2025 Symposium Speakers

Mark Bouris is an Australian entrepreneur who has been innovating for years, challenging the business landscape with disruptive models that help Australians succeed. Having built his reputation as a finance specialist taking on Australia’s banks, his unique brand of charisma & curiosity sees his influence cut across multiple worlds. From businesses large and small, to politics and sport, Mark pays forward his knowledge and experience, to help grow and nurture the next generation of Australian success stories.

Best known as the founder of ‘Wizard Home Loans’, Australia’s second-largest non-bank mortgage lender, which he sold to General Electric in 2004. Mark is now the Executive Chairman of Yellow Brick Road, where he continues his mission to help Australians access their dream homes.

Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his significant service to the finance industry, his sharp financial commentary and trademark “tell it straight” attitude resonates with everyday Australians, and led to his foray into television. The former host of the Nine Network’s The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice, as well as The Mentor on the Seven Network, Mark’s time on Australian screens cemented his reputation as a trusted voice in finance and business.

Making use of his media platform and decades of experience in business, Mark is committed to sharing the insights and knowledge of Australia’s leading business minds through the Mentored Platform, which helps small business owners and entrepreneurs come together, grow, and succeed.

He pays forward his knowledge and that of others to Australian entrepreneurs through his podcasts, The Mentor and Straight Talk, original series, and his books, What It Takes and Rise.

Away from business, Mark sits on the board of the Sydney Roosters, and looks forward to the Roosters lifting the premiership trophy this season.

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Sarah Ndiaye is the Mayor of Byron Shire and has been a dedicated member of the local community for over 30 years. With a diverse background as a high school teacher, former journalist, and long-time advocate, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and deep local knowledge to her leadership.

A passionate supporter of the ocean, environment and regenerative agriculture, she works tirelessly to protect the Shire’s natural beauty and vibrant community. In a region known for both its ecological sensitivity and tourism pressures, she continues to champion sustainable planning, balancing the needs of residents and visitors while striving to secure a resilient and climate-adaptive future for the Byron Shire.

Sarah has served on Council since 2016, chaired numerous panels and committees, and is a passionate advocate for environmental protection, arts, Indigenous rights, housing affordability, and social justice.

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Sandy Wilkins is the Product Manager Nature, Sustainability and Wellness at Destination NSW, and holds a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. She has a diverse background in the visitor economy having worked in public and private sector roles spanning guiding, wholesale, inbound distribution, operations, and product development.

With over 25 years of experience in international and domestic markets, Sandy has assisted hundreds of NSW visitor economy businesses with opportunities for product development and distribution through one-on-one consultation, workshops, and webinars.

The development and promotion of a sustainable visitor economy that showcases the state’s natural assets is a key focus for Destination NSW. In her current role, Sandy works with businesses and industry stakeholders across NSW to champion and deliver world class nature-based and wellness visitor experiences.

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As the General Manager at Destination North Coast for the past five years, Michael brings over 27 years of tourism industry experience to the role. He has extensive experience in the commercial and destination management sectors having worked for Destination Gold Coast, STA Travel, Thomas Cook UK, Insider Journeys and as an owner of Lennox Head Holiday Rentals.

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Pascale is a strategic destination marketer with a focus on regional tourism and data-led brand growth. Based in Byron Bay, she leads marketing for Crystalbrook Byron and Crystalbrook Vincent, using guest insight and behavioural data to shape commercial strategy, elevate guest experience and drive loyalty. She has played a key role in embedding NPS and The Crowd loyalty program into the guest journey, turning feedback into meaningful action. Pascale brings over a decade of experience in hotel and resort marketing, with a background in brand launches, spa and wellness, and content strategy. She is deeply passionate about the Northern Rivers region and its potential to grow through thoughtful, sustainable and experience-led tourism.

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Brenda Miley is the founder and Surf School Director of Lets Go Surfing—an award-winning business that began in 1995 and now operates in Bondi, Maroubra, Byron Bay, and Ballina. A pioneer of surf education in Australia, Brenda is known for her purpose-driven approach to tourism, community leadership, and empowering women through surfing. Her lifelong motto, “Changing lives… one wave at a time,” continues to inspire inclusive, sustainable tourism and deep community impact.

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Peta Alexopoulos is a passionate wellness advocate, accredited yoga teacher, and co-founder of Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats. With a strong corporate background, extensive events management experience, and over 15 years working within health specialties, Peta combines her expertise in health management and integrated care to design immersive, holistic retreats. She brings a deep understanding of the connection between body, mind, and spirit to every experience, creating wellness journeys that foster healing, personal growth, and community connection. Committed to sustainable tourism and authentic experiences, Peta’s vision is to inspire others to embrace positive energy through meaningful outdoor adventures and transformative wellness events.

About Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats

Peta Alexopoulos and Belinda Johnson are the founders of Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats, offering eco-certified, multi-day hiking and wellness experiences along Australia’s Mid North Coast.

Licensed under the NSW Parks Eco Pass program, they deliver pack-free hiking, wellness, and mindful movement within national parks such as Limeburners Creek, Goolawah, and several others, ensuring sustainable, culturally respectful, and transformative nature-based adventures. Each package is thoughtfully designed and personalised with every inclusion considered, as if adventurers were planning their own journey. They embody positive energy and the true spirit of adventure. Grounded in health, outdoor guiding, and environmental stewardship, they create immersive journeys that connect participants deeply with nature and community.

Expanding beyond the Mid North Coast, Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats bring their passion for wellness and outdoor exploration to Sydney and the stunning Lord Howe Island. Each trip combines swimming in pristine waters, holistic wellness sessions, and invigorating hikes, placing movement and mindful connection to the natural world at the forefront of every adventure.

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Justine Syme is the Park Manager at Reflections Holidays Forster Beach, where she’s passionate about building a culture of sustainability through practical, everyday initiatives. From composting to community partnerships, she’s all about making eco-friendly choices part of the guest experience.

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When ‘Mono’ was fifteen he was told he had Osteosarcoma; bone cancer. When he was 60 he was told he had stage 4 melanoma cancer, but thanks to modern medicine he is cancer free and still going stronger than ever. 

In September 2015, at the age of 53, Mono won the inaugural International Adaptive Surfing World Championship in La Jolla, California. Mono has gone on to win six World Titles and 32 International events over the past 10 years. 

The future looks bright for adaptive athletes with Mono playing a pivotal role in the push towards inclusion at the Brisbane Paralympics in 2032. 

Mono lives life to the fullest and his positivity and tenaciousness is infectious. It is this tenacity and passion that has led him and his wife to host the first Australian international adaptive surf event in Byron Bay and successfully hosting in 2025 and beyond. 

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Liz Ward is a digital strategist and tourism futurist with a track record of transforming how the visitor economy embraces technology. As co-founder of the award-winning platforms TourismTribe.com and Navii.com.au, Liz leads national training and mentoring programs that help small tourism businesses grow, innovate, and adapt to rapid digital change.

Liz is currently at the forefront of educating the tourism industry on how to leverage AI to streamline operations, stand out from the crowd, and create marketing that converts. At the North Coast Tourism Symposium, Liz will share how businesses can practically adopt AI tools to save time, boost visibility, and future-proof their operations—no jargon, just real-world application.

With 25+ years in tourism marketing and technology innovation, Liz has pioneered industry-defining initiatives including the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse and Australia’s first eCommerce destination websites.

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Market Team Manager at Booking.com

Leveraging 15 years of diverse tourism experience, including nine years specifically in the online travel space, I offer a unique blend of digital acumen and traditional industry insight. As a manager, I currently lead a team dedicated to the successful oversight of properties throughout New South Wales and Western Australia, ensuring strong performance and strategic regional development.

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Clifford Bennett is a distinguished economist and market strategist with over 40 years of experience in economics and market trading. Renowned for his accurate market predictions, he has earned accolades such as being called the “world’s most accurate currency forecaster” by Bloomberg News and the “Guru of the Australian dollar” by the Australian Financial Review. He has also advised political leaders and billionaires on macro-economic policy issues. 

Throughout his career, Clifford has held prominent positions, including roles at BNP Paribas internationally and Macquarie Bank.

Clifford was a keynote speaker at both the prestigious APEC, Vladivostok, and Caixin, Beijing, Summits. As well as Euromoney in London, Eurofinance around the world, Macquarie Bank, NAB, EY, KPMG and Deloitte. 

Clifford is also the author of “Warrior Trading,” published by John Wiley, New York.

Clifford now runs his own consulting and market reports business at www.cliffordbennett.com.au

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Rob Harding-Smith, sometimes known as RHS, is General Manager of Strategy at Tourism Australia. He leads work across market prioritisation, long-term planning and strategic alignment, helping to ensure Australia stays competitive in a global tourism market that’s constantly shifting. With a background in brand strategy, communications and public policy, he brings a practical, data-led approach to shaping Tourism Australia’s direction and priorities.

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