Keynote speakers on workplace culture, sexual harassment prevention, and psychosocial safety - available for conferences and events across Australia

If you are looking for keynote speakers who will genuinely move a room, not just fill a timeslot - Kate Raston and Nicolette Beard deliver presentations that are honest, evidence-based, and built to create lasting impact.

As co-founders of We Are Consulting and one of Western Australia's leading workplace culture consultancies, Kate and Nic have spoken at conferences, industry summits, leadership forums, and corporate events across Australia.

Their keynotes draw on over 18 years of combined experience in behaviour change, sexual harassment prevention, psychosocial safety, and gender equity - delivered with the kind of directness and warmth that makes people lean in rather than switch off.

They are available for keynote presentations, panel discussions, conference sessions, symposium presentations, and workshop facilitation across Perth, Western Australia, and nationally.

There are two kinds of speakers at most conferences. The ones people half-listen to while checking their phones. And the ones who shift something in the room that people are still talking about at dinner.

Kate and Nic are the second kind.

Their presenting style combines deep subject matter expertise with the kind of human, direct facilitation that makes difficult topics feel accessible - not threatening. They have presented to audiences ranging from frontline FIFO workers and site supervisors to executive teams, government bodies, university researchers, and international health congresses. They know how to read a room, adapt in real time, and leave audiences with something genuinely useful.

Their work has been recognised at the highest national level, including the 2025 Young West Australian of the Year and 2026 finalist, and featured across ABC, 7News, Mamamia, Sunrise, and The West Australian.

They are registered with keynote speaker agencies and available for bookings nationally and internationally.

A woman sitting in a light blue armchair speaking during a panel discussion, with audience members visible in the foreground and a black curtain backdrop.

Kate Raston - Co-Founder, We Are Consulting

Kate Raston, a survivor of intimate partner sexual violence and a sexologist by trade, has transformed her personal trauma into a powerful force for change. Co-founder of We Are W/M, an organisation dedicated to fostering consent education and dismantling toxic masculinity, Kate's work has touched over 20,000 lives across Western Australia. 

Recognised as the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year and a 2024 State Finalist for Young Australian of the Year, Kate exemplifies resilience, advocacy, and leadership.

With an unwavering dedication to gender equality and the prevention of violence against women, Kate’s work has led to groundbreaking changes. Her collaboration with journalist Caitlyn Rintoul uncovered systemic sexual misconduct within the WA Police, prompting public accountability and systemic reform. Kate also spearheaded a survey that exposed toxic sexualised cultures in Australian private boys' schools, amplifying the urgent need for improved sex education.

Kate's vision is bold and transformative: a world where no young woman feels silenced, unheard, or alone in her struggles. She dreams of a future where women are believed, empowered, and safe, and where young men are not only allies but active participants in dismantling the cultural norms that perpetuate violence. Through education, advocacy, and systemic reform, Kate envisions a society that prioritises respect, inclusivity, and equality for all.

Kate’s voice resonates powerfully on national and international stages, having spoken at the 25th IUSTI World Congress, Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference, Global Entrepreneurship Congress, and the 26th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health and was the Keynote at the Seventh Annual Women’s Health Symposium, the Mental Health in Hospitality Summit 2024 and delivered a powerful speech at the No More Rally where she addressed over 3,000 people. Her contributions to these events have influenced global discussions on sexual health education and prevention. Her expertise have been featured on 7News, Sunrise, The West Australian, ABC, RTRFM, and more, solidifying her as a trusted voice in advocacy and education.

We Are W/M, recognised as one of WA's top female-founded organisations in 2023, offers evidence-based, trauma-informed programs addressing consent, healthy relationships, and online safety. With her co-founder Nicolette Beard, Kate’s initiatives not only empower young women to know their voices matter but also challenge young men to become allies in dismantling harmful societal norms.

