Founder of Hands Across the Water and former forensic specialist — on purpose-led leadership built over two decades.
Peter Baines OAM is the founder of Hands Across the Water, a Thai-Australian children's charity that grew out of his work as a NSW Police forensic specialist deployed to Thailand after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as part of the disaster victim identification effort. The charity was founded in 2005, and today runs seven homes and projects across Thailand supporting more than 350 children.
His speaking weaves the operational reality of investigative work with the slower craft of building and sustaining a mission-led organisation across two decades. He talks frankly about the early years, the cultural work, the trade-offs, and the leadership practices that hold purpose-driven work together when the urgency fades.
For event organisers, Peter is a strong fit for leadership conferences, sales kickoffs, financial services and professional services events, and any in-house program where the brief is a substantive voice on purpose-led leadership and resilience under pressure.
Peter Baines OAM is a keynote speaker based in New South Wales who speaks on inspiration, leadership and motivation. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Hear how with an alignment of values and an appreciation that community and business can both profit when working together. Why the future of mutually rewarding relationships is the way to go.
• Aligning your values
• Building collaborative programs
• Developing stronger relationships
• Measuring your impact
• Realising a return
Real engagement comes from engineering shared experiences. Peter shares stories of how your business will benefit from the power of presence.
• Building communities and families through Shared Experiences
• Engagement strategies that stick
• Increasing your retention rate
• Removing self-imposed limitations
• Celebrating your victories
The stories of inspiration, resilience and overcoming adversity. How true leadership doesn’t come from a position or title but from actions and reactions.
• Leadership without Authority
• Clarity of Purpose
• Building Strong Teams
• Growth through Adversity
• Results not Excuses
Based on one of the most challenging professional careers that you can imagine, dealing with death on a scale not previously seen and leading international counter terrorism projects, the question Peter is most often asked is “How have you done what you have done and seen what you have seen and managed to still be ok?”
You don’t walk into a temple where the decomposing bodies of 3500 people lie and walk out months later in a state of sound body and mind without a clear strategy for dealing with what the vast majority of the entire population will never see.
Peter puts his fitness of mind, body and soul down to three things:
• Having a clear clarity of purpose of why he does what he does;
• Engaging in a pursuit that is food for his soul; and
• Growth through the uncomfortable.
During the keynote, Peter will explore the profound story of Hands Across the Water over the past 20 years, growing from a genuine vision into the largest contributing Australasian charity to Thailand. The charity’s work has deeply impacted thousands, enriching lives and fostering lasting change in the communities it serves.
It will highlight the milestones and lives changed along the way, emphasising that these achievements were never the work of one individual. Much like the recent Run To Remember, which may appear as a personal triumph, the reality is that such accomplishments are only possible through the collective efforts of a dedicated community. This message underpins the power of collaboration and shared purpose. Whether it's running to raise awareness or building an organisation that transforms lives, we move forward together.
An incredible story of resilience, determination and making an impact. It’s a great reminder that alone we can go far but together we can go further!Jess Fox OAM, Six-time Olympian and Olympic champion
This is a story of endurance, courage and perseverance that ends in a story of inspiration.Peter Costello AC, Former Federal Treasurer
A powerful reminder of how determination and purpose can turn personal struggle into meaningful impact. A breathtaking story from a truly extraordinary human being.Managing Director, Panasonic Australia
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