2020 Speakers
2020 Speakers!
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Laureate and revered spiritual leader
Professor Ian Hickie AM, Professor of Psychiatry, Co-Director, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, and former National Mental Health Commissioner
Professor Richard J Davidson,
world leading neuroscientist and psychologist, renowned for ground-breaking work studying emotion and the brain, USA
Professor Barbara Fredrickson, acclaimed positive emotions researcher and best-selling author of Positivity and Love 2.0, USA
Chade-Meng Tan, former Google Jolly Good Fellow, award-winning engineer, international bestselling author, and philanthropist, USA
Dr Tal Ben-Shahar, acclaimed positive psychology lecturer and best-selling author, who taught Harvard University’s most popular and life-changing course, USA
Professor Elissa Epel,
international expert in chronic stress and co-author with Nobel Prize winner Dr Elizabeth Blackburn of The Telomere Effect, USA
Professor Roy Baumeister,
one of the most influential and highly cited psychologists in the world, USA
B. Alan Wallace, one of the foremost meditation teachers of modern times, renowned Buddhist scholar, author and teacher, USA
Associate Professor Kristin Neff, psychologist and pioneering researcher into self-compassion, USA
Dr Rick Hanson, world expert in positive neuroplasticity; psychologist, best-selling author of Hardwiring Happiness, USA
Ven Robina Courtin, inspiring Buddhist nun and founder, Liberation Prison Project, USA
Professor Richard Wiseman,
described by Scientific American as ‘the most interesting and innovative experimental psychologist in the world today’, UK
Professor Michael F Steger,
psychologist and researcher into how leading a meaningful life contributes to wellbeing, USA
Dr Maria Sirois, inspirational psychologist and consultant who teaches internationally at the intersection of resilience and flourishing; author of Happiness After Loss, USA
Dr Robert Biswas-Diener,
pioneer in the application of positive psychology and leading authority on strengths, culture, courage and happiness, USA
Ruby Wax OBE, best-selling author, writer and performer of her own BBC shows and award winning one-woman theatre shows, and mental health warrior, UK
Dr Christine Carter, sociologist, author, happiness and productivity expert, UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, USA
Shamash Alidina, one of the UK’s most popular mindfulness teachers and author of bestselling Mindfulness for Dummies, London, UK
Dr Eve Ekman, leading researcher and trainer in emotional awareness, empathy, compassion, mindfulness and meaning at work, USA
Anthony Bennett, ‘miracle man’ who survived a near-death experience and then raised millions of dollars for a children’s hospital, UK
Professor Felicia A Huppert, Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Founding Director of the Well-being Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
Dr Reena Kotecha, inspiring medical doctor and employee wellbeing expert; Founder, Mindful Medics, UK
Hugh Mackay AO, renowned social psychologist, researcher and bestselling author
Jennifer Moss, award-winning journalist and expert on happiness and emotional intelligence in the workplace, Canada
Clare Bowditch, ARIA Award winning music maker, story baker and educator
Jamie Marloo Thomas, proud GunaiKurnai man and Maara descendant, Storyteller and Creator of Wayapa Wuurrk
Lisa Forrest, swimming champion, Australian Olympian, and Commonwealth Games dual gold medallist; mental skills coach and author
Costa Georgiadis, much loved host of ABC TV’s Gardening Australia with an all-consuming passion for plants and people
Dr Tim Sharp (aka Dr Happy), leading positive psychologist, executive coach and founder of The Happiness Institute
Petrea King, mind-body healing pioneer; Founder and CEO, Quest for Life Foundation
David Michie, Meditation coach and internationally best-selling author of many titles including The Dalai Lama’s Cat series
Professor Toni Noble,
leading teacher, educator and psychologist in student wellbeing and positive education
Toni Powell, storyteller, workplace culture wonderworker and author of What A Feeling! – Finding love, freedom & the good life through creating great relationships
Nickolas Yu, leader in workplace meditation and evidence-based healthcare coaching
Dr Suzy Green, leader in the fields of Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology; Founder of The Positivity Institute
Professor Lea Waters AM, world expert in education and parenting and Founding Director of the Centre for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne
Dr William DeJean, inspiring educator and Founder, Unleash Learning™
Sue Langley, master trainer and leading advisor in the practical application of positive psychology
Will Jelbert, writer, communications consultant and coach; best-selling author of The Happiness Animal
Dr Jono Lineen, storyteller, walker, and author of Perfect Motion; curator, National Museum of Australia
Michele Chevalley Hedge, nutritional medicine practitioner; author of Eat, Drink and Still Shrink – a joyful guide to living
Bernard Desmidt, author of Inside-Out Leadership and accomplished executive leadership coach
Gillian Coutts, Mindful leadership consultant and an Australian Country Director of Potential Project
Shannon Harvey, award-winning documentary filmmaker and author of The Whole Health Life
Cris Popp, one of Australia’s leading proponents of resilience and thought leader on innovation, performance, and leadership
Melli O’Brien, aka Mrs Mindfulness, respected meditation teacher and co-founder of Mindfulness.com
Dr David Roland, psychologist, founding member of Compassionate Mind Australia and best-selling author of How I Rescued My Brain and The Power of Suffering
Sharon Kolkka, leading voice, consultant and advisor in the field of wellness
Dr Jodie Lowinger, clinical psychologist passionate about sharing her expertise in managing anxiety and building resilience
Duncan Young, Head of Workplace Health and Wellbeing, Lendlease
Sophie Scott, National Medical Reporter, ABC TV
Evan Sutter, author, coach and founder of Hapzly, an organisation creating tools and initiatives to help make the world happier
Lizzy Williamson, personal trainer and fitness guru, author of Two Minute Moves
Tenzin Choegyal, Tibetan composer, activist, musical director and cultural ambassador