Dr Emma Gentle is a researcher and an art therapist.

Emma completed her PhD (USyd) on the capacity of group art-making processes to form connection. She has a MA in Art Therapy (UWS) where she researched the impact of art therapy on incarcerated young people; and explored identity development through art-making processes.

Emma also completed a MA in Applied Anthropology, Community and Youth Work (GU), with a dissertation on the efficacy of community arts projects in creating individual and social change. She completed under graduate diplomas in both psychology and applied psychology (BU). Emma uses participatory action research (PAR), and multi-modal data collection for a nuanced understanding of both arts programs and creative therapies. Her research examines the capacity of art and creativity to improve mental health and promote wellbeing.

In her practice, she utilises art processes to: 1) cultivate unencumbered expression of difficult feelings; 2) tell story; 3) increase connection; 4) reduce stigma; and 5) as a creative recovery tool.

With a background in health & wellness, Lily has specialised in trauma recovery for women and young people for more than 2 decades. A self confessed loud mouth, unafraid of tackling the tough topics, she has travelled Australia wide, educating parents & services about better ways to have impactful, insightful, brave conversations.

With frontline career experience spanning domestic & sexual violence, youth, criminal justice and addiction, Lily is critically aware of the dangers of compassion fatigue, boundary blurring and burn out. A Tedx speaker and International Women’s Day Woman of the Year (Coffs Coast), Lily is known for challenging us to examine the ways in which we work, and the impact that has on how we live, love, parent and play.

Professor Jack Beetson is a Ngemba Aboriginal man from western NSW who has been actively involved in Indigenous education in Australia and internationally for over 30 years. He is not an academic researcher and does not have a track record in the academic sense.  However, since April 2009, he has held an Adjunct Professor appointment with the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law.  This appointment came about in recognition of the contribution he has made to the university and in other areas to the development of policies and programs for Aboriginal development.

Professor Beetson's experience in a leadership and advisory role include:

• Interim Chair, National Aboriginal Environment Trust, 2008-2009
• Member, Northern Rivers Catchments Management Authority, 2004-2008
• NSW Commission for Children and Young People
• Member, Expert Advisory Panel, 2004-2007
• Member, Child Death Review Committee,  2007-2009
• Member, Australian National Training Authority Indigenous Advisory Council 1993-2000
• Director and Foundation President, Federation of Independent Aboriginal Educational Providers, 1994-2000
• Member, Council of Southern Cross University 1996-1998
• Member, Sydney ATSIC Regional Council 1993-1998
• Member, MCEETYA Task Force on Aboriginal Education 1995-1997
• Member, Council of University of Technology Sydney, 1993-1996
• Member, Executive Committee, Adult Learning Australia 1991-1994

Rebel Black is driven by a profound mission: to thrive, heal, and evolve and inspire others to do the same. With her background as a human agronomist and a pioneering syntrophic entrepreneur, she has made a significant impact in the world.

The foundation of her work lies in THE RW Collection, a socially conscious company she founded. Operating from her office in the opal fields of Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Rebel focuses on incubating enterprises that activate and prioritise community wealth building and empowering legacy.

Rebel spearheaded a ground breaking "community exit" when her company was acquired by THE Rural Woman Cooperative—an extraordinary endeavour devoted to uplifting rural women and girls. As a true trailblazer, Rebel's exceptional contributions to the advancement of rural women, small business and the integration of technology in enterprises have earned her esteemed recognition through multiple national and global awards.

Rebel Black is an unstoppable force, blazing a trail of empowerment, opportunity, and inclusive growth. Her unwavering commitment to thriving communities and her dedication to the evolution of individuals and societies make her a captivating speaker who inspires and transforms lives.