● 28–29 August | Gadigal (Sydney, Australia)
Deaf Ecosystem Summit 2025
Join us for the Deaf Ecosystem Summit 2025, an empowering event that brings together Deaf professionals, businesses, and community leaders to strengthen and grow our Deaf ecosystem. This is an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and create a future where Deaf-led initiatives thrive.
A joint initiative by
Our keynote presenters
Visionary Deaf leaders driving innovation and empowerment across global communities.
Sonia Pivac
New Zealand
Founder leading Deaf business development in New Zealand
Richard Dougherty
Ireland/United States of America
Gallaudet University Architect specialising in Deaf Space design
Wayne Betts Jr.
United States of America
Co-founder of Convo and advocate for Deaf-led innovation
The summit
The summit will be held in Auslan, from Thursday 28 August to Friday 29 August 2025,
at the Pullman, Sydney Olympic Park.
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Our program
A dynamic showcase of Deaf-led initiatives, transformative ideas, and groundbreaking collaboration.
The Startup We Almost Failed—And How a Pivot Saved It
Sophie Li & Nikhil Bora
Co-founders of SignHow
Nikhil and Sophie are sharing the incredible and wild story of how SignHow began. They noticed a gap in sign language resources. Frustrated by the limited and often useless sign language dictionaries available, they teamed up to create something better—a community-driven sign language platform that started as a hobby (using WordPress with zero budget) and evolved through a series of failures, unexpected pivots, and hard-learned lessons into a thriving business.
Keynote Presenter
You Are Here: Now, Take a Step Back
Sonia Pivac
Founder leading Deaf business development in New Zealand
Deaf entrepreneurs, advocates, and leaders often make significant sacrifices to create change and build something bigger than themselves.In this session, you’ll be invited to take a step back and reflect on how you're spending your time and energy – whether in your mahi (work), community efforts, or personal life. By shifting perspective, we’ll explore how we can contribute fully without burning out, as both people and changemakers, and not lose sight of what matters. This isn’t about giving up the hustle. It’s about making sure the hustle is worth it.
Overcoming adversity as a destination wedding photographer who is Black Deaf
Ashton Jean-Pierre
Destination Wedding Photographer
Developing strong relationships is one of the most important parts of being a destination wedding photographer. I believe in the importance of maintaining a group of supportive people in my life - both professionally and personally. No matter my field, the support and collaboration of a community can be what ultimately allows me to succeed. Being a business owner who is Black Deaf is far from easy. As I am facing challenges such as underpraised due to systemic bias, being questioned or white gaze in the Australian Deaf community, how did I overcome adversity as a successful destination wedding photographer within the hearing wedding industry while getting little supports from the community?
Turning a passion project into a business: The Auslan Hub journey
Kerrie Taylor
Consultant and Founder of Auslan Hub
Kerrie Taylor is the founder of Auslan Hub, which began as a side hustle alongside her work as a classroom teacher. Starting with bilingual Auslan-English books co-created with Jen Blythe, the business has grown into a trusted source of Auslan teaching resources. Kerrie draws on her teaching experience while continuously learning new skills to support her growing business. She actively collaborates with Deaf professionals in areas such as illustration, web support, translation, and training, ensuring Deaf voices and expertise are central to the work. Her presentation will explore this journey from side hustle to full-time business, built on purpose, passion, and community.
Keynote Presenter
Deaf Gain, disability and rethinking design
Richard Dougherty
Gallaudet University Architect specialising in Deaf Space design
Richard Dougherty is Gallaudet’s University Architect and director for Richard Lyndon Design, a multi-disciplinary collective with a focus on working with deaf/disabled artists and architects on projects across Europe and U.S.
Richard will discuss how D/deafness and disability can be a creative generator rather than a ‘problem’ for design, and how it critically challenges conventional forms of design education and practice. The representation of deaf students, educators and professionals in the design field continues to be under-represented, and spatial scholarship stilllargely overlooks the multiple intersections of D/deafness and the built environment.
Gallaudet University is pioneering disability-led design by tapping into the capabilities of people who are deaf and disabled, as creators of their environment and not just users and exploring how design can be a catalystfor greater diversity and equity in society.
