Keynote Women Speakers

Expertise: Inclusion

Integrating her background in head-hunting, HR consulting, training, and coaching, Sandra has touched the lives of thousands of individuals through founding The Happy Mondays Co; an inclusion-focused career empowerment consultancy. She has been trusted by individuals and organizations to strategize, problem solve and empower through programs, workshops, and talks on inclusion, well-being, and culture. Sandra has a Masters in Business and Strategy Management and certificates in Diversity & Inclusion, Organisational Behaviour and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).   This corporate experience combined with her focus on well-being and bringing one’s whole self to work provides key insights for the nuance and complexity everyone is navigating at work today. Fluent in English and Spanish, she has delivered inspiring talks at TEDx Singapore, and many companies, NPOs, Universities, and Chambers of Commerce. Sandra has also shared her passion for empowerment on several podcasts and radio shows, and in newspapers and magazines. Besides her work at The Happy Mondays Co, Sandra is a Board Member of NPO in Singapore and a certified yoga teacher.
Mrinalini Venkatachalam is the Regional Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania at WEConnect International, a global nonprofit network that works with multinational corporations and multilateral organizations to generate market-access opportunities for women’s business enterprises in over 125 countries through supplier diversity.     The organization identifies, educates, registers, and certifies women’s business enterprises based outside the U.S. that are at least 51% owned, as well as managed and controlled, by one or more women, and then connects them to qualified buyers across the globe. WEConnect International’s network of corporate members, primarily Fortune 500 companies, represent over $1 Trillion in annual purchasing power. Over the last twelve years, Mrinalini has engaged with large corporations, government agencies, SMEs, and community organizations to provide them with a platform to create measurable social impact.     She speaks regularly at community events, corporate events, and conferences about the role that gender equality plays in achieving a more sustainable world for everyone. Mrinalini has been awarded the Singapore Women’s Weekly’s Great Women of Our Time award in the Public Service and Education category and has been nominated as one of Cleo Singapore’s 2016 top ten Changemakers. 

Magdalena has over 15 years of diversified and multinational work experience in the EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Oceania regions. Currently based at Macquarie University, she oversees the design and implementation of the Workplace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy, builds strategic partnerships, and fosters a culture of belonging. Prior to Macquarie University, she designed Diversity & Inclusion strategies and large-scale programs at AIG, HP, and EMC.

Magdalena seeks to transform workplaces and cultures through people, governance, and technology. She is passionate about empowering underrepresented communities and bridging the gaps of inequitable access to resources and opportunities. Magdalena is one of the Founding Members of KeyNote, a non-profit organization that aims to promote gender diversity on speaking stages and she founded the Two-Way Mentoring Program at PrimeTime, Business and Professional Women’s Association in Singapore.  Having lived in 6 countries, Magdalena is a global citizen who currently lives in Sydney with her partner and two children. In her leisure time, she mentors women globally leads KeyNote Women Oceania chapter expansion, and volunteers at a Polish Community Language School in Sydney. Magdalena likes staying active through aerial arts, yoga, and rock climbing, and she loves traveling around the world with her family.   
Anoushka is the former CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a leading global youth program. Anoushka speaks six languages, has lived and worked across Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia, with global brands such as la Oreal, Gide Loyrette Nouel. She is the Vice-President of the Australia India Business Council in Victoria and Chair of Women in Business Chapter. As a Board DirectorSpeakerFacilitator and Mentor, Anoushka combines her background as a CEO, Economist, Certified Coach with her 20 years of global work experience to help leaders and businesses become future-ready.    For Anoushka, the future is diverse and intersectional Recognising that we live in globalised societies, with increasingly diverse talent and consumer, Anoushka helps leaders and businesses build cultural intelligence and inclusive diversity to thrive in the modern world, through GlobalCQGlobalCQ has been recognised for its innovative vision and is the winner of the 2018 Westpac 200 Businesses of Tomorrow Award. 
Dr. Karine Lespinasse is a language researcher and practitioner with degrees in computational linguistics (NLP) and information science. She specialised in children’s language development through her work in APAC, Europe, and the USA. Karine brings her passion for neurolinguistics and tech, as well as a deep understanding of the diverse reality of today’s global world to parents and schools. A published author, Karine has written on NLP, growth mindset in language education, Third Culture Kids, and storytelling in Asia.     Trained by Laughter Yoga founder, Dr. Kataria, Karine also has ten years of experience in laughter therapy and healing, working with children and adults across Asia, the USA, and France. After experiencing challenging times with high stress in her life, Laughter Yoga and Reiki paved the way for her recovery and ultimate well-being.     Karine brings warmth and passion to the stage and empowers the audience to feel positive and engaged.  About Dr. Karine 
Amutha Meyyappan is a dynamic lecturer, TED speaker, and researcher specialising in Neuroscience, Psychology, and Education. She brings vitality to higher education through thought-provoking lectures spanning diverse disciplines. With an engaging teaching approach, Amutha breathes life into seemingly mundane subjects. With eight years of leadership in an education services business, she applied neuroeducation pedagogy to impact 300 entities across varied age groups. In 2019, Amutha orchestrated the groundbreaking Neuroeducation Symposium at the National University of Singapore, drawing international speakers and recognition from the Finnish Ambassador to Singapore. Beyond her academic pursuits, she is proficient in Japanese. Currently, her research delves into the pandemic’s impact on mental health, exploring dimensions of life, love, work, and learning for both children and adults. Amutha’s diverse achievements showcase her commitment to innovative education and understanding the psychological effects of the new normal.
Bhavna Toor is the Founder and CEO of Shenomics, a mindful leadership platform supporting women to live and lead with authenticity, mindfulness, and impact. Under Bhavna’s leadership, Shenomics has positively impacted over 100,000 women from all walks of life. As an internationally trained mindfulness and women’s leadership coach, Bhavna has spoken on various platforms including TEDx and has trained and coached high-potential leaders at leading Fortune 500 companies around the world. Bhavna’s prior experience includes mentoring leaders and entrepreneurs as the CEO and Director of the National Social Entrepreneurship Forum and an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the GSF Global Accelerator. Prior to that, Bhavna had a 9-year celebrated career on Wall Street, most recently as a Vice President and Client Portfolio Manager for a portfolio of hedge funds at a top investment firm in New York.   Bhavna has lived and worked in over 8 countries and has an MBA in Social Impact from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Bhavna is the recipient of multiple awards, including WEF’s “Iconic Woman Creating a Better World for All”