Twelve professionals from ten businesses have been selected for the 2026 Fespa Leaders Program, Fespa Australia’s flagship leadership development initiative for the print, signage and visual communications industry.
Now in its fifth year, the programme has produced 60 alumni across the industry, many of whom have moved into senior roles within their businesses and the wider industry. The 2026 cohort will join that network.
The 2026 Fespa Leaders are:
Gabriella Bartolo, IVE Group
Coadie Bingham, Factory One
Daniel Buerker, Tiger Corp
Jacky Chan, HVG Graphics Media
Beth Corbin, Easy Signs
Kathy Doan, Corrective Services NSW
Chris Gardiner, The Print Factory
Louise Paton, VMG Print Group
Tammy Roos, Formul8
Steph Wilbow, Easy Signs
Anthony Zupanovic, Easy Signs
Nigel Davies, president of Fespa Australia, said the programme’s impact was now visible well beyond the two days participants spend together.
“The real measure of this programme is what happens afterwards. Past Fespa Leaders are taking on greater responsibilities, moving into leadership roles within their businesses, and becoming mentors, decision-makers and contributors to the wider industry.
“Troy Cavanagh and Bianca Martin, graduates of the first program, are now Fespa Australia Board members and do business with each other today. That is exactly what the programme was designed to achieve, and it is why we are proud to welcome another twelve to the community.”
The programme is an intensive two-day course facilitated by leadership coach Carl Harman, and is designed for experienced industry professionals ready to step into broader leadership roles. It has three objectives: to develop participants’ leadership capability; to build lasting connections among a diverse group of leaders, in Australia and internationally; and to deepen participants’ understanding of the industry and the critical issues shaping its future.
The 2026 programme will run on 14–15 October, immediately ahead of the Fespa Australia Annual Conference on 16 October at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. Participants will also attend the conference, where transformational leadership, innovation and youth engagement are among the topics on the agenda.
Two members of the 2026 cohort will also be selected to represent Fespa Australia at the Fespa Global Print Expo in Munich from 6 to 9 April 2027, building relationships with international industry leaders and bringing global trends and new perspectives back to Australia.
The Fespa Leaders Program is made possible by the support of industry sponsors. Gold sponsors Durst Oceania, Easy Signs and Smartech; Silver sponsors Cactus Imaging, IVE Group and Mimaki; Bronze sponsors Ball & Doggett and HVG Graphics Media; and Supporter Sponsor Kissel + Wolf.
Registration for the Fespa Australia Annual Conference is open at events.humanitix.com/fespa-annual-conference