2023 Key Note Speakers
Michael Bunting – Keynote Speaker
Michael Bunting, Author, Researcher, Leadership Expert.
Michael Bunting is the author of the bestselling books The Mindful Leader and A Practical Guide to Mindful Meditation and co-authored Extraordinary Leadership in Australia & New Zealand with Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, the world’s premier researchers and authors in the field of leadership.
His latest book, published in October 2022, Vertical Growth, is a must-read book for anyone wanting to master self-awareness and lifelong growth.
He is the founder of Awakened Mind, a mindfulness IOS/Android App and leadership consultancy WorkSmart. Michael and his team have worked with some of the world’s most prestigious organisations in the area of executive leadership, mindfulness, mental health, adult development and scaled culture change.
Several of his clients are award winning best employers, and his app has been academically researched and proven to produce substantial improvement in key areas impacting mental health and team performance.
He lives with his wife and 4 children in Sydney, Australia.
You can reach Michael via: mbunting@mindfulleader.net
Michael Bunting is the author of the bestselling books The Mindful Leader and A Practical Guide to Mindful Meditation and co-authored Extraordinary Leadership in Australia & New Zealand with Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, the world’s premier researchers and authors in the field of leadership.
His latest book, published in October 2022, Vertical Growth, is a must-read book for anyone wanting to master self-awareness and lifelong growth.
He is the founder of Awakened Mind, a mindfulness IOS/Android App and leadership consultancy WorkSmart. Michael and his team have worked with some of the world’s most prestigious organisations in the area of executive leadership, mindfulness, mental health, adult development and scaled culture change.
Several of his clients are award winning best employers, and his app has been academically researched and proven to produce substantial improvement in key areas impacting mental health and team performance.
He lives with his wife and 4 children in Sydney, Australia.
You can reach Michael via: mbunting@mindfulleader.net
Testimonials:
"Michael's authenticity and ability to explain complex leadership culture challenges in a simple, practical, yet thought provoking way, has created incredible, never seen before appetite in our leaders to truly embrace our transformative leadership journey. Helping us to critically reflect on how consistently we really walk our talk and live by our values has been eye opening and life changing."
Michaela Wortley – Oceania Coaching, Teaming and Mediation Leader, EY "Michael Bunting's care, skill and knowledge are second to none, his ability to connect on a deep personal level is life changing, we have never experienced so much positive feedback from a leadership program. Our leadership teams are stretching their learning & development budgets to get more access to Michael facilitating training programs, this level of senior leadership engagement is unheard of in our business." Richard Todd – Senior Director HR, Hilton Asia Pacific "Michael and his team share a philosophy around going beyond surface-level corporate training and towards building programs and structure to support deep, sustainable transformation in individuals and organisations." Charles Morris – L&D and Culture, Microsoft Global "We value Michael's expertise and leadership on shifting Novartis' culture towards an inspired, curious and unbiassed organization to unleash the power of our people. Organisational change starts with individual change and Michael has been an excellent partner to develop our senior leaders to become more self-aware, mindful and self-authoring. His unique combination of data and focus on behavioural change is powerful." Steven Baert – Global Head of People, Novartis |
Michelle Holland – Keynote Speaker
Michelle Holland, Founder and Director of SynergyIQ
Michelle Holland’s message is simple but powerful: if we want our organisations to be better, we have to start by making our ‘experience of work’ better.
Best known for her pioneering work and ideas in the field of business culture, Michelle believes that our experience of work has a profound impact on innovation, leadership and the future—and she should know. As an organisational culture, change and leadership expert with over two decades of experience, Michelle has helped some of Australia’s and the world’s largest companies transform their cultures and business performance by improving their experience of work.
This is a key focus of her work at her company SynergyIQ, where she is the Creative Director and Founder. At SynergyIQ, Michelle and team are working at the forefront of complex organisational change.
The author of four books, including her latest Imperfect Leadership: Stay Goodbye to Burnout and Self Doubt and the international bestselling Culture Inc, create a business that gets results and people love. Michelle is one of the most influential voices in Australia on the experience of work, the business of change and the future of culture and leadership. She is a popular choice for conferences wanting to inspire their audiences with a fresh, original and thought-provoking take on work, culture, leadership and the future and challenges thinking at the highest levels.
She’s a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator (yes, she’s met Dr Brené Brown), an accredited Culture Profiler, and is undertaking a Doctorate in the field of business leadership.
Michelle gives generously to her audience and maintains relevance through continual research and development. As Michelle learns and grows, so does her ability to provide a unique look at the world through the creative and curious eyes of a corporate anthropologist.
Michelle works Online, Live, Nationally and Internationally. Some her clients include BHP (mining), BAE (defence), KBR (engineering), SA Water (utilities), University of Adelaide, the Australian Federal Government and a variety of other private and government organisations.