Kate’s achievements extend beyond advocacy. Her dedication to fostering safer workplaces, influencing policy reforms, and mentoring others underscores her transformative impact. While a dynamic speaker in her own right, Kate is most compelling when presenting alongside Nicolette Beard, her co-founder and friend of over 10 years. Their deep bond and shared passion create an undeniable synergy, making their presentations not only impactful but also more engaging and enjoyable for audiences. 

Kate Raston’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose. Her ability to transform adversity into advocacy continues to inspire communities, empower individuals, and redefine what it means to create a safer, more inclusive world.

A woman in a white strapless dress is speaking into a microphone while standing at a podium.

Nicolette Beard - Co-Founder, We Are Consulting

Nicolette Beard was awarded the 2024 Young Western Australian of the Year for her impactful work co-founding We Are W/M. Along with Co-Founder Kate Raston, Nicolette is a strong advocate for gender equality and the prevention of sexual violence against women, is passionately championing for improved sex-education for young people, focusing on critical topics of healthy relationships, consent, and mental wellbeing. Her passion stems from reflecting on her own experiences growing up as a young woman, and the realisation that these struggles were not unique. Nicolette’s vision was to create safe spaces where young people could have open, honest conversations and have their questions answered freely to prepare them for these experiences. Recognising the gap between school curricula and the practical needs of young people, Nicolette and her team offer educational programs that tackle complex issues in approachable ways.

Having lived abroad in both Canada and the USA, Nicolette observed that issues like these are global, which sparked her desire to create change back in her home base of Perth, Australia. We Are W/M offers trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and inclusive programs that equip individuals with the tools and language to understand consent, build healthy relationships, and navigate online media. With sexual violence affecting one in five women in Australia before the age of 15, these programs address critical issues and empower people to protect themselves and others.

Nicolette has also been a sought-after speaker, presenting at numerous university events, the 2023 Global Entrepreneur Congress, the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference in 2023, and delivering a powerful speech on gender-based violence after receiving her award earlier this year. In addition to their work with young people, Nicolette and her co-founder, Kate Raston, now offer their expertise to corporate environments, working to foster safer, more inclusive workplaces.

Nicolette uses her platform to encourage others to speak out, get involved in important discussions, and work towards fostering healthy, consensual relationships for all. While she is a dynamic solo speaker, Nicolette is most impactful when partnering with Kate Raston to share their stories and the evolving mission of We Are W/M.

Topics we cover

Sexual harassment prevention - moving beyond awareness to action

One of the most in-demand keynote topics for mining, resources, construction, corporate, and government audiences in Australia right now.

This keynote goes beyond the legal framework and awareness messaging to explore what actually prevents sexual harassment in high-risk and male-dominated environments - the cultural conditions, leadership behaviours, and practical strategies that make a real difference.

Ideal for: mining industry conferences, resources sector events, HR and HSE summits, Respect@Work events, Women in Mining and Resources forums, workplace safety conferences, legal and compliance events.

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A, half-day workshop

Engaging men as allies - practical strategies for gender equity in high-risk industries

Gender equity programs fail when they treat men as the problem rather than part of the solution. This keynote explores what genuine male allyship looks like in FIFO and high-risk industries - the specific barriers that prevent men from intervening, and the practical strategies that actually shift behaviour and culture.

Ideal for: mining and resources industry conferences, diversity and inclusion events, Men's Health and Wellbeing forums, leadership summits, gender equity events, Women in Mining conferences

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A

Trauma-informed leadership - practical application for workplace education and management

Trauma-informed practice is no longer just a clinical concept - it is a leadership and organisational capability. This keynote explores what it means to lead, educate, and manage through a trauma-informed lens in high-risk and high-pressure industries, and why it is essential for building psychologically safe workplaces.

Ideal for: HR and people & culture conferences, mental health and wellbeing summits, education and community sector events, healthcare and social services conferences, leadership development forums

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A

Psychosocial safety - from legal obligation to lived culture

As psychosocial safety becomes one of the most significant regulatory priorities for Australian employers, organisations are hungry for practical guidance that goes beyond the legislation. This keynote translates psychosocial risk obligations into leadership behaviours, cultural practices, and organisational systems - delivered in plain English, without the jargon.

