2026 speakers are progressively being locked in now.
Valentine is a financial and management professional with over four decades of experience in executive management, consulting and governance in profits and non-profit organizations across Africa and Asia. These include Price Waterhouse, Diners Club/Diners Finance, the World Bank, and the World Council of Churches amongst others.
As a co-founder of the African Council for Accreditation and Accountability, LEEDS Consulting, and LEEDS Foundation, Valentine is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom of God through discipleship, accountability, and sustainability in both organizations and individuals.
CEO, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) USA
Michael is passionate about helping churches and ministries model accountability to enhance trust and accelerate the gospel. As an attorney and a CPA, Michael communicates his expertise and passion through his writing, speaking in conferences, workshops, webinars, videos, and podcasts. Since 2020, he has served as President and CEO of ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. He and his family live in Winchester, Virginia.
Gareth Russell is CEO of Jersey Road, helping Christian nonprofits communicate with impact since 2010. From insights and messaging to media and influencer relations, reputation governance and global campaigns, Jersey Road partners with charities to deliver effective, strategic communications that help them achieve their mission. The Jersey Road team is based in the UK and Australia, with global reach and experience. Originally from Glasgow, Gareth now lives north of London with his wife Andi, daughter Georgia and labradoodle Archie.
More speakers are being added continually as elective sessions get finalised
Cathy is an experienced taxation specialist for charities and NFPs. She is highly regarded for her expertise in restructures, international taxation, GST and tax concessions for the NFP sector, including DGR endorsements.
Cathy is passionate about delivering practical, solutions-focused advice. She is known for helping clients achieve more effective tax outcomes through strategic guidance.
Jeff is a partner at Saward Dawson with over 25 years’ experience working with organisations ranging from small not-for-profits to ASX-listed entities. He is a recognised specialist in financial reporting, known for providing clear, practical insights.
Jeff is a regular presenter for organisations including the Governance Institute and is a member of the AASB NFP advisory panel. He brings deep technical knowledge and real-world experience to his sessions.
Shervy is a Business Advisory Partner at Saward Dawson with over 20 years’ experience advising clients across a range of industries. She delivers tailored, practical advice in accounting, system reviews and business restructuring.
Shervy works closely with small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, supporting their accounting processes, compliance, BAS and GST requirements. She is known for implementing best practices and helping clients achieve efficient, high-quality outcomes.
Murray Nicholls is a director at Saward Dawson Chartered Accountants in its Remuneration Services team. Murray has extensive experience in fringe benefits tax and salary packaging issues and has provided advice on these matters to many charities, churches and not-for-profit organisations.
Dr Jen Georgeis an executive and non-executive Company Director and an interdisciplinary pracademic focused on building cohesive communities and advancing thought leadership in community governance, particularly for NFPs such as schools. Jen has a PhD in community governance and spent two decades in academia, researching and teaching in postgraduate programs at Macquarie University in Sydney, as well as at Curtin University and Edith Cowan University in Perth. She now holds Honorary title at St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University and serves as a Director on several Boards, including the Anglican Schools Corporation, which oversees 18 schools in NSW, and the i4give Foundation. Jen runs Comcorp Consulting, which focuses on building organisational competence in working with communities and in supporting the Boards and leadership of community organisations. Jen is currently leading a team of researchers in a multidisciplinary project exploring the unique place of Anglican school educational communities in Australia, past, present, and future.
Mark leads the Employment Law practice at Prolegis Lawyers and has extensive experience in Employment and Labour Law including advice, policy and contract preparation, litigation and dispute resolution, bargaining, workplace investigations and Work Health & Safety. Mark is passionate about building stronger workplaces. He attends City Light Church in Balmain.
Rob van der End is CEO of Heartburst and a trusted advisor to faith-based and purpose-driven nonprofit leaders navigating complex digital and organisational change. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Rob brings strategic judgement shaped by both operational accountability and a deep commitment to stewardship, trust, and long-term impact.
Across his career, Rob has founded, scaled, and led technology businesses spanning digital services, SaaS product development, and international operations, including work across Australia and the United States. This operator-level experience means Rob has made decisions with real consequences — stewarding people, resources, and systems in environments where clarity, integrity, and responsibility matter.
Today, Rob partners with nonprofit executives to design integrated digital ecosystems that support meaningful relationships — aligning CRM strategy, donor journeys, websites, and data to strengthen engagement, generosity, and organisational confidence.
Rob’s leadership has been recognised nationally through BRW Fast 100, Deloitte Fast 50, and finalist honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Australian of the Year. He is known for calm authority, values-driven leadership, and a conviction that technology should serve people, mission, and lasting impact.
Tanya leads the Prolegis Melbourne office. She is an experienced executive leader and board member/chair, who therefore brings a holistic, pragmatic approach to advising on legal, risk and governance matters. She encourages clients to explore both ‘can we’ and ‘should we’ questions in making wise, brave decisions aligned to purpose and values. Her background is in commercial law, with expertise in structuring for impact, overseas aid and development, charitable fundraising, faith-based organisations, corporate governance, dispute resolution and government regulatory approaches.
Dr Andrew Catford Andrew has worked in international development and mission work for over 25 years including 15 years living and working in Boliva, Mali, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Solomon Islands and Senegal. He has a passion and personal calling to use his God given skills and experience to empower the disadvantaged, particularly women and children. Andrew is currently the CEO of International Needs Australia (INA) and he has also been the Global CEO of Hagar International and a National Director for World Vision. He holds a PhD in social science and has been a Master’s Degree lecturer in International Development.
June Steward is a fundraising consultant and copywriter at Creagivity, home to June’s Fundraising Letter. She helps non-profits, both Christian and secular, raise millions of dollars in individual giving and each year writes hundreds of thousands of words in charity stories and donor love. Her consultancy specialises in charity direct marketing, fundraising strategy and training. She has been a speaker at both Australian and international fundraising events and conferences. June believes Christians should be leaders in generosity and giving.
