About the Conference

Our keynote speakers

Rowdy McLean

Internationally Acclaimed Keynote Speaker

A successful entrepreneur and leader, Rowdy retired from his first company at 34, only to become bored and get back in the game. Helping leaders, businesses and teams, â??make excellence happenâ?? in their cultural identity, leadership development, team dynamics and motivation has become his legacy. Rowdy has spoken to over 250,000 people in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. His best selling book â??Play a Bigger Gameâ?? has been published in 7 countries. His new book â??Leadabilityâ?? was released in December 2017.

Marty Wilson

Internationally Acclaimed Keynote Speaker

If your people are stressed or fearful about change and disruption they need some time with Marty Wilson. He is a TED Speaker who uses proven tips and techniques to build resilience. But he is also a former Australian Comic of the Year so he balances proven scientific data with laugh out loud stories. This makes his programs incredibly human and instantly relatable to a wide variety of audiences.

Catherine Molloy

Professional Speaker & Consultant

Catherine Molloy is an International Speaker, Writer and Communication Expert, specialising in leadership, sales and service. With 25 yearsâ?? experience in business, education, speaking and transforming lives, Catherine believes that business success rests on the ability to build real connections at velocity. The participants will engage, connect and be more conscious of their communication. Her thought leadership is in how to hack the psychology of communication to build lasting connections, fast.

Jo Saunders

LinkedIn Demystifer, Speaker & Trainer

Jo Saunders is an international LinkedIn strategist and social media educator who shows leaders and teams how to increase visibility, amplify authority and earn influence using LinkedIn and social marketing tools. She was named #2 LinkedIn Expert in Asia Pacific for 2018 by the Social Media Marketing Institute and co-author of 'Get Good or Get Off - A guide to getting it right on social media'.

Garry Mills

Speaker & Coach, Garry Mills Peak Performance

To thrive in the chaos and uncertainty of life, you need a growth mindset. Garry Mills helps people reframe their reality to see fear, challenges, disappointment and problems as opportunities to learn, grow and transform. Garry coaches executives, diplomats and TEDx speakers. He is a former bodyguard for Prime Ministers and Presidents, and has overcome the debilitating effects of depression.

Robbi Mack

Internationally Acclaimed Keynote Speaker

Robbi Mack is the Queen of HeartBeatz and has a passion for inspiring and amplifying the potential found in human connection. Robbi empowers people with the tools to integrate our minds, with messages from the heart. An expert in emotional intelligence she innately understands the importance of self-awareness, self-management, and the power of empathy in becoming our greatest selves.

Lindsay Adams

Internationally Acclaimed Keynote Speaker

Lindsay Adams, aka, The Relationships Guy, is a business relationships specialist, relationships underpin everything that we do in business. Lindsay is an engaging and inspiring conference speaker, regularly delivering keynote addresses within Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Professional Speakers Australia inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2009 and awarded him a Life Membership in 2013.

Andrew Horabin

The Bullshift Company

Andrew Horabin is a professional speaker, facilitator and comedian. Over 25 years, he has worked with tens of thousands of people in local, state and federal government, global and national companies, professional associations and NGOâ??s across Australia and overseas. He has trained state and federal police from over 40 countries. Andrew has written three books including Bullshift: How to get more openness, honesty and straight talk at work.

Renee Kacz

Marketing Strategist and Public Speaker

As a marketing strategist and public speaker Renee helps business owners reach their potential and start earning the big bucks for their amazing work with her million-dollar sales funnel formula. Renee brings a wealth of knowledge from her background as a corporate lawyer and transition to successful entrepreneur. Buckle down and be prepared to be blown away as Reneeâ??s infectious passion will leave you feeling ready to take on the world!

Jane Wundersitz

Speaker, Master Trainer and Positive Culture & Wellbeing Specialist

Jane is a highly engaging and award winning speaker and the founder of WunderTraining. She has been a global pioneer in bringing positive psychology and emotional intelligence into her workplace training and is known for her high impact, research based deliveries that will leave you thinking and ready to act.

