Melanie Perkins – CEO of Canva
CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins is a leader within the design tech space, having made great achievements in a space typically dominated by male led giants such as Adobe and Microsoft. Launching Canva in 2013, Melanie’s aim was to make design simple for all. Her dedication to the proposition led her to make headlines as one of tech’s youngest female CEOs at just 30! Fast forward to today, Canva is now worth $3.2 billion. Melanie broke through the competitive design tech space to make room for her dream, to make design accessible for all, even the novice. Girl power!
Jessica Rowe – Australian journalist
Jessica is a journalist, bestselling author, broadcaster, mother and proud self-acclaimed ‘crap housewife’. Sharing her honest experience as a mother, she invites other mothers, who like herself, may feel they’re not the perfect mother or wife to feel part of a community. By sharing her real life experience with no filter, Jessica opens discussion around the difficulties of being a mother and navigating motherhood. As a motivational speaker to all the mothers out there, she provides comfort. Having gone through a tough period with breast cancer, this superwoman is also a proud ambassador for the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation who continue to support the many women and their families in their fight against breast cancer.
Taryn Brumfitt – Founder of body image movement
Body positivity - an endless struggle for women in the 21st century, accelerated by the impact of social media and photo editing. Taryn Brumfitt has been a leader in driving change for body image, founding the Body Image Movement in 2012. Recently named 2023 Australian of the Year, it’s not hard to see why. After giving birth to her third child, she considered cosmetic surgery to return to her pre pregnancy body but took up body building instead. In doing so, she sent a strong message to other women to embrace their body and love themselves. Through educational resources, events and inspiration from this superwoman herself, her movement is teaching women around the world to love the skin they’re in.
Turia Pitt – Severe burn survivor
Humanitarian, athlete, and inspiration for female empowerment to millions across the world, Turia is a burn survivor from a grassfire while competing in an ultra-marathon. Despite her near-death experience, she has done the unthinkable, writing three best-selling books, creating online coaching programs, and becoming an ambassador for ReSurge International. As part of her work for the latter, she has raised funds leading trekking adventures including walking the Great Wall of China in 2014. Turia has proven time and again that what you may think is impossible can be possible if you put your mind to it.
Ashleigh Barty - Tennis player
Wonder woman of the tennis court, Ash Barty is an Australian icon who has excelled in her sport whilst also providing support to her community. Through her ambassadorship, Ash supports Tennis Australia in providing more accessibility and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within tennis. Her many charitable acts, such as her pledge to donate all of her Brisbane International winnings to bushfire charities, demonstrate her goodwill through her empowerment on the tennis court.
Carly Findlay - Appearance activist
Despite being born with ichthyosis, a rare genetic disorder that affects the skin and hair, Carly is the epitome of breaking bias as an ‘appearance activist’. Speaking out about her mistreatment and physical pain as someone living with this condition, she has been an advocate for those not conforming to the societal beauty standards. Carly celebrates the beauty that comes from within, challenging conventional beauty standards and leading the way for people with disability in fashion and the media. In 2019 she hosted the first ever disability inclusive fashion event, Access to Fashion, which shone a light on works of models and designers with disabilities.
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