CPAC USA in Dallas March 25-28, 2026

Andre Mamet is a 19-year-old from Brisbane who recently completed Year 12 and will begin a double degree in Business and Property Economics at QUT. Born in New York City and raised in both Victoria and Queensland, Andre’s political views were shaped by his experiences during extended lockdowns and their impact on economic and social life. He works within the NDIS sector and with a startup business, and is interested in reform-oriented politics, crime policy, and economic freedom. Andre is looking forward to building strong connections with peers through the Global Explorers program.

Hannah Webb is an 18-year-old Tasmanian who recently completed Year 12 through home education and is taking a gap year before pursuing further study. Raised on a small rural property, Hannah has been politically engaged from a young age and is particularly passionate about issues relating to life, family, and individual freedoms. She currently serves as the Tasmanian State Coordinator for Young Conservatives for Christ, where she works to encourage political engagement among young Christians. Hannah is eager to exchange ideas, build connections, and learn from international conservative movements through the Global Explorers program.

Oliver Griffiths is a 21-year-old law and economics student from Jervis Bay, currently completing his studies at the University of Wollongong. He works part-time while serving as a volunteer board director for his local Bendigo Bank branch and supporting community organisations. Oliver is Vice-President of the Liberals in the Gilmore Conference and served as President of the UOW Liberal Club, where he became known for student advocacy campaigns, including national media attention for his defence of cash payments. He describes himself as a cultural conservative focused on individual freedom and Australian sovereignty.

Mikayla Smith is an 18-year-old small business owner from regional New South Wales and the founder of Northern Stone, a silversmithing business. Living on acreage surrounded by farms, Mikayla is deeply connected to rural life and passionate about protecting farmers and regional communities from excessive government regulation. Inspired by her family’s experience in public debates around freedom of speech and gender policy, she is particularly interested in individual liberty, entrepreneurship, and encouraging young people to build their own businesses. Mikayla is excited to represent regional Australia and learn from conservative leaders in the United States.

Jordan Abou-Zeid is a 23-year-old based in Melbourne and currently works with the Institute of Public Affairs. A National Conservative, Jordan has held a range of senior roles within the Liberal Party, including campaign management, advisory positions, ACT Young Liberal Vice President, and Federal Young Liberal Communications Director. He is particularly focused on immigration policy and the future direction of Australia’s conservative movement. Jordan is motivated by a desire to revitalise the right in Australia and is keen to learn from international conservative strategy and leadership at CPAC.

Edwina Royce is a 20-year-old PPE student at the Australian National University, originally from Geelong and now living in Canberra. She joined the Young Liberals at 16 and has since worked for both a Liberal senator and a Victorian MP. Coming from a family with strong ties to agriculture and small manufacturing, Edwina is passionate about regional Australia and supporting small business. She is particularly interested in youth political engagement and looks forward to learning how conservative movements in the United States successfully mobilise young voters.

Dakota Quinn is a 24-year-old Australian Army Battlespace Communications Specialist currently based in Sydney. Originally from Brisbane, he joined the Army at 20 and is now studying a Bachelor of Business remotely through QUT. Dakota is an active member of the Young Liberals and plays a key role in campaign activity and event organisation, including serving as venue negotiator for CPAC NSW. He is particularly interested in civil liberties, national sovereignty, and the transnational relationship between Australia and the United States, with a focus on youth political engagement.

Ingrid Kay is a 19-year-old Brisbane-based student studying a dual degree in Law and Global Studies. Her interest in politics developed early and has been shaped through extensive debate and discussion with peers, often in environments where conservative views are underrepresented. Ingrid recently joined the Young Liberal National Party and is eager to deepen her understanding of policy, advocacy, and public discourse. She is excited to be part of a cohort of like-minded young Australians and to gain international perspective through the Global Explorers program.

Anthony Ma is a 21-year-old law and criminology student at UNSW and currently works for a federal MP. Raised by parents who fled communism in Vietnam, his political outlook has been shaped by a strong opposition to authoritarianism and ideological extremism. Anthony is President of the UNSW Liberal Club and has held national student leadership roles, including election to the National Union of Students. He is particularly focused on free speech, campus politics, and restoring ideological balance within Australia’s education system.

Freya Leach is a 23-year-old Sydney-based media commentator, policy advocate, and youth leader. With a background in Commerce and Law, Freya has worked in finance, political campaigning, and policy research, including leading youth policy at the Menzies Research Centre. She ran as a Liberal candidate at age 20 and later worked in federal campaign headquarters. Freya is now a host on Sky News, where she focuses on political communication and public debate, and is also a co-founder of Never Again Is Now, an organisation combating antisemitism. She is passionate about media strategy and the future of conservative leadership.

Samuel Barry is a 21-year-old psychology student at the University of Sydney, originally from the rural town of Scone in New South Wales. He currently serves as Vice President of the NSW Young Nationals and describes himself as a National Conservative concerned with immigration policy, representation, and national cohesion. Samuel is passionate about Australia’s long-term stability and believes young conservatives must lead difficult national conversations. He is looking forward to learning from recent political developments in the United States and applying those lessons back home.

Angelika Anderson is a 20-year-old student based in Brisbane, studying a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) alongside a Master of Secondary Teaching. Born in Miami and raised between the United States and Far North Queensland, Angelika developed a strong interest in politics following the 2020 U.S. election and later through volunteering at CPAC Australia. She has since joined the LNP and actively participates in policy forums focused on housing, immigration, and social issues. Angelika is eager to learn directly from American conservative leaders and bring practical insights back to Australia.

Dylan Mbano is a 21-year-old from Western Australia and a recent graduate of the University of Western Australia, holding a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Law, Political Science and International Relations. He was the Liberal candidate for Baldivis at the recent WA state election and has since been elected to local council. Dylan is strongly opposed to excessive government intervention and advocates for individual rights, reward for effort, and principled leadership. He will commence his Juris Doctor in January and is keen to explore political communication and digital media strategy through CPAC.

Eliza Kingston is a 21-year-old Queensland-based law student who grew up on a farm in regional Queensland and is currently completing her studies at the University of Queensland. She is an active member of the LNP, having served on regional executives and volunteered on multiple campaigns. Eliza is also State Coordinator for Young Conservatives for Christ in Queensland, where she has helped build an engaged membership base. Her policy interests include family policy, healthcare, agricultural regulation, and economic settings that support young families and regional communities.

Brodie Taylor is a 21-year-old originally from Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast, now based in Canberra where he studies Data Analytics and Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He works as a senior adviser in the ACT Legislative Assembly and serves as Policy Chairman for the Canberra Liberals, having previously led the Young Liberals. Brodie’s political interest was shaped by his family’s experience in small business and the impact of pandemic-era government intervention. He advocates for limited but effective government and national prosperity grounded in individual responsibility.

Fia Qureshi is a 20-year-old Brisbane local entering her fourth year at the University of Queensland, studying Law and Arts with majors in Economics and International Relations. She is also working towards her full real estate licence. After growing up in Mount Isa, Fia developed an early interest in politics through family discussions and later became active in the LNP and university debating circles. She is passionate about free speech, robust debate, and ensuring Australian institutions serve citizens’ rights and national sovereignty.