Our
Speakers
The people bringing the 2026 Future Frontlines Conference to life. Practitioners, researchers, advocates and decision-makers — in the same room, for two days.
Shannon Hennessy
Chief Executive Officer
VESPIIA
Commencement Address
Founder and CEO of VESPIIA — Australia's national professional body for the veterans, emergency services and police sectors.
Greg Whitehouse
Chair
VESPIIA
Geopolitical Update & Awards Evening MC
Veteran of the Australian Defence Force with over 20 years' service and extensive experience across defence industry and senior leadership roles.
Shamsa Nasr
Master of Ceremonies
Future Frontlines 2026
Conference MC — both days
Award-winning leader and Air Force veteran of Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and the Middle East Region.
Hon. Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel
Australian Government
Ministerial Address
Federal Member for Burt and Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel.
Hon. Chris Picton MP
Minister for State Development
Government of South Australia
Ministerial Address
South Australian Minister with portfolio responsibilities including defence and space industries, veterans, and artificial intelligence.
Asha Clementi
Founder & CEO
Girls Run the World / Women in Strategic Policy
What is Strategic Policy? — 101
Award-winning gender equality activist who has created pathways for over 350 young women into diplomacy and strategic policy.
Dr Sandi Laaksonen-Sherrin
Systems Reform Specialist & Researcher
University of New South Wales
From Fragmentation to Systems Change
Author of Australia's most comprehensive systems analysis of veteran reintegration, translating research into actionable reform strategies.
Leah Whittle
Advocate
Stand With Leah
Case Study — The Stand With Leah Campaign
Bio coming soon.
Kelliegh Jackson
Founder & CEO
Advocates Online
Professionalising Advocacy
Army veteran of more than 22 years and founder of Advocates Online, leading a team of 42 with veteran wellbeing at the heart of everything they do.
Dr Henry Bowen
Director of Research
MESHA / The Hospital Research Foundation Group
What do we mean by 'The Changing Landscape'? & Policy Lab Facilitator
Senior researcher at MESHA developing trauma interventions and preventative programs for military and emergency services personnel and their families.
A/Prof Miranda Van Hooff
Research & Evaluation Expert
MESHA / The Hospital Research Foundation Group
Veteran Families Matter: What Evidence Tells Us and Where We Go Next
Over 25 years of research experience in trauma and mental health, with 15 years specifically focused on ADF members, veterans and their families.
Emma Gerhardy
Lead Program Officer, CVE & PhD Candidate
SA Government / Adelaide University / WIIS-A
Next-Gen Defence: Rethinking Security in the Age of Hybrid Warfare
Former police officer and lead program officer for SA's countering violent extremism program, researching coercive control and violent extremism in digital environments.
Murray Nankivell
Research Officer
MESHA / The Hospital Research Foundation Group
Interventions in Residential Aged Care for Veterans with Dementia
Research officer at MESHA from a service family background, leading studies on veteran dementia care and help-seeking behaviours among first responders.
Aria Bolkus MP
Member for Colton
Government of South Australia
Ministerial Address — representing Hon. Minister Rhiannon Pearce
South Australian MP representing the Minister for Emergency Services, Rhiannon Pearce, at the Future Frontlines Conference.
Leo McKenzie
Research and Training Officer
MESHA / The Hospital Research Foundation Group
Is it 'Just a Job'?: Police Officers & Death by Suicide Notifications
Research and training officer at MESHA with a background in psychological sciences and criminology.
Kath Whitson
Research Officer
MESHA / The Hospital Research Foundation Group
Bereaved Families of Service Personnel Who Have Died by Suicide
15 years' lived experience as an Army spouse and researcher specialising in suicide postvention and bereaved military and first responder families.
Mr Chris Tilley
Senior Advisor, Veterans Services
Department of Corrective Services SA
Case Study — Veterans Court
Army veteran awarded the Soldier's Medallion, now managing the DCS rehabilitation program for ex-military members serving prison sentences.
Neil Burgin
Director, Strategy and Research
Invictus Australia
Invictus Australia — Knowledge and Translation Hub
Army veteran and recognised leader in evidence-informed strategy and systems reform, advancing veteran wellbeing through Invictus Australia.
Lidia Faranda-Hall
Founder & Director
Resolute Ready
Resolute Ready — Supporting Veteran Families
Former university academic with 30 years of experience and lived experience with the impact of service trauma on families and relationships.
More speakers
to be announced
We're confirming a full program of ministers, commissioners, researchers and practitioners across both conference days. Check back for updates — or submit an abstract if you have something to share.
Submit an Abstract