Emmett Williams

Emmett Williams serves as ABC Fitness’ Managing Director of the Asia-Pacific region, leading a regional team of customers and employees. Emmett is a global leader in the fitness industry with more than two decades of experience,  having built and led organizations across multiple continents, with deep expertise in both technology and advocacy.

Prior to joining ABC Fitness, Emmett was a founding partner of Myzone, a pioneering wearable technology company. After relocating from Australia to the United States in 2011, he helped grow the business from a start-up into a global brand with more than 9,000 gym customers and over 3 million users. Under his leadership, Myzone earned numerous industry accolades, including IHRSA/HFA’s “Supplier of the Year” award. Emmett was also inducted into AUSactive’s prestigious Roll of Honour for excellence in leadership. His fitness industry experience began at the club level, with hands-on experience in sales and operations.

A passionate industry advocate, Emmett currently serves as Chair of the Board for AUSactive, Australia’s peak fitness industry body, where in recent years he spearheaded the nationally recognised “Fit for Office” campaign to drive government engagement. He is also an advisory board member of the Industry Partner Council for the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and a council member of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance (GHFA), where he has overseen more than $300K in global research initiatives aimed at influencing intergovernmental & governmental policy.

Emmett holds GAICD post-nominals, having earned accreditation as a company director through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Outside of work, Emmett is an active family man with a love for the outdoors. He and his wife have two teenagers, and their weekends are often filled with trail running, mountain biking, martial arts, snowboarding, and wakeboarding.

Elaine Jobson

Elaine is a Fitness Industry veteran having spent 30 years in executive positions working for a number of the world's largest fitness brands. Her roles have taken her all over the globe having worked in Asia, Europe, South Africa and now Australia. She is best known for teaming up with well-known industry entrepreneurs including Mike Balfour OBE - Founder of Fitness First, Sir Richard Branson owner of Virgin Active South Africa and Brendon Levenson founder of Jetts Fitness. Having previously won the Deloitte Best Company to work in South Africa, Elaine is passionate about building successful companies through great cultures and growing exceptional Leaders. She is the 2017 winner of the Sunshine Coast Business Women's network 'Outstanding Business Woman of the Year' and guest author for the Institute of Managers and Leaders bestselling book, Leadership Matters. Elaine recently performed a Management Buy Out of Jetts Australia taking back the ownership of the brand from The Fitness and Lifestyle Group.

Mel Tempest

With over two decades as a gym owner and a solid foundation in real estate, Mel's international reach has seen her travelled the globe, imparting knowledge and presenting on diverse platforms. As the brain behind several events, an engaging podcast host, and advisor too many, Mel's association with global brands has further her influence in the industry. Mel stands tall as a fervent advocate of the fitness sector, ceaselessly pushing for positive transformative change and inspiring synergy within. Her foresight in identifying emerging industry trends and innovations has repeatedly garnered acclaim. Since 2003, she has been an integral member of esteemed fitness industry associations and significant roundtables, both in Australia and internationally. She has taught and presented globally.

David Aitchison

David has been involved in all areas of the fitness industry for 25+ years. Roles have included Personal Trainer, swim instructor, group exercise instructor, multi-site Operations Manager, General Manager and CEO of some of Australia’s largest, most well known and successful fitness brands. These included Genesis, Fenix Fitness, Goodlife, Fitness First and BFT. Prior to his current APAC CEO role at BFT, David was for 8 years, a key Senior Executive with Fitness and Lifestyle Group (FLG). David has been involved at Board level since age 25, sitting as a Board member of Fitness Victoria. He has also been involved with local sporting communities and School Boards for the past 10 years. In 2009 - 2012, David was heavily involved with Fitness Australia, both with financial backing from his chain of gyms, Fenix, as well as personal involvement, fighting against the proposed unfair music copyright licensing fees and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) with great success.

Jen Dugard

Jen Dugard is the founder of the Body Beyond Baby brand, creator of Fitness Professional education Safe Return to Exercise and author of the book How to Love your Body as much as your Baby.

Jen has over 13 years’ experience within the Fitness Industry in a range of roles from Personal Trainer, Outdoor Group Fitness business owner, mentor, educator and presenter.

Jen’s personal mission is to raise the standard of the fitness industry through education and collaboration and has been executing this for many years within the pre and postnatal space. Positioning herself as a specialist both in working with women and training the trainers that work with women, she is a huge advocate of strengthening relationships between the fitness industry, allied health and medical industry.

Jen shares her knowledge and experience by regularly presenting at key industry conferences including FILEX in Australia, ExPro in Singapore and later FITEx in New Zealand. She also writes regularly for What’s New in Fitness and Women’s Health Australia.

Dr. John Petrozzi

Kimberley Anderson

Dr. Bikram Karmakar 

Bikram Karmakar is a Sports and Exercise Physician and Chief Medical Officer for the Cronulla Sharks Rugby League. In addition to his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, he has completed his Master of Surgery and MBA (Executive) and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP). Bikram's diverse roles have included appointments with the International Cricket Council, Sydney Thunder, Cricket Australia, National Rugby League, and FIFA. In addition to his clinical practice, Bikram is an Adjunct Associate Lecturer at UNSW Medicine and a member of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM). He has presented several research publications at national and international conferences.”

Tim Firth

Tim Firth is a Solicitor of Leora Rose Law. He holds five postgraduate degrees, including a Juris Doctor; Master of Laws (international commercial law and dispute resolution); Graduate Diplomas in Strategic Leadership; Management (Education); and Legal Practice.

Having owned and managed several successful businesses since 2008, Tim utilises his passion, practical commercial knowledge, and experience to provide strategic business and risk management advice to start-ups, SMEs, and large corporations, from fitness centres to registered training organisations to ASX listed companies.

Tim has been involved with the fitness industry since 2007. He launched Brisbane's first 24-hour gym, owned and operated a large fitness centre on the Gold Coast, and delivered personal training qualifications for two of Australia's leading education providers.

Tim is the Chair of an Indigenous charity and holds Fellowships with the Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Management. He regularly presents to medical professionals, university students, teachers, and fitness professionals domestically and internationally. Tim is also an accredited player agent with the AFL.

Ailish Hanley is a senior corporate affairs professional who has spent over two decades working in leading multinational companies.

Ailish’s experience spans public policy, government affairs, reputation building, ESG, governance, compliance and risk.

She has held various executive and non-executive roles and she has wide ranging experience across a number of sectors including FMCG, healthcare and agriculture.

With her experience, Ailish works with boards and leadership teams to navigate risk and maximise their organisation’s impact on a wide range of stakeholders.

Born and educated in Ireland. Ailish holds a master’s degree in food marketing and bachelor’s degree in history and sociology. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Directors (GAICD) and is currently studying her Certificate III in Fitness.

Ekaterina Osipova

Ekaterina Osipova is an experienced business leader, governance professional and former Big 4 Partner, with over 30 years’ experience in professional services across Australia and internationally. During this time, she worked with a wide range of listed and private clients providing strategic advice on audit, financial reporting and governance.

She is passionate about working with purpose-led organisations providing insights for strong corporate governance, financial transparency and sustainable business practices. Ekaterina currently serves as Treasurer and Board Member of Activate Perth, a not-for-profit organisation focused on activating urban spaces and supporting community vibrancy.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a member of Chartered Accountants ANZ, Ekaterina is committed to mentoring emerging leaders and supporting purpose-led organisations. Having lived and worked internationally and now based in Perth, she brings a global perspective to everything she does.

Ken Griffin CEO of AUSactive