RPAS 2026 Speaker Bio

Fiona Lake

Drone educator

Rural Drone Academy - Fiona Lake

Known for pragmatism, creative thinking and a willingness to speak openly, Fiona Lake has taken up invitations to run drone education sessions all over Australia, and spoken at many of the world’s largest drone events. Fiona’s unique career has received national and international awards.

Self employment began in the 1980s, flying with chopper mustering pilots on the world's largest cattle stations, then book publishing, magazine stories and exhibitions. This career fostered the independence and adaptability ideal for a tech industry.  She is an active participant in the Federal Government’s industry working groups. She has often been the only person representing northern, remote/regional residents; women and older people. In all countries there is a detrimental lack of drone industry diversity and every visible person who is the ‘odd one out’ helps encourage others who feel they don’t belong, to get involved too.  Fiona’s career was founded on advocacy for under-represented sectors not just because increased diversity is win/win from every angle – she also gets bored with homogeneity and frustrated by the glacial pace of positive changes.