Kate Fuelling

Keynote Speaker, Author, Pioneer

Kate Fuelling is an Information Management Specialist, Author and Optimist. Her purpose in life is to lead with courage, fun and respect. Kate thrives on sharing her passion for realistic, useful digital information management solutions through fun, engaging presentations with a serious message.

Stu Atkins

Speaker and Co-owner, Social Seedling

Stu Atkins is a leading disruption, innovation and Social Media specialist with experience presenting to thousands of professionals here and abroad. Having worked at Realestate.com.au, News Ltd and his own online recruitment business, Stu has developed a strong awareness of trends and paradigm shifts which can help businesses to stay ahead of the curve. Currently co - founder of Social Seedling, Stu has his finger on the digital pulse and will empower attendees to challenge the norm to build better business outcomes.

Trevor Young

Founding Partner & Principal Consultant, Zoetic Agency

Trevor Young is known as the PR Warrior. He is co-founder and principal of content-driven social PR firm, Zoetic Agency.A former journalist with 20+ yearsâ?? experience in professional PR consulting, Trevor helps companies, organisations and individuals leverage social media and online publishing platforms to build public recognition for their business or personal brand.

David Thomson

Manager, Education & Training, Executive Assistant Academy

David has a unique mix of training, facilitation, instructional design and coaching skills at all levels combined with over 18 years of strategic business and sales experience. Throughout his career he has worked across a wide range of industry sectors with large corporates, small to medium businesses and within the public sector â?? Federal, State & Local.

Robert Taylor

Senior Consultant, Executive Assistant Academy

Robert has over 25 yearsâ?? experience in sales, marketing, business management & training combined with owning & operating own business in the exhibition events sector and holds tertiary qualifications in Economics, Marketing & Training. He has worked in a variety of roles for global corporations, SMEâ??s & training organizations in both Australia & overseas.

Senior Corporate Speakers

Kerryn Batten

Director, Corporate Services, City of Vincent

Kerryn Batten is Director, Corporate Services at the City of Vincent where she is accountable for a broad portfolio including finance, IT, risk and governance. She is also a non-executive director on two boards. Kerryn relies heavily on her Executive Assistant to keep the wheels moving smoothly.

Emeritus Professor Gary Martin

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Management in Western Australia

Professor Gary Martin commenced as CEO and Executive Director of AIM WA at the beginning of 2012. Gary has considerable expertise in leadership and management development. He is also a columnist in The Sunday Times and PerthNow where he contributes regular pieces on workplace matters including leadership and management, and human resource management topics.

Tina Williams

Chief Executive Officer, Volunteering WA

As CEO at Volunteering WA Tina is focused on leading a dynamic and sustainable organisation and creating vibrant communities through volunteering. Tina has a background in marketing, strategic and business development, fundraising and senior management in both not for profit and corporate sectors. Believing success comes from a happy workforce (paid and unpaid) she is a people-focused leader with a stanch commitment to learning, development and continuous improvement.

Steve Stanley

Director, CEO Institute WA

Steve Stanley is the Managing Director of six companies including The CEO Institute, and Team Smart. He has broad experience in the areas of team development, and leadership. In the Australian Army Reserve, Steve finished as a Lieutenant Colonel, and commanded the 16th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment.

Kim Ellwood

Executive Director, Office of Multicultural Interests, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries

Kim has worked in and with the community sector holding leadership roles and board positions in not for profit organisations, Local and State government and is currently the Executive Director of the Office of Multicultural Interests. Kim has also received an Australian Sports Medal for service to Sport in Australia.

Rob Weeden

General Manager, Pan Pacific Perth

Rob Weeden is General Manager at Pan Pacific Perth responsible for all aspects of operations, strategic planning, colleague and guest satisfaction. Mr. Weeden holds an MBA (Marketing) and has held leadership roles across Asia, Middle East, India, Europe, Canada and Australia. Most recently, he was Vice President Sales & Marketing EMEA for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. His greatest regret is not discovering WA 30 years earlier!

