Speakers in 2011
The speaker line-up for 2011 is unparelled in quality, with inspirational surfing legend Layne Beachley confirmed as our keynote, as well as our very special guest Melissa Hoyer. We also are pleased to bring you the newest NSW Telstra Business Woman of the Year, Lauren Brown, and one of the most inspiring speakers you'll ever meet, Ingrid Poulson, author of the book 'Rise'.
Bios and photos of your speakers can be found below:
Layne Beachley is an athlete and a business woman. Born in Sydney, as a youngster Layne thrived on an array of competitive sports. At 16 years Layne set her sights on surfing success, bypassing the amateur contest structure and entering the World Surfing Tour at the professional level. By the age of 20, she was ranked number six in the world and beginning the harsh physical training regime that set her apart from every surfing pro of the past two decades.
With such a fierce commitment to her success, in 1993 and 1996 Layne faced the debilitating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A mental, physical and emotional challenge, Layne fought with depression to overcome this challenge and keep focused on her ultimate goal; to be World Champion. On the flipside, Layne’s refined strength gave her the perfect foundation for big wave surfing, allowing her to push the boundaries both at the legendary Sunset Beach and in the realm of tow-in surfing.
In 1998 Layne’s determination paid off as she achieved the first of six consecutive World Surfing Titles (seven in total), going on to rewrite the history books with the greatest number of consecutive World Championship victories; male or female.
Layne’s competitive drive is now present both in and out of the water. With Blue Kiss by Layne Beachley surf wear available in Myer and Rebel Sports stores nationally (www.bluekiss.com.au), Layne is a budding entrepreneur, willing to learn and dedicated to success. In 2006 Layne herself staged the richest event in women’s surfing history - the Havaianas Beachley Classic at Manly Beach, Sydney. A huge success, and now in it’s 5th year, the event has grown to become one of the most favoured tournaments on the ASP women’s world tour.
In addition to her surfing and business commitments, in 2003 Layne created the Aim for the Stars Foundation to support and promote the academic, sporting, community and cultural dreams of young women across Australia (www.aimforthestars.com.au).
Melissa Hoyer has developed into one of Australia's leading and most respected and credible lifestyle, fashion and pop culture commentators for both print, online, television and radio. Melissa gained her current reputation when she was a fashion and style director and columnist at the News Limited newspaper group. Her widely read columns and opinion pieces encompassed everything that was happening in the celebrity, fashion, beauty and style worlds and on the society circuit.
Melissa is currently the contributing editor-at-large on Grazia magazine; has written for The Australian’s ‘s 'Media’ section; is the regular ‘Travelling In Style’ columnist for the country’s biggest-selling travel magazine Australian Traveller; writes for news.com.au and is a contributor for new beauty website, www.youngeryou.com.au Melissa also has her own lifestyle, style and pop culture blog at http://melissahoyer.blogspot.com
As well as her writing and TV work, Melissa is a constant commentator on broader, pop culture issues for the ABC’s 702 and 2GB and has is the regular social/lifestyle/pop culture commentator on 2DayFM's Kyle and Jackie O show, also shooting videos for the Austereo and 2day website.
Melissa is a pop culture commentator on TV shows like The Morning Show, A Current Affair, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise, Today Tonight and 20-to-1. She is also part of the regular panel show on politics and current affairs, Paul Murray Live on Sky News.
Melissa was the 2009-2010 ‘style’ expert for the Proctor and Gamble Pantene advertising campaign and created the on-air commentary look for Foxtel’s Olympics coverage in Vancouver.
As a former features, fashion and social editor on both the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, which consolidated her journalistic credentials, Melissa went on to create; executive produce and present Fox Fashion, the first locally produced fashion and beauty-oriented show on Australian screens, going on to co-host a similar show with Hugh Jackman.
Melissa also wrote and co-produced (with Mushroom Pictures and the Film Finance Commission) two TV documentaries for the Nine Network, one on the history of lingerie titled ‘Next to Nothing’ and the other, a history of swimwear, called ‘Nothing to Hide’.
