Campbell Johnstone
Former All Black, inclusion advocate and leadership speaker
Overview
Campbell Johnstone is a former international rugby player, leadership speaker and advocate for authenticity, inclusion and belonging. Known globally as the first openly gay All Black, Campbell's courageous decision to share his story sparked important conversations around identity, vulnerability and creating environments where people feel safe to be themselves. His powerful presentations challenge audiences to rethink leadership, embrace authenticity and foster cultures where everyone can thrive.
Who is Campbell Johnstone?
Campbell Johnstone built an impressive rugby career competing at the highest levels of professional sport. As a former All Black, he experienced the pressures, expectations and demands that come with performing in one of the world's most recognised sporting environments.
While achieving success on the field, Campbell also navigated personal challenges that remained hidden for much of his career. His journey towards embracing his identity and living authentically became one of courage, resilience and personal growth.
When Campbell publicly shared his story, he became the first openly gay All Black, earning international recognition and helping spark broader conversations about inclusion, acceptance and the importance of psychological safety in sport, business and society.
Today, Campbell uses his platform to help organisations build more inclusive cultures where individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. Drawing on his experiences in elite sport and his personal journey, he shares powerful lessons on leadership, vulnerability, resilience and the impact of authentic human connection.
His presentations are honest, relatable and deeply inspiring, encouraging audiences to challenge assumptions, embrace diversity and create environments where people can perform at their best.
Career Highlights
• Former All Black rugby international
• First openly gay All Black
• International advocate for inclusion and belonging
• Respected keynote speaker and leadership presenter
• Prominent voice on authenticity and psychological safety
• Contributor to global conversations around diversity and inclusion
• High-performance team experience at elite sporting level
• Inspiring role model for personal courage and self-acceptance
Key Speaking Themes
• Authentic leadership
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Psychological safety in teams and organisations
• Courage and vulnerability
• Belonging and workplace culture
• High-performance team environments
• Resilience and personal growth
• Creating inclusive workplaces
What Your Audience Will Gain
Campbell provides audiences with practical insights into building inclusive cultures where trust, authenticity and belonging drive performance. Attendees gain a deeper understanding of psychological safety, courageous leadership and how creating environments where people can be themselves leads to stronger teams, greater engagement and better outcomes.
Ideal For
• Diversity, equity and inclusion events
• Leadership and executive conferences
• Pride and LGBTQ+ inclusion programmes
• Corporate culture and wellbeing initiatives
• Sporting and high-performance organisations
• Education and community events
Frequently Asked Questions...
What does Campbell Johnstone speak about?
Campbell speaks about authenticity, leadership, inclusion, psychological safety, resilience and creating cultures of belonging.
Who is Campbell Johnstone?
Campbell Johnstone is a former All Black rugby player, keynote speaker and advocate for diversity, inclusion and authentic leadership.
What is Campbell Johnstone best known for?
He is recognised globally as the first openly gay All Black and for his advocacy around inclusion and belonging.
Why is Campbell Johnstone a sought-after keynote speaker?
His unique combination of elite sporting experience and personal courage provides powerful lessons on leadership, culture and authenticity.
What leadership lessons does Campbell Johnstone share?
He focuses on vulnerability, trust, courage, authenticity and creating environments where people can perform at their best.
What is psychological safety and why does Campbell discuss it?
Psychological safety is the ability to speak openly, contribute ideas and be yourself without fear of judgement. Campbell highlights its importance in building stronger teams and workplaces.
Who benefits most from Campbell Johnstone's presentations?
Leaders, teams, HR professionals, educators and organisations committed to inclusion, culture and wellbeing gain significant value from his insights.
Is Campbell Johnstone available for keynote presentations and panel discussions?
Yes. Campbell Johnstone is available for keynote speaking engagements, leadership events, inclusion programmes and panel discussions throughout Australia and internationally.