Ready for the Dietitians Unite magic?
Join us for our biggest event of the year that brings together passionate, forward-thinking dietitians from across the country to connect, collaborate, and create meaningful change.
On Friday May 29th 2026, we’re taking over the stunning Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf to bring you a day of bold conversations, cutting-edge insights, and real-world inspiration. Whether you’re in clinical practice, research, leadership, or early in your career, this is your space to grow, be challenged, and feel part of something bigger.
Why you should attend
✓ Refresh your thinking with credible, evidence-informed sessions led by trusted experts
✓ Learn tools and approaches that work in the real world, not just in theory
✓ Meet your people: dietitians, mentors and peers who will inspire you and back you
✓ Return to practice recharged, with new confidence, clarity, and momentum
"This event exceeded my expectations. Thoroughly worthwhile and I'll put it in my diary to attend next year."
"I love the energy, inspiration and colour that is the DNA of DU... thanks for the professional and personal hug today."
"Great variety of topics and the team always strives to outdo themselves each year with how smooth, interesting and value for money the event is."
“Loved connecting with some amazing people in the dietetics world and eating so much delish food (I was VERY well fed).”
Meet our keynote speakers
Michelle Bowden
Opening speaker
Michelle Bowden is a persuasion expert and award-winning educator who has empowered thousands of professionals to communicate with confidence and lead with purpose. In this hands-on, high-energy session, Michelle will show you how to understand the art of persuasion to build trust and credibility quickly, overcome resistance and craft messages that truly motivate. Packed with practical strategies and real-world examples, this dynamic and interactive session will bring laughter, sharp insights and practical takeaways that stick.
Peter Merrett
Closing speaker
Join 2024 Keynote Speaker of the Year, Peter Merrett, for a joy-sparking session designed to reconnect you with purpose and the power of everyday excellence. A former chef and award-winning luxury hotelier, Peter brings decades of experience in transforming service and culture through heart-led leadership. In this uplifting session, you’ll explore how curiosity, humility and imagination can elevate your communication, influence and impact – in practice, in business and in life. Leave inspired, encouraged and smiling!
Meet our session speakers
Breakfast sessions
Kate Dehlsen
Kate Dehlsen is a senior paediatric dietitian specialising in gastroenterology nutrition. She works with children with complex gastrointestinal disorders including intestinal failure, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and allergic GI disorders, including CMPI, EoE and FPIES.
Kate has several published research papers in the areas of intestinal failure, blenderised tube feeding, pancreatitis, coeliac disease and exclusive enteral nutrition.
Kate Dehlsen
Real food, thick feeds, clear care: De-mystifying blenderised tube feeding.
Supported by Cardinal Health
Nicole Dynan
Founder and Director of The Gut Health Dietitian, Nicole Dynan is recognised as one of Australia’s leading dietitians in gut health and probiotic science. A long-standing ambassador for Gut Health Month since its inception in 2023, Nicole has presented widely on probiotics, the gut microbiome and fermented foods, and is regularly interviewed across television, radio and print for her expertise.
Having navigated her own gut-health challenges, Nicole is passionate about translating complex gut science into simple, practical advice. She specialises in individualised, evidence-based nutrition that helps people improve digestion, support microbial diversity and feel better day to day.
Nicole Dynan
Not all probiotics are equal – Translating & recommending probiotic-rich foods in practice.
Supported by Activia
Dr Brad Leech
Dr Brad Leech is a PhD Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist renowned for his expertise in addressing chronic autoimmune conditions and complex gastrointestinal disorders. He provides complete and personalised care to his patients using functional nutrition, integrative medicine and holistic wellness.
After entering the profession in 2008, Brad has contributed significantly to academia, shaping curricula at universities and delving into research areas such as intestinal permeability, autoimmune disease management, and the therapeutic potential of food-based probiotics. Brad is currently an Adjunct Fellow at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, where he continues to advance natural health sciences.
Dr Brad Leech
Gut instincts – Understanding IBS & women’s digestive health.
Supported by BioCeuticals
Clinical Practice Stream
Megan Jones
Megan is a neurodivergent dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician who supports neurodivergent clients across the lifespan. She has a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent children and their families, through a neuroaffirming lens. She works in her own practice, Quirky Dietetics, and has a background in disability, aged care and community health. In her down time, she can be found in the garden, on a beach or hanging out with her kiddos and menagerie of animals—and drinking coffee!
Megan Jones
Respectful, responsive and real-life nutrition supports for neurodivergent children and their families
Maureen Moerbeck
Maureen Moerbeck is a Senior Dietitian with over 20 years of clinical experience, having worked extensively across public health systems and private practice in both the UK and Australia. She has worked in eating disorders for the past 14 years, including being the lead dietitian in a specialist eating disorder service covering inpatient, day patient, and outpatient programs. Since returning to Australia in 2022, Maureen has been a part of the Statewide team at InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, contributing to the implementation of the NSW Service Plan for People with Eating Disorders across the state.