Melissa hosted Arena Style on Foxtel's Arena, a series she co-hosted with Australian designer Jodhi Meares and has been guest judge on Foxtel fashion reality shows like Project Runway and Australia’s Next Top Model.
Melissa also worked with Crown Lager to judge the best dressed man at the 2009 Brownlow medal count and is currently the style advisor to the Crossroads fashion chain (part of the Specialty Fashion Group which encompasses Katies, Miller's and the Queens's Park stable of stores.)
With her free-air-television and cable TV work, Melissa has interviewed the likes of Elle Macpherson, Naomi Campbell, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Campbell, Mischa Barton, Paris Hilton, Nicole Kidman, Linda Evangelista, Sarah O'Hare and Megan Gale, all for Foxtel, while she was the number one style commentator for the subscription network.
Melissa has also interviewed popular culture figures as diverse as Ian Thorpe, Jennifer Aniston, Tommy Hilfiger, Rachel Zoe, Sarah Ferguson, Russell Crowe, Collette Dinnigan, Helena Christensen, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Hawkins, Jade Jagger, Marc Newson, Kylie Minogue, Sophie Dahl as well as most designers in Australia and players on the society and beauty circuit.
Melissa co-hosted the Sydney episode of the international TV style series, Fashion Avenue, with British model Jodie Kidd and was the on-air stylist on the Network Ten show, The X Factor, working with Judge John Reid, who managed Elton John and Queen.
As well as her knowledge of Australian fashion designers and trends, Melissa has covered the Paris and Milan fashions shows as well as the Oscars and the Emmy awards in Los Angeles, reporting on red carpet trends and celebrities.
Melissa is often speaking or MC-ing at numerous events, from the Smirnoff fashion awards to the marie claire beauty awards; the Brisbane Fashion Festival, a Republican movement fundraiser dinner; the Magic Millions racing event on the Gold Coast; Jigsaw, Sportscraft, Tommee Tippee, Wella, Clairol and Max Factor launch events, Proctor & Gamble beauty seminars and hosts events on behalf of the Australian Jockey Club and Sydney Autumn Carnival.
Melissa was also a female ambassador for the Waratahs rugby team and often speaks at events designed to encourage more female support within sport.
With her no-nonsense, down-to-earth and witty approach to style and pop culture, Melissa has proved a popular communicator in all avenues of the media. From the traditional areas of media to the new, Melissa has made sure she knows the nuances of digital media and of course, is Twitter and Facebook savvy.
Melissa’s philanthropic work is satisfied with involvement in and hosting various fundraising events for the Sydney Children’s Hospital; the Prince of Wales Hospital; the Black Tie for Breast Cancer fundraiser; Dress for Success; MS awareness; the Cancer Foundation and the ‘For a Cure’ Foundation, raising funds for stem cell research in the hope of curing cancer.
Prior to her move into the media, Melissa worked in the marketing and public relations department for Myer (then Grace Bros) while completing her media studies.
Lauren Brown was an accidental entrepreneur – unable to find the right job, she started her own business with a laptop, $5,000 and a mobile plan that allowed her to make a lot of cold calls.
Since these early days in 2003, Lauren has grown Pulse Marketing Group to be an award-winning and competitive player in the marketing and advertising industry. Most recently she won the 2010 Telstra NSW Young Business Woman of the Year, as well as national and international business, creative and marketing effectiveness awards.
She is featuring in the current season of Channel 7’s Kochie’s Business Builders talking about how to effectively engage your staff, grow your business, create and convey company values in an interesting way, and how to get your team excited about new business. She’s also a regular speaking about these issues and more in The Financial Review, The Australian, Boss Magazine and My Business Magazine.
Her hands-on approach to her own business, and the practical solutions she uses to overcome issues and engage with her clients and staff, makes Lauren an entertaining and factual speaker.
And there’s more to Lauren than just work – she’s recently walked the Kokoda Track, scuba dives, loves taking her puppy Bugsy to the dog beach, and is an Ambassador for the Sister 2 Sister Program for teenage girls at risk of abuse and neglect.
