaries, including the classic Tough Guise series. He is the author of three books, including the recently published Every Man: Why Violence Against Women Is a Men's Issue (Penguin Random House UK). His TEDx talk on that topic has been translated into 27 languages and has over 5.5 million views.

Natasha Stott Despoja AO is an Australian politician, diplomat, gender equality advocate and author.

Natasha is a former Senator, political party leader, Ambassador and Royal Commissioner. She is a Professor in the Practice of Politics at ANU.

In 2020, Natasha was elected by the General Assembly of the United Nations as a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

In 2024, Natasha was appointed to lead the South Australian Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. Natasha was the founding Chair of Our Watch (2013-2021) and served as Australia’s Global Ambassador for Women and Girls (2013-2016), working to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world.

She currently serves as a non-executive Director of The Australian Ballet and Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer. She is also a member of the Broad Agenda 50:50 by 2030 Advisory Group and the George Washington Global Women’s Leadership Council.

Tanya Plibersek is the Minister for Social Services, and the Federal Member for Sydney.

Between 2013 and 2019, Tanya was Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. From 2013 to 2016, Tanya was also the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development. From 2017 to 2022 Tanya was the Shadow Minister for Education and the Shadow Minister for Women.

From 2022 to 2025, she was the Minister for the Environment and Water in the first Albanese Labor Government.

Tanya served as a Cabinet minister in the Gillard and Rudd Governments. Tanya was Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research, Minister for Housing, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Social Inclusion, and Minister for the Status of Women. Tanya grew up in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney and is the daughter of migrants from Slovenia. Like many newly arrived migrants, Tanya’s parents helped build the country in which they made their new home. Her father worked on the Snowy River hydro electric scheme in the 1950s.

Tanya holds a BA Communications (Hons) from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and a Master of Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University. Before entering Parliament, Tanya worked in the Domestic Violence Unit at the NSW Ministry for the Status and Advancement of Women. Elected to Federal Parliament as the Member for Sydney in 1998, she spoke of her conviction that ordinary people working together can achieve positive change.

Tanya lives in Sydney with her husband Michael and her three children, Anna, Joseph and Louis.

Fiona Vera-Gray is Professor of Sexual Violence at London Metropolitan University and Co-Director of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, an internationally renowned research centre on violence against women and girls. A former frontline sexual violence practitioner, her research bridges theory and activism, focusing on sexual violence, harassment, and pornography. Vera-Gray is widely recognised for her work on public sexual harassment and its impact on women’s embodiment, and is the author of several books, including The Right Amount of Panic and most recently Women on Porn.

Bandana Rana is the first Nepali member of the UN CEDAW (Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) Committee since 2017. She served as Vice Chair of the Committee from 2018-2020. She is presently the Chair of the Task Force on Afghanistan within the Committee. She is also a member of the UNFPA High Level Commission on ICPD25 follow up.

Professor Kyllie Cripps is a proud Palawa woman, Director of the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, and Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). She is nationally recognised for her expertise in Indigenous family violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. With over two decades of experience, her research centres truth-telling, community-led solutions, and systemic reform. Kyllie works closely with communities, services, and governments to create culturally safe, accountable responses to violence. Her leadership is grounded in care, collaboration, and justice—driving change that upholds the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.

Heidi La Paglia Reid is an Autistic and disabled, mum feminist, rights advocate and policy consultant based in Lutruwita/Tasmania. She has worked nationally and internationally to advance the rights of women with disabilities through research, policy, and systems advocacy. Heidi brings personal and professional experience to her work and has extensive policy experience in a number of policy areas including disability rights, gender equity, and violence prevention. Heidi worked as the policy director at Women With Disabilities Australia for a number of years and in 2023, started her own consultancy business. In all of her work, Heidi advocates for deep community engagement and has a drive to transform systems in a way that breaks down intersectional discrimination.

Yanyuwa and Wardaman woman Dr Shellie Morris AO is a multi-award-winning singer/songwriter creating and singing in around 20 Australian Aboriginal languages.

While she has been in the spotlight over the years for involvement in various national and international projects, by and large, she works on the ground empowering and gently effecting change.

