Ambassadors Our Ambassadors champion diabetes awareness on the national stage, partnering with Diabetes Australia to elevate conversations that matter. As familiar faces with a personal connection to the cause, whether they live with diabetes, are at risk, or support someone who does, their connection is real, and their commitment is lifelong. Ambassadors use their voice, influence, and reach to spotlight diabetes on the national stage. Through media, public events, and high-impact campaigns, they help raise awareness, inspire action, and drive meaningful change for the millions of Australians affected by diabetes. High Profile Ambassadors Our High Profile Ambassadors are the public champions of Diabetes Australia; familiar faces with personal connection to the cause. IDF Young Leader Ambassadors The IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes Programme brings together young people living with diabetes from around the world. Kellion Victory Medal Ambassador Our Kellion Victory Medal Ambassador is an advocate who has championed the diabetes community for more than 40 years. High profile ambassadors Our Ambassadors champion diabetes awareness on the national stage, partnering with Diabetes Australia to elevate conversations that matter. Warren Bingham Warren Bingham is a prominent leader in medical technology and healthcare innovation, with more than two decades of experience advancing solutions that improve patient outcomes and reshape healthcare delivery. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of MedTech International and serves as Vice Chair of the Medical Technology Association of Australia, alongside board and chair roles across multiple innovation-driven companies spanning medical devices, biotechnology, diagnostics, and rehabilitation technologies. Living with type 2 diabetes himself, Warren brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his advocacy. As an Ambassador for Diabetes Australia and Program Director of the Diabetes Australia Technology Innovation Challenge, he is committed to accelerating meaningful innovation that supports people navigating complex health conditions. A respected coach, speaker, and mentor to emerging health technology leaders, Warren believes thoughtful, purpose-led innovation can deliver lasting impact for patients, industry, and the broader community. Lachlan Kennedy Lachlan Kennedy is one of Australia’s fastest men, carving out his place in the nation’s sprinting history after discovering his passion for athletics in his late teens. A former rugby player, Lachlan transitioned to track during his final years at Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace and quickly rose through the ranks. He has represented Australia at the World U20 Championships, where he helped break a long-standing national U20 4 x 100m relay record, and competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where the Australian relay team set a new national record in the 4x100m. In 2025, he ran a legal 10.00 seconds at the Australian Athletics Championships, becoming the second fastest Australian ever over 100 metres behind Patrick Johnson. Later that year, at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Lachlan clocked 9.98 seconds into a headwind, becoming only the second Australian man to legally break the 10-second barrier in the 100 metres. He also secured silver at the World Indoor Championships and set new Australian records in the 60 metres. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 15 years old while overseas, Lachlan has transformed what once felt like a setback into a source of discipline, resilience, and focus. He proudly uses his platform to show that living with diabetes does not limit ambition and is in fact a superpower; with the right mindset, no challenge is too big. Lara McSpadden Lara McSpadden is a professional basketballer, qualified high school teacher, and passionate advocate for people living with diabetes. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007, Lara has spent nearly two decades proving that diabetes does not limit ambition, movement, or possibility. She has competed as a professional athlete for over 10 years, playing nine seasons in the WNBL, as well as internationally in New Zealand and the Czech Republic. As an Ambassador with the Blue Circle Collective, Lara is committed to giving back to the diabetes community that has supported her throughout her journey. Grateful for the family, friends, teammates, and healthcare professionals who have stood beside her, Lara’s message is clear: diabetes does not define you, and you are never alone in living a full, meaningful life. International Diabetes Federation Young Leaders As the nominated Australian member organisation of International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Diabetes Australia has the privilege of nominating and supporting young leaders in the IDF Young Leaders program, a global initiative that brings together young people living with diabetes from around the world. It’s about empowering them to lead change, raise awareness, and stand up against stigma and discrimination. “The friendships built through the program, formed through our shared challenges, triumphs, and a passion for change, are something I will always hold close”Jenna Cantamessa – Young Leaders in Diabetes Isabella Magee Young Leaders in Diabetes | International Diabetes Federation, 2025 Isabella Magee’s advocacy journey began not long after her type 1 diagnosis, when she noticed a diabetes organisation sign while out shopping with her mum — a small but powerful reminder that she was not alone. That moment sparked a commitment to making a positive difference for people living with, and at risk of, all types of diabetes. In 2019, she became the first-ever Diabetes Queensland Ambassador, marking the beginning of her formal leadership within the diabetes community. Since then, Isabella has contributed extensively to Diabetes Australia through peer review of official publications, national campaign involvement, media representation, and content creation across social media, podcasts, articles, and video. As a communications specialist and nutrition and dietetics student, she is passionate about elevating lived experience and ensuring voices within the community are heard. With the support of Diabetes Australia, Isabella was selected as a Young Leader in Diabetes with the International Diabetes Federation for the 2025–2027 cohort, where she continues to champion global collaboration, connection, and collective progress in reducing the impact of diabetes. Bas de Ruijiter Young Leaders in Diabetes | International Diabetes Federation, 2025 Bastijn de Ruijter is a Type 1 diabetes Advocate, Diabetes Australia Ambassador, and proud participant in the International Diabetes Federation’s Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) program. His advocacy journey began with the City2Surf fundraiser and has grown into a passionate commitment to supporting the diabetes community. As a YLD Advocate, Bas attended the 2025 YLD Training Summit and World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, connecting with global changemakers. His YLD project, Tackling Type 1, is a creative storybook series that explores the emotional realities of living with diabetes, aiming to improve language, foster empathy, and build connection through storytelling. Kellion Victory Medal Ambassador Our Kellion Victory Medal Ambassador is a long‑standing advocate who has championed the diabetes community locally and globally for more than 40 years. With 50 years of lived experience, he continues to stand alongside everyday people connected to diabetes. Gordon Bunyan Gordon has been a dedicated Advocate for the diabetes community for over 40 years, serving in numerous national and state governance roles. Appointed to the Board of Directors in June 2021, he brings decades of leadership and lived experience to his work. Gordon is a former Director and Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation and a past Governor of the Kellion Diabetes Foundation. In 2025, he was honoured as a Kellion Ambassador. Having lived with type 1 diabetes for 50 years, Gordon continues to champion awareness, support, and progress for people living with diabetes across Australia and beyond.
