Alan Joyce AC

Alan Joyce is a globally respected business leader, best known for his tenure as CEO of Qantas Airways from 2008 to 2023. Throughout his 15 years at the helm, Alan steered Qantas through some of the most turbulent periods in aviation history, including the global financial crisis, industrial disputes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as one of the industry’s most influential and forward-thinking executives.

Under his leadership, Qantas became one of the world’s most profitable and innovative airlines. Alan championed groundbreaking initiatives such as Project Sunrise, which aims to establish ultra-long-haul flights connecting Australia directly to major global hubs like London and New York. Alan and his team also transformed Qantas Loyalty into a dominant player in the Australian market, a significant profit centre, and a strategic asset for the airline. Additionally, he drove Qantas’ commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, making it one of the first airlines to take such a bold sustainability stance.

Before leading Qantas, Alan was the founding CEO of Jetstar Airways, where he built the low-cost carrier into one of the world’s most successful budget airlines. His early career in aviation spanned key strategic roles at Aer Lingus, International Air Transport Association (IATA), oneworld alliance, Ansett Australia, and Qantas, giving him deep expertise in network planning, operations, and commercial strategy. Additionally, Alan could be seen contributing to Australia's business landscape as a director of the Business Council of Australia for nine years.

Beyond aviation, Alan has been a champion of diversity, inclusion, and corporate responsibility. As one of the first openly gay Fortune 500 CEOs, he played a pivotal role in Australia’s Marriage Equality campaign and has been recognised as one of the world’s top LGBTQ+ business leaders. He has also been a passionate advocate for Indigenous education, gender equity, and workplace inclusion. In recognition of his contributions to aviation and society, Alan was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) and elected as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

An engaging and dynamic speaker, Alan combines sharp business insights with Irish storytelling charm, delivering speeches that captivate audiences with wisdom, humour, and compelling real-world lessons. Whether addressing global conferences, boardrooms, or leadership summits, Alan’s unique perspective on resilience, transformation, and leadership never fails to leave a lasting impact.

Currently, Alan is working on his upcoming book, set for release in 2026.