The Evolving EA - Innovative and Adaptive

Being responsive and resourceful with change - why EAs MUST look to the future
to see what they need to do today

Australia's Leading Conference Series for EAs & PAs - September 4th & 5th, Pullman Brisbane

About the Conference

Our keynote speakers

Dr Brock Bastian

Researcher, Author & Speaker

Dr Brock Bastian is an internationally acclaimed researcher, author, and speaker who has spent the last 15 years seeking to understand the psychology of ethical decision-making. His work has been regularly featured in outlets such as the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, The Economist and Time Magazine and he is recognised as a thought leader in the field of Behavioural Ethics.

Craig Rispin

Internationally Renowned Futurist and Keynote Speaker, The Future Trends Group

Craig Rispin is a Business Futurist and Innovation Expert with expertise in emerging business, people and technology trends - and how companies can profit from them. Craig has over 20 years experience working where the future has been created, with some of the most innovative companies in the world in the IT, consumer electronics, internet and broadcasting industries. He is an award-winning speaker and has addressed audiences as large as 16,000 people on 5 continents and has consulted with CEOs of leading companies worldwide. He is also the World's Highest Rated Keynote Speaker on LinkedIn with over 500 recommendations.

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.

James McNamara

Business Advisor & Leadership Expert

James McNamara has been inspiring and educating people to be their best for over 20 years. His approach is often described as fresh, creative and motivating by his participants. His passion is leadership and helping people to find their leadership voice. James believes that anyone trying to influence the thinking and behaviour of others is in a leadership position.

Joan McEwan

Speaker, Coach, Mentor, Health & Wellbeing Expert

Joan McEwan is a Health & Wellness Expert with over 30 years experience. She has worked in the public and private health care sectors, natural medicine, occupational health & safety in the mining and oil and gas industry. Joan holds a Bachelor of Nursing from Griffith University, Post Graduate Diplomas in Mental Health Nursing, Naturopathy, Business Management and Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training. Some of the organisations Joan has worked with include QGC, Arrow Energy, BHP, Rio Tinto, Queensland Health

Jonathan McIlroy

Executive Director, Education and Training, Executive Assistant Academy

Jonathan has over 20 years’ experience in senior management and executive positions and has worked in industries as diverse as banking and finance, education and training, events management and even politics before co-founding Executive Assistant Network.

Josie Thomson

Chief Executive Officer, Josie Thomson and Wise Advocate Enterprises, International Speaker & Trainer

Josie Thomson is an acclaimed international speaker, multi-award winning executive coach, author, and resilience and mindset expert. A true storyteller with a passion for living a life of 'no regrets', she shares her personal stories authentically from the heart, weaving them with her deep understanding of the brain to provide those true 'aha!' moments that motivate and inspire.

Kerry Fitzgibbon

Internationally Acclaimed Social Media Strategist

For the last eight plus years Kerry has worked with businesses all over the world, helping them implement the very latest Facebook marketing strategies. Kerry specializes in learning about, applying and coaching others in Social Media Marketing specializing in Facebook Advertising, Remarketing and Messenger Marketing and helping people build reliable, sustainable, scalable income streams from Facebook.

Robert Taylor

Senior Consultant, Executive Assistant Academy

Robert has over 25 years of 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, SME's & training organizations in both Australia & overseas.

Sally Dooley

Professional Facilitator, Speaker, Executive Coach

Over twenty years, Sally has worked with thousands of leaders and individuals in government, private and community sectors, specialising in a wide range of leadership, people management and personal development areas. Sally has a Masters in Training and Development, is an international best selling author and TEDx speaker and speaker coach.

Sally Foley-Lewis

Productivity & Self-Leadership Expert

Sally positively impact results, leadership and team performance. She’s presented to, coached and worked with 10,000+ managers and leaders from medium sized to global organisations in Germany, UAE, Asia and Australia. She brings a unique blend of experience, extensive qualifications plus having lived in Germany, the UAE and outback Australia.

Steuart Snooks

Chief Executive Officer, Solutions for Success

Steuart Snooks is an E-mail & Workplace Productivity Expert who works with senior executives and their assistants who are seeking practical, effective and affordable solutions to the relentless demands of email and the workload it delivers. He has over 20 years’ experience in researching and developing best practices for managing email and restoring it to its rightful place as a powerful tool to facilitate improved workplace and personal productivity. What he teaches can change the way you work . . . forever!