She is a Red Ochre recipient and has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Kings Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to the performing arts, to the Indigenous community, and to not-for-profit organisations.

She is the 2014 NT Australian of the Year, the 2014 NAIDOC National Artist of the Year, a multi Deadly Award winner and a driving force of the acclaimed album Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu and the internationally award-winning musical documentary Prison Songs.

In April 2021, she was awarded an Honorary Award of Doctor of Music from Sydney University for her unique and ongoing work with Indigenous communities to build resilience and self-esteem through song writing and musical collaborations.

Dr. Ann O’Neill AO is an award-winning social worker, academic, and internationally respected advocate for those affected by violence and trauma. In 1994, Ann survived an unimaginable act of family violence that took the lives of her two young children and left her with life-altering injuries. Rather than being defined by this tragedy, Ann chose to dedicate her life to helping others navigate and recover from trauma. She went on to earn a PhD in Social Work and founded angelhands, a not-for-profit organisation supporting victims of serious violence and homicide. Through her research, teaching, and public speaking, Ann has become a powerful voice for healing, justice, and systemic change. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the Australian community, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, has received the John Curtin Medal, and was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame.

Cecilia McKenzie is a proud Wiradjuri woman and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Engagement Manager at Domestic Violence NSW. A survivor and advocate, she brings lived experience and culture to her work, championing healing, self-determination, centering hope and a deep commitment to systemic change.

Cecilia has worked across state borders to influence policy, improve service responses, and amplify the voices of Aboriginal women impacted by Domestic Violence in particular coercive control—particularly in regional and remote communities. She is known for her deep listening, courageous storytelling, and commitment to justice.

A professional vocalist, singing is where Cecilia goes to heal and reset. Through music and story, she connects with culture, community, and self. She lives on a rural property in the Southern Tablelands with her husband and daughters, grounded in family, purpose, and hope.

Lula is a strategic policy entrepreneur driving national change through thought leadership, research, and lived experience advocacy. Lula’s work has influenced gender equality, national security and domestic violence policy, and systems reform, leading to major government and sector shifts. Lula is a trusted advisor and speaker, who has co-founded national survivor-led initiatives and secured over $25 million for women’s recovery programs. Her leadership has seen a growing national focus on understanding and reducing the perpetration of domestic, family, and sexual violence. In 2024, Lula joined Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand as their inaugural General Manager for Lived Experience and Co-Production.

Arman Abrahimzadeh is a DV prevention advocate and an experienced Board Director, having served on a number of advisory committees and NFP Boards in SA including Zahra Foundation Australia, of which he is also a Co-Founder.

As an advocate for the prevention of family and domestic violence, Arman speaks on the topic of healthy relationships and early warning signs in abusive relationships at schools, workplaces, prisons and conferences.

Arman was elected as a Councillor in the City of Adelaide in 2018 and served as the Deputy Lord Mayor in 2022. In addition to his work in community housing and the City of Adelaide, Arman is also a member of the Advisory Group to the SA Royal Commission into Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Julie has worked in the anti-violence against women sector for 35 years. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Annie North Inc. a women’s refuge and domestic violence service based in central Victoria, and current Board member of WESNET after many years as National Chair. She is a founding member of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters.

In June 2021, Julie was awarded a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia “For significant services to women and children experiencing family violence”. In 2024, she was inducted into the Victorian Honours Roll of Women for her work supporting women and children who have experienced family violence.

Julie is recognised for over three decades of leadership in innovative and good practice responses to women and children experiencing violence and over this time has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including at the Commission for the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Within Australia she has advised many governments and inquiries on policy responses to gender-based violence.

Julie is passionate about educating the community about the drivers of gender-based violence so that everyone can contribute to the social change needed to prevent it.

Maha Krayem Abdo OAM is a passionate advocate for social justice and serves as the CEO of Muslim Women Australia (MWA). Under Maha’s leadership, MWA provides advocacy, policy advice, community development and domestic violence support for women and children for women from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.   Maha knows the migrant experience firsthand having moved from Lebanon to Australia with her family in the 1960s. Maha’s work has helped provide new arrivals and other women with safety and assurance. She also works at a local, national and international level to advise governments on policy, services and strategies for Muslim and nonMuslim women.  A trained social worker, Maha’s contributions to human rights, equality and community cohesion have been recognised through numerous awards.

