National Lutheran Principal Conference 2026 - Speakers Announced!

LPA are pleased to announce the 2026 National Lutheran Principal Conference will be held at the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto from 16th - 20th May, with the conference theme ‘Anchored in Faith, Leading with Heart’ guiding the enrichment of the program.  

The conference planning committee; Daniel Weller, Fiona McAuliffe, Jacqui Layfield, Anita Morton and LPA’s Executive Officer are providing valuable input and guidance in what is shaping up to be a brilliant conference in the heart of Melbourne. 

The Early Career Principal Program will commence from Saturday 15th May, which offers deep insights from experienced principals and networking opportunities for any principals in their first five-years of principalship. 

As the program continues to be developed, we are pleased to announce the following keynote speakers;

Professor Richard Hall

Professor Richard Hall is Deputy Dean, Leadership and Executive Education, at the Monash Business School. Richard has extensive experience in the design and delivery of leadership development programs for managers, professionals and senior leaders. He has published widely in the areas of management and organisational studies, including leadership, technology, organisational change, transformation and development and the future of work. He has designed, managed and delivered MBA programs at various universities and currently teaches Executive Leadership Mindsets in the Global Executive MBA at Monash University. 

Luke Darcy 

Luke Darcy is Co-Founder at Aleda Collective, Host of Empowering Leaders Podcast and passionate about developing aspiring leaders. Darcy is known for his articulate analysis and deep understanding of leadership and high performance, with a respected career in broadcasting after retiring from AFL at the end of 2007. Darcy engages with some of the world’s most influential thinkers, athletes, and business leaders to explore what it takes to lead with impact.

Taryn Brummfitt

Taryn Brumfitt is an award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author and internationally sought-after keynote speaker. She is the co-Executive Director of The Embrace Collective; founder of the Body Image Movement and director of the inspiring documentaries EMBRACE and EMBRACE KIDS. Named Australian of the Year in 2023 and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Flinders University in 2024, she is a fiercely passionate advocate for social change and her message has reached more than 200 million people around the world. 

Conference registration will open in early 2026. Please save the dates in your calendars and keep an eye on the LPA website for further information and updates.