Joel studied engineering and psychology at UWA. His design won WA Inventor of the Year (2008) and he was a finalist on ABC’s “The New Inventors” 2007. He is currently completing his PhD - developing next-gen orthopaedic implants.  Joel was Science Magazine’s “Dance Your PhD” 2011 winner. He is co-founder of the current TEDxPerth creative team.

Jasmin has over 10 years marketing, event and business administration experience across various sectors. Wanting to contribute more she moved to the aged care and community services sector this year, working for a not-for-profit.

Katie is an event, sponsorship and brand marketing professional with 14 years AU and UK experience and a proven track record of successful projects from initial concept through to completion. She’s currently working as Events and Sponsorship Manager at Synergy, a newly created role managing a program of strategic partnerships, customer experience and brand activations. Previously, Katie was delivering the City of Mandurah’s major events program and she’s worked as an Events Manager in the UK, both for the CFA Society and Serco.

Emma works as the Community Engagement and Activation Specialist at CGM Communications, a West Australian-owned strategic communications consulting firm. Emma has nine years experience in political campaigning across the United States and around the world.

Emma helps individuals and organisations connect, engage, and activate any audience. Working one-on-one or in large groups, she bring stories and people-centred messages to the forefront. In this role she served as Field Director for WA Labor for the 2016 Federal Election, and the 2017 State Election. Most recently she was the WA State Coordinator for Australians for Marriage Equality, Postal Survey Campaign 2017.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing cello in an Aussie pub rock band, exploring Perth’s surrounding parks, and enjoying the tasty culinary scene.

Peter Cheng is a director and cinematographer who has been working in the West Australian film industry since 2012. His work has spanned several styles and formats including documentary series, short films, music videos and commercials. He has gained recognition in the Perth arts community for his ongoing documentary series, Perth Artists. In 2018, Peter was awarded a community broadcasting grant to continue to produce the series for West TV.

Peter has also won several awards for his work, including the Best Cinematography Award at the 2016 Stage One International Film Festival, First Place in the 2016 Tropical North Queensland Paradise Through Your Lens Competition, and his self-directed short film was a finalist in several categories in the 2016 International My Rode Reel Competition. He has also had success overseas with a short film receiving official selection in the 2016 Vancouver Short Film Festival.

Most recently, Peter has produced video advertising content for several companies and institutions including Murdoch University, Lotterywest, The Water Corporation, The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, and the West Australian Department of Communities.

Photo: Esther Longhurst

Assistant Producer, Flagship Event

Thuy is a corporate communications professional with almost two decades of experience in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is passionate about CSR, social change and innovation, and is currently doing her postgrad studies in Social Impact. Away from work, Thuy is a sports fanatic, growing up on the softball field as both a player and coach, and now shares her love of sports and the great outdoors with her three young girls.

Susan is a corporate affairs, partnerships and engagement professional with over 12 years’ multi-industry experience. As a born and bred WA girl, Susan loves her home town of Perth and enjoys adventures with her little girl, eating delicious food and sharing a glass of bubbles with family and friends. Susan is a happy and positive individual, often seen smiling and laughing, and is excited to be part of the TEDxPerth experience in 2018.

Lisa Evans is the Director of Speaking Savvy and Founder of Stories From The Heart. She is an international speaker, author, member of Professional Speakers Australia, World Class Certified Speaking and Storytelling Coach, speechwriter and business storytelling expert. Lisa has been a TEDxPerth Speaker Coach since 2014.

Anita is a research project manager for the Cancer Information & Support Society; teaches holistic wellness; and lectures in physics at UWA. A multidisciplinary scientist, she has also worked in environmental research and consulting. Anita is a Distinguished Toastmaster who looks forward to returning for TEDxPerth 2018.

Lani currently works as the Communications & Community Engagement Manager for Curtin University’s Properties, Facilities & Development department. Her experience includes brand development, strategic communications and community engagement working with both local organisations and global brands such as Faber-Castell. Her work with TEDxPerth represents a culmination of her passions – great people, a beautiful brand and an opportunity to celebrate Perth.

Since graduating from the University of Western Australia, where she majored in Psychology and Marketing, Kayla has worked in both client-side and agency positions within the Marketing industry.

When she’s not at work she’s either smashing it out at her local boxing gym, curled up on the couch with a good book or enjoying a warm cup of coffee with friends. Kayla’s undying passion for people is what has inspired her to join the TEDxPerth team in 2018 and she’s more than excited for what’s to come.

Sharné has over a decade of marketing and business development experience in the vocational and higher education industries, focussing mainly on engineering and technology. She is excited to be involved with TEDxPerth. 

