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 - October 14th & 15th, Crown Melbourne Conference Centre

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.

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 impacts 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 having lived in Germany, the UAE and outback Australia.

Andrew Griffiths

International Bestselling Business Author - Global Speaker

Andrew Griffiths is an international author with 13 bestselling business books sold in over 65 countries. He shares his ideas, strategies and observations about doing business better all over the world, having delivered over 500 presentations in 25 countries. Andrew's clients include the European Union, Hewlett Packard, CBS, INC.com and many more.

Karen Hollenbach

LinkedIn Lady & Founding Director, Think Bespoke

Karen Hollenbach has built a reputation as an educator and content marketer who helps individuals and organisations unlock the power of LinkedIn to help achieve their career and business goals. With a warm, friendly and down to earth approach, Karen provides a fresh perspective on how to find your voice and tell your story. She shows you how to use LinkedIn to raise your professional profile within and beyond your industry and build your personal and organisational brand.

Joanne Love

International High Performance expert

Joanne knows what it takes to make dreams a reality. As a high-performance expert, she has led Olympic potentials to success whilst nurturing their wellbeing. Now, she devotes her time to the growth and success of those in the corporate space. Working around the globe, Joanne has been instrumental in helping hundreds of clients achieve big results.

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.

Beck Melville

Wellbeing Keynote Speaker, Coach and Trainer

Beck Melville specializes in workplace wellbeing and is passionate about affecting positive change and inspiring people to unlock their human potential. Executive roles in structured finance, leadership development, telecommunications and not for profits both in Australia and internationally, means she has practical experience in helping teams to navigate and embrace change. With undergraduate qualifications in Commerce and Finance and post graduate studies in Applied Positive Psychology at Melbourne university, Beck draws on a unique blend of business acumen and the latest research from the fields of positive psychology and neuroscience to support individuals and organisations to flourish.

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.

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!

Robert Taylor

Senior Consultant, Executive Assistant Academy

Robert has over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, business management & training combined with owning & operating his 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.

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.

Senior Corporate Speakers

Suzana Bishop

General Manager Commercial & Public Engagement, Federation Square

Suzana has over 20 years' experience in the events industry. Suzana's experience includes senior leadership roles with some of Melbourne's most esteemed organisations including the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), The Australian Grand Prix and The Royal Agriculture Society (Royal Melbourne Show).

Nicole Bradshaw

Business Manager, Mentone Grammar

Nicole Bradshaw is a Business Manager with over 17 yearsâ?? experience in leadership. Nicole's career spans the health and education sectors, and a variety of not-for-profit boards. In addition to her current CFO role at Mentone Grammar, Nicole was elected Vice President of the Association of School Business Administrators (Vic).

Parker Brigg

Assistant Commissioner, Australian Taxation Office

Parker Brigg, Assistant Commissioner Strategic Procurement and Contracts in ATO Finance, had over 20 years' experience in the senior ranks of the Department of Defence prior to joining the ATO. Parker's extensive experience in procurement and project management is backed by a Master's degree in Business Administration and Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance.

Claire Brown

National Director AVID Australia, Victoria University

Claire has worked as an education policy advisor in two states, researcher and academic. She feels privileged to be the National Director, AVID Australia. AVID works across Australia to improve the quality of teaching and learning for students and teachers regardless of their postcodes or circumstances. Current research interests are teacher professional learning, improving the status and quality of teaching and learning, and education policy.

Emma Dawson

Executive Director, Per Capita

Emma Dawson is the Executive Director of Per Capita. Formerly, she was a senior advisor on Digital Inclusion at Telstra, Executive Director of the Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society at the University of Melbourne, and a senior policy advisor in the Rudd and Gillard governments. Emma has published reports, articles and opinion pieces on a wide range of public policy issues, which have appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the Guardian, The Australian, and a number of online publications. She is a regular panelist on The Drum on ABC TV.

Stephanie Edwards

Managing Director, RPO & Professional Search, Australia and New Zealand, Korn Ferry

Stephanie Edwards is the Managing Director for RPO and Professional Search for Australia and New Zealand at Korn Ferry. In her role, she is responsible for the strategic direction and operational delivery of the RPO and Professional Search business lines.

Dr Jo Jenson

Head of Teaching and Learning, Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators

Dr Jenson commenced her career as a medical receptionist and built a successful EA career working directly with Chairmen and entrepreneurs such as Lindsay Fox, and the former Victorian State Treasurer, Hon Alan Stockdale. Jo is currently the Director of Education at the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.

Paul McDonald

Chief Executive Officer, Anglicare Victoria

Paul is currently CEO of Anglicare Victoria, the State's largest provider of foster care, family welfare and youth support services. Paul has been Chair of a range of nationally significant Committees on behalf of the Australian Government and founding Chair of the national "Home Stretch" campaign, extending care to 21.

Maria Oddo

Principal and Senior Manager, Department of Education Victoria

Maria Oddo has over 30 years' experience in Education and is a recognized leader and Senior Executive in her field. Maria is both a Principal and Senior Manager for the Professional Practice Leadership Division of the Department of Education, Victoria. Currently based at the Department of Education central leading a state-wide initiative in collaboration with International partners, Maria has extensive experience influencing programs and outcomes that impact Education across the State.