Nicholas believes better boards build better organisations. He has conducted more than 250 board reviews across a diverse range of organisations — from Dexus, GrainCorp and HESTA to Snowy Hydro, World Vision and Red Hill Football Netball Club — bringing deep experience and practical advice to boards committed to continuous improvement. He is Chair of Pro Purpose and has previously chaired Ansvar Insurance, First Samuel and Ambit Group, with director roles at Mission Australia and Stillwell Motor Group. A former partner at KPMG Australia, Nicholas is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).
Elizabeth Shalders is Special Counsel at Mills Oakley. She is a recognised expert in not-for-profit and charity law and governance and has been practising solely in this field for over 16 years. Her extensive professional experience is supplemented with notable academic writings, including contributions to an academic textbook on public benefit, and peer-reviewed journal articles on charity tax concessions. More recently, she was an expert panel member on a major research project conducted by Professor Rosemary Teele-Langford of the University of Melbourne Law School on “Restoring public trust in charities – reforming governance and enforcement”. She is Special Counsel in the Not-for-profit, Human Rights & Social Impact Team at Mills Oakley, which is ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners in the field of Charities law. Chambers & Partners is an independent research and ranking organisation, and the Band 1 ranking recognises the Mills Oakley team as leaders in the field nationally. Elizabeth advises a range of not-for-profits including Churches, denominational bodies and other faith-based organisations, independent schools (large and small), public benevolent institutions, overseas aid and advocacy organisations, industry and professional associations, charitable trusts, and ancillary funds. Current and recent work projects include:
Geoff integrates research statistics with visualised storytelling in his highly engaging presentations. He has presented to organisations across the education, aged care, real estate, government and NFP sectors. As a gifted communicator and passionate researcher, Geoff brings positivity, curiosity and strategic insights from the latest trends impacting Australia and provides practical ways to respond to the trends at an organisational and individual level.
Sophie Renton is a social researcher, trends analyst and Managing Director at the internationally recognised McCrindle. She leads and guides the team at McCrindle in search of clear, strategic insights that bring clarity to complexity. Using a wide range of methodologies in her research, presentations and consulting, Sophie understands how evidence-based insights can inform strategy and help organisations to thrive amidst change.
Allison is a Senior Associate at Prolegis Lawyers, a legal practice that exclusively provides specialist legal services to charities, not-for-profit organisations, and philanthropy.
At Prolegis Lawyers, Allison specialises in advising clients on corporate law and governance, including governing documents, mergers, organisational structures, and compliance. She also provides advice on charitable trusts, including structuring and compliance for public and private philanthropy.
Allison is a non-executive director and the company secretary of a public benevolent institution dedicated to providing education, healthcare, and social protection to women and children in Uganda. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Sarah is a disputes lawyer specialising in employment and workplace relations. She advises on workplace disputes, worker’s compensation claims, investigations, disciplinary processes and complaint handling within complex governance frameworks. Sarah works closely with organisations to manage risk, ensure compliance and navigate sensitive employee issues. She also advises on regulatory matters, particularly in the education sector, and has expertise in safeguarding and risk management. Sarah supports charities and not‑for‑profits to implement systems that promote child safety and meet regulatory and reporting obligations, including through audits and governance reviews.
Rebecca is a management professional with experience in governance, internal controls and ethics. She serves as Director at SPRM & CO LLP, an audit firm working extensively with nonprofits. She founded and leads VisionLead Consulting, supporting organizations in strengthening systems and management practices. Rebecca is a growth strategist with NobleRank, the peer accountability group of India, and serves as Regional Facilitator for South Asia with Global Trust Partners.
Kelly Tulk is a coach, consultant and facilitator with You Who Group, where she works as part of a team supporting leaders, teams and organisations to leverage their unique identity to create authentic leadership, flourishing teams and distinctive strategy. An International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Kelly partners with individuals and groups across a wide range of for‑purpose and for‑profit organisations to navigate change, strengthen leadership capability and unlock confidence and potential. Prior to moving into coaching and facilitation, Kelly built her career as a Chartered Accountant, working closely with senior leaders across compliance, product development, process improvement and business systems design. This background gives her an appreciation for the intersection of people, systems and strategy in complex organisational environments.
Natasha is a Partner at Turks, a law firm with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle, where she leads the national Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety practice. She has a particular interest in assisting Christian organisations and not-for-profits with challenging staff issues and child safety.
Natasha’s experience representing Christian organisations facing regulatory scrutiny has given her unique insight into how to address the legal, reputational and financial risks particular to faith-based employers when a workplace issue arises.
Natasha is known for her clear communication style and commercially pragmatic advice. She is regularly invited to speak at national and international legal conferences on contemporary issues in workplace law.
Ben is an experienced relationship and campaign marketer with more than 20 years experience in both the commercial and non-profit sector. For more than 10 years, Ben led Tearfund Australia’s relationship fundraising program focussing on authentic faith-driven responses to poverty.
As marketing manager at Saward Dawson, Ben continues to support the Christian NFP sector and consults widely with fundraisers in Christian ministry.
Lucy joined Prolegis as a law graduate in 2024. Within the firm Lucy assists clients in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, property and governance. Lucy was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in March 2025 having completed her studies at Macquarie University in 2023.
Tess Teh is a solicitor in the disputes and complaint handling team at Prolegis Lawyers. Tess has a particular interest in child safeguarding and reportable conduct matters, as well as in governance disputes, personal injury claims, privacy complaints and workplace investigations. Prior to joining Prolegis Lawyers, Tess worked in personal injury litigation and dispute resolution, specialising in historical institutional abuse matters. Tess also has a broader interest in Christian governance, and is currently an intern with The Board Internship program run by CMA and Korus Connect. Tess was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in December 2022, and the High Court of Australia in February 2026. She completed her studies at Macquarie University in 2021, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).
Shayne Evans is the CEO and Lead Architect of Stanton Dahl Architects, a practice dedicated to bringing about honour, wellbeing and dignity through the design, creation, research and interpretation of space. With more than 20 years of experience, Shayne has led award-winning projects across education, purposeful living, churches and community, and commercial sectors. He believes space is never neutral. It should be good, do good and make good, and he leads his team with this conviction. Guided by a deep commitment to people and the belief that all people matter, Shayne’s work strengthens communities and contributes to lasting social impact.
