Jonny Shannon

Book Jonny Shannon for your event

Jonny Shannon is an international tech entrepreneur, youth advocate and motivational speaker based in Brisbane. He is widely recognised as one of Australia's most requested independent school presenters, combining lived experience, business success and years of working directly with young people to deliver presentations that leave a lasting impact.

His journey is one that resonates deeply with students. Growing up, Jonny struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia, experienced bullying and was eventually expelled from school after fighting. At a time when many believed his future was limited, a school counsellor saw his potential and helped change the direction of his life. That turning point shaped Jonny's lifelong passion for helping young people recognise their own strengths and believe that difficult circumstances do not define their future.

Following school, Jonny served in the army before qualifying as a youth worker. These experiences strengthened his understanding of resilience, leadership and personal responsibility, while giving him valuable insight into the challenges many young people face today.

From adversity to entrepreneurship

Jonny's entrepreneurial journey demonstrates the power of perseverance and determination. He co-founded Pushpay, a company that grew into an ASX-listed business valued at more than $1 billion. He later founded Gamify and now leads PostHarvest, continuing to innovate within the technology sector while remaining committed to youth education and personal development.

Rather than focusing solely on business success, Jonny uses his experiences to show students how setbacks, failure and challenges can become opportunities for growth. His story proves that success is rarely a straight path and that resilience, adaptability and consistent effort often matter more than where you begin.

Students appreciate Jonny's honesty because he speaks from lived experience rather than theory. His journey makes his message relatable, credible and inspiring for audiences of all backgrounds.

Practical presentations that make an impact

Since 2013, Jonny has delivered more than 3,300 presentations to over 250,000 students across more than 410 schools. This remarkable experience has made him one of Australia's most experienced independent speakers working with young people.

Every presentation is designed to be engaging, practical and age-appropriate. Jonny creates an environment where students feel comfortable discussing difficult subjects while encouraging open conversations that continue long after the presentation has ended.

His ability to connect with students, teachers and parents has made him a trusted speaker for schools seeking presentations that are both meaningful and memorable.

Jonny Shannon's presentation topics

Jonny delivers engaging presentations across five core areas that address many of the challenges facing young people today:

• Cyber Safety & Bullying – Helping students navigate online spaces responsibly, understand digital behaviour and respond positively to bullying.
• Mental Health – Encouraging open conversations about wellbeing while providing practical tools to build emotional resilience.
• Grit & Resilience – Inspiring students to overcome setbacks, embrace challenges and develop confidence through perseverance.
• Sex & Relationships – Delivering honest, respectful and age-appropriate guidance around healthy relationships, consent and communication.
• Substance Abuse – Sharing practical strategies and real-life insights that empower students to make informed and positive choices.

Each presentation blends authentic storytelling, humour, practical advice and audience interaction to ensure students remain engaged throughout.

Why audiences remember Jonny Shannon

Jonny has built a reputation for delivering presentations that are relatable, energetic and genuine. His combination of lived experience, professional success and extensive experience working with young people allows him to communicate difficult topics with empathy, credibility and optimism.

Teachers value the practical takeaways. Parents appreciate the honest conversations. Students connect with someone who understands the challenges they face because he has experienced many of them himself.

Whether speaking about resilience, mental health, cyber safety or making positive life choices, Jonny equips young people with practical tools they can use immediately. His presentations inspire students to think differently about their future, build confidence in themselves and understand that one positive decision can change the course of a life, just as it did for his own.