Young peoplelead now.
Gen Z keynote speaker for staff conferences, leadership teams and HR events. Founder of Youth Leadership Academy Australia at 15.
Sydney. Available worldwide.
Check availabilityNot the leaders of tomorrow.
I'm Wil Massara, a Gen Z keynote speaker on what young people want at work, and how to keep them.
I founded a national youth organisation at 15 and still open every event. Leadership teams and staff conferences book me for a straight read on the generation entering their workforce, from someone still in it. No ATAR, an MBA at 21, and I have hired, led and lost young staff.
Read the whole story
From 65 in a clubroom
65,000+
young people reached by Youth Leadership Academy Australia since 2018, across 1,500 schools. It started with 65 students in a Perth football clubroom.
Source: YLAA program records and the University of Melbourne impact framework, 2026.
See him work a room
Three minutes forty from a keynote to 1,500 fourteen-year-olds. No notes.
The keynotes
Who's in your room?
Gen Z at work, retention and culture, from someone who is Gen Z. Offsites, all-hands, graduate programs.
Why early-career staff leave at month 14 and the five changes that keep them. Keynote plus a working session.
Opening keynotes for staff conferences, culture days and all-hands, from 50 people to 5,000.
Student leadership days, year-level keynotes and staff PD. 1,500+ schools so far.
Youth strategy, co-design and youth advisory groups, with young people in the room.
Organisers say
Wil delivered an energised and engaging presentation at Positive Schools. He joined us as a keynote speaker at both our online event and in person in Western Australia. His awareness and careful consideration of students' perspectives offers insight and value to the increasingly complex conversation about wellbeing in schools.
Watching Wil on stage is inspiring. He presents with confidence that resonates with people of all ages and leaves his audience feeling empowered to realise their potential and go beyond.
Wil Massara of Bunbury is a force of youth leadership in Australia. Young people aren't the leaders of tomorrow, they're leading now.
What I believe
Young people lead now.
The "leaders of tomorrow" line is the most disagreed-with cliché in my work. 30% of Australians are under 25. They are not waiting.
Leadership is a core skill.
Maths and English are mandatory from day one. The skill every student uses for the rest of their life is left until the end, or left out.
Co-design, not for-design.
Decisions about young people without young people are tokenistic, even when well-intentioned. I say this as someone who has got it wrong.
Schools must embrace AI now.
Pretending students will figure it out later is the worst thing a school can do. This one gets pushback. I am fine with that.
Notes from the road
Youth leadership
Why 'leaders of tomorrow' is the most damaging phrase in education
Calling students the leaders of tomorrow tells them to wait. 30% of Australians are under 25 and they are already leading.
5 min read
Education
Leadership literacy: why leadership should be taught like reading
Schools mandate maths and English from day one and leave leadership until the end, or out completely.
5 min read
Co-design
Co-design with young people: a practical guide for schools and councils
Most youth consultation is tokenistic even when it is well-intentioned.
6 min read
Questions organisers ask
What does Wil Massara speak about?
Gen Z at work, staff retention and culture, youth leadership, education and co-design with young people. The three core keynotes are Lead Before You’re Ready, Gen Z at Work and Change Happens Together, plus the Creating Change workshop.
Who books Wil?
Corporate HR and leadership teams for staff conferences, culture days and offsites; conference organisers; schools and education systems; and local, state and federal government. Audiences range from executive teams to Year 5 students.
How much does it cost to book Wil Massara?
Fees depend on format, length, audience, location and date, and are quoted on request. Send the brief through the booking form and you will have a quote within one business day.
Does Wil travel internationally?
Yes. Wil is based in Sydney, Australia, has delivered keynotes in North America and virtually across Europe, and is booking dates in New Zealand, Asia, the UK and the US.
How long is a keynote?
Most keynotes run 30 to 60 minutes. Workshops run 90 minutes to a full day. Panels, MC roles and fireside conversations are also available.
How do I book?
Use the form on the booking page or email hello@wilmassara.com with the date, location, audience and format. You will hear back within one business day.