Women With Influence Community Members
-
Alessandra Edwards
High Performance and Well-Being Coach, Personalised Genetic Strategy Mentor, Trainer, Author
Alessandra Edwards is a leading expert in the DNA of performance and well-being, specialising in helping high-performing leaders leverage their genetics for optimal health and vitality. With over 16 years of experience, she has guided top-level leaders globally, offering a unique approach that combines clinical nutrition, epigenetics, and her corporate background. Her clients, including CEOs and executives, typically see a 50% increase in energy and productivity through genetic and biochemical optimisation. Alessandra provides personalised genetic strategies, demystifying complex science to help professionals achieve their goals. She also mentors leaders through burnout, trains executive teams, and conducts workshops and keynote speeches on maximising performance through genetics. Outside of work, Alessandra is dedicated to personal health, training for triathlons, and enjoys a rich home life with her family and pets. She holds a first-class degree in health science and multiple professional qualifications, making her a sought-after expert in her field.
-
Kylee Leota
Transformational Leadership Expert, Leadership Speaker, Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Advisor
Kylee Leota, the founder of Elements 4 Success, leads a global organisation dedicated to delivering transformational experiences to individuals, teams, and businesses. With over 20 years of experience in the education sector, including leadership roles at both school and regional levels, Kylee aims to empower people of all ages with the confidence, skills, and tools needed to live a purposeful life. She believes in unlocking the innate knowledge within individuals to achieve success and provides the necessary tools to make goals a reality. Her work extends beyond education to sectors such as complex behaviour, trauma, early intervention, and transition to work, demonstrating her adaptability across industries. As a change management facilitator specialising in sustainable behaviour changes, Kylee has built a reputation for delivering results through out-of-the-box thinking and solution-focused approaches, earning Elements 4 Success a long list of satisfied clients.
-
Sue Anderson
Coach, Trainer, Mediator, Speaker and Author Specialising in Resilience and Empowerment
Sue Anderson is a coach, trainer, mediator, speaker, and author who specialises in resilience and empowerment. She is the author of "Unshakeable at Work," a book that guides readers on how to stop taking things personally and build resilience. As a Thought Leader in resilience building and individual empowerment at work, Sue helps individuals transform anger and frustration into strength, control, authority, and confidence. Her programs empower employees, focusing on developing mental toughness to excel under workplace pressures. Sue believes that fostering an Unshakeable workplace culture is essential for enhancing everyone's well-being and quality of life.
-
Maureen Kyne
Workplace Crisis Strategist & Intervention, Speaker, Director
Maureen is a leading authority on workplace bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination, with a diverse career spanning nursing, manufacturing, construction, transport, HR, IR, and WHS. Her extensive experience in both regional towns and capital cities gives her a unique understanding of the economic and workplace pressures across various environments. Known for her warm demeanour and easy conversational style, Maureen is fearless in addressing issues that others avoid. Whether focused on prevention, detection, or correction of bullying, she adeptly uncovers the root causes of complex situations. Driven by respect, Maureen is dedicated to saving lives and building better futures as a confidante and training facilitator.
-
Leonie McCarthy
Project Manager, Digital System Strategist, Founder of 6R Retail
Leonie has 20 years experience supporting customer-centric organisations in the retail sector with systems and technology, including ERP, PLM, PIM, Ecom, Mar tech, middleware, and warehouse systems. She has led complex technology change and transformation projects and is known for her ability to navigate IT providers to align with clients’ needs. Leonie leads a team focused on building positive and collaborative relationships between stakeholders and taking a practical and direct approach to challenge the status quo. Her leadership is based on developing potential and creating possibilities and opportunities for others.