Ideal for: workplace health and safety conferences, HR and people & culture summits, mining and resources industry events, leadership forums, WHS compliance events, EAP and wellbeing conferences.

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A, half-day workshop

Culture by design - understanding what shapes workplace behaviour

Why do harmful workplace cultures develop, and what does it actually take to change them? This keynote uses the culture pyramid framework to show how everyday attitudes and norms enable serious harm over time, why bystanders stay silent, and what organisations can do to build cultures of genuine accountability.

Particularly effective for male-dominated industries, FIFO environments, and organisations navigating cultural change after incidents or reviews.

Ideal for: diversity and inclusion conferences, leadership summits, mining and resources industry events, safety leadership forums, Women in Mining events, HR and DEI conferences.

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A, half-day workshop

Building career capital in mining - from working hard to strategic leverage

Working hard is not enough to build a standout career in the mining and resources sector. This keynote explores the shift from effort-based to strategy-based career development - how to build visibility, credibility, and influence in an industry that doesn't always make that easy, particularly for women.

Ideal for: Women in Mining and Resources conferences, young professionals forums, leadership development events, industry career summits, mentoring programs, graduate and early-career events

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A

The FIFO resilience toolkit - building high-performance careers in high-pressure environments

FIFO work comes with extraordinary pressures - long rosters, isolation, relationship strain, and workplace cultures that can be difficult to navigate. This keynote draws on lived experience and evidence-based frameworks to give FIFO workers and leaders practical tools for building resilience, managing workplace dynamics, and constructing careers that last.

Ideal for: Women in Mining and Resources conferences, FIFO wellbeing events, mental health and workplace wellbeing summits, mining industry forums, workforce development events, leadership conferences

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A

Consent, communication, and respect - having the conversations that matter

Grounded in over a decade of large-scale consent and healthy relationships education, this keynote explores how organisations can build cultures of genuine respect - starting with the conversations most leaders avoid. Direct, honest, and built to land with real audiences rather than theoretical ones.

Ideal for: corporate leadership events, university and education sector conferences, community and NFP sector events, diversity and inclusion summits, Women in Leadership forums, health and wellbeing conferences

Available as: 20-minute keynote, 45-minute keynote, 90-minute session with Q&A, half-day workshop

Kate and Nic are experienced presenting across a wide range of event formats and audience types, including:

→ Mining and resources industry conferences and summits

→ Women in Mining and Resources events

→ Workplace health and safety (WHS) conferences

→ HR, people & culture, and DEI summits

→ Leadership forums and executive retreats

→ Mental health and workplace wellbeing conferences

→ Legal and compliance events

→ University and education sector symposiums

→ Government and public sector forums

→ Community and not-for-profit sector events

→ Industry association events and annual dinners

→ Young professionals and graduate forums

→ International health and wellbeing congresses

→ Panel discussions and moderated Q&A sessions

→ Awards nights and gala dinners

→ Internal leadership days and staff conferences

Conference and event types we speak at


Previous speaking engagements

→ Global Entrepreneurship Congress → Congress of the World Association of Sexual Health → The Australian Senate → The University of Western Australia → Curtin University → Australian Institute of Management WA → Mental Health in Hospitality Summit → Women in Mining and Resources Conference → Perenti, Sodexo, INPEX, and major mining services organisations → lululemon, ARENA, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network

They have been featured across ABC, 7News, Mamamia, Sunrise, and The West Australian - and are increasingly sought after for conferences that want speakers with both national profile and deep sector credibility.

“We had struggled to find training that resonated with our onsite crew - until we partnered with the girls. The sessions were relevant, on-site, and delivered in a way that genuinely connected with our crew. The language, scenarios, and examples reflected real situations our people face. We saw immediate improvements in reporting confidence, bystander action, and team communication.”

