FOR DADS, BY DADS.

Real change starts with trust. And trust starts with knowing who we are and why we do this. We’re not another online sales pitch. We exist to create real, lasting, generational change — a growing movement of dads committed to showing up differently so more families can thrive.

HI, I'M WILL.

I am the Founder and CEO of The Modern Dad, and first and foremost, I am a proud, hands-on, everyday Australian dad.

Fatherhood changed the trajectory of my life. It is an ongoing journey filled with highs and lows, breaking cycles, defining moments, deep pride, and a joy like no other.

The Modern Dad is born from both lived experience and professional practice—my own experience of being fathered, becoming a father myself, and the ongoing lessons that come with that responsibility.

It is also shaped by my work in trauma-informed practice, mental health, suicide prevention, facilitation, community building, men’s mentoring, and health and wellbeing.

ABOUT ME

Since the age of 16, I’ve had a deep desire to make a positive difference in the world. As a shy teenager, my first public speech was in front of my entire school on the topic of suicide prevention—an experience that set the direction for my path forward.

For the past 12 years, I’ve worked across the not-for-profit, government, community, and consultancy sectors, focused on addressing complex social issues that are proven to contribute to poor mental health outcomes for Australian People.

I am a certified trauma-informed coach, with a decade experience designing and facilitating workshops and programs across a wide range of settings, including prisons, youth detention centres, schools, corporate environments, community spaces, and more recently, online.

Alongside The Modern Dad, I am also the founder of Turn to Me, an Australian mental health promotion and suicide prevention charity.

OUR "WHY" STORY.

Becoming a dad at 19 changed me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time.

It opened my eyes to something I believe is still not spoken about enough—the intersection between mental health, wellbeing, and fatherhood. A space that carries enormous weight, but far too little real, relatable support.

Outside of a handful of clinical resources or surface-level advice, there just isn’t enough out there for dads navigating the complexity of who they are, who they’re becoming, and what’s expected of them.

But the truth of why this exists goes much deeper than that.

Our Values

FAMILY

Dads who do the work to create homes where their families feel safe, supported, and loved. They understand that what happens at home shapes everything.

CONNECTION

Dads who choose presence over distance, even when life is full and demanding. They keep showing up in the moments that matter most.

GROWTH

Dads who don’t stay stuck in old cycles — they use fatherhood as a reason to grow, not repeat. They’re willing to change how they think, feel, and act.

SELF-AWARENESS

Dads who pay attention to how they show up and take responsibility for the impact they have. They know that awareness is where real change begins.

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