Dara Simkin

Dara Simkin is Australia's leading voice in play at work and the founder of Culture Hero, a learning experience design consultancy specialising in evidence-based play interventions that strengthen organisational adaptability, collaboration and human capability in an era defined by rapid technological change.

She is a facilitator and keynote speaker who has spent more than a decade designing experiential learning for organisations across tech, finance, healthcare, retail and the public sector. Her applied research with RMIT University's Behavioural Business Lab on Playful Work Design has demonstrated measurable gains in engagement, belonging and learning adaptability in enterprise.

Her work is shaped by collaborations with pioneers like Dr Stuart Brown of the National Institute for Play, IDEO's Play Lab and a beloved global toy foundation, helping to grow recognition that play is not frivolous but a core mechanism for resilience, creativity and adaptive thinking.

Grounded in neuroscience, behavioural psychology and applied improvisation, Dara helps teams navigate escalating technological pressure by building cultures rooted in curiosity, experimentation and psychological safety.

Based in Melbourne, she brings humour, clarity and rigorous science to building cultures where humans can actually be human.