Margaret Zhang Announced as Keynote Speaker for ARIA Innovator 2026

Filmmaker, creative director and producer Margaret Zhang has been announced as the latest speaker for ARIA Innovator 2026, set to take place on Tuesday, March 24th at the State Library of New South Wales.

Zhang joins a lineup of international leaders from across music, technology and culture for the one-day conference, which is presented by the Australian Recording Industry Association.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential creative figures of her generation, Zhang’s career spans filmmaking, editorial leadership and global creative direction across fashion, film and media. She was previously recognised on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list and named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and in 2021 became the youngest editor-in-chief in the 130-year history of Vogue.

At ARIA Innovator, Zhang will deliver a keynote conversation exploring creative leadership across industries, drawing on lessons from working across fashion, film and digital media ecosystems. The discussion will also examine what the music industry can learn from other creative sectors as audiences and communities evolve online.

Zhang will appear in conversation with award-winning music journalist and broadcaster Sosefina Fuamoli, whose work spans outlets including Rolling Stone Australia/NZ, NME and ABC Radio Australia. Fuamoli also hosts the ABC Radio Australia program On The Record and presents the R&B and hip-hop show Window Seat on 3RRR FM.

“I am a big believer in the power of collaboration between artists from different creative and cultural backgrounds,” Fuamoli said. “Margaret Zhang has blazed a powerful trail for herself in the realm of fashion and film. I look forward to learning more about how life’s experiences have informed her work and perspectives as a leader in her field.”

Born in Australia to Chinese immigrant parents, Zhang first gained global attention when she launched the influential website Shine by Three at just 16 years old. She later graduated from the University of Sydney with degrees in commerce and law before expanding her career across fashion, film and cultural strategy.

Today, Zhang works across filmmaking and creative production while advising artists and global brands on storytelling and community building through her platforms The Mì-Mì Project and Mì-Mì Labs. Her past collaborations include projects with luxury brands such as Chanel and Fendi.

During her tenure at Vogue China, Zhang introduced a community-first, video-driven editorial strategy and launched the Vogue Film Initiative, which produced 17 short films by emerging Chinese female filmmakers.

Zhang rounds out a program that also includes speakers such as Meng Ru Kuok of Caldecott Music Group and BandLab Technologies, Jon Dworkin of Universal Music Group, technology and gaming executive Cathy Hackl, futurist Dom Price, and The Betoota Advocate founders Errol Parker and Clancy Overell.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Narelda Jacobs OAM will also host conversations throughout the day.

ARIA Innovator 2026 is supported by the NSW Government through Sound NSW.

Tickets for the conference are available now, with discounted access for ARIA members.