Chelsea Beech is the Founder and Managing Director of strategy and creative agency, Beech Agency. With 20 years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and organisational transformation, Chelsea specialises in helping purpose-driven leaders and teams maximise their global impact. Her expertise lies in drawing out insights and developing strategies that build momentum and drive real change across various industries.
Chelsea is wife of Aemon Beech and mother to three wonderful children–Arlo, Ellis and Matisse.
David is the CEO of Christian Finance Australia. He is presently a member of the National Council of Australian Baptist Ministries, Chair of the Finance Risk and Audit Committee for NSW & ACT Baptist Churches, a director of GLN ANZ and is Chair of his local church, Gordon Baptist in Sydney. David is a fellow of Chartered Accounts ANZ and has a Master of Laws degree from Kings College London and a diploma in financial regulation and risk management. He has held various roles as a Charted Accountant and investment banker in Sydney and London and also led a multidisciplinary design firm for a number of years. He has extensive experience in governance and leadership of Christian organisations.
Neil is currently the CEO at Anglican Insurance and Risk Services Ltd. He leads a team of professionals that provides specialist risk solutions to Anglican churches, schools and care organisations across Australia.
Outside of work Neil has many years of board experience including current chair of School Revival Inc and formerly chair of Focus on the Family Australia and Sport & Life Training (SALT) and Deputy Chair of Childsafe Ltd. Neil has been married for 28 years and has two adult daughters. Neil is currently involved in a church plant in Melbourne and is an active volunteer fire fighter.
Daniel Lowe is Associate Director of ISCAST, where he works at the intersection of science, faith, and culture. An Anglican minister, Daniel spent over two decades as a school chaplain at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in Gippsland, following earlier roles in parish youth ministry. Across more than 30 years, he has engaged young people and adults in thoughtful conversations about faith and life. An experienced communicator, Daniel helps audiences navigate complex cultural and ethical challenges with clarity and practical insight.
Stephen L Baxter is a thought partner and trusted companion to CEOs and Board Chairs of faith-driven organisations across Australia. For more than twenty-five years he has walked alongside senior leaders through complexity, transition, and the weight that comes with executive responsibility, offering the kind of presence that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply relational. A co-founding director of Mentors and Business Coaches International, Stephen served fourteen years as Senior Pastor of Hobart Baptist and nine years as State Leader of Tasmanian Baptists. He is the author of The Sacred Tension: The Pulse Beneath the Pressure, written for faith-driven leaders who carry the weight of mission.
Jae Yang (LLB, BTh, MA) is the founder of Charitas Law, a specialist legal practice dedicated to serving the ‘for-purpose’ sector — with a particular heart for churches, Christian ministries and Christian philanthropists. His practice covers the full lifecycle of ministry: from establishing and restructuring organisations and obtaining their charity registration, DGR status and stamp duty and land tax exemptions, to putting in place sound governance structures and regulatory compliance with the ACNC, the ATO and state revenue offices and regulators. He also advises on various governance and management issues, including navigating conversion practice ban laws for Christian ministries and acting as a Supreme Court-appointed referee for internal governance disputes. Jae sits on various Boards (Freedom for Faith, Every Home For Christ, NSW Christian Legal Society and PasifikAid) and government consultation committees (ATO Not-for-profit Stewardship Group and the ACNC Charity Forum).
Abby is a seasoned cyber security professional with a diverse portfolio of experience. Her strategic approach to cyber security enables her to anticipate and proactively address potential threats, to build world-class cyber security defences. Abby’s expertise is demonstrated through supporting enterprises in fine tuning their cyber defence, to guiding and leading organisations who have recently started their cyber security maturity journey.
Kathy brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and business leadership. She is a skilled strategist able to ‘think outside the box’ creatively when considering the individuality of each organisation she works with. Kathy is an articulate communicator and intuitive, which serves to strengthen the teams she works with.
David Hutt is the Managing Director at Dunham+Company Australia.
He joined Dunham+Company after a 15-year career as a political campaign consultant and adviser to senior Australian politicians.
David has also helped countless faith-based causes campaign for positive social change.
David is passionate about helping Christian non-profits maximise their impact through the use of digital technology and marketing.
Steve is passionate about making Jesus known online, he serves his church online, runs a digital marketing agency for Christian non-profits and churches helping them get more visitors and more donations.
Heidi Rawson is an Executive Director at Neometric, working alongside boards and executive leaders in organisational environments to strengthen trust, alignment and shared purpose. She supports purpose‑beyond‑profit organisations shaped by mission, faith and service to community. With a background in strategic HR, governance, organisational development and employment relations, Heidi brings clarity, systems thinking and calm judgement to moments of tension and transition, commonly including relational conflict, succession, growth, restructure and leadership change. An AMDRAS‑accredited mediator, her values‑centred, trauma‑aware practice integrates governance, relational and people‑risk lenses, helping faith‑aligned organisations lead with integrity, accountability and care while stewarding people, purpose and responsibility.
Mal is a Director and Principal Lawyer at Neometric, where he works alongside boards and executive teams to strengthen trust, alignment and shared purpose in complex organisational environments. Formerly a dispute resolution partner in a global commercial law firm, Mal has seen first‑hand the personal, relational and missional cost of poorly handled conflict. He is a trained mediator with deep governance experience across not‑for‑profit, education and church contexts. Mal brings legal, governance and relational lenses together to help leaders navigate tension wisely, build resilient systems and pursue their mission with integrity and courage.
Luke is a consultant, supervisor, and mentor with experience serving organisations, denominations, and churches nationally and internationally. He supports leaders navigating conflict, building organisational health, and facilitating organisational recovery from misconduct and crisis. Luke has held senior positions in faith-based and not-for-profit organisations. He trains and consults alongside Tim Dyer from the Johnmark Extension and is the board chair of the Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies. Luke is married to Alison and they have three children.
