Bruce is a member of the Executive Team as Director of Mission for UnitingCare Queensland. As an influential leader he draws from a rich experience in ministry and mission roles within the Uniting Church and other Christian organisations including Scripture Union QLD. He has a diverse background in senior management positions within government, private business and the not-for-profit sectors and is well-recognised for his expertise in leadership development, transformational and cultural change.

He is a proud dad with four adult sons… and has many stories to tell about the days when he used to wrestle crocodiles for a living.

Bruce holds a Bachelor of Theology, graduate qualifications in Management and Environmental Science and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and International Association of Teamwork Facilitators.

As the CEO of Baptist World Aid Melissa has a lifetime of leadership lessons and wisdom to share from a wide diversity of situations. She developed leadership skills early as an officer in the military, honed these over two decades in the very different setting of the local church, and has subsequently led faith-based and complex organisations in the for-purpose space. She is currently relishing the opportunity to lead the work of Baptist World Aid Australia who dream of a world where poverty has ended and all people enjoy the fullness of life God intends – quite simply, a better world for all.  Melissa is a board director of Transform Aid International, Micah Australia, and Integral Alliance, and also serves on the Professional Standards Committee of The Salvation Army. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ordained in the Uniting Church in Australia and a passionate advocate for the local church being the hope of the world, she previously was the Executive Minister of a large evangelical church on the Gold Coast where she joyfully invested her (and her family’s lives) for nearly 20 years.

Melissa and her husband Peter love to spend time hanging out with their two young adult children and their extended family and friends. They also love to serve in their local community.

Dale is the Senior Pastor at Springwood Church of Christ south of Brisbane. Previously he served for 22 years as Senior Pastor at HumeRidge Church of Christ in Toowoomba, seeing the Church grow to around 1000 in attendance.

During those years in Toowoomba Dale hosted and facilitated the Global Leadership Summit for 12 consecutive years – from 2007 to 2018. He has attended every summit since 2005 and was delighted to attend the summit live in Chicago in 2011.

Dale is a Graduate of the Australian Institute for Company Directors, and last year completed a Master of Arts with the Australian College of Ministries (ACOM). In addition to his ministry role he is also on the Board of Churches of Christ in Queensland.

He is married to Wendy, who serves as Women’s Pastor at Springwood, and they have three young adult children.

Leonie Wright is the Senior Pastor of Kardinia Church alongside her husband Rick. For over 20 years they have brought vision and leadership to multiple church campuses that incorporate multi-purpose community spaces such as Cafés and Early Learning Centres. As a leader, Leonie’s passion and skill is unlocking the potential in people to know their God-given purpose in life as well as ensuring leaders are being continuously developed. Leonie also predominantly uses her time to strategically plan for the entire organisation.

Leonie has hosted the Global Leadership Summit since 2006 at Kardinia Church Geelong, as well as leading the production team for the Geelong Summit for many of those early years.

Leonie and Rick have three adult children, a son and two married daughters.

Kynan has held a position of leadership and ministry at Hope Valley Church for over 22 years. The role has included transitioning Hope Valley to be a church that is contemporary in nature, community based and gospel centred. This long term tenure has involved staff management, property development and leadership across most ministries and at every level.

His heart for the church and his community has led through times of abundance and times of crisis and each of these seasons has drawn out deep leadership values and attributes. He leads his life by example, walking with Christ, raising and empowering leaders to be effective in their mission and being community driven.