1300 314 788
Heston Russell
PrintHeston Russell, a former Australian Special Forces Major with over 10,000 hours of leadership in combat operations in the Middle East, has seamlessly transitioned into a motivational speaker and leadership expert.
Speaker Categories
- After Dinner Speakers
- Business Speakers
- Inspirational Keynote Speakers
- Leadership Speakers
- Mental Health / RUOK Day Speakers
- Motivational Keynote Speakers
- Overcoming Adversity / Resilience Speakers
- Team Building and Teamwork Speakers
Testimonials for Heston Russell
ENGAGING, ARTICULATE, AND AUTHENTIC WERE ALL WORDS USED BY TEAM MEMBERS TO DESCRIBE HESTON AFTER WE INVITED HIM TO CITI TO SPEAK ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES. HIS PROFESSIONAL, BUT APPROACHABLE NATURE MADE HIM AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO WORK WITH, AND HE HAS AN INCREDIBLE STORY TO SHARE!
MARK BRYCE, CITI GROUP
"HESTON, THANK YOU FROM ALL OF OUR TEAM AT DELOITTE FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US, ESPECIALLY YOUR EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES WITH LEADERSHIP, IDENTITY AND AUTHENTICITY. THERE WAS NOT ONE PERSON IN ATTENDANCE WHO WAS NOT INSPIRED WAY BY WHAT YOU HAD TO SHARE. YOUR MESSAGES AND LESSONS WERE DELIVERED WITH CLARITY AND AN EXACTNESS THAT RESONATED WITH OUR DIVERSE AND MULTICULTURAL TEAM. YOU REINFORCED THE CRUCIAL ROLE THAT LEADERS PLAY IN UNITING TEAMS WITH PURPOSE AND PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE THE NOTION OF AUTHORITY BEING A RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHERS. KEEP DOING YOUR AMAZING WORK IN THIS SPACE, IT IS TRULY WORLD CLASS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK AGAIN"
CARRIE GRIMES
“I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING HESTON’S PRESENTATION ON LEADERSHIP AT A RECENT CORPORATE EVENT. OFTEN SUCH EVENTS CAN FEEL DULL, BUT HESTON OFFERED A FRESH AND INSIGHTFUL PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAD EFFECTIVELY. HIS AUTHENTIC AND PRACTICAL DELIVERY MADE HIS MESSAGE BOTH COMPELLING AND ACTIONABLE. I CAME AWAY FROM HIS PRESENTATION WITH A RENEWED SENSE OF PURPOSE AND SOME CLEAR GOALS TO WORK ON. I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED YOUR PRESENTATION HESTON, THANKS FOR COMING!”
RICHARD HALLAHAN
Fee Range: $5001 to $10000
Heston Russell's Biography
Heston Russell, a former Australian Special Forces Major with over 10,000 hours of leadership in combat operations in the Middle East, has seamlessly transitioned into a motivational speaker and leadership expert.
Enlisting in the army at the age of 17, Heston has dedicated his life to serving his country, undertaking operations and missions across Afghanistan and the Middle East. Rising to the rank of Major and Officer Commanding of the Commando, he played a pivotal role in various military capacities.
Beyond his military career, Heston openly shares his personal trials, including the challenges of accepting his sexuality, struggling with mental health, and combatting a growing culture of entitlement.
Drawing from more than a decade of combat leadership, Heston is an advocate for learning leadership, developing a high-performance mindset. These critical components have been integral to his success and are subjects he passionately addresses to audiences from all walks of life, both within and beyond the Special forces.
Post his final operational deployment to Iraq in 2017, Heston spearheaded the expansion of Barry’s Bootcamp in Australia and Singapore, officially discharging from the Australian Defence Force in January 2019. He has emerged as a mental health advocate leading campaigns such as ‘Veteran Support Force’ and ‘Voice of a Veteran’ offering support to veterans and their families.
In a significant victory in October 2023, Heston won a defamation case against the ABC and two journalists for false reporting of war crime allegations.
As a sought-after speaker, Heston shares his wealth of experience, emphasising the importance of leadership, mental toughness, and adaptability. His presentations are a compelling journey through his lived experiences, sharing valuable insights and delivering a vision of a culture that thrives in crisis and grows stronger with both success and failure. His ability to inspire and empower audiences to overcome challenges has solidified him as a key national figure.
Speaking Topics Include
Developing a High Performance Mindset
Authentic Leadership
Finding Purpose
Elite Performance
Improving Culture