2026 Annual Forum Speakers

Jean is a popular performer, public speaker and author, recognised for her appearances on television and for sharing her real-life experiences in her books You’re Still Hot To Me: The Joys of Menopause and We Need to Talk About Mum and Dad, a Practical Guide to Parenting our Ageing Parents.

As a passionate advocate for health issues, she also has been raising awareness and contributing to public discussion as a supporter of several organisations. She was the inaugural Chair of the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (AGCF) and continues to be an ambassador for them. She is also an ambassador for the Macular Disease Foundation, youth support organisations including the Raise Foundation and she is currently the Patron of Palliative Care Nurses Australia.

Jean is the keynote speaker for our opening session on Day 1 of the Annual Forum, followed by a panel discussion exploring the theme ‘From Community Voice to System Influence’.

Kerry-Lee is a speaker, swimmer and self-proclaimed ‘Wingless Warrior’ who was born without arms. She has spent her life navigating a world that wasn’t designed with her in mind — not by seeking points for being inspiring, but by learning how to show vulnerability and redefining success on her terms.

Some of the most important lessons she shares come from the moments where life required her to lean on others and trust the strength of community.

Living without arms has given Kerry-Lee a unique lens on independence, vulnerability and belonging. In her presentations, she challenges the myth that strength and resilience mean doing everything yourself. Instead, she draws on her lived experience to deliver powerful insights on how transparent conversations, genuine support and strong communities allow people to achieve far more than they thought possible.

Kerry-Lee is the keynote speaker for our first session on Day 2 ‘Inspire Action, Influence Futures’.

As CEO of Queensland Gives, Tara leads with purpose, representing the organisation across government, corporate and community sectors to build meaningful partnerships and connect people and ideas that drive impact.

A strategic and forward-thinking leader, Tara has overseen significant growth in the organisation, expanding funds under management from $80 million to almost $160 million over the past six years. Under her leadership, Queensland Gives has strengthened its position as a key driver of philanthropy in the state, helping to embed giving as an accessible and important part of Queensland’s social fabric.

Tara’s deep expertise in social responsibility and business development spans both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, leading social responsibility programs for organisations ranging from small and medium enterprises to multinational corporations and providing strategic fundraising consultancy that has helped raise millions of dollars for causes across Australia.

Tara will be in conversation with Forum MC Rhonda Morton to open the afternoon session on Day 2, exploring the theme ‘Influential Futures – Our Call to Action’.

Rhonda Morton is a passionate advocate for healthcare transformation and a skilled facilitator who brings people together to drive meaningful change.

Rhonda is known for her engaging facilitation style that combines strategic insight with genuine curiosity, helping people move from conversation to understanding and collaborative action. She has facilitated thought leadership initiatives including with the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and Bond University, and delivers keynote presentations at national conferences on sustainable healthcare leadership.

As a facilitator and speaker, Rhonda creates inclusive, energising environments where people feel heard, challenged, and inspired to contribute.

Rhonda is a non-executive director on the Board of Health Consumers Queensland and principal of New Evolution Consulting.