Australian Amanda Johnstone is the CEO and Co-Founder of Transhuman. She is a technologist, inventor and investor, primarily in emerging technologies. She is also a keynote speaker, panellist and technology advisor. Amanda is a standout change-maker of her generation. She is an energetic, charismatic and forward-thinking technologist. She founded the mental health app ‘Be A Looper’, preventing suicides in over 87 countries.
In 2019, she was awarded as a 1 of 10 “Next Generation Leaders” under 35 globally by Time Magazine. She was the first Australian to receive the honour and is 1 of 100 in the history of the awards to be highlighted. As the CEO of Transhuman, a Social Health Innovations company, Amanda is committed to working with her team to enhance both peer to peer relationships and human to computer communication through a series of technologies, including but not limited to brain to computer interface, mobile, AI and IoT.
Amanda’s professional background includes a decade of due diligence, innovations, brand management and technology transformation with private and public companies internationally. Her last project before launching Transhuman, was a consultancy on a new pharmaceutical and technology rollout for global healthcare leader, Ramsay Healthcare. Amanda’s interests include suicide intervention and prevention, leadership, public health, corporate social responsibility, social impact and artificial intelligence.
Amanda is a co-patent holder of ‘Methods for tracking and responding to mental health statuses’ and the ‘Method for deriving and storing emotional conditions of humans.’ Amanda is an investor and mentor in the Tech Ready Program, an advisor to ESGtech and an angel investor in a number of tech start-ups.
She has been a strategic guide in the digital commercialisation for several large online retailers after co-founding retail chain Sebachi in Tasmania at 17 years of age. She served for 15 years as an advisor to youth suicide prevention retreat, ‘The Timeout House” and the ‘Youth Suicide Action Group’. As a leader, she has the ability to command the attention of an audience to deliver inspiring and concise messages.
Amanda initiates thought leadership and seeks to deliver the best outcomes for others. Amanda is a quick witted and compelling speaker. She can readily engage with an audience and motivate them to be better as individuals and as a corporate entity.
Amanda’s messages are universal and she conveys them with the authenticity of a young leader who is a wonderful role model for change. Amanda delivers. She is an example of what is possible and tailors her presentations for each audience.
In this COVID-19 environment, Amanda strongly believes that technology has a significant role to play in reducing the rising suicide rate, as well as increasing the wellbeing and health of the general population on a global scale. What fortifies Amanda’s drive is her belief that “accessible, practical and private technology for all” must be readily accessible and provide a practical solution to maintain meaningful daily social connections. Amanda has many of the solutions for which the corporate world is searching.
Amanda Johnstone believes that every community needs to engage and protect their most precious asset, their people!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2020 Winner – Startup Executive of the Year
The CEO Magazine
2020 Panellist – International Womens’ Day
The Modern Women / We Work
2020 Panel Member – lndustry Advisory Panel for the Bachelor of Technology and lnnovation
University of Technology Sydney
2019 Makers and Mavericks List – “Each year we compile a list of the one hundred+ people that got us to utter those words ‘I wish I had done that, made that, invented that, thought like that, changed that’. These are the people who have shone the brightest for us in 2019.”
2019 Time Magazine x Rolex Next Generation Leader
Awarded 1 of 10 Global Leaders under 35 by Time Magazine 2019. Alumni include Greta Thunberg, Stormzy, Ariana Grande and The Weeknd.
2019 Honoured in Australian Federal Parliament
Commended by Federal MP Bridget Archer for global efforts in suicide prevention though app Be A Looper.
#2 Startups in Delaware
The Tech Tribune
#2 spot in the 2019 Best Tech Startups based in Delaware, judged on revenue potential, leadership team, brand/product traction and competitive landscape.
2019 College Dux Keynote Speaker
Launceston College Dux Keynote Speaker
2018 Global Mobile Award World Finalist – Best Use of Mobile for Accessibility & Inclusion
Global Mobile Awards (GLOMOS) presented by the GSMA – Barcelona
2018 International Women in Leadership Showcase
MYOB and Smart Company
2018 Guest Speaker
FutureFest Innovation Festival
2018 Powerhouse Women in Technology Panelist
Tech Ready Women
#24 – Top 50 Australian and New Zealand Women in Tech 2016
Startup Daily Annual Women in Technology list
2015 Panel Member – lndustry Advisory Panel for the Bachelor of Technology and lnnovation – University of Technology Sydney
University of Technology Sydney
2015 Forbes Under 30 Change the World Competition, Social Impact Category
Forbes
2015 Shortlisted – Best Start Up Community or Social Impact
Talent Unleashed Awards – Social Health Innovations were shortlisted in the Best Startup Community or Social Impact category. This category recognises the inspirational work of people who are using technology to confront the world’s most difficult problems.