If Only You Knew?

Alicia was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia and in her younger years, barely left the three surrounding suburbs she grew up in. Early on, Alicia felt a deep connection to ‘something bigger than herself’…

Nicole is a Commercial, Intellectual Property, ICT and Information Security (InfoSec) lawyer, Electrical Engineer and the Founding Director of EAGLEGATE Lawyers and OutOfCourt.

Miriam is an accomplished Laboratory Media Supervisor with strong history of success executing sensitive microbiology laboratory functions, from media preparation to sample testing and analysis.

Dima is a John Maxwell Certified Speaker , Mentor, Coach and professional Architect. After spending 20 years working as an architect between Beiruit, Sydney and Dubai, 37 Dima hit rock bottom at 37 which led her on a journey of self-discovery…

Craig is an ethical hacker, security engineer, cyber security journalist and the author of the “A Hacker, I am” book series. He is a big advocate for helping share our knowledge to improve everyone’s understanding of how to be more secure. He started out in IT way back in 2002 and made his way up through various positions until he got the taste of cyber security around 2013 when he set his sights on the industry and hasn’t looked back since.

Everyone assumed great things from Mitch from an early age. They said: “he’s smart, he’s capable, he’s got his head screwed on right. We’ve heard it all before. High school was a breeze and then BAM real world, real decisions, real procrastination. He describes his story as a lot of amazing experiences mixed in with missed opportunities and time misused. He’s had more jobs than he can remember before he was 30, swapped through multiple industries and completely sworn off working a 9-5. Mitch seems to have settled down now, working for himself and finding a sense of responsibility and self-worth that had been missing. Who knows how long the itch will stay scratched though

Being first in family to go to university, and coming from a low-socioeconomic background where exposure to the corporate world was near non-existent, Jenn knows first-hand what it’s like to not know what to do, be confused by all the options, lack in information and feel the weight of not having her life mapped out. After studying psychology and human resources, Jenn found herself on a path she never expected – supporting young people and early professionals flourish in their own career journeys. In doing so, Jenn found that her own joy comes not from climbing a corporate ladder, but from the flexibility to experience life whilst also being able to increase others’ engagement with their careers.

Stefan is a structural engineer who started his professional career in 2003 by joining a National engineering consultancy straight from University. The department in which he started work helped shape and specialise his career within the light gauge steel framing industry. Holding both technical and managerial roles within the business, Stefan was involved in overseeing major projects, systems development, innovative design projects, mentoring staff, strategic planning, resource management, and general expansion of the division’s client base. In 2010, Stefan relocated to Brisbane (QLD) to pursue projects within the Commercial Sector, while maintaining the focus on steel design, light-gauge framing and modular project designs. In 2018 Stefan co-founded STS Structural and leads the team as the Principal Structural Engineer. He also holds the position of QLD Chairman of the National Association of Steel Framed Housing (NASH).

Ben is a former Victorian Football League (VFL) player and trade qualified carpenter who now works as a Customer Success Manager for global software company Point of Rental. Ben was a professional athlete with a career on the rise when a freak work accident ended his football and carpentry careers but Ben has not let adversity hold him back. Ben has gone on to become a well-respected industry professional and is on the home stretch of completing a Master of Business Administration.

Phoebe is a Principal Policy Officer at the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). Phoebe holds undergraduate qualifications in Education/Arts (UQ) (2013) and a Masters of Business Administration (GU) (2017). Phoebe commenced a Bachelor of Laws (Grad entry) (QUT) in 2019. In her current role at the QCT Phoebe is responsible for various research projects exploring regulatory governance in accreditation processes, initial teacher education, and education policy. In previous roles, Phoebe worked as a history and geography teacher in Brisbane and Qatar. Outside of work, Phoebe loves to run and spend time with her partner and their borzoi, Saul.

Gary Radford is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for innovation driven disruptive business models. Currently working as the GM for Sales and Marketing for the MH Carnegie backed Vortex Group, Gary also sits on a number of advisory boards in various industries and not for profits. Gary is a strong believer in focusing business models around genuine strategy and escaping the model of perfect competition by delivering quantifiable value to the customer. With over 20 years’ experience in starting, growing and selling businesses, Gary also consults organisations looking to either maximise their exit multiple, or structure their business in such a way to make it an attractive acquisition target. With a keen interest in sport and fitness, Gary can often be found playing American Football, working out at the gym or riding bikes both with and without motors.

Rose is 25 and works full time scheduling mechanics (among other things) for a Forklift business on the Gold Coast while studying part time as a mature age student at the University of New England. Rose commenced a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Management three years ago after a few years of studying at TAFE and working full time project managing for a signage company. Rose wants to empower others to use higher education as a building block for their own careers.

Briannah has worked with some of Australia’s flagship arts organizations and is a qualified New Media Artist and Marketing strategist. Moving internationally at the start of the pandemic, she believes in taking calculated risks and the power of creativity and conversation to illuminate possibilities. As a mum of four, she lives to create platforms for others to spring from.

