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Turning Adversity into Influence Through the Power of Story Telling

Tuesday, October 21, 2025
4:20 PM - 5:05 PM
Kookaburra Room (M3)

Overview

Courtney Ugle, Founder, Waangkiny


Presenter

Agenda Item Image
Courtney Ugle
Founder
Waangkiny

Turning Adversity into Influence Through the Power of Story Telling

Presentation Overview

This keynote explores the impact of intergenerational trauma, domestic and family violence, and loss, and how lived experience can become a foundation for advocacy, healing, and systems change.
I share my lived experience as a survivor of domestic and family violence, and how I have transformed that pain into purpose through my work with Waangkiny, a grassroots, purpose-driven movement dedicated to truth-telling, healing, and creating a ripple effect of change.
This talk is about reclaiming narrative, creating safety in storytelling, and choosing to lead with purpose. As an Aboriginal woman, athlete, and founder,I will share how culture, sport, and storytelling supported my path forward.
This talk isn’t about sugar-coating reality, it’s about honouring it.
This keynote offers more than a narrative, it provides insight into what it means to transform pain into leadership, and how we can build culturally safe, purpose-driven spaces that foster real change.

Three Key Learnings:
1. Lived experience is not a weakness, it’s leadership in its truest form.
2. Our past may shape us, but it does not define us, we get to dream big and lead boldly.
3. Cultural safety, community, sport and storytelling are critical tools for healing and systemic change

Biography

Courtney Ugle is a powerhouse of resilience and a proud Noongar woman from Bunbury, Western Australia, who has transformed personal tragedy into a mission of hope, healing, and big dreams. She is the founder of Waangkiny, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering communities and fostering change through storytelling. Growing up in an environment marked by domestic violence, Courtney has faced significant challenges that have fueled her vision and purpose. She is driven to be a voice for those whose stories need to be told and heard, breaking cycles and creating ripples of change to inspire others to find their strength. Sport has played a pivotal role in Courtney’s journey, serving as both an escape and a powerful tool for healing, discipline, and growth. From a young age, she found strength, purpose, and community through sport, using it as a way to navigate life’s hardships and channel her energy into something great. She believes in the power of shared stories to not only heal but to unite and uplift. Through Waangkiny, Courtney delivers keynotes, workshops, and consulting services that guide individuals and communities to move beyond adversity, embracing resilience and ambition. Her message is one of boundless hope, big dreams, and the belief that every person has the potential to transform pain into purpose. Beyond her work with Waangkiny, Courtney has impacted countless women and young people through programs addressing family violence, promoting healthy relationships, and encouraging personal growth—with a strong focus on supporting Aboriginal youth and women. As a speaker, she is known for her authenticity, warmth, and ability to connect deeply with audiences, leaving a lasting impact and empowering others to find their voice. Courtney’s story is one of strength in adversity and the unshakeable belief that hope can rise from hardship. Through her work, she is building a legacy of courage, compassion, and a future where everyone can dare to dream big.
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