Rise is not about the worst that can happen in life; it's about how to respond when the worst has already happened...
In 2003, Ingrid Poulson's estranged husband killed their two young children and Ingrid's father. After time, Ingrid chose to start with survival and build from there. She recognised her resilience and chose to rise to the challenge of overcoming unimaginable tragedy.
Few people have to suffer events such as those that Ingrid experienced. But everyone has to deal with challenges, hardships and grief in everyday life. The ability to be resilient in the face of these can mean the difference between getting through troubled times and living life to the fullest, and succumbing to their pressures.
Everyone who has met Ingrid is inspired by her clarity and courage. Through the four main components of her program of resilience – Resolve, Identity, Support and Everyday resilience – she shares the skills and practices she has developed to not only survive but to live a rich and rewarding life.
"In the few short years since the event that left me with nothing, I have been told that I have a charmed life, that I'm lucky and that I am the subject of envy. Many, many people have asked me how I do it, and how I survive."
Ingrid Poulson has inspired many through her own compelling journey of resilience. She now combines her academic background with her uniquely qualified life experience to build resilience in others. Ingrid holds an MA in Cognitive Science and runs her own company, Steadfast Training, which works with individuals and organisations, equipping them with the necessary tools for life enhancement. Ingrid splits her time between the thriving metropolis of Sydney and the idyllic paradise of Jervis Bay.
Emma has worked with Randstad for over 10 years in many capacities. Commencing as a recruitment consultant within our Business Support team, Emma later became an Executive Manager and was responsible for starting up the specialist Contact Centre division in Melbourne - a major point of pride and a personal milestone in her career to date.
After three successful years in this role Emma was promoted to Operations Manger looking after our Accounting and Finance teams across VIC and NZ. In late 2009 Emma returned to Randstad’s Business Support and Contact Centre divisions to take on the position of General Manager VIC, TAS and SA.
Prior to her career at Randstad, Emma spent 7 years at Telstra and 2 years in media and communication within state government. Emma has just spent 8 months renovating her 110 year old Victorian terrace and never wants to see a can of paint nor walk the aisles of Bunning’s again.
Life Balancing expert Jennifer Jefferies is one of Australia's best-known authors and speakers and she has a prescription for modern living. Her powerful message is of work, life and balance – and how to have it all through 7 Steps to Sanity®.
Jennifer is a qualifed health practitioner, but better than that, she's also a real person who has travelled the road to corporate burnout where she decided to change her life and help others to learn what she did about the importance and benefits of living a life in balance.
Today Jennifer speaks to corporations throughout Australia, Asia, USA and New Zealand, sharing practical real-life strategies that help people to improve their health, wellbeing and productivity by nding balance in their lives. Jennifer is a refreshingly down-to-earth, engaging and informative speaker who leaves her audiences feeling empowered about the things they can do to achieve balance in their lives, rather than feeling guilty about what they're not doing!
Jennifer is the author of 7 Steps to Sanity®
and seven other health-related titles.
Linda Friedland is an international health expert, medical doctor, television personality, well-regarded international conference & keynote speaker and a best-selling author. She is an authority on stress management, executive, corporate & women's health issues.
Dr Friedland consults internationally to healthcare, corporate and financial institutions on health & lifestyle interventions as well as emerging health trends. She is one of the highest rated international speakers for many global organisations and has spoken in more than 25 countries in the past few years.
Her television career includes several years as the medical expert for the South African Broadcasting Corporation award winning show -3 Talk , she was an anchor for a weekly TV
medical show ‘Housecall’ as well as the 'Radio doctor' (a weekly radio show that was broadcast across the African continent). She is a feature writer for daily newspapers and
many health and women's publications.
Her first three books 'Self' (2005), 'Having it all’(2008) and ‘Ultimate Guide to Women’s health” have all reached local bestseller sales. She is currently working on a fourth manuscript - The Ultimate Family Health Guide.
