Your 2025 Flourish Presenters
Dr. Modupe Akinola
BA + MA (Psychology), PhD (Organisational Behaviour), MBA (Harvard Business School)
Modupe Akinola is a Professor of Business at Columbia Business School and Faulty Director of the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co Centre for Leadership & Ethics. Professor Akinola examines how organisational environments- characterized by deadlines, multi-tasking, and other attributes such as having low status- can engender stress, and how this stress can have spill-over effects on performance. She uses a multi-method approach that includes behavioral observation, implicit and reaction time measures, and physiological responses (specifically hormonal and cardiovascular responses) to examine how cognitive outcomes are affected by stress. Modupe is a widely published author in both academic journals and media outlets including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and Forbes. Modupe blends her experience in the business world with cutting-edge academic research on the biology of leadership in creating a dynamic, experiential, and high-impact learning experience for her students and the organizations she advises.
Dr. Tim Crowe
BSc(Hons), MNutrDiet, PhD
Dr. Greg Potter
BSc (Ex Sci), MSc (Ex Phys)
Greg helps individuals and organisations sustainably improve their health and performance through developing and popularising innovative businesses and products, coaching, public speaking, consulting, and educational resources such as e-books, articles, and courses. Among several current roles, Greg is Chief Science Officer at Coastline Longevity, where he leads the formulation of gerotherapeutic supplements. He also hosts the Reason & Wellbeing podcast and YouTube channel.
Greg’s PhD research focused on sleep, circadian rhythms, nutrition, and metabolism. Highlights of Greg's career include having his research feature in dozens of international news outlets, including the BBC, Reuters, and The Washington Post; working with the US Naval Special Warfare Command; appearing on a Channel 4 TV programme as a sleep expert; having his writing featured in many newspapers and magazines, including The Metro, Stylist Magazine, and Newsweek; coaching a sprinter to four gold medals at the European Championships; and helping athletes break multiple World Records in ocean rowing.
Professor Kerry Bone
BSc (Hons), DipPhyto, FNHAA, MCPP, FANTA
Professor Kerry Bone is the co-founder and innovation driver at MediHerb, where he serves as Director of Research and Development. He regularly lectures in Australia and overseas and is a prolific author, with seven published herbal medicine texts and over 40 scientific papers on herbal research, including original research and systematic reviews.
As a recognition of his research role, in 2016 MediHerb was awarded the American Botanical Council’s (ABC’s) Varro E. Tyler Award for excellence in Phytomedicinal (Herbal) Research. In 2015 Kerry’s lifelong contribution to the field of herbal therapy was recognised with his receiving the prestigious Lady Cilento award from the complementary medicine industry in Australia. Kerry still maintains a busy herbal and naturopathic practice in Toowoomba Queensland where he has been in continuous service for 40 years.
Angela Hywood
BHSc (CompMed,Nat), DipBotMed, DipHom, DipCN, DipNFM, MANTA, MNHAA
Angela Hywood is an experienced naturopathic clinician with over 26 years of clinical experience, specialising in integrative endocrinology, women’s health, fertility, and pregnancy care. Prior to Angela’s career in naturopathy, she studied at the School of Pharmacy, Curtin University of Technology in WA and has a strong interest in herbal safety, particularly herb-drug interactions and pharmacology. Angela is a well known speaker at complementary and integrative medicine conferences both in Australia and internationally; and has published articles in complementary medicine journals in Australia and USA. Angela’s clinical passion in the art and science of herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, homoeopathy, whole food nutrition and lifestyle medicines are tailored into dynamic clinical programs for her patients.
Dr. Matt Dawson
MHSc
(HM), BHSc (Nat), RN
Dr. Matt Dawson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Wild Health, a genomics-based precision medicine company. He is also CEO of TruDiagnostic, a deep science epigenetics company focused on human longevity testing. Dr. Dawson has published dozens of research articles, authored two textbooks, and written over 100 book chapters. He has won national awards in education and innovation, and given talks in over 20 countries.
Dr. Dawson takes the approach of providing patients with true health care, rather than sick care. Blending a background in farming with functional medicine and genomics, providing personalised medicine services utilising genetics-based care to help patients achieve optimal wellbeing, and sharing his knowledge through education of physicians and co-hosting the Wild Health podcast, Dr. Matt's passion lies in helping patient maximise their health span and perform at their absolute best across mental, physical and spiritual health.
Rob Claridge
BHSc (Nat), IPS Health Coach
Robert Claridge has been a practicing Naturopath for over 35 years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) from the Southern School of Natural Therapies, he founded the holistic health clinic Claridge Naturopathics in Geelong. Since its inception, Robert has had the honour of supporting tens-of-thousands of patients, mentoring countless practitioners, educating the wider community and lecturing to his peers. Although he welcomes all patients through his doors, he has particularly focused on treating complex cases. It is therefore no surprise that he has specialised in treating ‘the emperor of all maladies’- cancer.
Robert believes that effective Naturopathic care should always be accessible, realistic, evidence-based and outcome-focused. This has driven him to create numerous protocols, programs and educational resources, which he implements in his bespoke treatment plans. He believes that true change is born from awareness, education and empowerment. Inspired by this, and a deep commitment to learning and development, Robert strives to deliver exceptional care to his patients.
Rachel Arthur
BHSc(Nat), PhD
Rachel Arthur is a seasoned naturopath and registered nutritionist specialising in integrative nutrition and diagnostics. With three decades of experience spanning clinical practice and educational settings, Rachel has established herself as a leading educator in the field of nutritional medicine. Her work is deeply rooted in evidence-based practices, contributing to renowned texts such as the award-winning Herbs & Natural Supplements – An Evidence-Based Guide across all four editions.
Rachel’s commitment to advancing the field is evident in her extensive experience as an educator, having mentored a wide range of healthcare professionals for 14 years and continuing to deliver advanced training to practitioners, including doctors, pharmacists, dietitians, and naturopaths. Her educational initiatives reflect her dedication to providing practical, actionable insights that empower clinicians to integrate nutritional strategies into their practice effectively. With a passion for integrative health and an ongoing commitment to professional development, Rachel's presentations are not only informative but also transformative, making a significant impact on the practitioners she mentors.
Sue Read
BSc (Psych), PostGradDip (Psych)
Sue Read is a registered psychologist, Founder and Director of Life Unlimited Psychology, and a former elite athlete (track and field) who competed nationally and internationally. She was also a Goalkeeper for the Australian National Women’s soccer team – the Matildas. She truly understands what it takes to be physically and mentally tough — she lives it and shares her knowledge and skills with the corporate world as well as athletes and military personnel, and people who want to make positive changes in their lives.
In clinical practice for over 18 years, Sue combines her psychological and physical training disciplines to assist her clients to achieve optimal health. She has a particular interest and passion for helping people to navigate their way through trauma, chronic illness and preventing burnout.
Dr. Lauren Burns
BHSc, PhD
Lauren Burns (OAM) created sporting history by winning the first Olympic gold medal for Taekwondo when the sport debuted at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She has a PhD in Athlete Lifestyle and Mindset and works closely with the Australian Institute of Sport, both with the Gold Medal Ready program and their research institute. Her doctoral work won the prestigious RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Prize and Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Research Impact and is published in high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
Lauren is a nutritionist and naturopath, working in research as an Adjunct Fellow at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at SCU. She is a best-selling author, having penned two books: Fighting Spirit and Food from a Loving Home. Lauren also shares her nutritional expertise by designing wholefood menu plans for a renowned Melbourne childcare centre. Additionally, she offers exclusive one-on-one executive-level coaching while balancing the joys and responsibilities of a busy family life.