Our Speakers

Featured

Leading advocate for Economic Systems Change

Katherine Trebeck

Indigenous leader and CEO of the Yindjibarndi Group

Michael Woodley*

  • *Hear an exclusive recorded message from Michael, only at the Make/shift Summit.

    Michael Woodley is the CEO of the Yindjibarndi Group, leading a portfolio of entities that advance the cultural, community, and commercial aspirations of the Yindjibarndi people. A long-standing Indigenous leader, Michael has guided Yindjibarndi organisations since 2007 and now oversees Yindjibarndi Nation Limited and multiple Group enterprises, including acting as a Director of Yiyangu Pty Ltd.

    A central focus of Michael’s work is renewable energy. He played a decisive role in establishing Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, a landmark partnership with ACEN Australia that positions the Yindjibarndi people at the forefront of large scale renewable energy development in the Pilbara. His leadership in this sector has earned national recognition, including acknowledgement by the Australian Financial Review as one of the key figures driving Australia’s energy transition.

    Michael also serves on several boards across the Group, including Yurra, Yindjibarndi Energy, Yindjibarndi Wealth, Jina-Rent-a-Car, and Yindjibarndi Water, and is the current Chairperson of Yurra.

    Born in Ieramagadu (Roebourne) and raised at Ngurrawaana on his ancestral country, Michael has dedicated his life to cultural preservation and community empowerment. He co founded Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation in 2000 with his partner Lorraine Coppin, creating what has become one of Australia’s largest and most respected Indigenous cultural archives. Their archives—nationally recognised for its contribution to safeguarding cultural knowledge—spans songlines, language, stories, and visual heritage. Maintaining and protecting Yindjibarndi cultural heritage remains a core passion for both Michael and Lorraine. Returning to live on Country in Ngurrawaana, they have also brought Juluwarlu back home to continue this work for future generations.

    Under his leadership, the Group has grown major enterprises such as Yurra - now employing over 400 people - while expanding into energy, water, media, and commercial services.

Max Barton

Writer, Composer, Director

  • Only at the Make/shift Summit.

    Max Barton fuses art forms to ask pressing questions. He is one half of the multi award-winning company Second Body.

    Max (he/they) trained as a theatre director, musician and writer, and has applied his irreverent and form-bending approach across several continents at vastly different scales, from intimate experimental theatre work in New Zealand and Edinburgh to large scale musicals in Vienna, Cape Town, Cardiff and London.

    With company Second Body, Max has written and performed in three award-winning music/theatre shows.

    Max writes for stage and screen, and is currently under commission for three musicals and two feature films.

    Max also composes music, and is currently creating the score for a feature-length documentary for Unmarked Films.

    Max has worked extensively as a director, producing work at, among others, Theatre Royal Stratford East, the National Theatre, Cape Town Opera, Wales Millennium Centre, Jermyn Street Theatre, Soho Theatre, and across the UK and Europe on international tours.

    Max has worked on several West End shows as Sir Trevor Nunn’s Associate or co-director, and frequently writes or directs with long-time collaborator Melly Still.

All speakers

Neil Cownie

Comfort in a Heating Climate

  • Neil Cownie Architect is a research-led design practice with a Western Australian sensibility, exploring the unique parameters of each project to find an outcome customised to site and client, immersing ourselves in local culture. 

    Neil designs to consider not only isolated buildings but designs to consider their environment and the landscape in which they are located to deliver a holistic experience in building and landscape as one. Neil is an advocate for climatically intelligent buildings and urban design which can passively moderate climate experience to reduce the need for mechanical intervention. Neil recently won the Australian Urban Design Research Centre ‘Adapt Me – Future Climate Future Home’ International urban design competition.

  • Chrissy Wilson is a community engagement practitioner and collage artist who explores how creativity can bring people together, spark conversation and help us see the world differently. Her work spans the for-purpose sector, social enterprise, community development, government, and the arts, with a focus on creating opportunities for connection and belonging. You can explore her collage work on Instagram, Chrissy is always keen to bounce ideas - so feel free to reach out to her.

Chrissy Wilson

Cut. Paste. Dream. Repeat.

