Tania de Jong AM
Written on May 5, 2011 at 12:19 am, by Carlos
Diva in Residence & Executive Producer
Presentation:
With One Voice: connection and transformation through diversity and social inclusion (November 18, 9.00am)
Tania de Jong AM is a leading Australian soprano and social entrepreneur. She founded Creativity Australia and Creative Universe to improve wellbeing, engagement and innovation in organisations and communities. Tania presents keynote speeches globally and consults to multinational organizations on creative leadership for the 21st Century. She is Founder and Executive Producer of Creative Innovation 2010 and 2011.
She works with a range of migrants and disadvantaged communities through Creativity Australia’s innovative With One Voice choir programs to build social capital, employment pathways and community wellbeing. The With One Voice programs bring together a diverse range of people in different locations enabling individuals to find their voice. When many diverse voices come together as one voice, the outcomes can be transformational!
Tania is considered one of Australia’s most talented sopranos and has performed with the Victoria State Opera, as a soloist with a number of orchestras and has performed in over 40 countries and released 7 CDs with her group Pot-Pourri.
She is Artistic Director and Founder of entertainment booking agency and event production company Music Theatre Australia. She has a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of Victorian College of the Arts.
Her numerous awards include “Outstanding Individual Contribution to Australian Culture”, Churchill Fellowship, a Melbourne Award and Ernst and Young Australian Social Entrepreneur of the Year. She founded The Song Room which has provided access to creative learning for over 250,000 disadvantaged Australian children. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the arts as a performer and entrepreneur and through the establishment and development of music and arts enrichment programs for schools and communities. She was inducted into the AGSE Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame at Swinburne University and named Brainlink Woman of Achievement 2009.
In her spare time, Tania is working on The Pianist and The Diva and ECHO – a new music theatre work with Stefan Cassomenos.
Hugh Mackay
Written on May 4, 2011 at 11:37 pm, by Carlos
Leading psychologist, social researcher, commentator and novelist
Presentation:
‘The desires that drive us to connect’ (November 18, 9.00am)
Hugh Mackay is a psychologist, social researcher and novelist. He is the author of thirteen books, including six bestsellers. His latest book is What makes us tick? The ten desires that drive us.
In recognition of his pioneering work in social research, Hugh has been awarded honorary doctorates by Charles Sturt, Macquarie, NSW and Western Sydney universities. In 2004, he received the University of Sydney’s alumni award for community service.
Hugh is an honorary professor of social science at the University of Wollongong, a former deputy chairman of the Australia Council, a former chairman of trustees of Sydney Grammar School, and was the inaugural chairman of the ACT government’s Community Inclusion Board. He has been a newspaper columnist for over 25 years, and is a frequent guest on ABC radio.
Alison Watkins
Written on April 12, 2011 at 5:45 pm, by Carlos
CEO Graincorp, Director ANZ
Presentation:
‘Self actualization or survival? Innovating for food security’ (November 18, 9.00am)
Alison Watkins is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASX listed agribusiness GrainCorp Limited.
She is also a non-executive director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited.
Alison’s experience includes running businesses, providing financial and strategic advice; and public and private company board roles. Her industry focus spans financial services, food, agriculture and retail. She was Chief Executive Officer of Berri Limited, the market leader in Australian juice, and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ. She spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company from 1989-1999 and became a partner of the Firm in 1996 before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy, reporting to the CEO. Alison started her career with Chartered Accountants, Touche Ross.
Alison has been a director of Woolworths Limited, Just Group Limited, and chairman of Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen, which was controlled by a leading private equity fund. She is a former Victorian President and National Board Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She has been involved in a range of community boards, including the World Swimming Championships 2007 and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of the Australian Advisory Board of The Nature Conservancy.
Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Tasmania), is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and the AICD.
Alison and her husband live in Melbourne with their four children.