Mark McFie

Master of Ceremonies

Mark has been involved in schools and education since 1993. Mark first started his career as a PE teacher and later a Head of Department. Being a firm believer in lifelong learning, Mark completed a Master of Business Administration which then inspired the pathway towards leadership positions and later a desire to move into business administration roles. In 1997, Mark left teaching to become a consultant and trainer in the area of Workplace Health and Safety.

During his time as a consultant, he worked with numerous schools and Regional Councils helping them to improve their safety management systems. After numerous visits to many schools across Southeast Queensland, Mark again wanted to get back into education.

Mark followed this desire to be back in schools and is currently the Business Manager at Immanuel Lutheran College on the Sunshine Coast. Mark holds undergraduate degrees in education and business and has also completed post graduate studies in business administration, corporate governance and education law. He has been an active member of the ASBA (Qld) Management Committee and is the current Vice President of this Association.

General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (Retd)

Mastering Leadership (Friday 27 May - 1.15pm - 2.30pm)

Australian Statesman, former Governor General and past Australian of the Year, Sir Peter Cosgrove, served in the Australian military for 37 years, appointed Chief of the Defence Force in 2002, a position he retained until his retirement in 2005.

When he retired, Sir Peter accepted positions on numerous boards and was appointed leader of the taskforce responsible for rebuilding communities in the aftermath of Cyclone Larry.

In 2014, he was awarded a Knight in the Order of Australia when he was sworn in as 26th Governor General of Australia, serving in the role until 2019, and appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen in 2019.

His autobiography My Story remains on the Australian best seller list.

Mark McCrindle

Work Wellbeing - Leading thriving teams (Wednesday 25 May - 1.45pm - 2.45pm)

Macro trends in education and society - What is changing and what are the opportunities resulting from this change (Wednesday 25 May - 3.30pm - 4.30pm)

Mark McCrindle is an award-winning social researcher, best-selling author and influential thought leader who is regularly commissioned to deliver strategy and advice to the boards and executive committees of some of Australia's leading organisations.

He understanding of the key social trends as well as his engaging communication style places him in high demand in the press, on radio and on television shows including Sunrise, Today, ABC News 24, A Current Affair and Today Tonight.

His research firm counts among its clients more than 100 of Australia's largest companies and his highly valued reports and infographics have developed his regard as an expert demographer, futurist and social commentator.

Michael McQueen

Teaching For Tomorrow (Thursday 26 May - 9.15am - 10.15am)

Past Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year, Michael McQueen understands what it takes to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

With clients including KPMG, Pepsi, and Cisco, he has helped some of the world's most successful brands navigate disruption, maintain momentum and stay ahead of the curve.

A bestselling author of nine books and featured regularly as a commentator on television and radio, his work has featured in publications ranging from the UK Daily Mail to Medium.com and the Huffington Post.

Having presented to over 500,000 people across five continents since 2004, Michael is a familiar face on the international conference circuit having shared the stage with the likes of Bill Gates, Dr John Maxwell and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Penny Locaso

Flourish Forward (Thursday 26 May - 1.15pm - 2.30pm)

The Busy = Bull**t Challenge (Thursday 26 May - 3.15pm - 4.30pm)

Penny Locaso is the world's first Happiness Hacker on a quest to teach 10 million humans by 2025 how to flourish in life.

Penny turned her life upside down in the pursuit of happiness, leaving a 16-year career as an executive, relocating her family from Perth to Melbourne, ending an 18- year relationship, and making a fresh beginning, founding her own purpose-drive company HackingHappy.co.

She has partnered with companies including Google, Microsoft, Bookings.com, SalesForce, Deloitte and LuluLemon as well as governments and educators to help build a more intentionally adaptable society.

To achieve this, Penny created The Intentional Adaptability Quotient® - a world-first psychometric tool and education program that decodes the skills required to not only navigate but flourish in a period of complex and uncertain change.

Amanda Stevens

Brand Advocacy and Consumer Habits (Friday 27 May - 9.15am - 10.15am)

Amanda Stevens is a renowned thought leader on the customer experience who combines current consumer insights with fascinating research into buying behaviour, providing companies and business owners with powerful strategies for connecting with their customers.

With a double degree in consumer psychology and marketing, she has consulted to some of the country's biggest brands, including Lend Lease, Microsoft, Procter and Gamble and even the Australian Liberal Party.

The Centenary Medal recipient for business innovation has presented at over 700 conferences in 14 countries, sharing the stage in the past with Sir Richard Branson , Sir Bob Geldof and, in 2014, was the supporting speaker for Condoleezza Rice at the Global Leadership Summit. She combines practical strategies with a mesmerizing storytelling style, leaving audiences with memorable messages and actionable insights.