Book IWD Speaker: Dr Hannah Macdougall PLY

Elite triathlete, Paralympic Medallist, Wellbeing & Inclusion Leader, Story Teller

Dr Hannah Macdougall PLY brings a rare blend of lived experience, academic rigour, and elite sport to conversations about gender equality, well-being, leadership, and inclusion.

Driven by a lifelong curiosity about happiness, mindfulness, and what helps people truly thrive, Hannah’s work centres on creating environments where women and marginalised voices are not just included, but valued, heard, and able to lead. She is passionate about shifting the focus from productivity and performance alone toward sustainable well-being, belonging, and equity, across sport, workplaces, and communities.

Hannah’s perspective is shaped by more than two decades as an elite Paralympian across three sports, her lived experience as an amputee, and her professional work in inclusion, leadership development, and community engagement. She holds a PhD in athlete well-being and currently works in Player Development at the Melbourne Football Club, supporting holistic development, transition, and performance. There may also be the occasional, unapologetic leg-related pun.

A lifelong advocate for gender equity in sport, Hannah has consistently challenged norms. In 2017, she became the first female amputee to compete in an able-bodied National Women’s Time Trial, using visibility as leverage for change. Her work today continues to focus on dismantling structural barriers, reframing leadership, and ensuring women, particularly women with disability, are not asked to “fit the system”, but are supported to re-imagine it.

Dr Hannah is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and advisor, known for connecting evidence, storytelling, and humour to challenge assumptions and spark reflection. She is an ambassador for Peppo Farms and Legenda Cycling, and has been recognised with awards including 2025 VIS Performance Lifestyle Award, the naming of Korowa AGS 'Hannah Macdougall Swimming Pool,  and as a finalist for the 2017 Victorian Disability Awards.

Hannah speaks with clarity, credibility, and heart about gender equality, leadership, well-being, and what becomes possible when systems are designed for humans, not just outcomes.

Selected sporting highlights include:

2025 World Triathlon Para Championships - 1 x Bronze
2022–2025 World Triathlon Para World Cups: 2 x Gold, 2 x Silver, 2 x Bronze

2017 Cycling Australia National Championships: First female amputee to compete in the able-bodied Women’s Time Trial

2016–2018 UCI Para Track & Road World Championships: 2 x Silver (Individual Time Trial and Road Race)

2015–2019 UCI Para Cycling Road World Cups: 2 x Gold, 5 x Silver, 3 x Bronze

2010–2018 Australian Para Road & Track Championships: 3 x Gold, 7 x Silver, 14 x Bronze

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games: Team Captain, Australian Paralympic Swim Team

2004 Athens Paralympic Games: Bronze 4 x 100m Medley Relay

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