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Keynote speaker

Michael McAfee (USA)

President and CEO of PolicyLink

THE EQUITY CO●LAB is thrilled to welcome Michael McAfee, President and CEO of US-based research and action institute, PolicyLink, as keynote speaker for the 2024 Advancing Equity Summit.

A sought-after speaker on community and economic development, youth development and racial equity, Michael is the catalyst for a new and growing body of work — corporate racial equity. This approach includes the first comprehensive tool to guide private-sector companies in assessing and actively promoting equity in every aspect of their company’s value chain. 

Through his leadership at Policylink, Michael transformed the “Promise Neighborhoods” program into a permanent federal initiative, improving outcomes for over 300,000 children and investing billions in impoverished neighborhoods.  

Michael’s keynote will focus on the importance of equity and creating systems that work for all. He will discuss the importance of leading with evidence-based approaches, the role of humanity and love in advancing equity, and building a thriving democracy. Prepare to be inspired and challenged to drive lasting social change. 

Summit MC

Dr Norman Swan AM

Doctor, Journalist and Summit MC Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Norman, an accomplished broadcaster, journalist, and medical expert, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the Advancing Equity Summit. Best known as the co-host of RN’s Health Report and the widely popular What’s The Rash podcast, Norman brings a wealth of experience from his time as a co-host of Coronacast, a show that saw millions of downloads during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including a Gold Walkley and the Medal of the Order of Australia (AM).

With a background in medicine and pediatrics, and a career that spans various prominent roles on ABC’s 7.30, Midday, News Breakfast, and Four Corners, Norman is uniquely positioned to guide the Summit’s discussions on health, equity, and public policy. His deep understanding of the issues, combined with his engaging communication style, ensures a thought-provoking and inspiring event. Norman’s commitment to advancing public health and equity, as reflected in his award-winning journalism and best-selling books, will set the tone for an impactful and meaningful Summit.

Speakers

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Dr Peter Dobson

Board Chair, Country to Coast Queensland

Bio
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Deena Rosalky

Program Director, The Achieve Foundation

Bio
Neil Willmett

Neil Willmett

Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland

Bio
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Professor Jo Barraket AM

Director, Melbourne Social Equity Institute

Bio
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Professor Ingrid Burkett

Director, Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation

Bio
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Matthew Cox

Executive Director, The Bryan Foundation

Bio
Megan Kreis headshot

Megan Kreis

Senior Director, Queensland Health

Bio
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Amanda Robbins

Founder and Managing Director, Equity Economics

Bio
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Matt Statham

General Manager - Child, Family and Older Persons, Brisbane South PHN

Bio
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Roger Meany

Lead – Engagement and Operations, Thriving Kids Queensland Partnership

Bio
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Lorna McGinnis

Executive Director, Gladstone Region Together

Bio
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John Mendoza

Co-Director and Adj Professor, ConNetica Consulting Pty Ltd

Bio
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Olivia Hilton

General Manager, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Bio
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Divya Roy

Principal, Consulting Social Ventures Australia

Bio
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Lina Patel

Facilitator and Collaboration Designer, Revma Consulting

Bio
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Jack Coghlan

Principal, Consulting Social Ventures Australia

Bio
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Kathy Oliver

Principal Consultant, GenderWorks

Bio
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Dujuan Hoosan

Actor Unquiet Collective (In My Blood It Runs, 2019)

Bio
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Craig Cunningham

Project Manager, Griffith Centre for Systems Innovation

Bio
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Charmaine Stubbs

Resident, South Moreton Bay Islands

Bio
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Eula Rohan

Facilitator and Coach, Eula Rohan Consulting

Bio
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Kate Williams

Researcher, Flinders University's Centre for Social Impact

Bio
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Anna Powell

Chief Executive Officer, Collaboration For Impact

Bio
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Sarah Callaghan

Head of Demonstration & Learning and Equitable Democracies Lead, Collaboration For Impact

Bio
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Abbie Clarke

Director Health and Social Policy Equity Economics

Bio
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Darryl Walker

Principal Advisor Projects, Country to Coast, QLD

Bio
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Janine Dureau

Chief Executive Officer, Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council

Bio
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Jen Branscombe

Principal Consultant, GenderWorks

Bio
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Julie Sturgess

Chief Executive Officer, Country to Coast, QLD

Bio
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Liz Mackinlay

CEO, Australian Business Volunteers

Bio
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Marion Wands

Chair, Community Advisory Council, Country to Coast, QLD

Bio
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Olivia Naughtin

Director - Healthy Communities, Country to Coast, QLD

Bio
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Thalep Ahmat

General Manager, Operations CQID

Bio
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Rowena Cann

Thriving Kids Queensland Partnership

Bio
The Equity CoLab

Country to Coast Queensland and the Equity CoLab acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

We are committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health and other services. We welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

© 2025 The Equity Co·Lab

Professor Sharon Friel

ARC Laureate Fellow and Professor of Health Equity, ANU

Professor Sharon Friel is an ARC Laureate Fellow and Professor of Health Equity. She is Director of the Planetary Health Equity Hothouse and the Australian Research Centre for Health Equity (ARCHE) at the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), The Australian National University.

