Tory Loudon is one of Australia’s leading directors of public talks, cultural festivals and events that explore the intersection of culture, technology and future society. She has a track record in tackling taboo topics and engaging the community in difficult conversations – particularly around stigma. Tory has produced Ideas and Cultural festivals for a number of leading organisations including the Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks and Vivid Ideas, Vivid Sydney. She is known for championing innovation and has increased the profile of organisations such as the Guardian and the Australia Council for the Arts. Her extensive experience includes business and audience development, stakeholder engagement, marketing, public programming and philanthropy. Tory has worked with a number of organisations in the mental health, well-being and addiction field including Noffs Foundation, Groundswell Project, Hello Sunday Morning and Black Dog Institute to present talks and events that ask people to question their assumptions and to equip them with the tools to have more empathetic discussions. Tory is planning to take her amateur but life-long interest in psychology to the next step and enrol in a counselling degree. She is looking forward to applying her experience to become an advocate for mental health support and tackling addiction in the creative industries.