-
Samantha Pearce
People Leadership & Development
Samantha, a proactive Chief Culture Officer and Certified NLP Practitioner, brings extensive HR expertise and strategic insight. With deep knowledge in People and Culture, Strategy, Leadership, and Diversity, she excels in driving transformational programs and delivering complex solutions and strategic advice. Samantha fosters dynamic and productive environments through collaborative leadership, promoting engagement and goal alignment. Skilled in networking and mediation, she builds strong relationships and resolves conflicts effectively. Valuing creativity and teamwork, she leads and mentors teams to drive process improvement and enhance client value. Her career achievements demonstrate her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.mmitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
-
Sarah Hochholzer
Communication Specialist | Helping leaders develop effective communication skills to create a lasting impact | Speaker
After more than 20 years as an Executive HR Generalist, Sarah transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding her human-centered business, PPL Centrik. Her extensive career includes leadership roles at notable companies like Chobani Australia, where she significantly expanded the People and Culture function from 92 to 270 employees, navigating growth challenges and fostering resilience amid rapid change in a competitive environment. Prior to Chobani, Sarah accumulated valuable experience at esteemed organisations such as Random House Australia, Novartis Consumer Health, and prestigious Melbourne hotels like Sofitel, the Regent, and the Radisson. Despite learning from leadership mistakes, Sarah's journey of self-improvement equipped her to successfully scale HR operations, lead cultural change initiatives, and achieve remarkable growth. She spearheaded Chobani's acclaimed 'Women in Leadership' programme and earned 'Great Places to Work' accreditation for high employee engagement in 2016 and 2017.
-
Dr. Julie Rowse
Mental Health Expert | Leader | Speaker | Author
Dr. Julie Rowse is a seasoned mental health occupational therapist, speaker, coach, and author with over 20 years of experience. She founded Healthy Mind and Soul Pty Ltd in 2016, dedicated to creating sustainable mental health programs for various organisations. Julie earned her PhD in 2011 and has since presented at mental health conferences worldwide. Residing in regional Victoria, Australia, she maintains her own mental wellbeing through activities like bushwalking and spa visits. A strong advocate for positive mental health, Julie believes that effective leadership is key to improving global mental health and wellbeing.
-
Suzie Thoraval
Leader & Strategist
Suzie is a versatile, authentic, and energetic senior leader with a strong focus on outcomes and strategic thinking. As the Director of Corporate Strategy and Governance at the Victorian Department of Transport and Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee at the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, she excels in resolving complex issues and fostering collaborative relationships. Previously, Suzie led the Corporate Governance, Legal, Communication, and Education Division at the Portable Long Service Authority and held several senior roles at the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, including Chief Risk Officer. With a background as a Director at the Victorian Electoral Commission, she has implemented major legislative reforms and strategic projects. Suzie is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holding a Masters and Bachelor of Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. Her extensive experience across private, public, and academic sectors, combined with her legal and strategic expertise, enables her to provide impactful solutions and strategic guidance.
-
Gillian Smith
Founder of Connect Lead Coach
Gillian Smith, founder of Connect Lead Coach, is an energetic and positive HR professional dedicated to inspiring compassionate leadership and connection in workplaces through introspection and self-awareness. Based in Brisbane, she has over 20 years of global experience with FTSE 100 and ASX listed companies such as HAYS, Shepherd Group, Ventyx, and ABB, spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, US, Australia, and New Zealand. Gillian has led and managed teams in recruitment, learning and development, and HR business partnering, always approaching her roles with focus, determination, and heart. Following two episodes of corporate burnout, she transitioned in 2021 to a leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker role, aiming to support and inspire current and future leaders through Connect Lead Coach.
-
Jackie Stapleton
Career Growth Strategist for ISO Management Systems Professionals | ISO 9001 | Speaker | Coach | Trainer | Obsessed with elevating the career growth of ISO Quality Professionals to achieve their full potential.
Jackie's entrepreneurial journey began as a teenager, teaching children how to swim. Throughout the years, Jackie owned various businesses, including service stations, floor covering, and management system consulting. Currently, she holds triple-certification as a contract auditor and serves as the owner/ director of Auditor Training Online, an online training company.
-
Inbal Rodnay
Innovation Expert | AI Strategist | Keynote Speaker
Inbal understands the challenges firms face with the ever-evolving tech landscape in accounting and more widely with AI. Inbal helps firms not only catch up, but become industry leaders in technology. With years of expertise in accounting technology and change management, she is not just a consultant; Inbal is the dynamo that brings real change and a buzz of excitement to your firm.