Senior Corporate Speakers

Ann-Maree David

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director, The Queensland College of Law

Ann-Maree David is Executive Director of The College of Law, the largest provider of practice-focused legal education in Australasia. She has worked in public and corporate sector roles and in private practice as a solicitor. She is a Director of Australian Women Lawyers, the Australian Gender Equality Council and chairs the Queensland Law Society’s Equity & Diversity Committee.

Antonia Mercorella

Chief Executive Officer, The Real Estate Institute of Queensland

Antonia Mercorella is the CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). She was appointed to this role in 2014 and is the first female and youngest CEO in the organisation's 100 year history. Previously, she was the General Counsel and Deputy CEO for the REIQ. Before moving to Queensland just over 8 years ago, she established and ran Aventus Legal with her business and life partner. Prior to this, she was the Legal Counsel for the Real Estate Institute of South Australia. She has also worked as a conciliator and mediator in Australia and overseas.

Gerard Menses

Chief Executive Officer, Multiple Sclerosis Queensland

Gerard Menses is the CEO of Multiple Sclerosis Queensland and in the preceding 30 years has been the CEO of some of Australia’s largest and most complex not-for-profit organisations, including AnglicareSA, Endeavour, and Vision Australia. Gerard is big on change that unites people. He has an exceptional record of bringing divided stakeholders together, using his strategic and leadership ability to deliver outstanding results.

Jane Schmitt

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Medical Association Queensland

Jane Schmitt is a Lawyer by profession, having worked in private and corporate arenas. Jane’s move into executive management has seen her work across the insurance, construction and health environments, currently in the role of Chief Executive Officer at AMA Queensland. She sits on a number of boards in the areas of research, education, sport and health. Her expertise lies in initiating innovative operational and strategic changes to enhance the influence and profile of communities and businesses. Jane also provides consultancy advice on strategic planning and governance to associations and small businesses.

Dr Jeannie Trudel

President, Christian Heritage College (CHC)

Jeannie has a global background, having lived and worked in three countries. Her calling to Christian higher education involves serving in a couple of American universities before returning to Australia. Through various organizations, she was a mediation trainer and organization development consultant in the corporate and non-profit sectors in the U.S. As an academic, she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses and led a business school. Formerly a solicitor in Melbourne, she enjoyed her time as a court-appointed/ approved mediator in Los Angeles, Boston, and Louisville.

Lisa Stockwell

Human Resources Director, HopgoodGanim Lawyers

Lisa is a hands-on HR generalist with more than 20 years of experience in human resources. A specialist in the practice of HR in the legal sector, Lisa has also held roles across the mining, banking and accounting sectors. Working closely with business leaders, Lisa successfully delivers practical HR solutions, strategies and advice to improve individual and organisational performance. Lisa is a certified professional member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

Mark Middleton

Group Chief Executive Officer, Icon Group

As the Group CEO, and a highly-regarded radiation therapist, Mark knows all too well the impact of cancer on patients, family and society. His leadership style is simple, nurture and challenge a team to deliver exceptional cancer care and grow the business to deliver that care for as many people as possible. Prior to his Group CEO role, Mark led and founded the Radiation Oncology division of Icon, and is a regular invited international speaker.

Michael Krieg

General Manager, The Wesley Hospital

Michael came to The Wesley from St John of God Ballarat Hospital, where he held the role of CEO for five years. He has over 30 years’ experience in the health care sector, commencing his career as a nurse working across numerous areas of practice before becoming Theatre Manager at Mount Hospital in Perth in 1996. In 1999, Michael commenced his executive career and has since held senior leadership roles in both public and private hospitals across Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania - where he was successful in improving all aspects of hospital performance.

Penny Cornah

Executive Director, Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland

Penny Cornah is the Executive Director of the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ). MPAQ is a peak industry body representing plumbing contractors throughout Queensland from sole operators to medium sized plumbing businesses through to large contracting firms. Penny has been employed with the Association for more than eleven years and previously held the role of Member Services Manager. Penny is well known to MPAQ members and works closely with them and the Board on the raft of issues which currently face the industry. Penny identifies her role as heading the organisation that is the conduit between protecting community health and the environment.