Amie Carrington is a passionate and transformative leader dedicated to ending gender-based violence. Amie is the Chair of the Board for Wesnet Inc. (Women's Services Network) and the Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic Violence Action Centre Inc. Providing leadership of specialist domestic, family and sexual violence services in South East Queensland to increase safety and healing for victim survivors and reduce the impact of Domestic Violence in our communities. Amie's academic background includes a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Social Inquiry, complemented by certifications in governance, leadership, and coaching.

Aleid has dedicated her professional life to governing various institutions committed to combating domestic violence against women, children – and also men. Her retirement as CEO of ‘Blijf Groep’ in 2018, has not ended her deeply rooted connection to the causes she has been supporting. As an independent expert new possibilities have arisen. For example a publication on current attitudes towards partner violence in the Netherland. The honorable membership of GREVIO, an expert group at the Council of Europe. since September 2018 has allowed Aleid to employ many aspects of her expertise for the greater good. She has been involved in the Global Network of Women’s Shelters since 2008, currently as the chair  of the GNWS Foundation in the Hague, the Netherlands.

University skilled in social sciences, Aleid has always tried to continue staying in direct contact with the victims of domestic violence seeking shelter and support, predominantly women and children. Listening to what they had to tell has kept me alert, and open to the real problems. Whether or not explicitly presented. The women and children she met during the past decades are her true inspiration. Their problems must be solved, in the most effective way. To her creating the most effective way means creating high quality, innovative and sustainable organisational frameworks.

Jenny Holmes is an Aboriginal woman with lived experience from the Dharug and Dharawal mob, dedicated to supporting her community and empowering women and children. As the Project Lead for WAGEC’s “From Now” pilot program, she focuses on assisting women transitioning from custodial sentences and ensuring their children receive the support they need.

With over 15 years of experience in community services, Jenny is an accredited trainer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid. She is also trained in suicide intervention, prevention, and postvention. A leading group facilitator, she specializes in supporting women who have face complex trauma both in mainstream settings and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Jenny’s passion for women & children and community service drives her work, making a meaningful impact in the lives of women and children. Jenny Holmes is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Dharug and Dharawal mob, deeply committed to supporting her community and advocating for the empowerment of women and children. With over 15 years of experience in community services, Jenny has dedicated her career to working with individuals who have faced complex trauma, particularly within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

As the Project Lead for WAGEC’s "From Now" pilot program, Jenny plays a crucial role in supporting women transitioning from custodial sentences, ensuring they have access to the resources and support necessary for a fresh start. She is particularly passionate about ensuring that children affected by the criminal justice system receive the care and services they need to thrive. Through her work, she strives to break cycles of disadvantage and create pathways for stability, healing, and empowerment.

Jenny is an accredited trainer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid, equipping individuals and organizations with the skills to respond effectively to mental health challenges within First Nations communities. In addition, she is highly trained in suicide intervention, prevention, and postvention, recognizing the critical importance of mental health support and culturally safe approaches to healing.

As a leading group facilitator, Jenny specializes in creating safe, supportive spaces for women who have experienced family violence, incarceration, and systemic barriers to recovery. She has worked across mainstream and community-controlled settings, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Her work is grounded in cultural strength, resilience, and the belief that every woman deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to build a better future.

Jenny’s unwavering dedication to community service is driven by her deep passion for justice, healing, and empowerment. She continues to advocate for systemic change while offering direct support to those who need it most, ensuring that women and children have the opportunities and resources they deserve to thrive.

Hannah commenced as the inaugural NSW Women's Safety Commissioner in 2023. In this role, she provides leadership across the whole government to improve responses to domestic, family and sexual violence. Previously Hannah worked as an international human rights lawyer at the United Nations, as the Director of Disability Rights at the Australian Human Rights Commission, and as a barrister in London and Adelaide.