Adam Ireland

Managing Director, Always Human

Adam Ireland is the Managing Director at Always Human. Always Human is a culturally driven sports and entertainment agency specialising in the empowerment of people and brands.

Jez Ryan

CEO, Mammal Sounds

Jez Ryan is the founder of independent record label and management agency Mammal Sounds, and Australian music news platform Acid Stag.

Over the last 14 years Jez has acquired a unique perspective on the music industry through working on a variety of projects across all areas including; artist management, career development, label management & artist relations, release strategies & planning, publicity, marketing, online-media & journalism, content curation, and creative content development, just to name a few. He’s had the privilege of working with an array of upcoming and established artists from across the globe, helping them maximise their exposure to a worldwide audience and furthering their artistic goals and laying the foundations for long-term career development.

Kate Wickett

Former CEO of Sydney WorldPride, CEO of City Recital Hall

Kate Wickett has a diverse range of experience working across the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors.

Currently the CEO of City Recital Hall, her work typically involves strategic and operational advice for large projects, change, stakeholder engagement, transformation, arts and general corporate advisory work. In her tenure as CEO for Sydney WorldPride, she led a team that drew in over 1 million people to the event which injected significant economic activity into the region. Kate has also been volunteering in the LGBTQIA+ community for over 20 years.

Matt Jones

Co-Founder, Four Pillars Gin, Chair of Business Advisory Panel City of Sydney

Matt Jones is a creative strategist, a keynote speaker, a lifelong advocate for the power of communications and experiences, and an accidental entrepreneur.

In 2013, Matt co-founded Four Pillars Gin and helped it grow into a business that was named the world’s best three times. Over the past decade, Four Pillars has been a key ingredient in the growth of Australia’s craft spirits and hospitality scene.

Today, Matt is one of Australia’s most in-demand keynote speakers and experts on the subject of brand and business growth. Through his brand advisory partnership, Think Story Experience, he coaches leaders on how to leverage the power of strategy, storytelling, design, emotions and experiences to achieve their goals.

Matt chairs the City of Sydney’s Business Advisory Panel, helping to shape Sydney’s future economic landscape. He’s also a mentor at Startmate, Australia’s leading start-up accelerator, helping to nurture the next generation of Australian success stories.

Matt Levinson

Head of Corporate Affairs / Culture Policy Lead, Committee for Sydney

Matt Levinson leads cultural policy at the Committee for Sydney as well as serving on the board of creative arts centre 107 Projects and the state’s 24 Hour Economy Advisory Group.

He’s a communication and policy strategist with senior experience in government, media and for-purpose sectors.

Naomi Ross

Director / Owner, Distil

Naomi’s expertise in brand development, strategic digital planning, branding and positioning and graphic design has earned her a reputation as a leader in hospitality and lifestyle marketing.

Her empathy, people-centric approach (in both design and leadership), and her commitment to the industry became the cornerstone of own Distil’s brand vision, reflected in our team, our work and our partnerships.

Nathan Richman

Managing Partner, Elastic

Nathan, the co-founder of Elastic and award-winning director, has spent over 25 years blending technology and creativity across television, commercials, documentaries and social media, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

His deep love for Sydney has fueled projects like Turn it Up: Finding Sydney’s Sound and Neon Streets, both celebrating the city’s dynamic night-time scene and its impact on cultural identity. Besides telling a good yarn, he aims to challenge perspectives and create conversations.

Naysla Edwards

Vice President ICS Marketing, Australia and New Zealand, American Express

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, Amex Music Backers, 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 Amex’s Women Interest Network, 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 Pride 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.