Speakers

As a long standing resident of New Farm, Vicki Howard has been proud to represent Brisbane’s vibrant inner northern suburbs in Brisbane City Council since 2012.

Vicki’s passion for Brisbane’s inner city drives her to ensure Central Ward receives strong and effective representation that delivers the roads and transport we need, the parks and greenspace we want and the reliable services and lifestyle opportunities we deserve.

Billie is an educator and experienced General Manager, bringing close to a decade of experience in not-for-profit.

 

She has travelled the world as General Manager of SolarBuddy, providing clean, renewable lighting solutions to communities in some of the most developing countries.

 

Billie is passionate about social impact and supporting communities in need, Billie felt drawn to Coffee Brigade’s legacy and hands-on impact when she took the role 6 months ago. Billie is committed to delivering exceptional service and impactful programs with Coffee Brigade. She believes in the power of education to inspire others to become changemakers and create a positive difference in the world.

 

Billie has a Bachelor of Biological Sciences and a Master of Education from The University of Leeds.

Project R.I.S.E. is an international project being conducted by the Rotaract Club of Paddington, with the help of Rotaract Honiara, to renovate a library building in the Solomons.

Rachel Healy is the Chief Executive of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, Queensland.

Rachel has worked in senior roles in the cultural sector for more twenty years including as Director of Performing Arts for Sydney Opera House, General Manager of Belvoir St Theatre and Executive Manager Culture for the City of Sydney.

With Neil Armfield, Rachel served as Joint Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival from 2015 - 2022. Their tenure as Adelaide Festival’s longest serving Artistic Directors was marked by unprecedented critical acclaim and growth, in which box office doubled, private giving reached 40 times previous levels, attendances increased by 54%, and the number of major events secured exclusively for SA significantly increased visitation and generated gross expenditure of $386.6M.

Rachel has served on more than 30 arts boards and government/industry advisory bodies including the Sydney Opera House Trust, Live Performance Australia, and the Major Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council (now Creative Australia). Rachel served as Chair of the Australian Government’s Creative Economy Taskforce in 2021-22 and prior to her move to Queensland was Joint Chair of Adelaide University’s Creativity and Culture Industry Advisory Board, Chair of Carclew (SA), and non-executive director of Performing Arts Connections Australia.

In 2019 the University of Adelaide awarded Rachel the honorary degree of Doctor of the University for her ‘exceptional dedication and service to the Arts in Australia’ and the following year Rachel was awarded the Arts Leadership Award by Creative Partnerships Australia.

Before being appointed Chief Executive of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Rachel worked as a cultural industries contractor and consultant, including as Curator of Ideas and Special Events for the 2024 Vivid Sydney Festival.

Amanda Jackes is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Woodfordia Inc, producers of the iconic Woodford Folk Festival, the innovative festival of The Planting, the national regional touring programme Festival of Small Halls and the holiday camping escape Lake Gkula Camping.  Woodfordia Inc also established the 500 acre venue Woodfordia, a cultural parkland dedicated to the arts and humanities which is underpinned by strong environmental leadership. Woodfordia Inc is a creative and ambitious organisation whose ideology is uniquely expressed in its 500 year plan. Amanda is an enthusiastic leader who achieves through combining creative, practical, optimistic and measurable approaches to community, cultural and environmental engagement.

 

The Woodford Folk Festival is a vibrant celebration of Australia's rich cultural diversity, featuring over 2,000 local, national, and international artists and musicians across a wide array of genres and art forms. During its six-day run, the festival transforms the rural site of Woodfordia into a bustling hub, effectively becoming the 67th largest town in Australia with an aggregate attendance of around 100,000 people. This significant gathering contributes an estimated $32 million annually to Queensland's economy, underscoring its vital role in the state's cultural and economic landscape. Recognised as the largest assembly of artists and musicians in the country, the festival offers a diverse program that includes music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, debates, street theatre, films, and visual arts, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and creative expression.

Nigel has specialist skills in property and major infrastructure projects, together with several decades experience as a Chair and Company Director.

His particular skill sets include leading, positioning and adding value to large complex property and infrastructure opportunities. He has driven some of Australia’s most successful property outcomes including The Riverside Centre and Central Plaza buildings in Brisbane. The latter was, at the time, the largest office transaction in Australia.

All of the major projects Nigel has been involved in have included comprehensive indigenous engagement and interface with leaders from all levels of government and across the political spectrum. Additionally, he has had significant global experience working alongside politicians and members of the Royal Families through his roles as Honorary Swedish Consul and as Chair of the Commonwealth Games.

Following two highly successful decades with JLL, culminating in roles as Joint Managing Director in Queensland and on the Executive running the Asia Pacific operations, Nigel has undertaken a wide range of roles including Chair of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation and Chair of the Commonwealth Games Infrastructure Authority. The delivery models and infrastructure for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, including the Games Village, was delivered well ahead of time and on budget.

Nigel was a director of Queensland Airports Limited for 5 years, a director of South Bank Corporation and chair of the highly acclaimed $215m restoration of Brisbane City Hall, as well as ANZAC Square.

His current roles include Chair of Brisbane Sustainability Agency (wholly owned by Brisbane City Council)  and Chair of the Brisbane Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group.

Recent responsibilities include Director, Deputy Chair and Chair Audit and Risk of the ACT City Renewal Authority; Chair of South Bank Finance and Commercial Committee; and Chair of The Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University

Nigel, the former Queensland Honorary Consul for Sweden for 18 years, is a Retired Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Australian Property Institute and a Graduate and Fellow of The Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Nigel has an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University.

A former Past President of the Queensland Division of The Property Council of Australia, Nigel was awarded an OAM in 1994 for services to the property industry and an AM in 2017 for his contribution to economic development programs and the preservation of historic buildings. He was also made a Commander of The Royal Order of The Polar Star by the King of Sweden.