HSE Lead, FIFO Site

Kate and Nic covered consent, S.A & S.H, the importance of education around these topics in the industry and left the room thinking a little differently about the change they’d like to make in their workplaces. Their style of facilitation was wonderful, personable, authentic and interactive. I would 10/10 recommend getting them involved in facilitating workshops/keynotes/ presentations on these topics! They were amazing!

EAP Executive Director

“I cannot recommend We Are Consulting highly enough. The training was fun, engaging, and deeply impactful. Our staff said it was the first time anyone had spoken about consent, boundaries, and culture in a way that felt real and non-judgemental. This work has genuinely shifted the way our sites operate. What sets Nic and Kate apart is their ability to blend evidence, trauma-informed practice, and deeply human facilitation. Our crew felt safe, heard, and empowered.”

Senior HR Manager, Mining Services

Booking information

Kate and Nicolette are available for keynote presentations, panel discussions, conference sessions, symposium presentations, workshop facilitation, and corporate speaking engagements across Perth, Western Australia, and nationally.

All keynote presentations are tailored to your event theme, audience, and desired outcomes. We work with event organisers in advance to ensure our session integrates seamlessly with your program and delivers maximum impact for your delegates.

Speaking fees vary depending on format, travel requirements, and level of customisation.

We Are Consulting is registered with keynote speaker agencies and available through direct booking.

To discuss availability and fees, or to make a booking enquiry email: admin@joinweare.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our workshops cover sexual harassment prevention, psychosocial safety and risk management, respectful workplace communication, and culture change. Each session is designed specifically for organisations in high-risk industries including mining, resources, construction, and FIFO environments.

    Our four core workshops are: Preventing Sexual Harassment in FIFO & High-Risk Workplaces; Psychosocial Safety & Risk: From Compliance to Culture; Respect, Boundaries & Workplace Communication; and Culture by Design: Understanding What Shapes Behaviour.

  • All of our core workshops are half-day sessions, typically three to four hours. Full-day programs are also available and are particularly popular for leadership teams who want to combine two workshop topics into a single site visit.

    We also deliver shorter keynote and conference presentations from 20 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on your event format and what you need the room to walk away with.

  • Yes, and this is one of our core specialisations. We regularly deliver workshops at FIFO villages, mine sites, remote worksites, and shift-based environments across Western Australia. We understand the unique constraints of FIFO rosters, site schedules, and workforce demographics, and we design our delivery accordingly. Travel to regional and remote sites is factored into our program scope - get in touch to discuss your location.

  • Our workshops are designed for groups of up to around 30 participants to ensure genuine discussion and engagement - not a lecture.

    For larger organisations or multi-site delivery, we run multiple sessions across teams, departments, or sites. We also offer whole-of-workforce programs for organisations that need to reach everyone from frontline workers to executive teams.

  • Always. We do not deliver off-the-shelf compliance modules. Every program we run includes a pre-session consultation to understand your organisation's context, workforce demographics, existing culture, and specific risk areas. The scenarios, language, and examples we use in the room are drawn from your industry and your environment - which is why our programs land with people who usually tune out in training.

  • Our primary delivery model is face-to-face, because we believe genuine behaviour change happens in the room - particularly in high-risk industries where the relational dynamics are complex. That said, we can discuss hybrid options for organisations with dispersed workforces or where on-site delivery isn't feasible. Reach out and we'll work out what's practical for your situation.

  • Workshops are standalone half-day or full-day sessions designed to create immediate impact and build momentum. They're the fastest way to get your team engaged and are often where organisations start. Consulting programs are longer-term engagements that go deeper — we assess your organisation's culture and risk profile, design and deliver a bespoke training program, and then review outcomes and provide recommendations for continuous improvement. Many organisations begin with a workshop and expand into consulting once they've seen how our work lands with their people.

