Industries across the globe turn to Keith Abraham for inspiration, insights and ideas on how to not only set goals— but how to achieve them—to bring out the best in their people, their leaders and their business.

Keith Abraham is the global authority on goal achievement and the creator of the GoalDriver™ Formula. A formula designed to accurately determine what energises and engages each individual, driving them to achieve the unimaginable, unreachable and unattainable.

With over 22 years as a professional speaker, delivering to over 340 clients in 29 different countries, Keith Abraham has been the recipient of multiple awards throughout his career. In 1999, Keith became a Certified Speaking
Professional (CSP), putting him in the top 7% of professional speakers worldwide. He has experienced great success in Australia and in 2002 he received the highest award given to a Professional Speaker—the Nevin Award.

In 2012 he was named Keynote Speaker of the Year. Adding to his already impressive CV, Keith is the best-selling author of five books, published in 12 languages, covering the areas of passion, goal achievement, customer loyalty and focus.

As a regular contributor to publications and a frequent guest on business media and podcasts, Keith’s expertise and authority on the subjects of goal setting, goal achievement, goal centric-cultures and goal alignment is recognised globally. Keith is passionate about the work he does.

Keith has learnt through his career of being on stages worldwide, is that to have the biggest impact on conference attendees, it is so much more than just turning up and presenting. Keith embodies his work and has become the real life, living example. Delivering an exceptional learning experience and inspirational presentation, attendees want to implement the ideas and insights immediately into their life and business role.

Keith creates a seamless experience from the moment you book him, to the professional preparation time he takes getting to understand your business—all leading to attendees who are more engaged in a highly interactive and industry-relevant presentation. Keith leaves the audiences with resources to put what they have learnt into practice. Adding value to the learning experience for your people is Keith’s number-one priority. That’s why you’ll see that your standard conference investment includes so much more.

To find out more about Keith, head to:
https://keithabraham.com/https://keithabraham.com/

Amanda Yeates
Deputy Director-General
Infrastructure Management and Delivery

Professional experience summary

As Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Management and Delivery, Amanda oversees the delivery of the integrated program of infrastructure projects and the maintenance and operation of the state controlled road network. This includes delivery of Transport and Main Roads’ (TMR) record $27.5 billion program of works over four years.

Amanda was appointed to the Deputy Director-General role and the Executive
Leadership Team in July 2018. Prior to this appointment, Amanda held the positions of General Manager (Program Delivery and Operations), General Manager (Integrated Transport Planning), Deputy Regional Director (Metropolitan Region), and Regional Director (North Coast and Wide Bay Burnett).

As Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Management and Delivery, Amanda also provides leadership and direction to the three branches – Engineering and Technology, Program Delivery and Operations, and RoadTek.

Amanda is a passionate advocate and supporter of workforce diversity and is
committed to fostering an environment and culture that supports a vibrant, diverse, collaborative, safe, rewarding and high-performing workplace. As Chair of the TMR Safety, Health and Wellbeing Governance Committee, Amanda is dedicated to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of all staff across the department.

Work experience

Amanda started her career in Local Government, with roles at both Brisbane City Council and Gold Coast City Council. Learning early on in her career the value of a diverse experience base, Amanda sought leadership roles that were outside her comfort zone, including working on Indigenous Land Use Agreements relating to mining in Western Cape York and forest industry land use planning and management.

Amanda has led significant government policy negotiation including the Moreton Bay Marine Park Zoning Plan review and the South East Queensland Forests Agreement.

Amanda’s career experience has developed her strong abilities in managing
stakeholder relationships and negotiating outcomes with multiple complex, and often competing, stakeholder inputs.

Amanda has a keen interest in the role that transport can play in driving economic vibrancy and shaping local communities

Founder and CEO of Smart Advice

Michelle’s technology career started at QIT (now QUT) learning to program mainframes with punched cards. Within three years of entering the work force as a systems analyst, IBM® launched its first personal computer (PC) in 1981, and Michelle wanted to be on that journey. She was passionate about helping businesses get the most from the software that ran on the PC, and her favourite app was Lotus® 1-2-3.