Professor Scott Harrison

Director, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

Professor Scott Harrison is a graduate of Queensland Conservatorium. He has experience in teaching music in primary, secondary and tertiary environments. Performance interests and experience include opera and music theatre as both singer and musical director. He has held the position of Director, Queensland Conservatorium since 2013.

Trent Forno

Brisbane Office Managing Partner, Minter Ellison

Trent is passionate about working with clients to devise best-practice strategies for managing risk and resolving complex disputes. The majority of Trent's experience is in employee relations and safety, where he has acted for both public and private sector clients. Trent has also worked with insurers to manage workers' compensation, general liability and professional indemnity claims.

Senior EA & PA Speakers

Andrea Josey

Senior Executive Assistant to the Health Service Chief Executive, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service

Andrea Josey has more than 17 years of experience in local and state government across a variety of roles including librarian, ward administrator, Board Support and in her current role as Senior Executive Assistant to the Health Service Chief Executive. She was also nominated for an Australia Day Award for her work with young people during her tenure with local government. Andie’s high-level of relationship building and strategic nous has seen her develop her current position from a support role to a high-functioning advisory role facilitating advanced correspondence with other department agencies.

Cara McPhee

Executive Assistant, Dimension Data

Cara is a professional assistant with over 6 years' experience supporting Senior executives and leaders in the ICT industry. Highly skilled in professional and confidential executive support, Cara supports multiple executives and is passionate about ensuring an efficient work environment.

Catherine Kristensen

Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer, Office & Finance Manager, Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Catherine joined the Queensland Tourism Industry Council in July 2018, as Executive Assistant and manager. Previously, Catherine has had extensive organisational and management experience leading a team of 25 staff as owner of Picnic Point Toowoomba. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts-Communications degree from UTS and has recently completed a Graduate Certificate of Business from USQ.

Clare Stokes

Executive Assistant to Chief Information Officer, Super Retail Group

Supporting the CIO, five General Managers and coordinating a department of approximately 250 team members, Clare’s background over 20+ years includes Real Estate, HR & ER industries. Moving into IT almost 5 years ago, Clare developed her role to EA, assisted by the completion of the EAN Diploma of Executive Office Management.

Courtney Edgley

Senior Executive Support Officer to the Executive Director, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

Courtney Edgley is the Senior Executive Support Officer to the Executive Director, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She has been in the public health sector for over 11 years with significant experience in executive support roles. Courtney is passionate about providing a high standard of customer service and support and having a positive impact in all interactions.

Kelly Beauchamp

Administration Officer, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Queensland University of Technology

Kelly Beauchamp was born in Brisbane Australia but has travelled extensively all over the world gaining important life experiences. She has worked in a number of different industries including the banking, hospitality, gaming, IT, and now currently in the Tertiary education sector with the Queensland University of Technology. Throughout her roles she has supported a suite of leadership and senior management teams and individuals and strives to enhance her opportunities.

Lisa Nicholson

Personal Assistant, Pitcher Partners

Described as a serial organiser with attention to detail etched in her soul, Lisa boasts over 30 years’ experience in various industries. Having worked with some of Brisbane’s highest achievers, there is the realisation that an efficient EA/PA is essential. She prides herself on being able to communicate with all stakeholders to build valuable relationships.

Rosalee Dellaway

Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer, Queensland Urban Utilities

With a diverse career spanning 25 years, Rosalee commenced as a Private Secretary before moving into frontline management and Workplace Training. Currently Executive Assistant to the CFO of Queensland Urban Utilities, she is highly valued as an experienced C-Suite Executive Assistant. Rosalee provides her Executive with valuable skills and knowledge thanks to an extensive background in financial and human resource management.

Tara Knight

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, The Citadel Group Limited

Tara Knight is the Executive Assistant to the CEO of The Citadel Group, a leading Australian Technology Company. Tara holds over 10 years’ experience in high level EA and PA roles across various industries and has worked closely with Executive Boards, Executive Teams and Senior Leaders throughout her career.

Tyson Joseph Lee

Executive Assistant to the President, Land Court of Queensland

Tyson is the Executive Assistant to the President of the Land Court. The Land Court is a statutory Court comprised of Judicial Officers within the Queensland Court hierarchy. Tyson is passionate about his role and strongly believes that an adaptive and innovative EA is invaluable and indispensable in the workplace.