Peta is a freelance copywriter and editor with 6+ years of experience in writing words and correcting errors for a range of diverse clients across Australia. She loves to create and collaborate, and helps her clients make an impact with copy that stands out from the crowd.

Dirk recently returned from New York where he works in technology for a non-profit cultural exchange program. Being a part of TEDxPerth is a great way for him to give back to the community and be immersed in new ideas.

Anthony is a leading communications consultant with more than 25 years experience in a wide range of industries, both in Australia and internationally. He is Managing Director of Clarity, the leading brand and communications agency, which he co-founded in 1999.

Amy has over ten years’ experience working for multinational professional services firms, government and the not-for-profit sector. Amy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Science and previously worked as a consultant managing environmental social impact assessments in Australia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Liberia. Based in China for six years, Amy attained professional fluency in spoken and written Mandarin.

Amy is currently a Senior Business Development Manager with the Perth Convention Bureau, responsible for marketing Western Australia (WA) to secure international business events for economic and social benefit. Amy is dedicated to applying her life and work experiences to engage with Asia to strengthen and diversify Western Australia's economy. Amy sits on the board committees for Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA WA), Australia China Business Council (ACBC WA) and Curtin University Humanities Faculty Advisory Council.

Leah is an event professional experienced in a wide range of events from large scale indoor and outdoor events to small intimate functions.

Leah works as an Events Coordinator at Optus Stadium planning, coordinating and delivering Perth’s major sporting events and concerts.

Boasting two gold Tourism WA awards for major events and festivals and a bronze Australian Tourism award for the Channel Seven Mandurah Crabfest in 2016 and 2017, Leah is an active member of the event industry and believes in giving back to the community and industry through volunteering, sponsorship and creating standards of excellence and raising the bar of professionalism.

Kayla is an emerging arts and events manager. She has a background in theatre, and works in arts administration and front of house at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, as well as freelance producing and publicity for a variety of independent theatre shows across Perth. For the last three years, she has been one of the event coordinators of Spoken Word Perth, Perth’s largest poetry event, and she recently completed her studies in Arts and Cultural Management at Deakin University. This is the first time Kayla has been involved with TEDxPerth, and is excited to be a part of the team.

Leteisha is an enthusiastic and outgoing aspiring Event Planner. She volunteers her spare time to a wide variety of events with a strong focus on community engagement and social networking. Her ongoing endeavour to further her education has resulted in a certificate III in Business, a Diploma of Event Management and a Diploma of Screen and Media, specialising in makeup and special effects. She currently works as a Procurement and Logistics Assistant with in the marine services sector.

Before making Perth home, Ada produced public events and celebrations in Australia and around the world. Her career has been centered on the pursuit of building experiences, sharing ideas, collecting stories, and shaping places. She is stoked to be working on TEDxPerth with an incredible team driven to sharing the most challenging ideas from around Perth.

Ada was Executive Producer, Production and Events, for TEDxPerth 2017.

Having just returned from living in Japan, Zena is getting back into the Perth fabric. She loves being involved with organisations that are bringing people together, like Befriend Inc, and has a soft spot for volunteering. Zena really cares about what makes a fab volunteer experience and can’t wait to meet all the volunteers coming onboard with TEDxPerth in 2018. When she’s not volunteering Zena is swing dancing, crocheting and picnicking.

Loren has been a management consultant at EY for over six years, focusing on helping clients to improve their processes and risk management. Loren has a particular interest in helping businesses implement new ways of doing things and supporting not-for-profit organisations to improve their governance. Originally from New Zealand, Loren loves to explore the WA wine regions and bush.

Charlie Gunningham sits on various advisory boards and is active among Perth’s tech startup sector. His full-time role is with the federal government’s Accelerating Commercialisation programme providing access to commercial advice and matching grants of up to $1 million for eligible projects. Having landed in Perth in 1997, Charlie topped the MBA at the UWA Business School, cofounded and then later sold aussiehome.com, ran reiwa.com and was CEO of Business News.

Michael Tucak is Principal Lawyer at creative legal, a specialist legal firm for WA's creative industries. He is a board member of pvi collective and the Chamber of Arts and Culture (WA), and a previous board member/chair at RTRFM 92.1, board member/secretary of Emerging Writer's Festival and board member at Artrage (Fringeworld).

Michael is passionate about developing the creative capacity of Western Australia and championing the benefits that flow from our own creative abilities. He has lectured in Arts Law at WAAPA and in Fashion Law and occasionally presents RTRM 92.1's 'Siamese Dream' show. He was recently elected as a local Councillor.