She is a Fellow of both the Academy of Social Sciences Australia and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

From 2014 to 2019, Sharon served as Director of RegNet, and earlier led the Scientific Secretariat of the World Health Organization Commission on the Social Determinants of Health at University College London from 2005 to 2008. In 2014, she was recognised by her international peers as one of the world’s most influential female leaders in global health.

Her research interests include the political economy of health equity, and the governance of the social, commercial and planetary determinants of health inequities — with a particular focus on climate change, food systems, trade and investment. Her 2019 book, Climate Change and the People’s Health, explores the global consumptogenic system and its impacts on health.

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Professor Katherine Trebeck

Professor Health Equity & NHMRC Investigator Fellow, Stretton Inst., UoA​

Dr Katherine Trebeck is a political economist and global advocate for building equitable and sustainable economic systems. Her work sits at the intersection of policy, practice and public dialogue — shifting how economies are designed, not just to grow, but to serve people and the planet.

She holds key roles including:
• Economic Change Lead at The Next Economy
• Strategic Advisor to the Centre for Policy Development
• Writer-at-Large at the University of Edinburgh

Katherine co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance – WEAll and WEAll Scotland, and was instrumental in establishing the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) initiative — a collaboration between governments such as Scotland, New Zealand and Finland to centre wellbeing in national economic priorities.

Her work advances equity by embedding human and ecological wellbeing into economic decision-making. She’s thinker-in-residence at the Australian Health Promotion Association, a fellow at the ZOE Institute and the Post Growth Institute, and serves on the boards of Hands Across Canberra and the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity. She is also a member of the Club of Rome.

Katherine is co-author of The Economics of Arrival and is a frequent speaker on how to reimagine prosperity through justice and care.

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Professor Andrew Scott

Emeritus Professor of Politics and Policy Deakin University and author

Professor Andrew Scott will be joining us on the Equity CoLab National Summit stage this October!

Andrew is Emeritus Professor of Politics and Policy at Deakin University and the author of five books, including Northern Lights: The Positive Policy Example of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, which has recently been translated into Japanese. He is also lead editor and contributor to three chapters of The Nordic Edge: Policy Possibilities for Australia.

Northern Lights was endorsed by Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, while The Nordic Edge received praise from Professor Fiona Stanley, former Australian of the Year. Both books have sold thousands of copies and helped bring international policy inspiration into Australian debate.

Andrew’s recent research has helped the national government extend paid parental leave and move toward universal early childhood education and care. He continues to advocate for further actions to improve equity in Australia.

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Professor Fran Baum AO

Professor Health Equity & NHMRC Investigator Fellow, Stretton Inst., UoA​

Professor Fran Baum is a public health social scientist with a deep commitment to creating and advocating for healthy, equitable and sustainable societies. Her career spans research, advocacy and global movement-building — and she is widely recognised as one of Australia’s most influential voices on health equity.

She is Director of Stretton Health Equity, Stretton Institute at the University of Adelaide and an NHMRC Investigator Leadership Fellow. Fran was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to public health and is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and the Australian Health Promotion Association.

Fran is a past National President and Life Member of the Public Health Association of Australia, and the immediate past Co-Chair of the Global Steering Council of the People’s Health Movement — a global network of health activists working to advance the right to health and challenge structural injustice.

She is also a member of the BMJ International Advisory Board and author of over 400 publications, including:
• The New Public Health
• Governing for Health
• Co-editor of the Oxford Textbook of Global Public Health

Fran brings a rare combination of deep academic insight and long-standing advocacy for systems transformation.

Photo of Fran Baum

Professor Fran Baum AO

Professor Health Equity & NHMRC Investigator Fellow, Stretton Inst., UoA​

Professor Fran Baum is a public health social scientist with a deep commitment to creating and advocating for healthy, equitable and sustainable societies. Her career spans research, advocacy and global movement-building — and she is widely recognised as one of Australia’s most influential voices on health equity.

She is Director of Stretton Health Equity, Stretton Institute at the University of Adelaide and an NHMRC Investigator Leadership Fellow. Fran was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to public health and is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and the Australian Health Promotion Association.

Fran is a past National President and Life Member of the Public Health Association of Australia, and the immediate past Co-Chair of the Global Steering Council of the People’s Health Movement — a global network of health activists working to advance the right to health and challenge structural injustice.

She is also a member of the BMJ International Advisory Board and author of over 400 publications, including:
• The New Public Health
• Governing for Health
• Co-editor of the Oxford Textbook of Global Public Health

Fran brings a rare combination of deep academic insight and long-standing advocacy for systems transformation.