Aaron has gained nearly 20 years in the conference industry working for the leading conference companies in Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Sydney specialising in finance, government and professional services. He has held General Manager roles heading up teams for Terrapinn, IIR and, most recently IQPC before deciding that to give delegates the best conference experience possible, he would have to set up his own company. He has gained a direct insight into the financial services sector working in fixed income and investment banking with Merrill Lynch. Aaron has overseen a wide range of events covering finance, government and professional services. Aaron holds a joint honours BSc. in Economics and Sociology from the University of Bristol, UK. He is committed to social justice and has won the Sydney Star Observer Young Achiever of the Year award for his work with disadvantaged youth. He keeps fit by swimming and the gym (though far less often than he would like!).
Connor (Connie) Byrne (he/they) has been a Senior Conference Manager at Intrepid Minds since November 2019. They specialise in occupational safety, public administration, and fraud risk management. They also dabble in the audiovisual and IT design at Intrepid Minds, as well as helping out with copywriting, social media, and long water-cooler chats! Outside of work, Connie is a part-time PhD student and tutor in social sciences. They founded the EARN Early Career Academic Collective, and the Sydney Marx-Hegel Reading Group (Aufhebung). They also lead the Sydney pop-punk band SLOW•EXIT. Connie has two lovely partners, and a cat named Anise.
Emily Dykstra (she/her) has worked as a Conference Producer with Intrepid Minds since 2023. Emily’s focus areas for conference production are WHS Law, Psychological Wellbeing, Fraud and Corruption, Risk Management, and Finance. Emily has also developed Intrepid Minds’ social media and engagement strategies, and loves working with such a close-knit, likeminded team. Emily has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, and is passionate about structural criminology and social justice. When not working, Emily enjoys being in nature, going to the gym, playing video games, attending concerts, creating and consuming art, and spending time with her partner and their two cats.
As the producer of the Executive Assistant Conference Series, Peta Dixon produces highly relevant, practical, and impactful professional development events and learning experiences for career administrative professionals. A career EA, now turning her hand to event management, Peta brings authentic communication skills, a talent for problem-solving, and a flair for creating genuine connections. Passionate about hedonism, Peta is more likely to be found in a restaurant or theatre than in the wild – food, wine, theatre, film, eclectic music and travel. She is a natural extrovert who enjoys hearing your stories and sharing hers, and her experiences, with others.
Hayden is a Relationship Manager for Intrepid Minds, coming from a decade working in sales across finance and travel, he’s passionate about building relationships and spending time with his family and friends. Outside of work Hayden splits his time between his great loves, Trivia, Texas Hold’em Poker and online gaming.
Maidy is an experienced CRM Manager with over a decade of leadership since 2013. With a strong focus on data accuracy, team leadership, and process optimization, Maidy specializes in managing high-performing research teams and ensuring the integrity and strategic use of data to support business growth. Prior to joining Intrepid Minds, Maidy built her foundation as a Customer Service Technical Support and Quality Assurance Analyst, where she developed her skills in problem-solving, customer experience, and process improvement. This background continues to shape her structured and detail-oriented approach to leadership today. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Gen has been a member of Intrepid Minds since 2023. Although she took a brief break in 2025, she returned later that same year and resumed her role as a Database Researcher. She specializes in building databases for a wide range of conferences through targeted lead generation. Her work spans diverse sectors, including Executive Assistants, WHS and Injury Management, Asset Allocation, as well as Fraud and Risk for State Governments, Local Councils, and private organizations across multiple countries. Gen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, majoring in Operations Management. She began her career in lead generation and research in 2021, steadily developing her expertise and contributing valuable insights to every project she undertakes. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, travelling and coffee shop hunting.
Lorainne has been working as a Database Researcher at Intrepid Minds since April 2024, focusing on gathering data and supporting teams in organizing conferences. Her work mostly involves bringing together professionals from Fraud and Risk Departments and Executive Assistants. She started her career in lead generation back in 2019 with a market research company based in Sydney, which helped her build a strong foundation in research and data work. She also has a background in Mass Communication, which has shaped her attention to detail and communication skills. She is a proud mom of two, and outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with them and doing home improvement projects.
Rica is a Database Researcher, I specialize in lead generation, client data management, and precise documentation to drive organizational success. I hold a BSc in Information Technology from the University of La Salette, Philippines and bring over six years of experience in client support and administrative roles. My work is guided by strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering reliable results. I am passionate about fostering collaboration and efficiency. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening—flowers with their vibrant colors bring me calm and inspiration, reflecting the balance and creativity I bring to life and work.