Tim Dyer is a trainer of pastors, organisational consultants and Christian leaders, working across many denominations to support leadership health and organisational wellbeing. With a background in psychology from Melbourne and Monash Universities, Tim teaches at graduate level in Conflict Management, Leadership Self-Care, and Team Relationships. He trains and supervises denominational consultancy teams responding to church and organisational conflict and leadership misconduct, with a particular passion for healthy recovery within organisational systems. Tim is based in Sheffield, Tasmania, where he serves his local congregation as a Bible teacher and leader.
Rosie Kendall is CEO of Hope Economy (formerly Christians Against Poverty Australia), where she has led a bold organisational transformation and national rebrand within a global movement. Operating inside an established international framework, Rosie has navigated the tensions of alignment and autonomy to deliver vital, Australia‑specific change that strengthens impact, relevance and sustainability.
Originally trained as a Physiotherapist, Rosie has worked with CAP internationally for 19 years and brings deep experience in strategy, people alignment and leading values‑driven change through complexity. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Linda Kurti is an expert in social research and strategy with over three decades of experience in the not-for-profit and charitable sector in governance, executive and consulting roles. She has advised Commonwealth, state and territory governments on the performance of policies, programs and services, including research specific to the faith-based non-government sector.
With qualifications in public health, theology, counselling, and music, Linda brings a creative lens to the work of organisational performance. She is a passionate advocate for the contribution the non-government sector makes to society, and founded Stillpoint Strategy in 2021 specifically to support the not-for-profit and charitable sector to strengthen capacity and outcomes.
Originally from the US, Linda is married to an Anglican priest and has been active in Christian ministry as a laywoman in numerous organisations in the United States, England and Australia. She has lived in Australia since 1994 and in Sydney since 2001.
Nicola Gibbs is the Founder of Pluri and has spent 15 years advising boards and executive teams across Australia and Southeast Asia. She helps leaders ask hard questions about impact: if we say we are making a difference, can we show it to people who do not see the work every day? Working at the intersection of strategy, governance, and impact evaluation, Nicola supports organisations to make clearer decisions and stay aligned to purpose. She currently serves on the board of Local Leaders International, a CMA Standards member, and has previously served on the board of IJM Australia and the Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Medical Research Foundation.
Leila Armstrong is a people and culture leader with extensive experience in executive search, HR, and leadership development across corporate and not-for-profit sectors. With a background in commercial banking and as a National Manager for an international charity, she brings deep expertise in identifying and developing high-impact leaders. With qualifications in counselling and post graduate study in leadership and business, Leila specialises in executive search and HR consultancy within the not-for-profit and Christian education sectors, partnering with organisations to build strong, purpose-driven teams. She has led large national teams across Australia and New Zealand, driving cultural change and organisational growth. Leila is known for her relational approach and passion for helping leaders and organisations thrive.
Rowan Armstrong is an experienced executive leader with an extensive background in the Christian not-for-profit and international aid sectors. He specialises in organisational leadership, change management, and team development, having led large-scale initiatives across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Starting his career in business and engineering, Rowan transitioned into executive not-for-profit leadership, guiding organisations through cultural transformation and strategic growth. He has led national staff and volunteer teams in excess of 5,000 people, strengthening leadership capability and organisational effectiveness.
Rowan holds a Master’s degree in leadership with post-graduate research in emotional intelligence, through his work at Enriched HR, he partners with organisations to build healthy cultures and high-performing teams.
Tammy is a Clinical Psychologist, management consultant, coach, and AHPRA approved supervisor who has extensive experience working across a broad variety of community and organisational settings improving individual wellbeing as well as organisational outcomes. Tammy has worked extensively internationally and domestically with private and public organisations specialising in workforce wellbeing support interventions and training, workforce and culture advisory, workshop facilitation and training, executive coaching, workplace investigation and complex people risk advice. Tammy has a special interest developing leadership capability and wellbeing, and has extensive experience consulting on a range of leadership, change management, and organisational health interventions across health, church and community organisations, and local council. Tammy is particularly passionate about empowering leaders in whatever leadership context they find themselves.
Amelia is an impassioned change‑maker with decades of experience in the not‑for‑profit sector. Her commitment to leadership, academia, and social justice has shaped a diverse career spanning executive roles in education, social enterprise, and grassroots program design across Africa and Australia. For nearly twenty years, her work has focused on strengthening not‑for‑profit capability through impact evaluation and mobilising capital for large‑scale change, including health research in Aboriginal communities and initiatives advancing women in STEM leadership. Holding postgraduate qualifications in Research, Social Impact, and Theology, she serves on multiple boards. Joining Prison Network as CEO in 2020, Amelia has led a significant organisational transformation, expanding its impact and reach for women and their families.
I spend most of my time thinking about leadership, faith, and how organisations stay faithful in seasons of cultural and organisational change. I’m particularly interested in how leaders hold conviction without becoming brittle, and clarity without resorting to noise.
I serve as National Director of Power to Change Australia, where I lead national teams working across university campuses, local churches, digital spaces, and global partnerships. Over more than 30 years in Christian ministry and leadership, I’ve worked at the intersection of mission, organisational culture, and leader development — helping diverse teams align around shared purpose and build sustainable systems for long-term impact.
My background spans economics and accounting (University of Sydney) alongside theological training (Master of Divinity, Denver Seminary). That combination has shaped a leadership approach that values both rigorous thinking and deep formation. I’ve served on national boards and ministry networks, with a focus on strategy, culture, stewardship, and developing emerging leaders who can navigate complexity with integrity.
Greg is an experienced CEO of NFP, higher education, and media organisations. He enjoys reimagining traditional institutions for contemporary success, with a strong record in both faith-based and secular settings. Greg was a Founder of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) in 2007 and Chair of City Bible Forum (CBF) from 2019-2024. He lives in Sydney with his wife Amelia and two high school children, three others having already left the nest.
Nicholas is the CEO of Abound and the AIFC, with a deep commitment to healthy leadership, individual and organisational flourishing. Since 2014 he has led Abound and AIFC, and together with an exceptional team, has trained and equipped Christian counsellors, coaches, chaplains, and leaders across Australia and internationally. In 2020 Nicholas and his team established The Centre for Human Flourishing and expanded Abound to pioneer fresh, integrated approaches to Christ-centered workplace flourishing & EAP integrating spiritual formation, counselling, coaching, and psychosocial risk management and training. This work supports flourishing people & flourishing organisations.
