Greg Hoffman

Greg Hoffman is a global brand leader, former NIKE Chief Marketing Officer, and founder and principal of the brand advisory group Modern Arena. Greg brought all of his brand experience to the world this year through his best-selling book Emotion by Design: Creative Leadership Lessons From a Life at Nike.

For 28 years, Greg held marketing, design, and innovation leadership roles at NIKE. During that time, he was a major strategic and creative influence for the brand during every major global sporting event, for the launches of NIKE’s signature innovations, and for the building of the brands of its athletes.

Greg oversaw NIKE’s brand communications and experiences as NIKE was solidifying its position as one of the preeminent brand storytellers of the modern era and the leading innovator in digital and physical brand experiences. His role in the rise of marketing and design through that period was recognized in 2015 when Fast Company named him one of the Most Creative People in Business. He’s also been recognized for his transformative leadership in the industry through Business Insider’s 50 Most Innovative CMOs and AdAge’s Power Players annual lists.

Through his leadership, Nike drove themes of equality, sustainability, and empowerment through sport in some of its most significant brand communications. That work was, in part, driven by his role on the Advisory Board of the NIKE Black Employee Network and as a member of the NIKE Foundation Board of Directors.

Today as founder and principal of Modern Arena, Greg advises Fortune 500 brands, startups, and nonprofits on creating brand strength, business growth, and social impact. He delivers keynotes to teams at brands ranging from Apple, Google, and Netflix, to Lego, Target, and Meta, on how to build stronger emotional bonds through branding and creativity.

In addition, He is a board member for Summit Impact, the philanthropic arm of Summit Series, the Branding instructor at the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Joanna Robinson

With over 26 years of commercial experience across marketing, sales, and leadership, Joanna is Chief Marketing Officer at THE ICONIC, Australia's leading online fashion and lifestyle destination. Holding a Bachelor or Arts degree and Masters of Strategic Marketing, she also has the privilege of teaching Marketing and Leadership subjects at Sydney University as a Sessional Lecturer. 

Beginning her career in FMCG, Joanna has worked with the likes of Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson and Colgate Palmolive. She has also worked in senior roles in Beauty with Estee Lauder and L’Occitane, as well as “entertainment” categories such as Bubble Tea and Wine with Chatime Group and Tyrrell's Wines respectively. She has a particular expertise in marketing to Gen Y and Z, and utilising data and insights to optimise customer experience to drive commercial outcomes. 

Joanna’s international experience has spanned Australia, Asia, North Africa, Middle East, and Turkey. 

She is an advocate for women's empowerment, diversity and gender equality in the workplace, and is passionate about developing and mentoring the next generation of female leaders. 

Naysla Edwards

For over 20 years, Naysla has been creating meaningful connections that unite brands with their customers, partners  and communities to create long-term advocacy. 

She is passionate about fostering innovation and building loyalty through customer insights and data, developing strategic partnerships and continuously challenging the status quo.

Naysla and her team have successfully created some of the most recognised and memorable partnership events for American Express in Australia. These include American Express principal partnership of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride, American Express delicious. Month Out, American Express Vogue Fashion Night In/Out, American Express Open Air Cinemas and the American Express Airport and Entertainment Lounges to name a few.

Naysla is a passionate advocate of Diversity and Inclusion, she is the Co-Executive sponsor of AX Pride ANZ, leads all efforts towards elevating marketing practices to remove stereotypes and showcase a realistic Australia and is an active member of the mental health and Women’s networks.

Naysla sits in the board of Redfern Legal Centre which is a valued Amex community partner, where she shares her expertise to support Redfern Legal centre’s vision to enhance access to justice and uphold human rights through the provision of holistic and accessible legal support to disadvantaged communities.

Naysla was born in Colombia but has lived across the world; her family takes top priority and Naysla ensures she has time to be with her husband Jon and her young daughter Isabella.

Simon Cheng

Bio coming soon...

Louise Cummins

Louise is the Chief Marketing Officer for World Vision Australia and has over 25 years of award-winning experience in marketing, management, and organisational change. She has also been recognised and is part of the alumni of CMO50 (top 50 CMOs in Australia list). With governance training from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Louise has served on several not-for-profit boards. She is a coach, mentor and trainer and her passion projects have led her to write two globally successful children’s books and produce an award-winning short film. For more information visit - https://www.louisecummins.com.au/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseemmacummins/

Christina Aventi

A young-at-heart veteran with 24 years’ experience, Christina started her career as a ‘grad’, client side at Unilever. After getting that solid grounding in marketing and category management, she jumped ship and found a permanent home as a brand and communications strategist where comms theory crashed into sociology with a little side of pop psychology for good measure.  It was the goldilocks of roles for her, understanding people and even herself a little better by being the consumer whisperer, representing the voice of the punter on the street. Since then has contributed to award-winning, effective campaigns across an array of clients (ALDI, Government, FMCG) and is most proud of the behaviour change work she has been part of in both the commercial and social marketing sector. 

