Keynote Speaker

Rachael Robertson

Antarctic Expedition Specialist

Rachael Robertson is a dynamic leader and superbly strategic thinker under the most challenging circumstances. She successfully led the 58th Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davis Station - only the second female to lead a team at the Station and one of the youngest-ever leaders.

As only the second female to lead a team to Davis Station in Antarctica Rachael Robertson managed a diverse group of up to 120 people, through total isolation, months of darkness, with no way in and no way out. It was a leadership laboratory in the most extreme and hostile environment on Earth, where most of the theory doesn't apply.

In Antarctica she built a resilient and highly successful team based on the foundation that ‘respect trumps harmony'. Prior to leading the expedition Rachael had 16 years experience in a variety of senior operational roles in complex and challenging environments. She was Victoria's youngest Chief Ranger and led the media coordination unit during the Black Saturday bushfires. Since returning to Australia in 2006 Rachael has completed her MBA, written a best-selling book on her experience, Leading on the Edge, and has presented at over 700 conferences and events around the world.