2019 Australian of the Year and Thai cave rescue diver — on preparation, precision and team trust.
Craig Challen is a Perth-based vet, technical diver and the joint 2019 Australian of the Year. With his diving partner Dr Richard Harris, Craig played a central role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand — an operation widely studied as a modern case in expert teamwork, decision-making and risk management under extreme conditions.
What Craig speaks about today is shaped by decades of cave diving, including expeditions into some of the world's most demanding underwater systems. His perspective on preparation, equipment, partner trust and the dull discipline of doing exactly the right thing every time translates with surprising clarity into the corporate operating environment — particularly for organisations whose work carries real consequences if things go wrong.
For event organisers, Craig is a strong fit for leadership programs, safety-critical industries, healthcare and operational events. He pairs well with Richard Harris in dual presentations, and is equally effective solo for audiences who want a quieter, technically grounded perspective on how high-stakes teams actually function in the moments that matter.
Craig Challen SC OAM is a keynote speaker based in Western Australia who speaks on inspiration, leadership and motivation. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Craig was great, very engaging in his presentation.Grain Growers Association of Australia
We have never heard a rail dinner so quiet and captivated! Craig Challen was a lovely engaging speaker and was really well received. Thanks to Craig for his wonderful speech.Informa Australia
Engaging, interesting and a great balance of telling a serious story but with humour.Business Events Perth
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