Tech entrepreneur and inspiring school speaker helping young people build resilience, confidence and better decision-making.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
Sharing stories he really hit the mark with some of these really important issues with our kids.
Peter Marsh
Principle, GYMEA Technology High
Book Jonny Shannon for an inspiring, practical and engaging presentation that connects with students from the very first moment. Drawing on his own experiences of overcoming adversity alongside an impressive career as a technology entrepreneur, Jonny delivers honest conversations that equip young people with the confidence, resilience and tools they need to make better decisions. His presentations combine powerful storytelling with practical strategies, making complex and challenging topics relevant, memorable and accessible for students, teachers and parents alike.
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.
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.
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 delivers engaging presentations across five core areas that address many of the challenges facing young people today:
Each presentation blends authentic storytelling, humour, practical advice and audience interaction to ensure students remain engaged throughout.
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.
5 of 5
Sharing stories he really hit the mark with some of these really important issues with our kids.
Peter Marsh Principle, GYMEA Technology High
5 of 5
Jonny was very relatable, funny, the kids loved it and practical advice so that kids could get through situations, so it was great. We would love to have him back.
Alison Fretwell Stage 5 advisor, Mt. Annan Christian College
5 of 5
..[he] really addressed how to make friends, the basics of it, the stuff that many kids dont know how to make really genuine friends, and I think thats really Important, I would totally recommend him as a speaker for your event."
Tara Cameron Teacher, Winmallee High school
5 of 5
..it was relly fantastic he talked about stress, anxiety, lots of different mental health issues impacting on young people. He was fantastic, great sense of humor and really engaged with the young people
Daniela Youth worker, Headspace Redcliffe
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
The audience will be drawn into this engaging talk by fun and memorable stories that don’t just tell, but also show students how they can proactively address the challenges of cyberbullying, online safety and building a digital footprint. This presentation addresses top issues with practical takeaways and is presented in positive and solutions-based ways.
Audience takeaways:
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
While Mental Health focuses on the importance of getting your mental state out of a negative space, Grit focuses on how to then propel your mental state into a more enriching space for a more fulfilling and productive life. This presentation highlights ways on how to build mental fortitude and the ability to cast a vision of the future that you can't help but move towards.
“We move towards what we focus on”. Having a clear vision is the starting point for great and positive changes in anyone's life. This presentation encourages the listeners to have goals in every area of life and move towards them with passion and perseverance.
Audience takeaways:
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
Jonny brings humour and heart to this talk, using true stories that pull audiences in and stay with them. They walk away knowing how to handle bullying, stay safe online, and think carefully about the mark they leave on the web. From High-schools to banks and some of the largest cyber security firms in the world everyone will take away points which will impact their day to day life on the web.
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
A talk about building grit and bouncing back from hard times. Jonny helps people discover who they are and what they're good at, then turn that into clear goals and simple ways to live with purpose.
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
Stress, money worries, and friendship struggles are among the biggest pressures young people face today. This talk gives audiences real, practical tools to recognise what they're feeling and manage it.
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
An honest look at the emotions and choices that come with relationships. Jonny explores how to set healthy boundaries, handle peer pressure, and navigate the tough moments — including break-ups — with confidence.
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
We've all heard "don't do drugs," but that message rarely reaches the people who need it most. Jonny takes a different path, unpacking what really drives these choices, how addiction takes hold, and how to stand firm against peer pressure.
Keynote by speaker Jonny Shannon:
Bullying affects millions of young people worldwide. Drawing on his own journey from victim to overcoming it, Jonny turns a decade of research into simple, step-by-step tools his audiences can put to use straight away.
Watch Jonny Shannon in action!