Nick is a family man, investor and business owner. He has a broad background in structured business finance, with experience across all sectors using cutting edge technology to facilitate and expedite the lending process. With a ‘can do’ attitude and unwavering perseverance, he provides his clients with both the physical, and mental tools they require to move to the next level. Positive mindset, clear goals and forward momentum are the keys to success in business.

Firstly a husband and (exhausted!) father of 2 children, Nicolas also just so happens to be a qualified engineer. Nicolas’ varied career has seen him work as a consulting engineer in the construction sector; to founding, building and selling a successful telecommunications business and spending 2 years working in Aid. Nicolas is currently tenured as the Operations Director of three industry associations and is director of a Registered Training Organisation.

Katie is the Manager of Resurge Digital, a boutique digital marketing agency in Brisbane specialising in SEO, PPC, Social & Website Design. Katie graduated university in 2008 with a BA hons in Television & Communication. Katie the UK to backpack around the world, fell in love with Australia in 2009 & never left! She has been working in marketing since 2012, moving from traditional to digital along the way. Katie has also jumped from a digital marketing coordinator to the general manager of a digital marketing agency in less than 4 years! Enter member description here which describes the position of member in company

Laurie Harper is a former First Class Cricketer who represented Victoria in 38 First Class matches and 16 One Day Games. His career highlights included winning the Victorian Cricketer Of the Year Award in season 1997-98 and being a member of the winning 1999 One Day team that defeated NSW in the final. He completed an Economics Degree from Monash University in 1991 and began a career in the Hire and Rental industry with the Toyota Forklift dealer Princetown Toyota in 1996. Since that time, Laurie has worked exclusively in this industry in roles from Rental Administration, Operations Management, CEO and in 2010 business owner of Queensland Forklifts. Enter member description here which describes the position of member in company

Daniel Allen is a former carpenter turned social entrepreneur focussed on creative a positive shift in the mental health space. He is the founder of social enterprise work wear brand TradeMutt, mental health support service TIACS and co-host of the 120 Grit podcast. His passion for story telling and connecting with individuals through narrative underpins the work that Dan does in creative positive social change.

Jeff grew up in the 70’s in a country town struggling to find his way with an alcoholic father and an obese type 2 diabetic mother. They divorced when he was 11 and that was when life got even tougher. Struggling to make ends meet it was at age 15 that he sat down and wrote a suicide letter to his mother. Luckily he made it through this period and moved to Brisbane when he finished school. Now he finally could see potential in the world. Always a talker he first starting as a salesman for Wallace Bishop then later started work in the motor industry. For over 25 years he was a successful salesperson and sales manager, only ever working for 2 dealerships and finishing earlier this year after 11 years at Torque Toyota. Always a keen cyclist in 2014 he started long distance cycling raising money for cancer research to honour his mentor Alan Maxwell who was lost to cancer in 2015. In 2017 he rode from Townsville to Brisbane – 1600 klms in 8 days and in Feb 2019 while training for the event again he suffered a heart attack while on his bike. After a good medical outcome he now calls himself The Inspired Survivor. Jeff quit his well-paying, secure job in March this year to go into coaching and help spread the message of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness.

Parker Mayes is a 20 year old student at NC State University studying Business Marketing. He currently works for LexisNexis as a Global Communications Intern, and hosts the Taking A Breath Podcast all about leadership and growth for young adults. Parker invests not only in his own learning and personal development, but values the growth of those around him, and takes action on both of those goals on a daily basis.

Anthony (Tony) Lockwood is an experienced senior business management professional with a solid record in performance, leadership, team building, logistics and asset management. Tony is highly energetic and inspires team performance through coaching and mentoring of employees. Believes in value creation through a true understanding what drives sales, operations, asset efficiencies and the need for continuous improvement and effective communication in all areas.

Jessica Gilchrist is an entrepreneur who wants to live in a world filled with innovative business. She is an exuberant go-getter constantly poised to tackle the next big challenge. She has used her experience to turn events into moments of wonder and has transformed a conservative chocolate tour business into a thriving and cutting edge Melbourne experience. Jess then turned to a new adventure, where she founded Pink Boots Hire with her father and brother, a social enterprise that has a big vision to improve well-being and make a difference in the lives of people going through cancer. She continues watching from afar with Pink Boots Hire and has now turned to the Medico-Legal Industry and works closely to the lawyers and barristers of the world. Jess sees what she does as more than a job, she is on a mission to transform and illuminate, with a sharp eye for detail and execution. Jess beat a serious battle with cancer in 2016 and of course, she approached her cancer journey the same way she faces every bump in the road, with tenacity and optimism. Jessica is a powerhouse.

Jenny’s career started off like so many others, in an entry level role in administration. Over the 15 years in the workforce Jenny worked for a number of large multinational organisations compassing the construction and finance industries. Sadly her career was abruptly ended in 2019 when a chronic illness and subsequent disability meant that working was no longer an option. The path forward is unknown but Jenny remains positive and hopeful for a brighter future embracing all that life offers her.