Kirra Pendergast - Founder 

Kirra is an internationally recognised leader in online safety, celebrated for her emotionally intelligent, ethically grounded approach to building safer, more human digital futures. With deep expertise in systems thinking, digital wellbeing, and child rights, she advises global platforms, governments, and organisations on designing environments that are not just secure but empowering by design.

A strategic thinker and clear communicator, Kirra thrives in complexity. She bridges the gap between policy, practice, and technology with clarity and purpose, bringing critical insight to trauma-informed design, AI ethics, youth safety, and digital trust. Her work consistently centres the most vulnerable, delivering inclusive solutions that create meaningful, lasting impact.

Kirra is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and cross-sector collaborator trusted for her calm authority, relational leadership, and ability to drive momentum where it matters most.

“Safety isn’t just the absence of harm it’s the presence of empathy, agency, and responsible innovation.”

A global expert in human digital safety, risk management, governance, and education, Kirra works directly with boards, executives, and organisations to address one of the most urgent vulnerabilities of the digital age: human behaviour. With decades of leadership across technology, governance, and online safety, she helps leaders bridge the critical gap between digital systems and the people they serve, before it becomes their greatest risk.

A pioneer in Australia’s cybersecurity and online safety sectors since the early 1990s, Kirra is the Founder and Principal Strategist of Safe on Social and Ctrl+Shft. She is an in-demand keynote speaker, expert witness, writer, and media commentator.

Australian-born and based in Italy, Kirra works globally across the UK, EU, Australia, the US, and New Zealand partnering with organisations that understand one thing clearly: protecting people online is protecting the future.

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