-
Eve Broenland
Simplicity Expert | Consultant | Coach| Speaker | Author
Eve Broenland, originally from the Netherlands, has settled in Western Australia, though her Dutch values of honesty, pragmatism, and simplicity remain central to her approach to life. She treasures the concept of hygge (or "gezelligheid" in Dutch), minimalism, and finds her peace through quiet weekends at home or retreats in nature. After earning two Master’s degrees, Eve relocated to Australia with her husband and worked for eight years in the salt industry as an environmental professional in Shark Bay before eventually moving to Perth.. Despite her professional success, she became overwhelmed by the constant pressures of corporate life and the struggle to balance work and personal well-being. This pivotal experience prompted her to study positive psychology, yoga, martial arts, and minimalism, forming the foundation of her current work. Eve has created a unique three-step process to help individuals and teams identify their priorities, eliminate distractions, and manage complexity, offering a practical and analytical approach rooted in her scientific background. She collaborates with leaders and organisations, applying her methodology to help them navigate challenges and streamline their focus, empowering them to regain control, clarity, and peace. Her blend of real-world insight, positivity, and minimalism enables others to break free from confusion and overwhelm, bringing balance to their lives. Eve is deeply passionate about sharing her own journey, using her hard-earned wisdom to guide others toward simplicity and fulfillment in a fast-paced, chaotic world.
-
Dr. Michelle Gibbings
Workplace Expert, Author, Global Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach
Michelle thrives on helping people embrace the unknown and navigate change with confidence, creating thriving workplaces through a focus on individuals, leaders, and their wider organisational impact. As a keynote speaker, advisor, and executive mentor, she equips organisations with practical tools to harness opportunities amidst disruption, inspiring progress and fostering productive, healthy, and happy environments. With a background in Communications, Commerce, and International Trade, along with her ongoing PhD, Michelle combines expertise with passion, delivering leadership programs and insights that sharpen vision and boost resilience. Outside work, she’s an avid traveller, a dedicated volunteer, and the proud owner of a mischievous pup, Barney.
-
Arabella Macpherson
Leadership Communication Expert | Founder of Resonate Communications | Executive Coach | Global Speaker
Arabella Macpherson empowers leaders to communicate with confidence, influence, and authenticity, even in the most high-pressure situations. As the Founder of Resonate Communications, she has spent over 15 years coaching executives, teams, and organizations to master the art of being heard. With a unique blend of performance training, psychology, and leadership strategy, she helps clients develop a commanding presence, navigate complex conversations, and inspire action. Arabella’s ability to uncover blind spots and refine messaging ensures leaders communicate with clarity, authority, and impact. Her work creates lasting transformation, equipping professionals with the skills to lead with confidence, connect deeply, and elevate their careers.
Find out more about Arabella here.
-
Sarah Denholm
Presentation Skills Expert | Trainer | Consultant
Sarah Denholm is a Melbourne-based speech coach, trainer, and consultant who helps clients master public speaking, presentation, and influence skills both in Australia and globally online. Whether you're preparing for a keynote at an international conference, a high-stakes boardroom presentation, or an important interview, Sarah equips you to communicate clearly, confidently, and competently. Her mission is to help you advance your career, business, or cause without losing your confidence, sense of self, authority, or presence. With a supportive coaching style, she provides a safe space to learn, practise, and grow.
Find out more about Sarah here.
-
Justine Cox
Relationship-Based Leadership Expert
Justine Cox believes that strong and kind leadership has the power to transform workplaces, empower people, and shape a better future. She specialises in Relationship-Centred Leadership, grounded in three pillars: Purpose, People, and Process. These principles have been the foundation of her 25+ year career across financial services, people and culture, and leadership development. Whether she’s leading large teams, coaching emerging leaders, or stepping into board roles, Justine has seen firsthand how aligning purpose, people, and process helps workplaces thrive. As Chair of the Bendigo Community Bank National Council, she leads a national network of over 305 branches and 1,500+ volunteer directors who’ve reinvested more than $324 million into Australian communities. She also serves as Deputy Chair of Woodstock Financial Services and runs Leaders Change Room, where she supports leaders to create lasting, relationship-driven impact. Shaped by a strong work ethic and a deep belief in the power of trust, Justine’s leadership journey has spanned from school captain to managing 450 people across multiple states. Through every chapter—whether co-authoring Women Living Fearlessly or mentoring others—her focus remains the same: lead with strength, kindness, and reciprocity to leave the world better than you found it.
Find out more about Justine here.
