Speaking Engagements with Leila McDougall
Leila McDougall - Bio
Leila McDougall is an award-winning filmmaker and rural advocate whose work has become a powerful catalyst for connection, conversation, and change across regional Australia. Raised in Walcha, New South Wales, Leila’s life and career have been shaped by the resilience, isolation, and strength of farming communities, and by a deep commitment to ensuring rural voices are seen, heard, and valued.
Diagnosed with dyslexia at 14, Leila learned to navigate years of struggle around reading and writing. What once felt like a limitation is now one of her greatest strengths, shaping her creativity, problem-solving, and unique perspective as a storyteller and leader.
Leila created, wrote, produced, and co-starred in Just A Farmer, a feature film made on her family farm in Tatyoon, Victoria, exploring the unspoken realities of rural life. Since its release in
March 2024, the film has sparked tens of thousands of conversations and grown into a trusted grassroots movement across rural Australia.
Alongside her filmmaking, Leila founded Live Rural, a not-for-profit organisation supporting the health and wellbeing of farming communities. Through Live Rural, she created initiatives such as Mellow in the Yellow, a Melbourne Fashion Week showcase raising funds for NSW drought relief, and led a 2018 grassroots “cuppa and a chat” tour across New South Wales and Queensland focused on connection, listening, and care. During this period, Leila also served for four years on the Young Farmers Advisory Council, where she helped bring the Farmers Business Bootcamp to life, supporting the financial literacy and long-term sustainability of farming families.
Leila is a Beyond Blue Rural Ambassador, a former member of the Young Farmers Advisory Council, and was recognised as the 2014 Emerging Leader in Agriculture. In 2026, she was nominated for Australian of the Year (Victoria), acknowledging the national impact of her work in rural mental health and community advocacy.
At her core, Leila is a storyteller who believes in the power of shared experience. Whether through film, community engagement, or advocacy, her mission remains unwavering: to spark meaningful conversations, reduce stigma, and strengthen connection in the places that need it most.
At her core, Leila is a storyteller who believes deeply in the power of shared experience. Through film, community engagement, and advocacy, her work sparks meaningful conversations, reduces stigma, and strengthens connection in the communities that need it most. Guided by a vision for a more compassionate, connected, and resilient Australia, Leila continues to use her voice to amplify rural stories and remind communities of their strength — because when stories are shared, lives can change.
Keynote Speaker
Award-winning filmmaker and rural advocate Leila McDougall delivers keynotes that inspire courageous leadership, purpose-driven work, and connection. Her flagship keynote, Different by Design, draws on lived experience across agriculture, film, mental health, and neurodiversity to show how difference can become a powerful catalyst for change.
Tailored for Your Event
Every audience is different. Leila works closely with event organisers to tailor each keynote, ensuring the content aligns with the event’s theme, audience, and purpose. Whether speaking to industry leaders, community groups, educators, or regional audiences, her presentations are adapted to create meaningful, relevant impact.