Matthew Pringle

Partner/Executive Director - Strategic Board and Governance Advisory, Pitcher Partners

Matthew is a partner/executive director of Pitcher Partners Melbourne and is responsible for leading the Corporate Governance Advisory service offering. He has been with Pitcher Partners and predecessor firms since 1982 and was admitted to the partnership in 1994.Throughout his career, Matthew has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in providing sound commercial advice together with assistance with corporate and transaction services and has developed specialist knowledge of public company and large private business requirements having previously led the Corporate Finance division nationally.

Mark Unwin

Chief Executive Officer, Australian Sports Turf Managers Association

Mark is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association, the peak-body for the education, advocacy, professional development and research for Sports Turf Management professionals in Australia. Mark has an extensive background in Executive and Senior Management positions for over 15 years, working across Operations, Customer Experience and Sales, in industries including Advertising and Multimedia, Conferences & Events.

Senior EA & PA Speakers

Kate Brownscombe

Team Leader/Executive Assistant, Advisory, Ernst & Young

Kate is a Team Leader as well as an experienced Executive Assistant at Ernst & Young (EY). As Team Leader Kate is building EY's Executive capability through managing a team of Executive Assistants to deliver invaluable service and helping to define the future for EAs in EY. In her Executive Assistant role, she supports two Partners to build a better working world.

Cathie Cattunar

Executive Assistant to Deputy Secretary, Justice Policy and Data Reform and Executive Assistant to Acting Secretary, Family Violence, Justice and Social Services Coordination and Workplace, Department of Justice and Community Safety

Cathie has an outstanding record of successfully providing high level/senior executive administrative services in a variety of state government departments. She is highly experienced in working in collaborative and embracing environments as well as challenging and demanding environments, whilst providing excellent strong work ethics of confidentiality, problem solving and understanding of the roles performed within an organisation.

Jo Galati

Executive Assistant to Group Executive, Institutional, ANZ

Jo is an experienced Executive Assistant with more than 10 years business experience. In addition to executive support in her current role Jo contributes to internal communications and staff engagement activities and works closely with marketing to support client events. Jo enjoys the strategic element of her role that ensures an effective balance of governance, staff and client interactions.

Nick Ginsburg

Executive Assistant to the Provost and Senior Vice-President, Monash University

Nick Ginsburg is the Executive Assistant to the Provost and Senior Vice-President at Monash University. In April 2018, Nick launched the Monash University Executive Assistant Network to establish a forum for knowledge-sharing and professional development, through tailored training, programs and social events.

Mina Italiano

Executive Administration Manager Asia-Pacific, Itron Networked Solutions Inc.

Mina is a resourceful, dynamic and pro-active professional with extensive experience in a variety of industries including public relations, communications, mining and smart cities. Mina provides EA support to the VP/GM, APAC. She is also responsible for office support, facilities management, events and marketing for the APAC region. Mina is a champion of networking and raising the EA profile.

Monica Kim

Executive Assistant, Commercial and Legal Pty Ltd

Andrea has had experience in both the public and private sector working in a variety of administration, event planning and sales and marketing roles. Beginning her Public Service career in the Department of Health working with various Executives across the organisation, and more recently commencing a role as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Shared Services, within the Chief Minister Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.

Phoebe Van Leuvan

Personal Assistant to Manager Property Services, The City of Greater Bendigo

Roles in the Hospitality and Retail Management sectors proved to be great preparation for Phoebe's move into Local Government, leading to a rewarding career and family balance. Phoebe currently works part-time, job sharing two assistant roles supporting the Manager, Property Services and the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.

Natalie Maggio

Executive Assistant, ICT Strategic Planning, Victoria Police

Natalie is currently the Deputy CIO's Executive Assistant, prior to that she was the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commissioner of Information, Systems and Security Command. She has worked at Victoria Police for 9 years starting in the Chief Commissioners office as a senior receptionist. With over 15 years of experience in the executive support space, Natalie has worked in various commands supporting multiple executives. Natalie has two beautiful little children that keep her very busy when she is not a work.

Abilene Roscoe

Executive Assistant to General Manager Corporate Services, Victoria Managed Insurance Authority

Since 1996 Abilene has been a Senior Executive Assistant in the Public Sector, starting her career in DPC and then becoming EA to a Former State Minister of Victoria. Abilene has also had some experience working in a not for profit organisation and the private sector. Abilene is currently the EA to General Manager of Corporate Services | Risk Enterprise and also supports the Executive Manager of People and Culture and the Chief Information Officer. Abilene strongly believes that EA's should constantly challenge themselves professionally to help advance their career and that there is always room for growth.

Jo-Anne Salgado

Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer, Mercer (Pacific)

Jo is passionate about keeping Executives organised, focused and productive whilst thoughtfully managing life balance. A seasoned partner to C-suite executives with over 20 years' experience across the Mining, IT and Finance sectors her capabilities include brand and profile guidance, project management and strategic support with a Customer lense.

Benita Sharland

Business Support Executive, Carman's

Entrepreneurial thinking and an advocate for workplace wellness, Benita is Business Support Executive at Carman's. Benita's role combines that of Senior Executive Assistant to the Leadership Team and coordinator of all things People & Culture. Drawing upon two decades of providing executive business support across various industries, Benita has a passion for creating the ultimate employee experience and has firsthand experience on how a role can evolve by remaining nimble, curious and resourceful.