Meet our Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: KARNI LIDDELL
A Paralympian, world record holder, and passionate advocate, Karni Liddell has spent her life breaking barriers. Born with a neuro-muscular wasting disease, she defied the odds to become a medal-winning athlete, disability rights leader, and clinical social worker. Karni played a pivotal role in bringing the NDIS to Australia, has raised over $1 million for disability charities, and is a sought-after keynote speaker and media presenter. With her powerful storytelling, she inspires audiences to challenge limitations, embrace resilience, and drive meaningful change.
HOST: CALEB RIXON
A survivor, storyteller, and changemaker, Caleb Rixon turns adversity into inspiration. After surviving a life-altering stroke at 24, he founded Genyus Network, building a global community that empowers people impacted by stroke, brain injury, and disability. With a magnetic stage presence and infectious energy, Caleb has captivated audiences worldwide—hosting events, delivering keynotes, and reshaping conversations around inclusion and resilience. A 2025 Westpac Social Change Fellow and Occupational Therapy Australia board member, Caleb’s mission is simple: to ignite possibility, celebrate human potential, and remind us all of the power of connection. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
NICOLE HURLEY – INCLUSIVE INNOVATION LEADER & AUTISM ADVOCATE
Nicole Hurley is a customer-focused leader with over 25 years of experience driving innovation, technology, and cultural transformation across Australia and internationally. Her career spans complex projects, product development, and building impactful partnerships across diverse sectors. As a parent to two sons—one on the autism spectrum—Nicole’s personal journey has fuelled her passion for autism advocacy and inclusive leadership. She is committed to creating environments where everyone can thrive. At Source Pro, Nicole brings a powerful blend of professional expertise and lived experience, sharing insights on building inclusive cultures and meaningful partnerships that make a real difference.
MELANIE DIMMIT – JOURNALIST, AUTHOR & ADVOCATE
Melanie Dimmitt is a journalist, author, and broadcaster passionate about telling stories that matter. Since publishing her debut book Special with Ventura Press, she has become a strong voice for caregivers, writing for publications like The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. Melanie has appeared on The Project, Today Extra, and ABC radio, and currently leads content creation at Future Women. She also publishes The Blend magazine and hosts the award-winning NDIS Know-how and Tubie Talks podcasts. Through her work, Melanie continues to educate, empower, and amplify voices within the disability and caregiving communities.
STACEY TOUMA
Stacey Touma is the founding CEO of Belongside Families (formerly Kindred), a not-for-profit supporting thousands of families across NSW raising children with disability, developmental delay, or autism. With both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent of a teenager with disability, Stacey is dedicated to helping families feel informed, connected, and confident. She focuses on building parent and carer capacity to navigate complex systems, especially during early years and key transitions. Stacey has held senior roles in family support and operations and currently serves on the NSW Government Carers Advisory Council. She champions family-led, empowering, and community-driven support spaces.
DR AMANDA MULLIN – CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST & WELLBEING SPEAKER
Dr Amanda Mullin is a Clinical Psychologist and founder of the award-winning Mindworx Psychology, Mindworx Online, and Think-Differently. With over a decade of experience, she has supported thousands of children, teens, adults, and organisations in managing stress, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and neurodiversity. A passionate advocate for preventative mental health, Amanda delivers practical, evidence-based tools to build resilience and wellbeing. As a sought-after speaker and trainer, she presents widely on emotional intelligence, stress management, and neurodiversity, and creates impactful programs like Help Your Anxious Child. Amanda also shares her personal journey as an ADHDer and cancer survivor, offering real, relatable insight.
SARAH COLLISON – OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & NDIS EXPERT
Sarah Collison is an Occupational Therapist and Director of Verve OT, leading a team of 45 therapists across Sydney and the Blue Mountains. She specialises in assistive technology, home modifications, and complex functional assessments for NDIS participants. As the founder of Verve OT Learning, Sarah has trained thousands of OTs nationwide and facilitates the NDIS OT Community of Practice, connecting over 11,500 professionals. She is also the co-host of the OT Unplugged podcast, where she shares practical insights to support OTs navigating the NDIS with confidence and clarity.
JUSTIN BOULOS – OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & MOBILITY SPECIALIST
Justin Boulos is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist and Seating & Mobility Specialist. He is dedicated to helping children with disabilities achieve greater independence, comfort, and mobility through customised wheelchair and seating solutions in the most fun way possible.
Justin takes a client-centred approach, ensuring that every trial and assessment is more than just a clinical process. It’s a unique, memorable, and engaging experience for the child and their loved ones. Known for his out-of-the-box thinking, he tailors each solution to fit not just the child’s physical needs, but also their personality, lifestyle, and family dynamics. A strong advocate for early intervention mobility, Justin understands the profound impact that assistive technology can have in helping children keep up with their peers, explore their world, and build confidence from a young age.
DIMITRA BAVEAS – SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER & FOUNDER – MYBURROW
Dimitra Baveas is a passionate Special Education Teacher and the creator of MyBurrow, a groundbreaking initiative designed to bridge the gap between therapy and classroom learning. With nearly 20 years of teaching experience, Dimitra was inspired by her daughter’s journey and the transformative effects of occupational therapy. She founded MyBurrow to foster the generalisation of therapy outcomes in educational settings, supporting children’s academic, social, and emotional development. Collaborating with professionals like Helena Smith, Dimitra has expanded MyBurrow into a valuable multidisciplinary resource now used in schools, clinics, and hospitals across Australia to support inclusive and holistic learning experiences.
SARAH VERDON – SPEECH PATHOLOGIST AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Sarah Verdon is an Associate Professor in Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University. A neurodivergent speech pathologist, early childhood researcher, and mother of three, her work champions equity for children of all cultures, languages, abilities, and backgrounds. Sarah represented Australia on the World Health Organisation’s Autism Development Group, led the development of Speech Pathology Australia’s national position paper on culturally responsive practice, and is Australia’s country liaison to the Asia Pacific Society of Speech Language and Hearing. She hosts the Talking Children Podcast and runs a rural NSW speech pathology practice, providing vital support to children with communication needs.
JACQUELINE DE MAMIEL – YOUNG CARER ADVOCATE
Jacqueline de Mamiel is the Young Carer Voice Lead at Little Dreamers Australia – Australia’s leading organisation supporting Young Carers. She has provided care for her two brothers with disabilities for as long as she can remember, and she also began caring for her mum when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. She uses her lived experience to raise awareness about the vital role of unpaid carers and to advocate for improved support for other Young Carers. Jacqueline balances her caring role alongside studying Politics and Chinese at the University of Melbourne.
For sponsorship or partnership opportunities at Source Pro please email Naomi Sirianni on [email protected] or call 0447 755 043