A seasoned leader with experience across education and training, risk management, workplace health promotion, and organisational startups, Nicholas is also founder of the Healthy Leadership Company. He is passionate about helping leaders walk confidently in their God-given calling, navigate the complexities of contemporary culture, and grow in resilience, spiritual formation, and Kingdom impact.
Nicholas is a Master Coach (ICF/EMCC Practitioner), supervisor, company director (GAICD), and host of the AIFC Counsel Culture Podcast.
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More speakers are being added continually as elective sessions get finalised
Cathy is an experienced taxation specialist for charities and NFPs. She is highly regarded for her expertise in restructures, international taxation, GST and tax concessions for the NFP sector, including DGR endorsements.
Cathy is passionate about delivering practical, solutions-focused advice. She is known for helping clients achieve more effective tax outcomes through strategic guidance.
Jeff is a partner at Saward Dawson with over 25 years’ experience working with organisations ranging from small not-for-profits to ASX-listed entities. He is a recognised specialist in financial reporting, known for providing clear, practical insights.
Jeff is a regular presenter for organisations including the Governance Institute and is a member of the AASB NFP advisory panel. He brings deep technical knowledge and real-world experience to his sessions.
Shervy is a Business Advisory Partner at Saward Dawson with over 20 years’ experience advising clients across a range of industries. She delivers tailored, practical advice in accounting, system reviews and business restructuring.
Shervy works closely with small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, supporting their accounting processes, compliance, BAS and GST requirements. She is known for implementing best practices and helping clients achieve efficient, high-quality outcomes.
Murray Nicholls is a director at Saward Dawson Chartered Accountants in its Remuneration Services team. Murray has extensive experience in fringe benefits tax and salary packaging issues and has provided advice on these matters to many charities, churches and not-for-profit organisations.
Dr Jen Georgeis an executive and non-executive Company Director and an interdisciplinary pracademic focused on building cohesive communities and advancing thought leadership in community governance, particularly for NFPs such as schools. Jen has a PhD in community governance and spent two decades in academia, researching and teaching in postgraduate programs at Macquarie University in Sydney, as well as at Curtin University and Edith Cowan University in Perth. She now holds Honorary title at St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Charles Sturt University and serves as a Director on several Boards, including the Anglican Schools Corporation, which oversees 18 schools in NSW, and the i4give Foundation. Jen runs Comcorp Consulting, which focuses on building organisational competence in working with communities and in supporting the Boards and leadership of community organisations. Jen is currently leading a team of researchers in a multidisciplinary project exploring the unique place of Anglican school educational communities in Australia, past, present, and future.
Mark leads the Employment Law practice at Prolegis Lawyers and has extensive experience in Employment and Labour Law including advice, policy and contract preparation, litigation and dispute resolution, bargaining, workplace investigations and Work Health & Safety. Mark is passionate about building stronger workplaces. He attends City Light Church in Balmain.
Rob van der End is CEO of Heartburst and a trusted advisor to faith-based and purpose-driven nonprofit leaders navigating complex digital and organisational change. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Rob brings strategic judgement shaped by both operational accountability and a deep commitment to stewardship, trust, and long-term impact.
Across his career, Rob has founded, scaled, and led technology businesses spanning digital services, SaaS product development, and international operations, including work across Australia and the United States. This operator-level experience means Rob has made decisions with real consequences — stewarding people, resources, and systems in environments where clarity, integrity, and responsibility matter.
Today, Rob partners with nonprofit executives to design integrated digital ecosystems that support meaningful relationships — aligning CRM strategy, donor journeys, websites, and data to strengthen engagement, generosity, and organisational confidence.
Rob’s leadership has been recognised nationally through BRW Fast 100, Deloitte Fast 50, and finalist honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Australian of the Year. He is known for calm authority, values-driven leadership, and a conviction that technology should serve people, mission, and lasting impact.
Tanya leads the Prolegis Melbourne office. She is an experienced executive leader and board member/chair, who therefore brings a holistic, pragmatic approach to advising on legal, risk and governance matters. She encourages clients to explore both ‘can we’ and ‘should we’ questions in making wise, brave decisions aligned to purpose and values. Her background is in commercial law, with expertise in structuring for impact, overseas aid and development, charitable fundraising, faith-based organisations, corporate governance, dispute resolution and government regulatory approaches.
Dr Andrew Catford Andrew has worked in international development and mission work for over 25 years including 15 years living and working in Boliva, Mali, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Solomon Islands and Senegal. He has a passion and personal calling to use his God given skills and experience to empower the disadvantaged, particularly women and children. Andrew is currently the CEO of International Needs Australia (INA) and he has also been the Global CEO of Hagar International and a National Director for World Vision. He holds a PhD in social science and has been a Master’s Degree lecturer in International Development.
June Steward is a fundraising consultant and copywriter at Creagivity, home to June’s Fundraising Letter. She helps non-profits, both Christian and secular, raise millions of dollars in individual giving and each year writes hundreds of thousands of words in charity stories and donor love. Her consultancy specialises in charity direct marketing, fundraising strategy and training. She has been a speaker at both Australian and international fundraising events and conferences. June believes Christians should be leaders in generosity and giving.
Nicholas believes better boards build better organisations. He has conducted more than 250 board reviews across a diverse range of organisations — from Dexus, GrainCorp and HESTA to Snowy Hydro, World Vision and Red Hill Football Netball Club — bringing deep experience and practical advice to boards committed to continuous improvement. He is Chair of Pro Purpose and has previously chaired Ansvar Insurance, First Samuel and Ambit Group, with director roles at Mission Australia and Stillwell Motor Group. A former partner at KPMG Australia, Nicholas is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).