  • Claire Vanderplank founded the WA Water Alliance to tell the big-picture story of water in Western Australia. Her work reframes healthy water cycles as vital climate infrastructure; the "slow water" that cools our landscapes and builds resilience against drought, fire and flood.

Claire Vanderplank

Water is Love

  • Alex Hughes is an advocate for social change and leads No Place for Poverty in efforts to address systemic inequities that impact people experiencing or at risk of poverty in Western Australia. His career spans child protection, housing and homelessness, health, and social research, with a focus on improving the systems that shape people’s lives. 

    Drawing on experience across policy, practice reform, and advocacy, Alex is now focused on driving upstream change - building fairer, more compassionate systems that strengthen communities and reduce poverty and inequality at its roots.

    He is motivated by a belief that systems should serve dignity, fairness, and opportunity for everyone.

  • Facilitator and strategist Ronnie Duncan helps create conversations that deepen people's relationship with Western Australia. Through his work with LoveWA, he explores how belonging, participation and stewardship can unlock the State's potential.

Ronnie Duncan

Enabling WA’s Potential

Meri Fatin

Enabling WA’s Potential

  • Facilitator and broadcaster Meri Fatin regularly convenes public conversations with a particular interest in climate and the transformation of leadership and culture that is needed to secure a beautiful future for coming generations.

Georgina Camp

Enabling WA’s Potential

  • Georgina Camp is a co-founder of Huber Social and currently leads Growth and Partnerships.

    Following a 10-year career across international law and the military, Georgina transitioned to Community Development to address social issues at their root cause. Having experienced both ends of the ‘problem solving’ spectrum, Georgina recognised wellbeing measurement holds the key to get all parts of the system working together to make progress on social issues. This realisation led to the development of social enterprise, Huber Social, and fostered a lifelong commitment to the integrity of how we measure social progress in terms of wellbeing.

Karla Fox- Reynolds

Comfort in a heating climate; The Jobs Office

  • Karla Fox-Reynolds has created a career out of industry firsts and quietly leading by doing. As Founder of Panacea Design, she focuses on enabling practical pathways and accessible solutions that helps homeowners and property professionals create more comfortable, energy efficient and future ready homes. 

    With a strong skill set spanning design, sustainability leadership, project management, stakeholder engagement and systems change, Karla is driven by testing and implementing new processes and working at the intersection of system design, climate resilience, and social impact.

    Karla also co-chairs the Material Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA) residential working group where partners collaborate to reduce embodied carbon. Karla has previously held roles with Hassell, Climate-KIC Australia, Lendlease, Curtin University, and Cundall, leading nationally and globally significant initiatives and projects.

  • Mark Davis has spent two decades getting the right services, products and systems to the people who need them most. As National Partnerships Director at Today, he builds relationships with government and impact organisations across Australia to help that work move forward. His contribution to the family violence sector, including the FVIO tool, earned an Anthem Award in 2020, and he holds Blue Knot trauma-awareness certification alongside completing the Williamson Community Leadership Program in 2024. Mark is a committed advocate for inclusion and accessibility, and uses his role to create space for others.

Sarah Booth

Living Close, Living Well: 2050

Levi Islam

Talking Shift: Can ordinary people save democracy?

Chloe Spackman

Talking Shift: Can ordinary people save democracy?

  • Chloë is the inaugural CEO of Next25, an independent, not-for-profit, think-and-do tank with a mission to improve Australia’s long-term flourishing. She has spent nearly two decades designing programs that shift systems across the international higher education, government and not-for-profit sectors, with a focus on leadership, systems change, and social impact, including Improving Democracy: Transforming Parliament for Women, which she co-created with four women MPs from across the political spectrum. She has worked with leaders and experts across all sectors, engaging them on the barriers and enablers to positive change.

    Beyond Next25, Chloë is the Board President of an Australia-based international charity supporting women and girls who have experienced trafficking and violence, a Chief Executive Women scholar, and an accredited Facilitator of Transformation. She previously managed a tertiary leadership program, which received an international award for Innovation and Best Practice in Internationalising the Campus.

  • Sarah Booth is a director of urban-renewal organisation, SPACEMRKT, and Community Development Lead with property groups, Human Urban (H-U) and Fini Group.