She lives in South Australia with her family including two crazy, yet adorable, dogs, and overflowing bookshelves. Michelle admits to a healthy obsession with all things Marvel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harry Potter.
Michelle is available for speaking engagements, workshops and consultancy and would love to hear from you! Contact her at admin@synergyiq.com.au
SynergyIQ is a transformation partner for leaders embarking on business transformation. They specialise in enabling and managing change by focusing on people, processes, capabilities and experience and help leaders design their business's future and create an actionable blueprint for change. Their unique value is provided through a combination of our people, our approach and our experience.
The people of SynergyIQ are not traditional consultants; they are skilled within business and therefore care about adding value and delivering the desired result. They use a systems thinking approach to change management, which allows them to gain alignment faster and plan and execute change more successfully. They have experience in many sectors and have had delivered successful outcomes in health, education, defence, mining, and local, state and federal government.
Best known for her pioneering work and ideas in the field of business culture, Michelle believes that our experience of work has a profound impact on innovation, leadership and the future—and she should know. As an organisational culture, change and leadership expert with over two decades of experience, Michelle has helped some of Australia’s and the world’s largest companies transform their cultures and business performance by improving their experience of work.
This is a key focus of her work at her company SynergyIQ, where she is the Creative Director and Founder. At SynergyIQ, Michelle and team are working at the forefront of complex organisational change.
The author of four books, including her latest Imperfect Leadership: Stay Goodbye to Burnout and Self Doubt and the international bestselling Culture Inc, create a business that gets results and people love. Michelle is one of the most influential voices in Australia on the experience of work, the business of change and the future of culture and leadership. She is a popular choice for conferences wanting to inspire their audiences with a fresh, original and thought-provoking take on work, culture, leadership and the future and challenges thinking at the highest levels.
She’s a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator (yes, she’s met Dr Brené Brown), an accredited Culture Profiler, and is undertaking a Doctorate in the field of business leadership.
Michelle gives generously to her audience and maintains relevance through continual research and development. As Michelle learns and grows, so does her ability to provide a unique look at the world through the creative and curious eyes of a corporate anthropologist.
Michelle works Online, Live, Nationally and Internationally. Some her clients include BHP (mining), BAE (defence), KBR (engineering), SA Water (utilities), University of Adelaide, the Australian Federal Government and a variety of other private and government organisations.
She lives in South Australia with her family including two crazy, yet adorable, dogs, and overflowing bookshelves. Michelle admits to a healthy obsession with all things Marvel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harry Potter.
Michelle is available for speaking engagements, workshops and consultancy and would love to hear from you! Contact her at admin@synergyiq.com.au
SynergyIQ is a transformation partner for leaders embarking on business transformation. They specialise in enabling and managing change by focusing on people, processes, capabilities and experience and help leaders design their business's future and create an actionable blueprint for change. Their unique value is provided through a combination of our people, our approach and our experience.
The people of SynergyIQ are not traditional consultants; they are skilled within business and therefore care about adding value and delivering the desired result. They use a systems thinking approach to change management, which allows them to gain alignment faster and plan and execute change more successfully. They have experience in many sectors and have had delivered successful outcomes in health, education, defence, mining, and local, state and federal government.
Adam Thompson – Panelist
Adam Thompson, Founder & Director of Thompson Organisations
We welcome Adam Thompson to the Adelaide Connected 7.0 panel
As a popular source of wisdom for everything to do with organisations, leadership, strategy, and culture, Adam will be a brilliant addition to this year's panel. Adam comes with over 20 years of organisational leadership experience, including 8 years as an organisational consultant and founder.
The trademark of his work is engaging expertise with a touch of humour (because real change needs it!). Adam brings together a vast and evolving knowledge of strategic, organisational, systems and people models to create insight and understandings that are bespoke for each situation. This then leads to personal and organisational changes that just make sense. And work.
More about Adam Thompson: LinkedIn Personal – LinkedIn Company – Facebook – YouTube – Instagram – Web – Vlog
As a popular source of wisdom for everything to do with organisations, leadership, strategy, and culture, Adam will be a brilliant addition to this year's panel. Adam comes with over 20 years of organisational leadership experience, including 8 years as an organisational consultant and founder.
The trademark of his work is engaging expertise with a touch of humour (because real change needs it!). Adam brings together a vast and evolving knowledge of strategic, organisational, systems and people models to create insight and understandings that are bespoke for each situation. This then leads to personal and organisational changes that just make sense. And work.
More about Adam Thompson: LinkedIn Personal – LinkedIn Company – Facebook – YouTube – Instagram – Web – Vlog
Sanja Hendrick – MC
Sanja Hendrick, Founder & Managing Director Talent Academy
Sanja returns as the popular Master of Ceremonies 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.