Elizabeth Shalders is Special Counsel at Mills Oakley. She is a recognised expert in not-for-profit and charity law and governance and has been practising solely in this field for over 16 years. Her extensive professional experience is supplemented with notable academic writings, including contributions to an academic textbook on public benefit, and peer-reviewed journal articles on charity tax concessions. More recently, she was an expert panel member on a major research project conducted by Professor Rosemary Teele-Langford of the University of Melbourne Law School on “Restoring public trust in charities – reforming governance and enforcement”. She is Special Counsel in the Not-for-profit, Human Rights & Social Impact Team at Mills Oakley, which is ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners in the field of Charities law. Chambers & Partners is an independent research and ranking organisation, and the Band 1 ranking recognises the Mills Oakley team as leaders in the field nationally. Elizabeth advises a range of not-for-profits including Churches, denominational bodies and other faith-based organisations, independent schools (large and small), public benevolent institutions, overseas aid and advocacy organisations, industry and professional associations, charitable trusts, and ancillary funds. Current and recent work projects include:
Geoff integrates research statistics with visualised storytelling in his highly engaging presentations. He has presented to organisations across the education, aged care, real estate, government and NFP sectors. As a gifted communicator and passionate researcher, Geoff brings positivity, curiosity and strategic insights from the latest trends impacting Australia and provides practical ways to respond to the trends at an organisational and individual level.
Sophie Renton is a social researcher, trends analyst and Managing Director at the internationally recognised McCrindle. She leads and guides the team at McCrindle in search of clear, strategic insights that bring clarity to complexity. Using a wide range of methodologies in her research, presentations and consulting, Sophie understands how evidence-based insights can inform strategy and help organisations to thrive amidst change.
Allison is a Senior Associate at Prolegis Lawyers, a legal practice that exclusively provides specialist legal services to charities, not-for-profit organisations, and philanthropy.
At Prolegis Lawyers, Allison specialises in advising clients on corporate law and governance, including governing documents, mergers, organisational structures, and compliance. She also provides advice on charitable trusts, including structuring and compliance for public and private philanthropy.
Allison is a non-executive director and the company secretary of a public benevolent institution dedicated to providing education, healthcare, and social protection to women and children in Uganda. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Sarah is a disputes lawyer specialising in employment and workplace relations. She advises on workplace disputes, worker’s compensation claims, investigations, disciplinary processes and complaint handling within complex governance frameworks. Sarah works closely with organisations to manage risk, ensure compliance and navigate sensitive employee issues. She also advises on regulatory matters, particularly in the education sector, and has expertise in safeguarding and risk management. Sarah supports charities and not‑for‑profits to implement systems that promote child safety and meet regulatory and reporting obligations, including through audits and governance reviews.
Rebecca is a management professional with experience in governance, internal controls and ethics. She serves as Director at SPRM & CO LLP, an audit firm working extensively with nonprofits. She founded and leads VisionLead Consulting, supporting organizations in strengthening systems and management practices. Rebecca is a growth strategist with NobleRank, the peer accountability group of India, and serves as Regional Facilitator for South Asia with Global Trust Partners.
Kelly Tulk is a coach, consultant and facilitator with You Who Group, where she works as part of a team supporting leaders, teams and organisations to leverage their unique identity to create authentic leadership, flourishing teams and distinctive strategy. An International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Kelly partners with individuals and groups across a wide range of for‑purpose and for‑profit organisations to navigate change, strengthen leadership capability and unlock confidence and potential. Prior to moving into coaching and facilitation, Kelly built her career as a Chartered Accountant, working closely with senior leaders across compliance, product development, process improvement and business systems design. This background gives her an appreciation for the intersection of people, systems and strategy in complex organisational environments.
Natasha is a Partner at Turks, a law firm with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle, where she leads the national Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety practice. She has a particular interest in assisting Christian organisations and not-for-profits with challenging staff issues and child safety.
Natasha’s experience representing Christian organisations facing regulatory scrutiny has given her unique insight into how to address the legal, reputational and financial risks particular to faith-based employers when a workplace issue arises.
Natasha is known for her clear communication style and commercially pragmatic advice. She is regularly invited to speak at national and international legal conferences on contemporary issues in workplace law.
Ben is an experienced relationship and campaign marketer with more than 20 years experience in both the commercial and non-profit sector. For more than 10 years, Ben led Tearfund Australia’s relationship fundraising program focussing on authentic faith-driven responses to poverty.
As marketing manager at Saward Dawson, Ben continues to support the Christian NFP sector and consults widely with fundraisers in Christian ministry.
Lucy joined Prolegis as a law graduate in 2024. Within the firm Lucy assists clients in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, property and governance. Lucy was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in March 2025 having completed her studies at Macquarie University in 2023.
Tess Teh is a solicitor in the disputes and complaint handling team at Prolegis Lawyers. Tess has a particular interest in child safeguarding and reportable conduct matters, as well as in governance disputes, personal injury claims, privacy complaints and workplace investigations. Prior to joining Prolegis Lawyers, Tess worked in personal injury litigation and dispute resolution, specialising in historical institutional abuse matters. Tess also has a broader interest in Christian governance, and is currently an intern with The Board Internship program run by CMA and Korus Connect. Tess was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in December 2022, and the High Court of Australia in February 2026. She completed her studies at Macquarie University in 2021, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).
Shayne Evans is the CEO and Lead Architect of Stanton Dahl Architects, a practice dedicated to bringing about honour, wellbeing and dignity through the design, creation, research and interpretation of space. With more than 20 years of experience, Shayne has led award-winning projects across education, purposeful living, churches and community, and commercial sectors. He believes space is never neutral. It should be good, do good and make good, and he leads his team with this conviction. Guided by a deep commitment to people and the belief that all people matter, Shayne’s work strengthens communities and contributes to lasting social impact.
Chelsea Beech is the Founder and Managing Director of strategy and creative agency, Beech Agency. With 20 years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and organisational transformation, Chelsea specialises in helping purpose-driven leaders and teams maximise their global impact. Her expertise lies in drawing out insights and developing strategies that build momentum and drive real change across various industries.
Chelsea is wife of Aemon Beech and mother to three wonderful children–Arlo, Ellis and Matisse.