Maureen Moerbeck
Identifying the signs of eating disorders in practice – and what to do next
Steve Flint
Steve Flint is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Accredited Sports Dietitian, and Credentialled Diabetes Educator. He is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Diabetes Technology Research Group (University of Melbourne) and Senior Diabetes Dietitian at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Steve has a special interest in the management of type 1 diabetes around exercise and the latest innovations in continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery systems.
Steve Flint
The role of CGMs in diabetes care and beyond
Dr Jodie Ellis
Dr Jodie Ellis is the Department Head of Dietetics, Speech Pathology, and Psychology at Calvary Health Care Kogarah. As an Accredited Practising Dietitian, she brings extensive experience in palliative care, aged care, and rehabilitation, alongside a strong research focus.
In addition to her role at Calvary Health Care, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Technology. Her research and clinical interests span both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, with particular focus on cancer cachexia, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and the impact of nutrition-related symptoms on quality of life in palliative care settings.
Dr Jodie Ellis
Managing nutrition when pain and medications get in the way
Business & Leadership Stream
Brady Schulz
Brady Schulz is the Managing Director of Healthy Lifestyles Australia, a multi-disciplinary allied health organisation delivering Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, Diabetes Education and Podiatry across more than 140 Queensland centres. With over 18 years experience in private practice, Brady has built and scaled services in many high-need communities, navigating funding models, staffing challenges, compliance and growth which has led to the delivery of 585,000 occasions of service. He is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to business and clinical leadership. Brady shares the realities of private practice; what works, what doesn’t, and what he wishes he knew from day one.
Brady Schulz
What I wish I knew about starting a private practice
Jess Francis
Jess Francis is an occupational therapist and digital health consultant specialising in AI and emerging technologies in healthcare. With a background in VR research and digital health innovation, she helps clinicians and organisations make sense of rapidly evolving tools and apply them safely in practice. Jess focuses on turning AI into practical, accessible solutions that reduce admin burden, support decision-making and improve client care across allied health.
Jess Francis
Tech tools to streamline clinical care
Abbie White
Abbie White is an expert in sales and growth-execution. Her mission is to help teams align, adapt and execute in the fast-changing AI age. Away from the stage, she’s a self-confessed “crazy book lady,” usually found devouring business and personal development books with coffee in hand. She’s always on the hunt for fresh insights to test, put into action, and share.
Abbie White
Accelerate your business & career growth with smart AI strategies’
Michelle Bowden
Michelle Bowden is a persuasion expert and award-winning educator who has empowered thousands of professionals to communicate with confidence and lead with purpose. In this hands-on, high-energy session, Michelle will show you how to understand the art of persuasion to build trust and credibility quickly, overcome resistance and craft messages that truly motivate.
Michelle Bowden
How to have credible influence (without being an ‘influencer’)
Aged Care Workshop
Emma Rippon
Emma Rippon is an APD and Managing Director of Eat Well Nutrition Service. She holds a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, Bachelor of Health Science, Diploma of Dementia Care (University of Tasmania) and recently completed an executive education program through Harvard University - AI in Health Care. Emma started Eat Well Nutrition Service over 20 years ago and the company now services almost 300 aged care homes across Australia. Her dietetic career began in the public hospital system, working for a number of years as the sole dietitian at Eat Well Nutrition Service. As the aged care business evolved, Emma started to employ a dietetic team to support the growing needs of the Eat Well business. She now employs over 20 dietitians across Australia and the team specialise in providing evidence-based and best practice Dietetic, Food and Nutrition services to the aged care sector.
Emma Rippon
Dementia and nutrition care + panel discussion + case study
Louise Murray
Louise Murray is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, specialising in aged care nutrition and food services. She started her career in the hospital setting, but through family connections she started assessing menus in residential aged care 6 months after graduating. This ignited her mission to remove party pies and sausage rolls from aged care menus, and to improve food quality for older people over the past 23 years. Louise’s consultancy Nosh Dietitians specialises in consulting to aged care organisations, seeing clients in the community and mentoring dietitians to become leaders in aged care nutrition.
Louise Murray
Panel discussion + case study
Alistair Fogg
Alistair Fogg is a chef with 25 years’ experience. He began his career in fine dining before moving into the private superyacht industry. For the past 15 years, he has run his own catering business, Nighthawk Diner, and now works at Warrigal as General Manager of Hotel Services.
