2022 Key Note Speakers
Tom Hendrick
Tom Hendrick, Director Talent Academy
Tom Hendrick is a director of Talent Academy
Tom is a professional public speaker and trainer. His approach to speaking training focuses on 3 elements:
Tom runs Talent Academy's group workshops and one-to-one training for government, professional associations, individuals, and businesses large & small. His clients include for example the Australian Tax Office and the Institute of Public Accountants. Prior to being a public speaker and trainer, Tom was a tax lawyer with top-tier SA law firm Finlaysons.
Tom is a professional public speaker and trainer. His approach to speaking training focuses on 3 elements:
- achieving tangible outcomes when you present ("get a return on investment");
- finding ways to reduce preparation time ("time is precious"); and
- eliminating "presentation dead space" by using principles distilled from great speakers ("learn from the best").
Tom runs Talent Academy's group workshops and one-to-one training for government, professional associations, individuals, and businesses large & small. His clients include for example the Australian Tax Office and the Institute of Public Accountants. Prior to being a public speaker and trainer, Tom was a tax lawyer with top-tier SA law firm Finlaysons.
Carmen Garcia
Carmen Garcia, Founder & Chief Executive Officer Community Corporate
Carmen Garcia founded Community Corporate to help refugee and migrant communities, as well as women, youth and long term unemployed find work. Her belief is that work is at the core of human dignity and as a second-generation Filipino migrant, she witnessed firsthand the struggles her mother faced to be able to practice law without her qualifications being recognised in Australia. Carmen established Community Corporate to challenge conventional thinking, broker relationships across sectors and advocate for the important role of work as a cornerstone to settlement and belonging for newcomers to Australia.
Community Corporate also brokers strategic partnerships between the community, public and corporate sectors and creates opportunities for organisations and leaders with shared values and a commitment to social responsibility to collaborate. Refugee employment programs are custom-designed and tailored to the needs of corporate partners like Woolworths, Accenture, Spotless, On The Run and IKEA, who all benefit from access to a diverse workforce.
In addition to her role as CEO of Community Corporate, Carmen serves on a number of boards and is the Honorary Consul for the Philippines in South Australia. Recognition for Carmen Garcia and Community Corporate has resulted in the following awards:
Community Corporate also brokers strategic partnerships between the community, public and corporate sectors and creates opportunities for organisations and leaders with shared values and a commitment to social responsibility to collaborate. Refugee employment programs are custom-designed and tailored to the needs of corporate partners like Woolworths, Accenture, Spotless, On The Run and IKEA, who all benefit from access to a diverse workforce.
In addition to her role as CEO of Community Corporate, Carmen serves on a number of boards and is the Honorary Consul for the Philippines in South Australia. Recognition for Carmen Garcia and Community Corporate has resulted in the following awards:
- Top50 Small Business Leaders 2021
- Winnovation Awards Social Impact Winner 2021
- Fast Movers SA Top25 Finalist 2020
- Australian small business Champion Awards Winner 2020
- Australia Day Inspiring SA Women's Award Commendation 2020
- Governor's Multicultural Awards Outstanding Individual Achievement Winner 2019
- SA Training Awards Finalist Industry Collaboration Award 2019
- 40 Under 40 Winner State Contribution Award 2018
- Telstra Business Women's Award SA Finalist 2017
- Aus Mumpreneurs Award Silver Winner 2017
Nick Palousis
Nick Palousis, Founder & Managing Director 2XE
Nick is the Founder and CEO for 2XE, and has spent 20 years working with over 1,000 businesses and governments to help them pursue ESG and net zero emissions with the best possible holistic return on investment. He has worked with clients across almost every major industry and government sector (both in Australia and abroad).
He has worked with clients in a variety of industries including Agribusiness, Automotive, Consumer Goods, Education, Finance, Food & Beverage, Chemicals, Infrastructure, Insurance, Investment, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Mining, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Property, Wine, Tourism, State Government and Urban Development sectors. He has worked on engagements across Australia and abroad, including Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, UK and the US.
In amongst client engagements, Nick has advised the World Economic Forum’s Driving Sustainable Consumption Project, working with some of the world’s most influential companies to develop sustainable business models that are fundamentally more competitive in the market. Nick recently contributed to their latest report, The Consumption Dilemma, which was submitted to business leaders in Davos.
Nick is a recipient of a national British Council Eureka Prize, an ADC Australian Leadership Award and was an advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Driving Sustainable Consumption Project. Under Nick’s leadership, 2XE received a Climate Change Leadership Award from the Premier of South Australia. Nick has degrees in Mechatronics Engineering (First Class Honours) and Mathematical & Computer Science from the University of Adelaide.
He has worked with clients in a variety of industries including Agribusiness, Automotive, Consumer Goods, Education, Finance, Food & Beverage, Chemicals, Infrastructure, Insurance, Investment, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Mining, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Property, Wine, Tourism, State Government and Urban Development sectors. He has worked on engagements across Australia and abroad, including Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, UK and the US.
In amongst client engagements, Nick has advised the World Economic Forum’s Driving Sustainable Consumption Project, working with some of the world’s most influential companies to develop sustainable business models that are fundamentally more competitive in the market. Nick recently contributed to their latest report, The Consumption Dilemma, which was submitted to business leaders in Davos.
Nick is a recipient of a national British Council Eureka Prize, an ADC Australian Leadership Award and was an advisor to the World Economic Forum’s Driving Sustainable Consumption Project. Under Nick’s leadership, 2XE received a Climate Change Leadership Award from the Premier of South Australia. Nick has degrees in Mechatronics Engineering (First Class Honours) and Mathematical & Computer Science from the University of Adelaide.
Sanja Hendrick – MC
Sanja Hendrick, Founder & Managing Director Talent Academy
Sanja returns as the popular Master of Ceremonies for the 6th edition of Adelaide Connected.
She is the co founder of Talent Academy, an award-winning training company based in Adelaide, delivering professional development workshops nationally. Sanja is a speaker, coach, mentor and performer. Talent Academy facilitates public speaking training workshops nationally with specific expertise coaching thought leaders in developing keynotes, product suites and a TEDx talk.
As a theatre performer for 18 years, Sanja brings large stage experience and non-verbal communication expertise to the table. With her qualifications in management, expertise in international relations and experience as a board member for multiple organisations, Sanja is able to facilitate communication training at various levels within organisations with unique perspective.
She is the co founder of Talent Academy, an award-winning training company based in Adelaide, delivering professional development workshops nationally. Sanja is a speaker, coach, mentor and performer. Talent Academy facilitates public speaking training workshops nationally with specific expertise coaching thought leaders in developing keynotes, product suites and a TEDx talk.
As a theatre performer for 18 years, Sanja brings large stage experience and non-verbal communication expertise to the table. With her qualifications in management, expertise in international relations and experience as a board member for multiple organisations, Sanja is able to facilitate communication training at various levels within organisations with unique perspective.
