Looking for a speaker with lived experience?

Jo Bangles has over 20 years experience connecting community, empowering people and enabling them to actively participate with passion and purpose. She has championed diversity and inclusion in over 5 countries leading the charge for visibility.

Jo Bangles is available for speaking and media gigs and available for mentoring and coaching.

About

Born and raised in regional Victoria, Australia, Jo Bangles grew up in a tough neighbourhood – the kind of neighbourhood that had a bad reputation. Born to working parents and having an older brother set the foundation for strong, family values. Jo spent most of her daylight hours winning sports awards, riding her BMX and fishing with her Dad.

Leadership found Jo from an early age – primary school valedictorian, high school captain and ‘most determined’ award winner in the Australian Army’s recruit course. She was the first female to play football in her league after refusing to take no for an answer and she also rallied to change her high school uniforms so she could wear pants.

In the mid 90’s, while in her early 20’s, Jo self-built her foundations in events management, leadership and influence. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, Jo’s natural leadership skills have delivered exceptional results and provided a critical differentiator in a range of competitive markets.

Jo has travelled the world in the name of diversity and inclusion, and spoken on stages to thousands of people encouraging them to be their true selves. 

These days Jo Bangles is the longest serving president of one chapter of the biggest Lesbian organisation in the world, Dykes on Bikes. Jo Bangles is approaching her 10 year anniversary.

Being recognised for her years in community work in a nomination for the GLOBE LGBTIQ person of the year 2019, Jo Bangles has become one of the most recognisable faces in Australia’s LGBTIQ community. She was also featured as a model in the Bonds Australia ‘OUT NOW’ exhibition in early 2020 sharing her story with mainstream social media.

Graduating from the Leadership Victoria LGBTI Leadership program in 2018, Jo Bangles is on a journey to pass on her story and learnings about what it takes to be a great leader to the next generation.