Looking for a speaker with lived experience?

Jo Bangles brings over 30 years of experience connecting communities, empowering individuals, and inspiring people to show up with passion and purpose. Her work spans more than five countries, where she has been a driving force for diversity, inclusion, and visibility.

Available for speaking engagements, media appearances, mentoring, and coaching, Jo offers insight, energy, and real-world experience that sparks meaningful impact.

About

Born and raised in regional Victoria, Australia, Jo Bangles grew up in a tough neighbourhood—the kind people talked about for all the wrong reasons. Raised by hardworking parents alongside her older brother, she developed strong family values early on. Her days were spent outdoors: collecting sports awards, riding her BMX, and fishing with her dad.

Leadership showed up early and never left. Jo was her primary school valedictorian, high school captain, and earned the “most determined” award during her Australian Army recruit training. She broke barriers as the first female to play football in her league after refusing to accept “no,” and successfully pushed for changes to her school uniform so she could wear pants—an early sign of her determination to challenge the status quo.

In her early 20s, Jo laid the foundations for a career in events, leadership, and influence. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, she has consistently delivered standout results, using her natural leadership to carve out a point of difference in competitive industries.

Jo’s work has taken her across the globe, championing diversity and inclusion and speaking to thousands about the power of showing up as your authentic self.

Today, Jo is the longest-serving former president of a chapter of Dykes on Bikes, the largest lesbian motorcycle organisation in the world, having dedicated close to a decade to the role.

As the founder of Splatters Cheese Train, Jo brings that same passion for connection and experience to the table—curating bold, memorable food moments that celebrate Australian cheese and bring people together. Her approach blends creativity, community, and a love of storytelling through food, making Splatters more than just a venue—it’s an experience.

Her impact has been widely recognised. Jo was nominated for LGBTIQ Person of the Year at the GLOBE Awards 2019 and featured as a model in the Bonds ‘OUT NOW’ exhibition, sharing her story with a national audience.

A graduate of the Leadership Victoria LGBTI Leadership Program (2018), Jo is now focused on passing on her experience—empowering the next generation of leaders to step forward with courage, authenticity, and purpose.