Steven Coghlan

State Manager WA, Consult Australia

As a graduate of both the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and Royal Military College â?? Duntroon (RMC-D), Steve started his career as an Army Officer before then transitioning to the corporate sector to run the WA operations for an engineering firm operating within the telecommunications infrastructure sector. Recently, Steve worked for the Department of Premier and Cabinet in WA before joining Consult Australia as WA State Manager in August 2015.

Andrew Pickford

Executive Director, Mannkal Economic Education Foundation

Andrew Pickford works in the area of policy and strategy across a range of institutions, industries and governments. He has particular expertise in the electricity sector, strategy formulation, scenario-based planning and Indo-Pacific security issues.

Alison Gaines

Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Daniels

Alison Gaines is the CEO of global executive search and board consulting firm Gerard Daniels. The firm is headquartered in Perth with offices in London, Houston and Sydney. Alison is President of the Australian Institute of Management (WA) and director of the College of Law Ltd and INSEAD Directors Network.

Penny Webb

Chief Executive Officer, South Coastal Health and Community Services

With over 25 years experience in non-profit and public sectors, Penny is currently the CEO of South Coastal Health and Community Services and Chair of the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. Her strengths lie in leadership, culture and public relations, and her pro-bono work champions the force of women locally and overseas to â??make her wayâ?? through Kinwomen.com and The Foxglove Project.

Jason Fair

Director, Fremantle Museums and Business Development, Western Australian Museum

Jason has extensive experience working within commercial and customer service based environments in both private and government sectors. He has held management roles since 1993, with 20 of those years in senior and executive management roles. His experience includes financial management, project management, marketing, digital transformation, exhibition and programming, retail, product development, store planning and venue management.

John Murray

Chief Executive Officer, Royal Australian Air Force Association (WA Division)

A two-year postgraduate at Royal Perth Hospital as a student general nurse, John has a bachelor of business at Curtin University majoring in Accounting and Business Law and a Masters in Business Leadership from Curtin University. As CEO of RAAFA, he is responsible for 1 ,414 homes in retirement living, six aged care facilities, community based services, four licensed clubs and an Aviation Heritage Museum hangar with 33 aircrafts.

Senior EA & PA speakers

Nicole Ward

Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer, Racing & Wagering Western Australia

Nicole Ward is a high-performing, results-driven Executive Assistant with extensive executive support experience currently serving as the â??right-handâ?? to the Chief Executive Officer at Racing and Wagering WA as the first line ambassador to both internal and external stakeholders. Known for quickly grasping complex concepts while working in fast-paced environments with multiple competing priorities, Nicole has proven that high level skills in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution are the cornerstone of a successful partnership with the business for delivery of strategic objectives.

Lily Costanzo

Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer, WA Super

Lily Costanzo is an experienced Executive Assistant working with CEOs for over 10 years. In her current role, she assists the CEO for WA Super. Previous to that, Lily worked as an Events Manager for 13 years, in Australia and overseas.Originally from Brazil, Lily migrated to Australia 18 years ago and holds a Bachelor of Public Relations degree and master in Events.

Liz Houston

Regulatory Assistant, Corporate and Environment, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA)

Liz joined NOPSEMA in 2014 and provides executive support to the CEO's office, Head of Division - Environment and the Advisory Board. A highly organised and proficient administration professional, Liz has strong communication skills and significant experience providing high level support to senior management across a variety of public and private sector organisations. Liz is able to work effectively autonomously and in a team environment, juggling numerous tasks and stakeholders while always managing to maintain a sense of humour.

Trudy Lawrence

Corporate Services Coordinator, Resource Capital Funds

Trudy is a career EA with +20 yearsâ?? experience in the mining and finance sectors working on-site, in corporate, and internationally. Her experience encompasses numerous levels of a senior EA role including; strategic and cultural alignment of business focus with executives, national and international event management, stakeholder relations, governance and office management.

