HAP23 Speakers

35+ speakers confirmed

Be informed and inspired by our amazing speakers, leaders in the fields of psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, sociology and more, as they discuss the big questions in life –What leads to a profound and long-lasting happiness? How can we find meaning in life? How can we create a sense of belonging? What is the best way to meet life’s challenges?

Engage in an enriching dialogue with speakers and fellow attendees, as we explore the many and varied causes for a happy and fulfilling life. 

Professor Patrick McGorry AO,
psychiatrist and leading youth mental health advocate, world-renowned for developing innovative early interventions and services; Professor of Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne; Founding Director, Orygen

Dr Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir
psychologist and public health expert, Director of Public Health, Directorate of Health, Iceland

Dr Paul Callaghan, Aboriginal man belonging to the land of the Worimi people on the coast of NSW, storyteller, dancer, community wellbeing consultant, and author of The Dreaming Path: Indigenous Thinking to Change Your Life.

Vanessa King, leading expert in positive psychology and strategies to pro-actively build psychological wellbeing and resilience; board member and author of Ten Keys to Happier Living at Action for Happiness, UK

Yemi Penn, engineer, entrepreneur and transformation thought leader

Tim Hollo, passionate advocate, campaigner, writer and organiser, working towards ecological democracy; Executive Director of the Green Institute; author of Living Democracy; founder of Green Music Australia

Dr Elise Bialylew, a doctor trained in psychiatry turned social entrepreneur and mindfulness expert; founder of online global fundraising campaign Mindful in May; best-selling author of The Happiness Plan

Ronni Kahn AO, social entrepreneur, passionate advocate and activist, and Founder and CEO of food rescue charity, Oz Harvest

Susanne Thiebe, expert professional organiser and Interior Architect; founder, LessMess

Sue Langley, master trainer and leading advisor in the practical application of positive psychology

Dr Gordon Spence, registered psychologist, exercise scientist, executive coach, senior lecturer, and researcher; author of Get Moving Keep Moving; founder of the Healthy Ageing Project

Jocelyn Brewer, registered psychologist, digital wellbeing specialist, media commentator, founder of Digital Nutrition

Asif Sultani, Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, martial artist,refugee speaker and advocate at Heart Empire; High Profile Supporter, UNHCR

Grace Sultani, social worker and PhD Candidate researching post-traumatic growth amongst refugees, The University of Newcastle

Mawunyo Gbogbo, ABC journalist specialising in popular culture; author of Hip Hop & Hymns

Helena Norberg-Hodgelinguist, author, filmmaker and pioneer of the new economy movement; Founder and Director of Local Futures; Author: Local is Our Future 

Hannah Diviney, writer, disability and women’s rights advocate, and actress; Finalist for Young Australian of the Year 2022; author I’ll Let Myself In

Professor Bronwyn Graham, clinical psychologist and behavioural neuroscientist, women’s mental health researcher, UNSW

Scientia Professor Jill Bennett, Australian Research Council Australian Laureate Fellow, Director of the feltExperience & Empathy Lab, and the Big Anxiety Research Centre, UNSW  

Professor Brock Bastian, social psychologist, researcher and author; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne; author: The Other Side of Happiness   

Corey Jackson, mental health researcher into effects of mindfulness on anxiety and depression; meditation teacher, and emotion and stress management coach

Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal, Professor of Business & MBA Director, Macquarie University; Author: Make It Meaningful 

Anny Druett, proud 4,005th generation descendant of the Ngemba mob from far north western NSW; cross-cultural trainer, teacher, speaker and co-founder, Pearl’s Plan 

Dr Catherine Barrett, Founder/Director, Celebrate Ageing; Founder, The Kindness Pandemic voted the Most Uplifting Facebook Group in the World  

Eric Winters, self-leadership coach offering science-based strategies to meet challenges more effectively, Author: Swipe Right on Your Best Self  

Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Allen, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Monash University; Founder and Lead Director, Global Belonging Collaborative; Author: The Psychology of Belonging  

Dr Zac Seidler, clinical psychologist and leading advocate for men’s mental health, Global Director of Men’s Health Research, Movember; Senior Research Fellow, Orygen, University of Melbourne 

Dr Fiona Swee Lin Price, storyteller, songwriter and cross-cultural communication specialist; Director, Globalise Consulting

Nicole Yeates, Brain Optimisation Consultant, best-selling author, expert barrier-cracker and Founder of Get Brain Fit 

Gillian Coutts, Co-National Director, Potential Project Australia 

Steve Quinlan, Managing Director, The Sales Desk 

Jenny Steadman, Co-National Director, Potential Project Australia 

Theresa Perry, Holistic Life Coach, Tai Chi and Meditation Teacher, Theresa Perry Wellbeing 

Dr William DeJean, inspiring educator and Founder, Unleash Learning™

Kween G, consciousness-raising hip-hop artistindustry and cultural leader, community advocate and emerging African-Australian icon 

Sheron Sultan, Wellbeing and Movement Facilitator; Multicultural Energiser; Founder of Yatimba!

Uncle Allen Madden, respected Gadigal Elder, cultural representative for the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council 

Jacinta Tynan, journalist, author and Founder of The Spiritual Book Club