An industry commentator and regular panellist on Gruen (ABC), Christina has led BMF to be the most effective agency in Australia, in 2017 and in 2019, and number 3 in the world in the WARC Creative Effectiveness ratings.  Whilst she’s driven to deliver creativity that’s effective, it’s superseded by being mum to her two kids, the mini schnauzer, Ziggy and doing ‘life’ as best she can alongside her partner Mark.

Lisa Dent

Lisa Dent is a marketing executive and leader with over 25 years marketing and sales experience in large manufacturing businesses. She has spent many years developing and implementing marketing strategy within the home improvement, building and construction industry. During her career she has also applied her skills across a wide range of industries including FMCG specifically food and veterinary pharmaceutical, retail, building and construction. She is currently the Vice President of Global Marketing at BlueScope, a leader in metal coating and painted steel products headquartered in Australia, with operations spread across North America, Australia, New Zealand, China and throughout Asia and well known for brands such as COLORBOND® steel.  Lisa is passionate about learning, supporting diversity and creating the right environment for marketers to be the best versions of themselves for the benefit of the business, marketing teams and individual growth.

Jess Manihera

Jessica Manihera is the Head of Marketing for Sanitarium The Health Food Company ANZ.  With over two decades of experience in marketing leadership, Jessica is a dynamic leader who is passionate about promoting health and wellness through nutritious and sustainable food choices with iconic grocery brands such as Weet-Bix, UP&GO, and So Good.

After studying a Conjoint Bachelor's degree in Law and Commerce, Jessica's journey in marketing began with a passion for creatively solving consumer problems. Her leadership at Sanitarium is marked by a deep understanding of the power of data and insights to drive consumer-centred innovation, communication, and marketing initiatives that yield tangible commercial outcomes.

Before her role at Sanitarium, Jessica held marketing leadership roles at Campbell Arnott’s, where she had the chance to oversee and contribute to an extensive portfolio of renowned Australian brands. Today, at the helm of Sanitarium's marketing endeavours, she not only fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration but also actively contributes to the cultivation of a new generation of leaders who share her passion for making a positive impact.  Jessica appreciates her team’s inspiring high-performance culture, expertise, and diversity of thinking.  Together, they collectively work to grow ideas into meaningful connections and impactful experiences for consumers, inspired by a shared commitment to promoting health and wellness.

Jessica Manihera's passion extends beyond marketing; it is defined by her commitment to nurturing talent, fostering diversity, and empowering the next generation of marketers and female leaders to shape the future of the industry.

Julie Dormand

Julie Dormand is a renowned industry leader in the advertising and marketing field, with a passion for helping others advance in their careers. As Managing Director at The Works, part of Capgemini, and armed with over 30 years of experience, Julie has established herself as a distinguished figure by adhering to a simple philosophy: supporting individuals in their professional journeys. She firmly believes in leveraging her expertise to elevate clients' brands and foster meaningful connections that have a positive impact on people's careers – and lives. Julie currently works with Mentor Walks, an initiative designed to provide women with unparalleled career advice via female leaders. As a recognised and awarded leader, Julie has received multiple accolades for her business and people leadership skills in numerous industry shows including Mumbrella, ADMA, Campaign Asia, and most recently a Finalist in Executive Leader and ‘Glass Ceiling’ categories at B&T Women in Media.

Anna Bollinger

With 20 years’ experience in the Advertising industry as an integrated, brand-driven strategic planner Anna has deep experience in QSR, FMCG, service and retail industries. Throughout her established career Anna has worked with several blue-chip clients such as ALDI, McDonald's, Mondelez, Qantas, CBA, KPMG, Uber Eats, Alinta Energy.

Before the age of 30, Anna was awarded the APG Planning Idol for top Account Planer and has gone on to have her work lauded at creative and effectiveness award shows across the globe, including Cannes Lions, Spikes Asia, and the Australian Effie Awards.

As a former dancer and theatre sports enthusiast, Anna lives for moments of vulnerability and unexpected candour which she finds daily as mum to four young boys.

April Siler

April Siler, the founder and CEO of Champagne brand Rêveuse, has 20 years of experience in the Global food and beverage industry.  April has expertise in driving exponential growth for disruptor brands in traditional categories.

April was the CEO for high growth supplements brand 8Greens and the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Development for the plant-based milk brand Califia Farms.  During Califia’s most intensive 3-year growth period April spearheaded all USA marketing and led the brand’s internationalization.  April previously led marketing and sales for Aussie brand The Chia Co.  From the brand’s creative inception through to development of a world first innovation - Chia Pod, where April partnered with world champion surfer Kelly Slater for brand communications.

April who has lived in New York, Los Angeles and London - began her career in Melbourne, Australia in the Treasury department of Visy.  April has a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing and Economics, from Monash University in Melbourne.  April played professional basketball in Australia and Spain and has a passion for grower Champagne and nutritious foods. 

“Rêveuse is the French word for a woman who dreams. I’ve been called a dreamer by men in the business world, and it was considered an insult. I’ve always been proud to be able to dream up new worlds and possibilities for others, and I wanted to claim that feeling for Rêveuse. For me, it’s about being able to create something that, by its distinctive taste and ability to make any occasion feel a bit fancy, brings friends and family together to create memorable moments. That, to me, is true luxury — and a worthy dream.”  April Siler.