David is the CEO of Christian Finance Australia. He is presently a member of the National Council of Australian Baptist Ministries, Chair of the Finance Risk and Audit Committee for NSW & ACT Baptist Churches, a director of GLN ANZ and is Chair of his local church, Gordon Baptist in Sydney. David is a fellow of Chartered Accounts ANZ and has a Master of Laws degree from Kings College London and a diploma in financial regulation and risk management. He has held various roles as a Charted Accountant and investment banker in Sydney and London and also led a multidisciplinary design firm for a number of years. He has extensive experience in governance and leadership of Christian organisations.
Neil is currently the CEO at Anglican Insurance and Risk Services Ltd. He leads a team of professionals that provides specialist risk solutions to Anglican churches, schools and care organisations across Australia.
Outside of work Neil has many years of board experience including current chair of School Revival Inc and formerly chair of Focus on the Family Australia and Sport & Life Training (SALT) and Deputy Chair of Childsafe Ltd. Neil has been married for 28 years and has two adult daughters. Neil is currently involved in a church plant in Melbourne and is an active volunteer fire fighter.
Daniel Lowe is Associate Director of ISCAST, where he works at the intersection of science, faith, and culture. An Anglican minister, Daniel spent over two decades as a school chaplain at St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in Gippsland, following earlier roles in parish youth ministry. Across more than 30 years, he has engaged young people and adults in thoughtful conversations about faith and life. An experienced communicator, Daniel helps audiences navigate complex cultural and ethical challenges with clarity and practical insight.
Stephen L Baxter is a thought partner and trusted companion to CEOs and Board Chairs of faith-driven organisations across Australia. For more than twenty-five years he has walked alongside senior leaders through complexity, transition, and the weight that comes with executive responsibility, offering the kind of presence that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply relational. A co-founding director of Mentors and Business Coaches International, Stephen served fourteen years as Senior Pastor of Hobart Baptist and nine years as State Leader of Tasmanian Baptists. He is the author of The Sacred Tension: The Pulse Beneath the Pressure, written for faith-driven leaders who carry the weight of mission.
Jae Yang (LLB, BTh, MA) is the founder of Charitas Law, a specialist legal practice dedicated to serving the ‘for-purpose’ sector — with a particular heart for churches, Christian ministries and Christian philanthropists. His practice covers the full lifecycle of ministry: from establishing and restructuring organisations and obtaining their charity registration, DGR status and stamp duty and land tax exemptions, to putting in place sound governance structures and regulatory compliance with the ACNC, the ATO and state revenue offices and regulators. He also advises on various governance and management issues, including navigating conversion practice ban laws for Christian ministries and acting as a Supreme Court-appointed referee for internal governance disputes. Jae sits on various Boards (Freedom for Faith, Every Home For Christ, NSW Christian Legal Society and PasifikAid) and government consultation committees (ATO Not-for-profit Stewardship Group and the ACNC Charity Forum).
Abby is a seasoned cyber security professional with a diverse portfolio of experience. Her strategic approach to cyber security enables her to anticipate and proactively address potential threats, to build world-class cyber security defences. Abby’s expertise is demonstrated through supporting enterprises in fine tuning their cyber defence, to guiding and leading organisations who have recently started their cyber security maturity journey.
Kathy brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and business leadership. She is a skilled strategist able to ‘think outside the box’ creatively when considering the individuality of each organisation she works with. Kathy is an articulate communicator and intuitive, which serves to strengthen the teams she works with.
David Hutt is the Managing Director at Dunham+Company Australia.
He joined Dunham+Company after a 15-year career as a political campaign consultant and adviser to senior Australian politicians.
David has also helped countless faith-based causes campaign for positive social change.
David is passionate about helping Christian non-profits maximise their impact through the use of digital technology and marketing.
Steve is passionate about making Jesus known online, he serves his church online, runs a digital marketing agency for Christian non-profits and churches helping them get more visitors and more donations.
Heidi Rawson is an Executive Director at Neometric, working alongside boards and executive leaders in organisational environments to strengthen trust, alignment and shared purpose. She supports purpose‑beyond‑profit organisations shaped by mission, faith and service to community. With a background in strategic HR, governance, organisational development and employment relations, Heidi brings clarity, systems thinking and calm judgement to moments of tension and transition, commonly including relational conflict, succession, growth, restructure and leadership change. An AMDRAS‑accredited mediator, her values‑centred, trauma‑aware practice integrates governance, relational and people‑risk lenses, helping faith‑aligned organisations lead with integrity, accountability and care while stewarding people, purpose and responsibility.
Mal is a Director and Principal Lawyer at Neometric, where he works alongside boards and executive teams to strengthen trust, alignment and shared purpose in complex organisational environments. Formerly a dispute resolution partner in a global commercial law firm, Mal has seen first‑hand the personal, relational and missional cost of poorly handled conflict. He is a trained mediator with deep governance experience across not‑for‑profit, education and church contexts. Mal brings legal, governance and relational lenses together to help leaders navigate tension wisely, build resilient systems and pursue their mission with integrity and courage.
Luke is a consultant, supervisor, and mentor with experience serving organisations, denominations, and churches nationally and internationally. He supports leaders navigating conflict, building organisational health, and facilitating organisational recovery from misconduct and crisis. Luke has held senior positions in faith-based and not-for-profit organisations. He trains and consults alongside Tim Dyer from the Johnmark Extension and is the board chair of the Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies. Luke is married to Alison and they have three children.
Tim Dyer is a trainer of pastors, organisational consultants and Christian leaders, working across many denominations to support leadership health and organisational wellbeing. With a background in psychology from Melbourne and Monash Universities, Tim teaches at graduate level in Conflict Management, Leadership Self-Care, and Team Relationships. He trains and supervises denominational consultancy teams responding to church and organisational conflict and leadership misconduct, with a particular passion for healthy recovery within organisational systems. Tim is based in Sheffield, Tasmania, where he serves his local congregation as a Bible teacher and leader.
Rosie Kendall is CEO of Hope Economy (formerly Christians Against Poverty Australia), where she has led a bold organisational transformation and national rebrand within a global movement. Operating inside an established international framework, Rosie has navigated the tensions of alignment and autonomy to deliver vital, Australia‑specific change that strengthens impact, relevance and sustainability.