Fiona Baird

Senior Executive Assistant, Atlas Iron Limited

Fiona has over 20 yearsâ?? experience, predominantly in the mining sector supporting Chief Executive Officers and Board Members. As well as the regular suite of Executive Assistant tasks, her roles have included investor relations, compliance and human resources. Fiona is a champion of health and wellness programs in the workplace and takes a special interest in mental health. Her greatest career achievement to date must be having stayed continually employed in the ever-turbulent WA mining sector!

Ana Lim

Executive Assistant, Pan Pacific Perth

Currently the Executive Assistant at Pan Pacific Perth hotel, Ana has more than a decade of hospitality experience in the administration and executive assistant roles. She supports EAâ??s beyond the traditional resume to one with management and leadership responsibility and accountability. Her motivation is her passion in â??service excellenceâ??.

Amy Miller

Administration Assistant, Museum of Western Australia

Amy has nine years experience as a Personal Assistant. She began her career in the not-for-profit sector where she provided high level executive support to a large variety of executives from a defence force background as well as gaining a lot of experience in other administrative and media disciplines. Amy joined the WA Museum team in 2015 in the Office of the CEO where she continues to expand her knowledge of the role of a Personal Assistant / Executive Assistant.

Nicole Ceric

Executive Assistant to CEO & Mayor, City of Nedlands

Nicole has worked at the City of Nedlands for 6 years as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and the Mayor while also providing support to the Cityâ??s 12 Councillors and Executive Team and office staff. Organisational and time management skills are a strong asset to Nicole, who not only manages a busy work-life, but also juggles being a doting mother to her 4 year old daughter, a wife and a part-time carer for her mother.

Lorraine Kingham

Principal's Personal Assistant, Mandurah Catholic College

Lorraine has been in the industry for 30 years (with gaps for family time!). She has worked in State government â?? Royal Perth Hospital, Local Government â?? Shire of Murray, and Education (Private). Lorraine has been the Principalâ??s Personal Assistant at Mandurah Catholic College for 15 years.

Mhairi Warne

Executive Officer, Shire of Peppermint Grove

Mhairi has many years of experience as an administrator both in Australia an overseas. Currently working as the Executive Officer at the Shire of Peppermint Grove, previously in same role at the town of Mosman Park. She has extensive experience in assisting the Mayor, Councillors and CEO of a small Local Government and is responsible for governance and Council meeting minutes and agendas.

Sara Stoitis

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, Kinetic IT

Sara Stoitis has gained extensive experience as both a Personal and Executive Assistant working for Kinetic IT. During her tenure, Kinetic IT has expanded from 400 employees to over 1100, entered new locations and Sara has supported teams as they have undertaken business development, changes in strategy and adoption of governance. Sara also supports the Board and the CFO.

Hannah Waters

Executive Assistant Corporate and Community Services, Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Hannah provides administrative support to the Director Corporate and Community Services and directorate managers to ensure Councilâ??s objectives are achieved. Services within Corporate and Community Services include Finance, Customer Service, Records, Information Technology, Libraries, Community Planning and Development, Caravan Parks, Local Emergency Management, Recreational and Childcare Services and Human Services. Hannah loves the variety the role provides.

Anne-Maree Wood-Gush

Executive Assistant, Perth Racing

Anne-Maree commenced with Perth Racing in January 2017 with more than 20 yearsâ?? experience in a variety of roles, encompassing a broad skill set. She has a Bachelor of Business Studies, majoring in Human Resource Management from Monash University, as well as extensive management experience in the hospitality industry.

Janet Nuttall

Executive Assistant to the Assistant Director General Service Delivery â?? Regional and Remote Communities, Department of Communities

Jan is the epitome of the 3xCâ??s collaborating inside and outside the department, communicating effectively with all our stakeholders and establishing a deep connection with our business. Jan enjoyed success in the private sector before joining the public sector seven years ago. Jan relishes the challenge of managing competing demands and anticipating requirements to ensure that her Executive is best placed to deliver services that make a difference to the people of Regional and Remote Western Australia.