PepTalks Brisbane, 28 November 2019

Elizabeth Abegg is co-founder and chief brand officer for Byron Bay fashion brand Spell & the Gypsy Collective. Together with her sister Isabella Pennefather, Elizabeth has helped grow the business from strength to strength over the last 10 years. Employing over 70 women in Byron Bay, the brand is stocked in their flagship boutique in Byron as well as American online retailers Free People and Revolve, and stockists throughout Australia and globally.  Elizabeth has been instrumental in creating an online social presence with over 1 million followers. She oversees the overall marketing strategy and brand culture of Spell, in addition to passionately heading the journey of the brand to not only be ethically accredited, with a strong commitment to transitioning the brand into operating and producing more sustainably.

Erica Bartle is Communications Director for Outland Denim, the Australian jeans company changing the lives of young women in Cambodia through its profit-for-purpose business model. The company began as a means to create employment opportunities for young women affected by sex trafficking emerging from NGO after-care programs, and has since developed to offer a more inclusive business model offering training, employment, living wages and personal development initiatives to people of varying vulnerabilities. Outland Denim was also one of the ethical and sustainable Australian brands selected to be worn by Meghan Markle on her tour of Australia. Previously Erica worked as a freelance journalist and blogger – writing for Marie Claire, The Sunday Telegraph and The Walkley Magazine amongst other titles – and lectured in journalism at QUT. She has appeared at the Sydney Writer’s Festival and Walkley Media Talks, and has a passion for issues affecting women and girls globally.

Rachael Sarra is an artist and designer whose work is an extension of her being and experiences.  As a contemporary Aboriginal artist from Goreng Goreng Country, Rachael uses art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution. Rachael’s work often challenges and explores the themes of societies perception of what Aboriginal art and identity is. Her style is feminine, fun and engaging but is strongly drawn from her heritage and her role as an Aboriginal woman in a modern world. Rachael is fuelled by passion to continue exploring her Aboriginality through art and design, with each piece strengthening her identity.

Manish, founder of Sensational Intelligence, is one of Australia’s most experienced mindfulness practitioners and teachers. He was born in India and grew-up in California where he studied evolutionary biology at the University of California, San Diego. Manish was raised in a family with a history of mindfulness practice and teaching stretching back many generations. He started practicing as a child and was raised in the traditional vipassana approach. Manish completed his practice in 2002 and has been teaching full-time since then. He’s passionate about helping individuals and workplaces ‘be better, do better and live better’ – living and working by design with more meaning, engagement and happiness.

Jennifer Nini is the founder of eco news and lifestyle website Eco Warrior Princess, which explores topics such as ethical fashion, sustainability, social justice, environmental issues, climate change, ethics in business, green living, conscious consumerism and clean food. She’s a solutions-oriented individual who has deep respect for people who take action to solve global problems. A self-professed feminist, Jennifer believes in equality and inclusivity. She is a biophiliac, co-owns a certified organic farm, lives off-grid and is an imperfect vegan.