SXSW SYDNEY 2025 CONFERENCE PREVIEW: 40 SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED

SXSW SYDNEY 2025 CONFERENCE PREVIEW: 40 SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED   

An unprecedented gathering of 40 thought leaders including IBM’s AI advocacy head Nicholas Renotte, Silicon Valley Robotics MD Andra Keay, Simran Kaur, Founder of Girls That Invest, and Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs Brendan Dowling, and other creative, tech and business visionaries—with more to come.
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Sydney, Australia – Tuesday 8 April, 2025 – South by Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney) has today revealed 40 speakers for its 2025 Conference, with this early announcement indicating the 3rd edition of the annual event is set to deliver an extraordinary lineup of global thought leaders, creative pioneers, and industry disruptors.

This year’s event will dive deep into the most pressing trends shaping our world—from AI’s rapid evolution and the future of work to quantum technologies, cybersecurity, sustainability, and the ever-evolving creative industries. A must-attend event for professionals and innovators in leadership roles, SXSW Sydney will be held from October 13-19. 

SXSW Sydney Head of Conference Fenella Kernebone explains: “You’ll experience dynamic keynote sessions, powerhouse panel discussions, and hands-on industry workshops that deliver practical skills you can apply immediately. With a focus on innovation, leadership strategies, and experience-driven learning, you’ll gain fresh perspectives to help you implement meaningful change in your organisation. This first release of speakers is just the beginning – prepare to build an even more comprehensive toolkit as we announce many more industry leaders!” 

Within Technology & Innovation, discover how Nicholas Renotte, Head of AI Developer Advocacy at IBM, will equip you with practical strategies to optimise your data for AI implementation. You’ll learn actionable techniques for leveraging Machine Learning and Deep Learning that deliver measurable results across diverse industries. In addition, a rare in-conversation with Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, who will unpack and demystify complex concepts with infectious enthusiasm.  

In Marketing & Media, learn from Tiffany Rolfe (Global Chair/Global Chief Creative Officer at R/GA – New York), who will show you how to develop strategic creative solutions that blend storytelling with technology to drive your business growth. Peter Greste (Professor of Journalism at UQ) will draw on his frontline experience to equip you with crucial frameworks for navigating today’s complex media landscape, offering invaluable perspectives on information integrity. 

And in Business & Leadership, gain strategic insights from Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy, who will share insights about workforce management to help optimise staff productivity, reduce costs, and create more agile business systems. You can also learn from Dr Kirstin Ferguson, who will provide you with actionable frameworks for inclusive leadership, organisational transformation, providing tools to foster gender equality within your own business.  

• Ethical Technologist Andi Mastrosavas, CEO of Pladia, a trailblazer reshaping digital responsibility 

• Visionary Robotics Leader Andra Keay, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Robotics 

• Brain-Tech Innovator Dr. Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, Neuroscientist & Author of “The Future Loves You” 

• Public Policy Architect Aruna Sathanapally, CEO at Grattan Institute  

• Groundbreaking Cultural Commentator Benjamin Law, Writer and Columnist in Australian media 

• Global Digital Policy Shaper Brendan Dowling, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology 

• Paralympic Gold Medallist Dylan Alcott, Founder of Get Skilled Access and disability inclusion champion 

• Space Nutrition Expert Flávia Fayet-Moore, Founder and CEO of FOODiQ Global, revolutionising astronaut diets 

• Game-Changing Sports Executive Jennie Sager, CEO of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) 

• World Surf League Commissioner, Jessi Miley Dyer and former Pro Surfer, shaping the future of the sport 

• Quantum Physics Luminary Prof Jim Rabeau, CEO of DeteQt, transforming sensing technologies 

• Leading Audio Content Strategist Josh Lindgren, Head of Podcasts at CAA, influencing the future of podcasting 

• Champion of Diverse Storytelling Julie Eckersley, Screen Executive and Executive Producer 

• Iconic Science Communicator Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki, Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at University of Sydney 

• Elite Cyber Security Strategist Katherine Mansted, Executive Director of Cyber Intelligence at CyberCX 

• Global Authority on Ethical Leadership Kirstin Ferguson, Author, Columnist, and Leadership Expert 