  • Our consulting model follows three stages.

    In Tier 1 - Assess, we conduct leadership consultations, anonymous staff surveys, and risk assessments to understand what's actually happening in your organisation beneath the surface.

    In Tier 2 - Educate, we design and deliver a bespoke training program built entirely from your Tier 1 findings - tailored to your workforce, structure, and risk environment.

    In Tier 3 - Review, we collect evaluation data, analyse outcomes, and provide actionable recommendations for policies, reporting pathways, leadership capability, and ongoing culture development. The full program typically runs across five to six months, with optional ongoing advisory support.

  • Yes. While we are based in Perth and have deep expertise in the Western Australian mining and resources sector, we deliver programs nationally. We have worked with organisations across Australia including government agencies, universities, and national industry bodies. Travel and logistics are factored into program scoping - contact us to discuss your location and needs.

  • The Respect@Work Act 2022 introduced a Positive Duty on employers - meaning organisations are now legally required to take proactive, reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment from occurring, rather than simply responding after the fact. This is a significant shift from the previous complaint-driven model. Organisations that fail to meet their Positive Duty obligations can face regulatory action from the Australian Human Rights Commission. Our programs are specifically designed to help organisations understand and meet these obligations in a way that is practical and embedded in real workplace behaviour - not just policy documents.

  • Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work that can cause psychological or physical harm — including sexual harassment, bullying, excessive workload, poor leadership, and lack of role clarity. Under Australian work health and safety laws, employers now have a legal obligation to identify and manage psychosocial hazards with the same rigour as physical safety risks. For organisations in FIFO and high-risk industries, psychosocial risk is particularly significant given the conditions of remote work, long rosters, gender imbalance, and power dynamics common in those environments. Our Psychosocial Safety & Risk workshop translates these obligations into practical leadership tools your teams can use immediately.

  • A workshop is an important step toward meeting your Positive Duty obligations and demonstrates proactive action — but compliance is an ongoing commitment, not a single event. The Positive Duty requires organisations to take measures that are proportionate to the size and nature of their workforce. For many organisations, this means a combination of training, policy review, reporting pathway improvements, and leadership accountability frameworks. Our consulting programs are designed to support organisations through that full journey. We are happy to discuss what a reasonable and defensible approach looks like for your specific organisation.

  • All programs are delivered by Kate Raston and Nicolette Beard - the co-founders of We Are Consulting. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and a Graduate Diploma in Sexology and is a qualified sexologist and advocate for gender equity. Nicolette holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and a Graduate Diploma in Education and is a trusted educator and facilitator with deep experience in public health and adult learning. Together we bring over 18 years of combined experience and have worked with more than 30,000 people across Australia. You will not be handed off to a junior facilitator - you get us, every time.

  • Most workplace training providers deliver generic, compliance-focused content that people forget by the end of the week. Our programs are different for three reasons. First, our content is built from over a decade of large-scale behaviour change education — we understand how to shift attitudes and actions, not just deliver information. Second, we specialise in FIFO and high-risk environments, which means our scenarios, language, and approach are genuinely relevant to the people in the room. Third, we are small and deliberately so — every client works directly with us, and every program is tailored to their organisation. That depth of engagement is something larger providers simply cannot replicate.

  • Yes — it is one of our primary areas of expertise. We have delivered sexual harassment prevention and respectful workplace training to mining services companies, hospitality and village management organisations operating on FIFO sites, and resources sector bodies across Western Australia. Our work in this space includes multi-site delivery programs, on-site facilitation at operating mines, and engagement with workforce demographics that are typically hard to reach through conventional training approaches. Client testimonials and case study detail are available on request.

  • The simplest first step is to book a free 30-minute consultation. We will talk through your organisation's current situation, what you are trying to achieve, and what kind of program would make the most sense for your workforce and budget. There is no obligation and no sales pressure — just an honest conversation. You can book directly through our website or email us at admin@joinweare.com.au.