SEVENTEENx Brisbane '25 Wrap

Brisbane really knows how to put on a show, and SEVENTEENx Brisbane 2025 was no exception. Stop number two of our Australian Tour rolled into QUT’s School of Business & Law, and with more than 100 people gathering on a warm Brisbane evening, the buzz in the room was instant. It wasn’t just another event — it felt like a meeting of minds, a space where ambition, purpose and a good dose of optimism collided.

We kicked off with gratitude to our incredible partners. None of this happens without the support of QUT School of Business & Law, our hosts for the evening, together with presenting partners Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ) and SDG Align. Their backing and belief in the vision of SEVENTEENx gave us the perfect springboard for what was to come.

The speaker lineup this year was nothing short of stellar, each bringing something unique, powerful and personal to the stage:

• Dan Leverington from Ocelli Group set the event on it's way with a dive into ESG reporting standards. For large and very large organisations, he reminded us, “getting it right” is a maze — but a maze that’s no longer optional. His clarity and pragmatism gave the audience a roadmap through complexity that often leaves business leaders scratching their heads.

• Heidi Hauf took us high above the clouds, sharing her expertise in sustainability strategy in aviation. She unpacked what long-term ambitions in one of the world’s most complex industries really look like. It wasn’t about token gestures; it was about reshaping an entire global system that literally connects the world.

• Dom Bird shared the remarkable journey of building Civik Group, a social enterprise helping people in remote Queensland get to work. His story was heartfelt, grounded and powerful — a reminder that social impact doesn’t always come in billion-dollar packages; sometimes it looks like one person getting a fair shot at meaningful work.

• Cori Moran from Cisco gave us insights into her work with Cisco , weaving her own story with the bigger picture of corporate ambition. She spoke of impact with honesty and conviction, before dropping the mic with Cisco’s commitment to invest $100 million into social impact. That number wasn’t just impressive; it was a statement of intent, one that had the room hanging on every word.

With the formalities over, the networking came alive. If you’ve been to SEVENTEENx before, you’ll know it’s never a dull “swap a business card and move on” kind of scene. The conversations were deep, ideas were flowing, collaborations were sparking, and there was a genuine sense of Brisbane’s business-for-good community rolling up its sleeves together. By the end of the night, LinkedIn feeds were lighting up with new connections, and you could practically feel the momentum building.

The feedback we received afterwards was overwhelmingly positive. People told us they walked away not just inspired but armed with insights they could actually apply in their businesses and projects. Many remarked on the sheer joy of being in a room where purpose was the common thread, and where optimism wasn’t naive — it was actionable.

To our partners, once again, thank you. QUT for providing a world-class space, CAANZ for continuing to push sustainability to the forefront of the accounting profession, and SDG Align for their tireless work to keep business aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Your support makes these nights possible.

Brisbane reminded us why SEVENTEENx exists: to prove that business doesn’t just have to be profitable — it can be transformative. This city showed up, leaned in, and left us with a clear message: the future of business is being built right here, right now, by people who care enough to make it better. And if this was only stop number two on the tour, we can’t wait to see what’s next.