• Change Maker Kyah Bell, Co-Founder of the Black Excellence Fund 

• Champion of Evidence-Based Journalism Lisa Watts, CEO of The Conversation 

• Barrier-Breaking Technology Leader Luli Adeyemo, Executive Director of TechDiversity 

• Defining Voices in Women’s Media Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright of Mamamia Out Loud 

• Compelling Political Analyst Matt Bevan, Host and Writer of ABC’s If You’re Listening podcast 

• Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Neil Sharma, Director known for creating captivating visual narratives 

• AI Educator Nicholas Renotte, Head of AI Developer Advocacy at IBM, democratising advanced technology 

• Creative Potential Unleasher Nicole Velik, Founder of The Ideas Bodega 

• Cutting-Edge AI Transformation Strategist Noelle Russell, AI Executive highlighting the way forward 

• Fearless Defender of Press Freedom Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism at UQ, former Foreign Correspondent 

• Award-Winning Actor Remy Hii, featured in Netflix’s ARCANE, WELLMANIA and Crazy Rich Asians 

• Trailblazing Indigenous Aerospace Leader Renee Wootton, Director, New Market Development at Lanzajet 

• Tourism Redefiner René de Monchy, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand 

• Media Futurist Ricky Sutton, Host of Future Media Podcast, predicting industry transformations 

• Boundary-Pushing Performer Shuang Hu, Actor and Creator bridging eastern and western artistic traditions 

• Modern Workplace Transformer Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy 

• Financial Empowerment Icon Simran Kaur, Founder of Girls That Invest, revolutionising women’s wealth creation 

• Sustainable Food Production Innovator Stela Willemstein, Director of JBS 

• Digital Brand Innovation Definer Tiffany Rolfe, Chair & Global CCO at R/GA 

• LGBTQ+ Business Inclusion Pioneer Todd Sears, Founder & CEO of Out Leadership, driving corporate change 

• Asian Market Advertising Revolutionary Valerie Madon, Chief Creative Officer at VMLY&R Asia 

• Misinformation Battler Wendy Zukerman, Host and Executive Producer of Science Vs 

SXSW Sydney 2025 will again feature 1,600 sessions and events – 400+ conference sessions, 150+ professional development sessions, 300+ music performances, 95 film screenings, 150 games, and more than 400 brand-led events. Hundreds more conference sessions are up for public vote here until April 11. More information about the Conference can be found here. 

Now on sale with the most affordable passes offered to date, so the widest range of the curious and creative can attend the event than ever before. To find out more or to secure early bird access, visit www.sxswsydney.com. 

SXSW Sydney is delivered in Partnership with the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2025 trip now, visit sydney.com.
 

SXSW SYDNEY 2025: 13 – 19 OCTOBER
For SXSW Sydney media inquiries please contact:  Adrian Digiacomo at TEG
E: adrian.digiacomo@teg.com.au  T: +61 434 204 401
SXSW SYDNEY WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
DESTINATION NSW WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM  | TIKTOK
TEG WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

About SXSW Sydney®    

SXSW Sydney is an annual gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region. The week-long program is stacked with 1,600 events and networking sessions across the conference, expo and the tech and innovation, games, music and screen festivals. The event seamlessly integrates art and entrepreneurship with cutting-edge advancements, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas are exchanged and partnerships are forged. SXSW Sydney 2025 will take place on 13–19 October, on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. SXSW SYDNEY, SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST SYDNEY and other SXSW, LLC marks used under license. 2024 EVENT PHOTOS HERE  

About SXSW®    

South by Southwest (SXSW) dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2026 will take place from March 12-18 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com.     

About Destination NSW    

Destination NSW is the champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions. 

About TEG   

TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology and has been at the heart of the live event experience for 50 years through its touring and ticketing operations. Every day TEG connects fans to experiences and customers with brands. TEG are proud partners of some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading global brands and events. Through TEG’s integrated operating model, the business brings the best live content, ticketing, and technology to partners with access to the best and most compelling music, sporting, and entertainment events across the globe. TEG is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and operates globally with offices across Asia, Europe and the US.