Alistair Fogg
Innovations in Aged Care + panel discussion
Meet our MC's
Dr Joanna McMillan
Dr Joanna McMillan is a PhD-qualified nutrition scientist, dietitian and lifestyle medicine fellow, as well as an accomplished author, engaging speaker, visionary food futurist, passionate cook, and charismatic TV presenter. With her ninth book, The Fibre Factor, due for release March 2026 and four Audible originals under her belt, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her TEDx talk has captivated over a million viewers worldwide. Originally from Scotland, she has called Australia home for 26 years and speaks at public, scientific, and corporate events globally.
Dr Joanna McMillan
Main Event + Business & Leadership Stream
Nicole Dynan
Founder and Director of The Gut Health Dietitian, Nicole Dynan is recognised as one of Australia’s leading dietitians in gut health and probiotic science. A long-standing ambassador for Gut Health Month since its inception in 2023, Nicole has presented widely on probiotics, the gut microbiome and fermented foods, and is regularly interviewed across television, radio and print for her expertise.
Having navigated her own gut-health challenges, Nicole is passionate about translating complex gut science into simple, practical advice. She specialises in individualised, evidence-based nutrition that helps people improve digestion, support microbial diversity and feel better day to day.
Nicole Dynan
Clinical Practice Stream
Dr Jane Winter
Dr Jane Winter is a dietitian with decades of experience across clinical, community, academic and industry settings. In addition to her dietetic qualifications, Jane holds a Masters of Professional Education & Training from Deakin University and completed her PhD in the area of nutritional risk in community based older adults. Jane has presented widely, and has a number of publications on the topic of nutrition for older adults.
Dr Jane Winter
Aged Care Workshop
Sneak peek at our agenda
Breakfast sessions
Start your day in the best way, by joining one of our complimentary breakfast sessions:
- Session #1: Real food, thick feeds, clear care: De-mystifying blenderised tube feeding. Supported by Cardinal Health
- Session #2: Not all probiotics are equal – Translating & recommending probiotic-rich foods in practice. Supported by Activia
- Session #3: Gut instincts – Understanding IBS & women’s digestive health. Supported by BioCeuticals
Business & Leadership Stream
Looking to take your next leap? Whether you're launching your own business or stepping into leadership, this stream is designed to support your next move. From starting a private practice to building influence and business growth with AI, you’ll walk away with practical tools to help you grow with confidence. It’s about working smarter, communicating with purpose and embracing new ways of thinking to support your development.
Clinical Practice Stream
Supporting clients with complex needs starts with confidence in your clinical toolkit. Are you ready to sharpen your tools? This stream explores nutrition care for neurodivergent children, early identification of eating disorders, the evolving role of CGMs, and strategies to support intake and education when pain, fatigue or medications get in the way. Expect clear guidance and evidence-based strategies you can apply in practice straight away.
Aged Care Workshop
Turn the new Standards into action in this interactive workshop featuring lessons learnt from early implementation, dementia care, creative nutrition solutions and real-world case studies across aged care settings.
Workshop supported by Dairy Australia, Nestlé Health Science, Nestlé Professional, Nutricia and The Pure Food Co.
Exclusive Cocktail Party
Wrap up your Dietitians Unite experience with an evening of meaningful conversation and connection. This intimate cocktail event brings together a who’s who of dietetics – the thinkers, changemakers and leaders shaping the future of our profession. With only 50 tickets available, it’s more than just an after-party – it’s your chance to connect on a deeper level with the best in nutrition and dietetics.
DATE: Friday 29th May, 2026
TIME:
- Breakfast sessions: 7.30am – 8.30am
- Main event: 9am - 5pm
- Cocktail party: 5.30pm onwards
Ticket details
| Ticket type | Early bird (now closed) | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | $345 | $445 |
| General admission + Exclusive cocktail party | $475 | N/A |
| Student admission | $219 | $219 |
Pricing in AUD, excludes GST. Early bird pricing is not applicable for student admission.
For event T&C’s click here.
It is a condition of entry to Dietitians Unite that you may be photographed or filmed at the event, and that your image may be used on promotional material for future events.
Venue
Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf
Level 3, 26-32 Pirrama Rd,
Pyrmont, Sydney
Please note Doltone House has two venues on Pirrama Road. Our event is at the ‘Jones Bay Wharf’ venue, not ‘Darling Island’.
FAQs
Have more questions? Please reach out to us at [email protected]
The content, products and/or services referred to in this event are intended for Health Care Professionals only and are not, and are not intended to be, medical advice, which should be tailored to your individual circumstances. The content is for your information only, and we advise that you exercise your own judgement before deciding to use the information provided. Professional medical advice should be obtained before taking action. The reference to particular products and/or services in this event does not constitute any form of endorsement. Please see here for terms and conditions.
Dietitians Unite 2026 is supported by