-
Therese Christofas
Leadership and Wellbeing Expert
Therese Christofas is a leadership and wellbeing specialist with over 20 years’ experience in organisational development across health, disability, community and not-for-profit sectors. With a deep belief that people are at the heart of every successful organisation, she works at the intersection of leadership, wellbeing and team performance—supporting leaders and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen relationships and create thriving, values-led cultures. Originally from New Zealand, her early experiences in team sport sparked a lifelong curiosity about how people work well together, which continues to underpin her collaborative, strengths-based approach. As a coach and experienced facilitator, she designs and delivers evidence-based programs that support safe, respectful and high-performing workplaces. Mindfulness is woven throughout her work, enabling leaders to slow down, manage stress, make better decisions and lead with presence and intention. Outside of work, Therese enjoys swimming, cycling, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
-
Lauren Jones
Leadership and Risk Expert
Lauren brings 30 years of experience across engineering, manufacturing, training, volunteering, and consulting, starting as an electrical engineer before moving into operations and leadership development. She thrives on working with C-level executives and leaders to help them grow their businesses through strategy facilitation, leadership training, system improvement, and transforming compliance from a burden into a competitive advantage. Known for her technical expertise, curiosity, and approachable style, she helps overwhelmed leaders tackle change, conflict, and lack of buy-in by aligning people, optimising systems, and measuring success. Through her INSPIRE, EMPOWER, and ENHANCE services, Lauren helps organisations move from ordinary to excellent, keeping teams motivated, skilled, and focused on results.
Find out more about Lauren here.
-
Dr Jackie King
Self-Leadership and Design Thinking Expert
Dr Jackie King is a social innovator, educator, and mother of three who turned a lifelong sense of “otherness” into a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. After years of navigating the pressures of professional success, motherhood, and personal and generational trauma, she found herself feeling unseen and exhausted. Through Design Thinking, a tool she once used in her professional work, Jackie began to unpack her inner narratives, confront her inner critic, and redefine success on her own terms. Her transformation helped her move from simply surviving to intentionally designing a life that feels authentic, safe, and deeply purposeful. Now, she’s passionate about helping others find strength in their differences and create lives where they truly belong.
Find out more about Dr Jackie here.
-
Liz McMillan
Business Strategist and Architect of Business Transformation
Liz McMillan is renowned for helping CEOs and executive teams reset and realign their organisations for sustainable growth. As founder of The Cadence Method, she guides growth-stage and mid-market businesses through a powerful 5-phase transformation framework that brings clarity across people, strategy, and systems; reconnects leaders to their long-term vision and purpose; embeds values into culture and execution; and creates the rhythm needed to scale with confidence. With more than 35,000 hours of experience leading, advising, and scaling businesses across the US and Australia. Liz combines strategic precision with deep empathy, earned from years of navigating the realities of executive leadership. She partners with leaders when the business is working but not as it should: when strategy drifts from execution, when the executive team lacks alignment, and when culture strains under the pressure of growth. Known for her ability to see the whole picture and walk alongside leaders through complex transitions, Liz helps create businesses that deliver value, freedom, and wealth, building legacies that don’t come at the cost of wellbeing or balance.
Find out more about Liz here.
-
Natalie Heynderickx
Technology Leadership & Mindfulness Expert | Founder & Principal Coach, The Mindful CIO
Nathalie Heynderickx is the Founder and Principal Coach of The Mindful CIO, where she helps conscientious C-Level IT Executives achieve peak performance in work and life. With over a decade of international experience in senior roles at IBM, Accenture, EY, and AGL Energy, she understands the intense demands placed on technology leaders and has delivered corporate mindfulness programs for organisations such as HP, ASIC, BP, Bendigo Bank, Air Services, Peugeot, and Mars Petcare. In 2018, Nathalie published The Mindful CIO Manifesto, outlining her vision for a new style of leadership that balances strong business results with a healthy, sustainable workplace culture. Today, she leads The Mindful CIO’s global community, coaching executives who want to embrace growth, rediscover their energy, reconnect with their goals, and unlock their full personal and professional potential.
Find out more about Natalie here.
-
Keri Whitelaw
Business Consultant, Bookkeeper and Registered BAS Agent | Founder, Sort Your Books
Keri Whitelaw is the Founder of Sort Your Books and a highly experienced Business Consultant, Bookkeeper, and Registered BAS Agent. With a career in accounting that began straight out of school, she built her expertise working in private companies and the banking industry while completing her Advanced Diploma in Accounting through night school and correspondence. Since becoming a Registered BAS Agent in 2000, Keri has worked across a wide range of industries, including 12 years as Financial Controller for Australian Ecosystems, before deciding to focus on growing her own business full time. Today, through Sort Your Books, she helps businesses streamline their finances with accuracy and care, building lasting client relationships that continue to grow through word of mouth and referrals.