Richard will discuss how D/deafness and disability can be a creative generator rather than a ‘problem’ for design, and how it critically challenges conventional forms of design education and practice. The representation of deaf students, educators and professionals in the design field continues to be under-represented, and spatial scholarship stilllargely overlooks the multiple intersections of D/deafness and the built environment.
Gallaudet University is pioneering disability-led design by tapping into the capabilities of people who are deaf and disabled, as creators of their environment and not just users and exploring how design can be a catalystfor greater diversity and equity in society.
Level Up Your Network: How to Connect with Intention and Impact
Brent Phillips & Todd Wright
Chief Services Officer at Deaf Connect & Chief Executive Officer at Convo Australia
Treat every event like a mission—and your network as your power-up. In this energising session, you’ll learn how to design a game plan for networking with clear targets: finding allies, mentors, collaborators, or future clients. We’ll explore how to set goals before you walk into the room, track your progress, and follow up with intention. With tips, real-world examples, and a few cheats for confidence, you’ll leave ready to play smart and build meaningful connections. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, this session helps Deaf entrepreneurs unlock the next level in their business.
From a spark to system
Ravi Vasavan
Head of Transformation at Convo
Every brand starts with a spark. But to grow, it needs shape — structure that holds meaning and lasts. The session explores how to build a brand from day one: naming your purpose, shaping your identity, and turning strategy into consistent, real-world action. Whether you’re starting fresh or evolving something established, the work you put in early pays off for years. This session also connects to Olivia Steer's session on storytelling — showing how strategy becomes a powerful home for narratives that scale, resonate, and reflect what you stand for. Because even the smallest ideas deserve to be built to last.
Power of Storytelling
Olivia Beasley
Founder of Livi Creations
Personal stories are at the heart of every successful brand. For deaf business owners and entrepreneurs, storytelling is more than marketing—it's a way to educate, inspire, and build authentic connections.
This topic will provide overview of:
• Why storytelling matters in branding and customer loyalty.
• How to craft a compelling brand story that reflects personal experience and community values.
• Ways to resonate with both deaf and hearing audiences using visual storytelling and narrative structure.
This topic will provide overview of:
• Why storytelling matters in branding and customer loyalty.
• How to craft a compelling brand story that reflects personal experience and community values.
• Ways to resonate with both deaf and hearing audiences using visual storytelling and narrative structure.
Keynote Presenter
What It Takes: A Deaf-Led Journey of Purpose and Change
Wayne Betts Jr.
Founder & Chief Vision Officer at Convo
What does it take to bring a Deaf-led vision to life — especially when the path forward isn’t clear? In this keynote, Wayne shares his journey before and during the founding of Convo, reflecting on the early uncertainty, the turning points, and the lessons learned along the way. It’s a personal story of growth, ambition, and resilience, offering a powerful lens into what it means to stay committed to your purpose, even through failure.
Program highlights & topics
Get ready for a program full of insights, inspiration, and practical tools. Whether you're just starting or growing your business, you'll find real conversations, hands-on learning, and valuable connections. Please note that program content and topics may change.
Inspiring keynotes from Deaf leaders
Hear powerful stories of leadership and transformation from Deaf changemakers worldwide.
Driving change: innovation, advocacy and Deaf-owned businesses
Explore fresh ideas, advocacy journeys, and the impact of Deaf-led enterprises creating inclusive economies.
Workshops on building and growing your business
Learn practical skills for starting, adapting, and scaling your business, with tools, strategies, and expert insights.
Money, legal and recruitment essentials
Get clear advice on funding, legal matters, and finding the right people to grow your team.
Networking and community connections
Meet fellow entrepreneurs, professionals, and allies. Build relationships that support your journey.
Policy and advocacy shaping our future
Understand how evolving policies and advocacy are helping to grow a sustainable, inclusive Deaf economy.
Commonly asked questions
What is Deaf Ecosystem Summit?
The Deaf Ecosystem Summit is a joint initiative by Convo and Deaf Connect, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to strengthen and expand the Deaf economy. Through panels, discussions, and networking, we explore strategies to support Deaf-owned businesses, foster sustainable growth, and create opportunities for economic empowerment.