Johann Hari & Jennifer Robinson Announced as Keynotes for SXSW Sydney 2024

Things are beginning to take shape here at SXSW Sydney 2024! Today it is with great delight that we reveal our first Keynotes for the second edition of SXSW Sydney Conference — both leaders in their field who embody our commitment to fostering challenging conversations that prompt us to think.

New York Times best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention, Johann Hari will take the SXSW Sydney stage this year, as well as formidable human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who has been a long-standing member of the legal team defending Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

“Our first two keynote speakers reflect our commitment to fostering challenging conversations.” said Colin Daniels, Managing Director of SXSW Sydney. “Discussing human rights and our wellbeing, intersecting with the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, is more critical than ever. Our keynote speakers will ignite discussions that are not only timely, but necessary, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world.”

More Keynote speakers for the 2024 event will be announced over the coming months. Stay tuned!

Other headlining speakers announced today are Singaporean Co-Founder & CEO of Razer Min-Liang Tan, sharing how a two-person startup became a billion-dollar company that kickstarted a whole industry, and workplace expert and best-selling author Amy Gallo. Newly announced Featured Speakers include Chad Lawson, Priyanka Khimani, Peony Hirwani, Molly Taylor, Karen Nelson-Field, and Andrew Batey.
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Newly announced sessions include:

• Better than a Hollywood Movie: The highs, lows, epic moments, and colossal steps forward in bringing back the Tasmanian Tiger | moderated by Australian actor Luke Hemsworth, and featuring co-founder and CEO of Colossal and serial technology entrepreneur Ben Lamm, and Professor of Biosciences at University of Melbourne TIGRR Lab Andrew Pask.‍

• How to Seize Control of Your Workday | In a conversation explaining how maximising your cognitive and emotional energy will help you to seize control of your workday, Global Director of Wellbeing at Xero Lucas Finch, organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber and broadcaster, author and facilitator Lisa Leong discuss how both employees and entrepreneurs can avoid the tyranny of shallow work, conduct effective meetings, and ultimately design a workday that maximises efficiency while combating burnout.‍

• Redefining Success: Beyond the 1% | In a world obsessed with the 1%, our panel challenges the traditional notions of success and asks: Have we got the right 1%? Featuring CEO of Emergent Global and author of The Leading Edge Holly Ransom, 7X World Champion and Mental Wellness Champion Layne Beachley AO, CEO of Awake Academy Tess Brouwer, and global leader in Positive Psychology, Neuroscience, and Emotional Intelligence & CEO of the Langley Group Sue Langley.

These inspiring thought leaders, visionaries, and artists join previously announced names such as Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Global Head of Business Marketing at TikTok Sofia Hernandez, trend curator and Founder of Non-Obvious Rohit Bhargava, venture capitalist Reed Jobs, Google DeepMind researcher Claire Bycroft, and many more.

The magic of SXSW Sydney lies in the serendipitous encounters and moments of impact that famously arise. So, who will you meet and what will you discover in 2024?

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