    With extensive experience working nationally in both the property and community-engagement sectors, Sarah has a special passion for, and skill in, turning vacant buildings and precincts into healthy, vibrant places of creativity and connection.

    Sarah is a 2025 Churchill Fellow, a board member of the Fremantle Community Land Trust, and in 2024 was awarded Fremantle Community Citizen of the Year for her work in successfully reactivating underused spaces in Fremantle.

Emma Pegrum

Talking Shift: Can ordinary people save democracy?

  • Emma Pegrum is a writer and creative producer who works across a range of arts, culture and community-based projects. In 2025, she was the campaign manager for Community Independent Kate Hulett's state and federal election campaigns in Fremantle.

Dave Lindner

Making Sense in a Time of Unravelling

  • Olivia Chapman is CEO of the WA Social Enterprise Council (WASEC), WA's peak body for social enterprise, representing hundreds of businesses tackling social inequity and reinvesting in community. Before that, she founded and led the Future of Work team at Nesta, the UK's innovation agency for social good. There, her work upskilled thousands of at-risk workers and shaped more job-friendly policy across Europe and the UK. A passionate Fremantle local, Olivia brings her global experience home - deep, hands-on expertise in social innovation, policy and systems change - to help build a fairer, more innovative future for all West Australians.

Gerard Mazza Headshot
Gerard Mazza Headshot

Gerard Mazza

Talking Shift: Can ordinary people save democracy?

  • Levi Islam, a Koori man hailing from Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta peoples has grown up on Noongar Boodjah for over 30 years as part of the Indich & Nannup families.

    Since being living on Noongar Boodjah, Levi is accepted, connected, and actively represents the local Wadjuk, Balladong and Wardandi people, history, and culture, building healthy and long-lasting relationships with West Australian Aboriginal communities across the state.             

    Levi is an experienced senior leader with over 15 years in justice, training, and community engagement, complemented by operational management.

    Recognised for building community relationships, maintaining strategic partnerships, developing workforce programs, and driving staff and community engagement initiatives across government, education, and corporate sectors.

    Levi has now joined the Reconciliation WA team as Executive Manager Cultural Engagement & Impact.

Melissa Min

Once Upon an Unprecedented Time

Nic Brunsdon

Living Close Living Well: 2050

Kyle Jeavons

Living Close Living Well: 2050

Matt Berry

Festival Co-Director

Talking Shift: Is the answer to tough times taking back the economy?

Alex Hughes

Talking shift: Is the answer to tough times taking back the economy?

Mark Davis

  • Dave Lindner is passionate about bringing people together and helping communities thrive. He works alongside people to build connections, uncover local strengths, and create places where everyone feels they belong and can make a difference.

  • Proudly artist-led since 1998, pvi collective are renowned for developing innovative, high calibre, socially engaged artworks that empower audiences to step out of their comfort zones. They are committed to ensuring that people experience seriously fun artworks that negotiate difficult issues in accessible ways. 

    Over the past two decades, they have produced an eclectic body of work, grounded in critical rigour, informed by collaborative research and always foregrounding the experience of the audience. They believe in staying with the trouble; scrutinising it, investing in it and pulling it into focus at times when it may be easier to leave it concealed. 

    Performances and public interventions have included bus tours, training videos, radio broadcasts, sticker campaigns, pub quizzes, think and do tanks, privacy services, tug-of-war contests, live action board games, mock awards, community policing initiatives, environmental watchdogs and locative mobile media games. 

    pvi’s work has a national and international profile and is renowned for its innovative form and participatory processes. 

    Works such as deviator, blackmarket and tiny revolutions call on audiences to get involved and imagine progressive change together, through playful actions on the streets and performances that pack a societal punch. 

    They are increasingly compelled to find ways to creatively interrogate the politics of the climate crisis and what we can do, as audiences and citizens to agitate for change. As a consortium member of creative climate, their focus continues to sharpen on this issue because the stakes are so high and the need for radical change is so pressing. 

    pvi have played to over 250,000 people; devised and performed 38 major works; instigated over 100 tactical interventions; featured in 20 national and international exhibitions; have toured to over 75 venues and festivals and collaborated with extraordinary local artists and makers on the ground along the way. 