She delivers talks, designs & implements numerous health, lifestyle and illness prevention programs for corporations throughout Asia, the U.S and the UK. The mother of 5 children, Dr Friedland is now based in Western Australia.
Beginning her career in the contact centre field quickly becoming a coach to her peers, Suzanne found her strength in leadership and motivation of others. After securing a leadership role early in her career Suzanne led various sized teams from 5 – 25 direct reports.
Finding a passion for developing people, Suzanne moved into a Training and HR role, training new business owners for the fastest growing franchisor in Australia/NZ delivering workshops over a 5 week program. Workshops included Financial Management, Sales and Service, OSH, Best Practice HR, Product Knowledge, Marketing and Understanding yourself and others. Partnering with an RTO Suzanne built and managed a framework for Franchisees to develop their people with relevant front line skills whilst obtaining a nationally recognised certificate.
Suzanne’s experience also includes designing and organising conferences and workshops internationally to unite and educate leaders and executives in best practice forums with relevant industry experts.
In more recent years, Suzanne moved into Contact Centre Management managing up to 70 people including Team Leaders, Workforce Planning, Outsourced centre’s and Business Support roles. Suzanne demonstrates exceptional care and consideration for people in her team coupled with strategic planning, effective change and sound financial management principles.
Rebecca commenced her career as a junior in a 2 partner law firm at 18 advancing to Personal Assistant for the Managing Partners and Chief Executives of various mid tier law firms in Brisbane by her mid 20s.
For the past three years Rebecca has been Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive of SunWater. Rebecca’s role includes liaising with the company’s Executive Management Committee, Board Directors, major customers and senior State and Federal government officials, including the offices of the two shareholding Ministers for SunWater.
Rebecca is Chair of the company’s Administration Team, a safety officer, Workplace Harassment Referral Officer, committee member of the Hummingbird System Management Group and Chief Travel Co-ordinator.
Rebecca is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Business Management (Executive Administration) through Swinburne University to further develop her role at SunWater.
Tammy has worked as an Executive Assistant for over ten years, from energy drinks to talk back radio and across the globe to the world’s largest oil company in Saudi Arabia where she worked for the company’s Senior Vice President.
Tammy’s current position is Executive Assistant to Nick Fairfax, the Managing Director of Marinya Media Pty Ltd, a private family owned investment company. Marinya is the largest shareholder in Fairfax Media Ltd which is Australia’s largest listed media company with extensive newspaper, magazine, internet sites and radio stations in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
As well as supporting the Managing Director, Tammy works as assistant to the Investment Director and is also Editor and Publisher of the company wide quarterly news publication.
Elizabeth Evans is the Executive Assistant to the Regional Director at Parsons Brinckerhoff one of the world's leading planning, environment and infrastructure firms.
Prior to joining Parsons Brinckerhoff Elizabeth worked as a Personal Assistant to the Engineering Manager for BHPB Ravensthorpe (fly in fly out) and Woodside Energy, having lived and worked in Karratha for 10 years.
Elizabeth completed her tertiary education in Singapore before leaving to study Hotel Management in Montreux, Switzerland. Graduating she returned to Asia to work in hotels in predominately training roles and then on to the U K to work in management with a major hotel chain.
Returned to Perth she now draws upon her international experience from hospitality, training, living and working overseas and in remote locations.
Genelle Cox is Executive Assistant to Richard Goyder, Managing Director of Wesfarmers – Australia’s biggest private sector employer.
She has 12 years’ experience as an EA in Perth and Melbourne. She has held previous roles at the head office of The Mortgage Gallery, executive search firm Talent2, and most recently as EA to Michael Smith – chairman of Synergy, iiNet and the Perth Festival.
Genelle was approached directly by Richard Goyder for her current role which she has enthusiastically filled since April 2010.
Besides managing one of the busiest travel schedules and diaries for one of Australia’s highest profile Managing Directors, Genelle manages corporate events, travels regularly and is never more than three metres from her Blackberry.
