Bridget Clinch
Change Agent, Diversity Champion, Keynote Speaker
Bridget Clinch is an expert in leadership and management, a former infantry officer with the Australian Army and a political activist. At 32, she was the first transgender soldier to transition while serving in the Australian Army. She was pushed out of the force after she underwent gender reassignment surgery following a lengthy battle to change Defence policy and attitudes that has enabled others like her to continue their careers.
A past volunteer with the Queensland Rainbow Greens party, Bridget Clinch leads the way in combating inequality and discrimination.
Entering politics in 2016, Bridget was a candidate for the Veterans Party (federal district of Brisbane) and a candidate for the Queensland Greens (state district of Everton in 2017). In 2017 she was appointed volunteer co-convenor for the Queensland Rainbow Greens. In this capacity, she has advised the state executive, elected members, and liaised with LGBTIQ+ community stakeholders.
Bridget has a strong academic background. She completed a course in leadership at Duntroon. After discharging she studied psychology and exercise science at Queensland University of Technology. After a break from university to be more active politically, she has returned to study a Bachelor of Laws LLB at Central Queensland University to be a more effective advocate in future.
A powerful speaker, Bridget Clinch draws on her diverse personal experiences to speak to audiences about change, leadership and diversity.