  • Melissa Min is a well travelled storyteller, poet and author. She works with folktale, myth and story to evoke a deep sense of connection and belonging. Melissa performs at festivals across WA and the UK, telling ancient tales that stir a wild remembering in the heart. When she is not travelling the world in search of old stories, she facilitates storytelling circles, poetry workshops and creative writing sessions throughout WA.

  • Melinda Marshall is a town planner and community housing specialist with over 20 years of experience across urban planning, sustainability and collaborative housing development. She brings a particular focus on alternative construction methods, self-build and the ownership and financing models that make genuinely affordable, community-led housing possible.

Shuling Wong

Guest artist, tiny revolutions

  • Shuling Wong (Shu) is a Boorloo-based arts worker, (ex)dancer and crafts enthusiast whose

    Work is grounded in community and events. Half Singaporean, half Thai, she grew up in Southeast Asia and now calls Boorloo home.

    Her career began as an independent contemporary dancer, working with choreographers and companies including buzz dance theatre, ainslie allen (fka daisy sanders), bobby knox and brooke leeder, as well as engaging with the local street dance community through the society.

    In 2018, Shu hung up her dancing shoes and transitioned into arts management, exploring new ways to contribute to the independent arts sector. Her experience spans festivals and arts organisations across Naarm (Melbourne) and Boorloo (Perth), including FRINGE WORLD, The Rechabite, Castlemaine State Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, alongside volunteering with grassroots arts and music festivals across both cities. she is currently the Program & Engagement Coordinator at The Blue Room Theatre.

    Alongside her arts work, Shu co-founded OFF-base Dance with Tyrone Earl Robinson in 2021. Together, they create and present bold, otherworldly contemporary dance works, with a focus on creating space and visibility for POC artists in Boorloo.

    Grounded in her work, Shu is interested in building connections between people, artists and communities, and contributing to a local arts landscape that is vibrant, accessible and inclusive.

Joni Sercombe

Festival Co-Director

Olivia Chapman

The Jobs Office

pvi collective

tiny revolutions

Melinda Marshall

Living Close Living Well: 2050

Make-Shift Evenings

The Make/shift Summit

  • Make-Shift Evenings is a monthly performance platform in Boorloo that gives independent body-based artists including dancers and musicians, a low-fi space to share experimental work and discuss their creative processes.

    Make-Shift Evenings encourage spontaneity, risk-taking and exploration, alongside values of sharing and collaboration. Make-Shift is run by Lara Dorling, Zendra Giraudo and Luci Young.

  • Nic Brunsdon is Principal of Brunsdon Studio and City Architect for the City of Perth, practicing across architecture, planning, policy, and urban strategy. His work connects the scale of individual buildings with the wider social, cultural, and environmental forces shaping how cities grow and how people live together.

  • With over 23 years of experience in property development. Kyle has played a key role in delivering some of Perth's most defining projects, driven by a deep curiosity for urban design and what makes great cities.

    Before co-founding H-U, Kyle held senior roles at Mirvac, FJM Property, and Hesperia, where a range of projects have assisted transforming Perth's urban landscape. His passion for thoughtful, well-designed spaces continues to guide his work in creating vibrant and connected communities.

    He is a current member of the Heritage Council of WA.

  • Joni Sercombe is a strategic designer living on Whadjuk Nyoongar country (Perth, Western Australia), with a focus on human flourishing in relationship with a changing world. She’s interested in the work of exploring and embodying new Australian dream/s for the good life. Joni’s work has spanned a range of Government and non-profit organisations both in Western Australia and overseas, with a focus on growing resilient mechanisms for human flourishing and co-designing place-based responses to respond to complex social challenges. She’s also worked in social enterprise, and has had a longstanding involvement with the grassroots Town Team movement through the Vic Park Collective. She’s an avid consumer of speculative fiction, a maker, and a gardener, and she was for a brief time a cricket farmer. Joni is a co-director of Good Together and of Make/shift Festival.

  • Matt is a designer and organiser from Boorloo Perth. His work is about helping us make the transformations we need towards safe, just, and joyful futures. He’s worked on social and environmental change across non-profit, start-up, consulting, government, and advocacy spaces, backed up by studies in design, climate and environment, communications, politics and philosophy (just don’t ask about the student debt). Matt is a co-director of Good Together and of Make/shift Festival.