Global trauma experts join our line-up of national speakers, Ministers and government representatives as we shine a light on permanency for children and work to create environments in which they can thrive.

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS


Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD
Author of best-selling book What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing

Dr Gabor Maté
Best-selling Author and renowned Addiction, Trauma and Childhood Development Expert

Dr Jane Aronson (New York, USA)
Global Paediatrician and Behavioural Health Expert

Simon Benn
Founder of Thriving Adoptees

April Dinwoodie
Podcaster at Born in June, Raised in April and Creator of Foster Care Mentoring Program, Adoptment

GOVERNMENT SPEAKERS


The Hon Michelle Landry MP
Federal Assistant Minister for Children and Families

The Hon. Linda Burney MP
Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Member for Barton

Anne Hollonds
Australian National Children’s Commissioner

The Hon Alister Henskens
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services

The Hon Sarah Courtney (TAS)
Minister for Children and Youth

The Hon Simone McGurk BA(Arts) BA(Comms) MLA (WA)
Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

The Hon Rachel Sanderson (SA)
Minister for Child Protection

The Hon. Rachel Stephen-Smith (ACT)
Minister for Health, Minister for Families and Community Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

The Hon Kate Worden (NT)
Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Sport and Multicultural Affairs

Tim Crosier
Branch Manager of Children’s Policy – Australian Government Department of Social Services

Julieanne Davis
Executive Director Clinical Practice and Professional Services Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

Mark Burgess (WA)
Caretaker (Executive Director) Specialist Child Protection Unit at Department of Communities

Noel Fittock
Principal Practice Manager, Children Youth and Families, Communities Tasmania

Colin Pettit (WA)
Commissioner for Children and Young People

Kelly-Anne Stewart
Principal Advisor Women Offenders | Department of Communities and Justice

Simone Walker (NSW)
Deputy Secretary, Strategy, Policy and Commissioning at Department of Communities and Justice

Kelly Walker (NSW)
Permanency Support Program Implementation Manager, Department of Communities and Justice

Richard Weston (NSW)
Deputy Children’s Guardian for Aboriginal Children and Young People

Shane D Wilson
Director, Children, Families, Communities and Disability - Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

SUPPORTING SPEAKERS


Jeffery Amatto
Founder More Cultural Rehab Less Jails

Helen Barrett
Play Therapist and Founder/Director of Play Therapy Hub

Pam Barker
CEO Yfoundations

Sue Brierley
Adoptive Parent and Author, Lioness

Sue Buratti
Manager with the Australian Childhood Foundation

Meredith Carter BA LLB LLM GAICD
Chair of PCA Families

Mark Galvin
Partner, EY

Jodie Abbey
Chief Executive Officer, FAMS

James Isles
Director of NSW & Norfolk Island, Key Assets

Melissa Kaltner
Associate Director EY

Paul McDonald
Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare Victoria / Founding Chair of Home Stretch

Mark Nixon
Adopt Change Board Director, Partner EY

Kym Peake
Partner, EY Port Jackson Partners

Claire Robbs
Chief Executive at Life Without Barriers

Danielle Schmid
Counsellor and Psychotherapist, A Grounded Nature

Bernie Shakeshaft
Founder of BackTrack Youth Works

Jarrod Wheatley
CEO at Professional Individualised Care, 2019 NSW Young Australian of the Year, Social Entrepreneur

Jacinda Wing
Operations Manager of Business Services NSW, Key Assets

HOSTS


Deborra-lee Furness
Founder | Adopt Change

Angela Bishop
Ambassador & Journalist

Zufi Emerson
Adoptee & Actor

Joe Hildebrand
Ambassador & Journalist

Helen McCabe
Ambassador & Journalist

Shellie Morris
Singer, Songwriter & Musician

Louise Ransome
Ambassador & Journalist

Lisa Sthalekar
Adoptee, Cricket Commentator and Former Australian Cricketer

Lanai Scarr
Ambassador & Journalist

Michelle Stacpoole
Head of Communications, Projects & Events

Susana Danoy
Communications, Content & Media Manager of Adopt Change

Jonah Bobongie
Ambassador & Adoptee

Professor Professor Paul Chandler
Board Director | Adopt Change