Originally trained as a Physiotherapist, Rosie has worked with CAP internationally for 19 years and brings deep experience in strategy, people alignment and leading values‑driven change through complexity. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Linda Kurti is an expert in social research and strategy with over three decades of experience in the not-for-profit and charitable sector in governance, executive and consulting roles. She has advised Commonwealth, state and territory governments on the performance of policies, programs and services, including research specific to the faith-based non-government sector.
With qualifications in public health, theology, counselling, and music, Linda brings a creative lens to the work of organisational performance. She is a passionate advocate for the contribution the non-government sector makes to society, and founded Stillpoint Strategy in 2021 specifically to support the not-for-profit and charitable sector to strengthen capacity and outcomes.
Originally from the US, Linda is married to an Anglican priest and has been active in Christian ministry as a laywoman in numerous organisations in the United States, England and Australia. She has lived in Australia since 1994 and in Sydney since 2001.
Nicola Gibbs is the Founder of Pluri and has spent 15 years advising boards and executive teams across Australia and Southeast Asia. She helps leaders ask hard questions about impact: if we say we are making a difference, can we show it to people who do not see the work every day? Working at the intersection of strategy, governance, and impact evaluation, Nicola supports organisations to make clearer decisions and stay aligned to purpose. She currently serves on the board of Local Leaders International, a CMA Standards member, and has previously served on the board of IJM Australia and the Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop Medical Research Foundation.
Leila Armstrong is a people and culture leader with extensive experience in executive search, HR, and leadership development across corporate and not-for-profit sectors. With a background in commercial banking and as a National Manager for an international charity, she brings deep expertise in identifying and developing high-impact leaders. With qualifications in counselling and post graduate study in leadership and business, Leila specialises in executive search and HR consultancy within the not-for-profit and Christian education sectors, partnering with organisations to build strong, purpose-driven teams. She has led large national teams across Australia and New Zealand, driving cultural change and organisational growth. Leila is known for her relational approach and passion for helping leaders and organisations thrive.
Rowan Armstrong is an experienced executive leader with an extensive background in the Christian not-for-profit and international aid sectors. He specialises in organisational leadership, change management, and team development, having led large-scale initiatives across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Starting his career in business and engineering, Rowan transitioned into executive not-for-profit leadership, guiding organisations through cultural transformation and strategic growth. He has led national staff and volunteer teams in excess of 5,000 people, strengthening leadership capability and organisational effectiveness.
Rowan holds a Master’s degree in leadership with post-graduate research in emotional intelligence, through his work at Enriched HR, he partners with organisations to build healthy cultures and high-performing teams.
Tammy is a Clinical Psychologist, management consultant, coach, and AHPRA approved supervisor who has extensive experience working across a broad variety of community and organisational settings improving individual wellbeing as well as organisational outcomes. Tammy has worked extensively internationally and domestically with private and public organisations specialising in workforce wellbeing support interventions and training, workforce and culture advisory, workshop facilitation and training, executive coaching, workplace investigation and complex people risk advice. Tammy has a special interest developing leadership capability and wellbeing, and has extensive experience consulting on a range of leadership, change management, and organisational health interventions across health, church and community organisations, and local council. Tammy is particularly passionate about empowering leaders in whatever leadership context they find themselves.
Amelia is an impassioned change‑maker with decades of experience in the not‑for‑profit sector. Her commitment to leadership, academia, and social justice has shaped a diverse career spanning executive roles in education, social enterprise, and grassroots program design across Africa and Australia. For nearly twenty years, her work has focused on strengthening not‑for‑profit capability through impact evaluation and mobilising capital for large‑scale change, including health research in Aboriginal communities and initiatives advancing women in STEM leadership. Holding postgraduate qualifications in Research, Social Impact, and Theology, she serves on multiple boards. Joining Prison Network as CEO in 2020, Amelia has led a significant organisational transformation, expanding its impact and reach for women and their families.
I spend most of my time thinking about leadership, faith, and how organisations stay faithful in seasons of cultural and organisational change. I’m particularly interested in how leaders hold conviction without becoming brittle, and clarity without resorting to noise.
I serve as National Director of Power to Change Australia, where I lead national teams working across university campuses, local churches, digital spaces, and global partnerships. Over more than 30 years in Christian ministry and leadership, I’ve worked at the intersection of mission, organisational culture, and leader development — helping diverse teams align around shared purpose and build sustainable systems for long-term impact.
My background spans economics and accounting (University of Sydney) alongside theological training (Master of Divinity, Denver Seminary). That combination has shaped a leadership approach that values both rigorous thinking and deep formation. I’ve served on national boards and ministry networks, with a focus on strategy, culture, stewardship, and developing emerging leaders who can navigate complexity with integrity.
Greg is an experienced CEO of NFP, higher education, and media organisations. He enjoys reimagining traditional institutions for contemporary success, with a strong record in both faith-based and secular settings. Greg was a Founder of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX) in 2007 and Chair of City Bible Forum (CBF) from 2019-2024. He lives in Sydney with his wife Amelia and two high school children, three others having already left the nest.
Nicholas is the CEO of Abound and the AIFC, with a deep commitment to healthy leadership, individual and organisational flourishing. Since 2014 he has led Abound and AIFC, and together with an exceptional team, has trained and equipped Christian counsellors, coaches, chaplains, and leaders across Australia and internationally. In 2020 Nicholas and his team established The Centre for Human Flourishing and expanded Abound to pioneer fresh, integrated approaches to Christ-centered workplace flourishing & EAP integrating spiritual formation, counselling, coaching, and psychosocial risk management and training. This work supports flourishing people & flourishing organisations.
A seasoned leader with experience across education and training, risk management, workplace health promotion, and organisational startups, Nicholas is also founder of the Healthy Leadership Company. He is passionate about helping leaders walk confidently in their God-given calling, navigate the complexities of contemporary culture, and grow in resilience, spiritual formation, and Kingdom impact.
Nicholas is a Master Coach (ICF/EMCC Practitioner), supervisor, company director (GAICD), and host of the AIFC Counsel Culture Podcast.
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