Affinity Education outlines ‘inspirational speaker lineup’ ahead of 2024 conference

Centre managers from across the Affinity Education Group network will gather on Queensland’s Gold Coast in early August for the provider’s annual Affinity Education Group Centre Manager’s Conference. 

 

More than 300 delegates from across the country will participate in a two-day professional development and networking event which will explore the theme Potential, Realised. 

 

“I’m very impressed with the feature speakers for the conference this year. We wanted to ensure an exciting and dynamic line up guaranteed to inspire our Centre Managers,” CEO Tim Hickey said of the event, which was planned with the input of Affinity’s Conference Committee, which included Chief Financial Officer Cathy Montesin. 

 

“This conference is one way Affinity Education Group can recognise and reward them for the important role they play in the careers of thousands of early childhood educators and teachers, and in our ability to deliver our vision as Australia’s leading provider of early education and childcare,” Mr Hickey said. 

 

Following the success of her keynote speech in 2022, the conference will feature Lucy Bloom as its MC. Ms Bloom is an accomplished leader with 28 years business building experience, having run an advertising agency for 20 years before she became the CEO of two international aid charities: one in Ethiopia and another in Cambodia. 

 

Ms Bloom is the founder of an education start up and the author of two books including her memoir, Get the Girls Out! as well as numerous blog posts with titles such as Procrastination and how I punched it in the face and The neuroscience of generosity.

 

Keynote speakers

 

Toni Powell will focus on the topic Potential, Realised in our Team and will utilise her experience as one of the most recognised and enjoyed positive culture and wellbeing speakers in Australia to engage attendees. 

 

Renowned for her hilarious ‘story-based’ talks, Ms Bloom has previously won two international business awards for thought leadership, is the author of two books, and her Goalcast talk on looking for the positives in relationships has over 15 million views.  

 

Julie Cross will explore the 2024 conference theme in her presentation Potential, Realised in Ourselves and returns to the Affinity space by popular demand after her appearance at the conference in 2019. 

 

Described as “one of the most inspiring keynote speakers in Australia,” combining powerful insights into human behaviour with practical strategies and powerful tools. Her speeches help her audience reconnect to their resilience, lift energetic frequencies and set a higher standard for their existence. 

 

Naomi Simson’s presentation Potential, Realised in Affinity Education Group will aim to connect delegates with the ‘why’ behind the business aspects of their careers, based on her extensive corporate career which has included time with global brands including Apple, KPMG, IBM and Ansett Australia.

 

A true business leader and influencer, with more than 2.7 million LinkedIn followers, Ms Simson is Australia’s most followed person on the business networking platform. 

 

Finally, delegates will explore the topic of Potential, Realised in our Children and Communities through keynote speaker Dr Kaylene Henderson, a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and member of the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health. 

 

Considered to be one of Australia’s leading parenting experts and a sought-after contributor to TV, radio and print media around the world, Dr Henderson is a highly regarded professional development provider for the early childhood education and care sector, and her online training has also become an acclaimed professional learning resource. 

 

Learn more about Affinity Education Group here.