Video Shout-Out from James Begley

CEO & Co-Founder, Launchd

James Begley is a visionary entrepreneur who has seamlessly transitioned from professional AFL athlete to industry-leading business executive. As CEO of Launchd—a next-generation talent activation platform—he leads one of Australia’s most dynamic ecosystems, uniting elite athletes, creators, influencers, and keynote speakers across sport, entertainment, and business.

From the Field to the Boardroom

• Drafted at 17, James spent seven years in AFL, playing with St Kilda and later his home-state team, the Adelaide Crows, forging first-hand experience in leadership, performance under pressure, and team dynamics.

• Following his AFL career, he served as General Manager of Leadership at the Fremantle Football Club for five years, designing and delivering comprehensive leadership programs across the organisation.

• For three years prior to COVID, James ran the leadership program at the Geelong Football Club, and he also led the Australian Swimming Team’s leadership program in the lead-up to the last Olympic Games.

• Beyond elite sport, James has consulted extensively on high performance to leading corporates, including Bendigo Bank, BHP, Dulux, and more than 30 other organisations, delivering practical insights on leadership, resilience, and culture.

Launchd: At the Forefront of Talent Activation

• Together with AFL legend Matthew Pavlich, James co-founded Launchd, building an integrated technology and talent platform that helps brands activate, measure, and scale talent-driven campaigns across sports, entertainment, and corporate sectors.

• Launchd now powers over 100,000 talent activations annually, leveraging a network of 5,000+ athletes, influencers, entertainers, and speakers.