Keynote Speaker – Jana Pittman
2021 Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jana Pittman’s story is a roller coaster of triumph, defeat, failure and success. She will take you on a journey through the peaks and troughs that helped shape her career and build her into who she is today.
Two times World Champion, four times Commonwealth Champion, in the sport of athletics, Jana Pittman personifies resilience and determination. When continued injuries hampered her athletic career and could have signalled retirement, she swapped the track for the ice. Jana joined the Australian Women’s bobsleigh team, to become the first women to represent Australia in both a Summer (2000,2004) and Winter Olympic Games (2014).
Off the track, Jana completed a Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery) and is now a registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She has completed a Masters of Reproductive Medicine at the University of NSW and has initiated her PhD in Obstetrics (focusing on aspects of uterus transplantation).
Jana was a participant in the gruelling television show SAS Australia on Channel 7 and more recently she joined her 16-year-old son Cornelis on Channel 10’s ‘The Amazing Race-Australia’, raising money for the hospital she works at ‘The Royal Hospital for Women’. Jana recently released her second book ‘Enough’ in early 2023.
Despite her career success, Jana says her greatest achievement is being a mum to her 6 children, following the birth of twins in 2022.
Speaker – Keesha Booth
Keesha Morikaei Booth, General Manager of Grass Skirt Project
Keesha is a proud biracial woman of Australian and Papua New Guinean heritage. She is a renowned advocate, educator, strategist, and speaker for violence prevention, featured in media and leading initiatives. Notably, her work was showcased in Jess Hill’s “Asking For It” series on SBS in 2023. In 2021, she organised Townsville’s first Youth Pride event and collaborated with the QLD Human Rights Commission to host the inaugural Townsville Youth Human Rights Forum.
Keesha strategically oversees Business Development for Grass Skirt Project programs, Gymbox, 10 Million Strong Leadership Program & Hevea Cup Health & Wellness Expo aiming to advance Gender Justice through sports in PNG by empowering men and boys, together with their sisters through education, sports and community.
Tara Harrold
Tara Harrold is a Registered Professional Career Development Practitioner (CICA) and the founder of Good Work Career Consulting, specialising in regional careers and meaningful work. With a background in higher education, government, and not-for-profit, she’s helped hundreds of people change and start careers, engage in education, and find more meaning in their work and lives.
Tara helps people make sense of where they find themselves in their career so they can take their next steps confidently, and helps organisations understand what their people need.
Having grown up in NQ, she’s a dedicated advocate for regional careers and lifestyle, and her love of the bush has developed a special interest in environmental sector careers and decent work. She’s excited to be taking part in this fantastic event.
Sandra Brown
Over the past 20 years, Sandra has held executive and senior leadership roles within the government, non-government, and private sectors.
In 2015, she was appointed Regional Executive Director with the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services in North Queensland. Over the following 9 years, she transitioned through various iterations of the department. During this time Sandra was responsible for more than 1000 employees across Queensland, all focused on the delivery of child protection and youth justice services.
Before joining the government, Sandra was Chief Operating Officer at North West Remote Health.
She brings a wealth of experience and a demonstrated commitment to improving community health and safety through leadership and strategic vision.
Sandra will be sharing her tips on how to manage burnout and the mental load that women carry on a day to day basis.
Kieran Keyes
Kieran is a proud alumnus of James Cook University, holding a Bachelor of Nursing Science and a Masters of Business Administration.
Kieran joined the Townsville Hospital and Health Service in 2012 as the Chief Operating Officer before taking up the substantive position of Health Service Chief Executive in June 2018. Kieran has held the positions of the interim Chief Executive at both the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and at the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service; with the latter he managed its transition to Board governance. Kieran has held senior executive roles with Townsville, Wide Bay and Metro North Hospital and Health Services and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. In addition, he has held leadership roles in the corporate areas of Queensland Health.
Kieran began his professional career as a registered nurse, working in coronary care at the Townsville General Hospital. Kieran is an Adjunct Professor of the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University and he is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. When not working, Kieran is happiest when with family, fishing and coaching or refereeing rugby.
Kieran will be sharing his experience on how he supports women in the workforce.
Clair Ryder
Clair is a proud Wiradjuri woman living on Bindal country in North Queensland. A dedicated social worker and the visionary founder of On Country Craft Distillery, Clair has made history by establishing the first and only distillery in Australia that is 100% owned and managed by First Nations women.
On Country Craft Distillery operates with the blessings of the Elders and Traditional Owners, emphasising a deep commitment to community support. A portion of profits is reinvested into initiatives that focus on environmental conservation and women’s empowerment projects.
Clair’s journey has not been without its challenges. She has faced and overcome significant adversity and discrimination, particularly the negative stigma surrounding First Nations people and alcohol.
Clair is determined to challenge these misconceptions and lead by example, demonstrating ethical business practices and the positive impact of her work.
Janelle Poole
Janelle Poole is a born and bred proud Townsvillian, who spent a number of years travelling before settling down in Perth as a small business woman and mother of a 12-month-old.
In 1996 she returned to Townsville and joined the Queensland Police Service where she has served her community with distinction for nearly 30 years. Janelle is a decorated police officer, and counts working in the Child Protection Unit and her daily involvement with the community through her Crime Prevention Coordinator position amongst her most rewarding roles.
Janelle was awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal in 2015, an award given in recognition of a distinguished contribution to policing and to the community.
Janelle has deep connections to the local community through her charity work and is heavily involved with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, proudly representing for over 10 years as a Foundation Ambassador, and was bestowed the Foundations’ esteemed “Morky” award for her continued work in “Keeping Kids Safe”.
A founding member of the Rotary Club of Townsville Saints, proudly holding the position of Charter President in 2013, she received the prestigious Rotary International “Paul Harris Fellowship” Award in 2020.
Janelle is a self-proclaimed “ordinary” person who just wants to make a difference for better in the community and subscribes to the “Not take no for an answer” philosophy, which has held her in good stead in a male dominated career.
Janelle accredits her 3 adult children as her greatest achievements.