Facilitating businesses to use PC applications better has enabled Michelle to travel the world.

In 1994, Michelle set up PC Smart (now Smart Advice). Today she supports clients with education and optimisation of their software applications, as well as assisting them to get the most out of the everyday productivity applications of Office 365® and Evernote®.

In addition to running her business, Michelle joined USC in 2002 tutoring part time, and then in lecturing roles for the subjects of Organisation Skills, Strategic Management, and E-Marketing Strategy.

In the meantime, Michelle has continued with her education and holds an AICD Graduate Diploma, a Masters of Online Education (USQ), a Certificate IV in Financial Services and several other qualifications.

Michelle has been a long-time mentor of a multitude of professional women throughout Australia and overseas and has truly made her mark by SHINEing the Spotlight on others and encouraging them to be the best version of themselves.

To find out more about Michelle, head to:
https://smartadvice.com.au/

Driven to build connection and capability in the community, Mervat Quirke leads the partnership strategy at USC’s Thompson Institute, a world-class facility for mental health and neurological research.

Mervat identifies, develops and maintains strategic partnerships with community, specialist and government groups locally, nationally and globally.

These partnerships support the success of a range of the Thompson Institute’s mental health research and community programs in areas including suicide prevention, youth mental health, ageing and dementia, and PTSD.

Her work also helps close the gap between research, industry and community –connecting more people with the benefits of mental health expertise, education and support.

Mervat has been a leader in the for-purpose charity sector for more than 20 years, and has led the transformation of charities, including Bloomhill Cancer Care where she served as CEO for seven years.

She holds an Executive Master of Business, which allows her to provide clearer insights into industry and community strategies.

Mervat sits on the Sunshine Coast Council Community Strategy leadership group as well as the Sunshine Coast Health Panel and her work has been recognised through local business awards.

Emma has had more than 17 year’s experience working in the food and agribusiness industry for the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Renowned for her strong networks and leadership, Emma is a translator of ideas into strategies and actions that deliver positive and sustainable outcomes.

Before moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2015, Emma spent the previous nine years working with Victoria’s food industry in a range of senior roles with the Victorian Government. She facilitated the establishment of Victoria’s first representative group for the organic industry; led seven government departments in the development of a new policy framework for food; and created Australia’s largest and most successful inbound trade mission that resulted in $100 million in new food and beverage exports for Victoria.

Since 2016, Emma has been General Manager of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), a fast growing not-for-profit, industry cluster headquartered on the Sunshine Coast. Under Emma’s leadership, membership has doubled to 320; she has generated more than $1 million in new funding; and driven the creation of a range of new initiatives, including two new services to assist members to access national and international markets. With a passion for partnerships and collaboration, Emma has evolved FAN into an organisation that delivers genuine growth opportunities for the food and agribusiness industry in the Greater Sunshine Coast region.

To find out more about Emma and FAN, head to:
https://foodagribusiness.org.au/

Abigail Wake grew up in the performing arts and moved to Los Angeles at seventeen to pursue that dream professionally. She performed in several music videos with the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Daddy Yankee, and Kelly Rowland and found herself, nor surprisingly, wanting for fulfillment in the realm of acting. She can be seen in her recurring role on Kingdom and guest stars on About a Boy and Cougar Town.

She started The Awake Movement in 2014 to give a safe space for women to share their stories and truth.

2016, Abigail moved to Australia and opened her movement and empowerment studio, AWAKE STUDIO. The studio gives the community a safe space to be, let go, express and find truth in themselves through movement. The space has no mirrors, it embodies community, dance and most importantly, no judgement. She now has specialized classes for children/adults with autism, disabilities, and additional needs.

In 2021, Abigail opened her studio in Eumundi and expanding to Yandina in 2022!

"More Joy, More Love, let's have some Fun"

Facebook: Awake Studio

Instagram @theawakerevival

@awakestudioeumundi