Speakers

Event Speakers

Hon. Susan Close MP

Deputy Premier

Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy

Susan Close is the State Member for Port Adelaide and was elected on the 11th of February 2012.

Before entering Parliament, Susan was an executive in the SA Environment Department. She previously worked at the University of Adelaide running student services and holds a PhD from Flinders University.

Susan held several portfolios during the Weatherill Labor Government, including being Minister for Education and Minister for Innovation and Automotive Transformation.

Simon Kuestenmacher

Director & Co-founder

The Demographics Group

He presents on demographic and global trends that are shaping Australia today and into the future and his observations are enjoyed by corporate, government and industry audiences alike.

Simon is a columnist for The New Daily newspaper and a regular contributor to The Australian newspaper; and he is a media commentator on demographic and data matters.

In his spare time Simon has authored three books on maps and runs what is by now the world’s largest Twitter account dedicated to maps and data. His social media posts reach over 35 million people every month. Simon ranks as one of the world’s top 10 influencers in data.

Neil Eastwood

Founder & CEO

Care Friends

Neil Eastwood is an international speaker on care worker recruitment and retention and author of ‘Saving Social Care’, now in its second edition with over 10,000 copies sold worldwide.

He is also Founder and CEO of Care Friends, an employee referral app operating in the UK and Australia, which won the 2023 King’s Award for Innovation and was previously a director at the largest homecare provider in the UK.

Aleem Ali

CEO

Welcoming Australia

Aleem has spent more than 20 years seeding and mentoring the development of leading initiatives and social enterprises that advance inclusion, belonging and justice for diverse communities.

He is the Deputy Chair of Oxfam Australia and a mentor and advisor to various startups, community enterprises and government agencies.

As the CEO of Welcoming Australia, Aleem is working with leaders and organisations across the country to cultivate a culture of welcome and advance communities where people of all backgrounds can belong, contribute and thrive.

Ayla Regione

Project Officer

Purple Orange
Ayla Regione (she/her) grew up in Adelaide/ Kaurna Country where her childhood experience of growing up with a profound hearing loss, has led her to the work she does today. A qualified social worker, Ayla has over fifteen years’ experience in the human services sector spanning across roles in Aged Care, Families and Children mental health, community engagement, domestic and family violence, and most recently, social policy and disability advocacy work with JFA Purple Orange. As a project officer across two projects, Road To Employment and Disability Inclusion Training, Ayla advocates for better understanding of what access and inclusion means, in the workplace and community, for people with disabilities. Ayla is passionate about positive social impact and connection for an equitable world, she deeply values people’s stories and their power to create positive and meaningful change.

Chris Dury

Strategy Consultant

Mountain Moving Co

Chris Dury is an AI start-up founder focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on organisational strategies. With experience as a CIO in the aged care sector and ongoing consultancy work, he specialises in developing practical, business-focused technology strategies for organisations of all sizes.

His expertise lies in helping companies navigate the complex landscape of technology adoption, ensuring that these advancements align with business objectives and workforce needs. Chris’s approach combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience, offering audiences valuable, real-world perspectives on the future of work in the age of AI.

Sally Clarke

Senior Associate

Infinite Potential

Sally Clarke is a senior associate at Infinite Potential. A former corporate finance lawyer, she is the author of two books on burnout, including Amazon best-seller ‘Protect Your Spark’.

Sally is a sought-after keynote speaker and panel member, speaking regularly at conferences and events on the causes of burnout and preventative solutions for individuals and organisations. 

She is on several advisory boards around the globe providing guidance on systemic burnout prevention. She is also co-author of the annual global State of Workplace Burnout Report. 

Sally writes regularly on leadership, wellbeing and culture and cohosts the popular leadership podcast We Are Human Leaders. A passionate runner, surfer and traveller, she divides her time between Amsterdam and Australia.

Arminé Nalbandian

CEO

Centre for Social Impact

Arminé is a public policy and social purpose leader who has spent two decades advising governments, charities and for-purpose organisations in Australia, the US and Armenia, on a range of topics impacting families, communities and economies. She is driven by a strong desire to make sure her time on earth is spent in service of others.

Arminé is also a Non-Executive Director of The Front Project, UNSW College and is Chair of the Ari Literature Foundation. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts – a global network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish in harmony.

Michelle Holland

Founder & Executive Director

SynergyIQ

Michelle Holland is a thought leader in business and workforce transformation, with over two decades of experience helping top organisations in Australia & globally. 

As the Founder and Director of SynergyIQ, Michelle is on a mission to make change human again. While change has often been treated as a business process, Michelle’s work redefines it through a human lens, ensuring that transformation is both impactful and relatable.

SACOSS seeks Justice, Opportunity and Shared Wealth for all South Australians

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sacoss@sacoss.org.au

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47 King William Road Unley SA 5061

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MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.

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