You'll be trained and supported by the best in their business from across Australia and the globe

Lyall Mercer

Co-founder, My PR Partner · Lead Strategist, CRC Public Relations

My PR Partner·Australia

Co-founder of My PR Partner and lead strategist for CRC Public Relations, Lyall is widely regarded across Australasia as a leader in corporate public relations, reputation and issues management, and crisis communications. A former journalist with 25+ years of front-line public relations experience with clients and media on every continent, he has advised national and international companies and organisations, governments, executives, politicians, heads of state, celebrities, sporting figures, industry associations and schools; as well as coordinating international media conferences and speaking at events across the world.

Melissa Agnes

Founder & CEO

Crisis Ready Institute·USA

Based in the USA, Melissa is a recognised leading authority on crisis communication, crisis leadership and brand protection. Best-selling author of 'Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World', and creator of the Crisis Ready® Model which has been globally recognised as having elevated industry best practice, she has worked with ministries of foreign affairs and defence, NATO and many other leading organisations helping them to build invincible brands that can withstand even the most devastating of events. She is a regular contributor to media outlets across North America.

Deborah Hileman

President

Institute for Crisis Management·USA

As president of the Institute for Crisis Management in the USA - a recognised leader in crisis communication, research and training - Deborah has trained executives across the globe to prevent, effectively respond to, and mitigate crises. With more than 35 years' experience in public and private companies and non-profit organisations across various industries, she has authored several works including “Building a Crisis Early Warning System by Empowering Employees to Speak Up,” and “15 Tips for More Effective Employee Communications in a Crisis.”

Tim Sterne

Internal Investigations Specialist

Basalt Solutions·New Zealand

Tim is an internal investigations specialist with a specific focus on the education sector. Prior to becoming a consultant, Tim spent almost 12 years with the New Zealand Police, moving up the ranks to become Detective Sergeant. Before the badge, Tim was a school teacher with a Bachelor of Arts, Post-Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching and Post-Graduate Certificate in International Security. Tim works with a growing number of schools in Australia and abroad, educating on best practise and consulting as an external independent investigator.

Trevor Young

PR, Content & Digital Strategist

PR Warrior·Australia

Trevor is a leading PR, content and digital communications strategist, coach, author and speaker who has worked with some of the biggest consultancies in Australia as well as running his own agencies. Publisher of the “PR Warrior” blog and presenter of the “Become Your Own PR Machine” podcast, Trevor was named as one of the ‘heroes of Australian content marketing’ by the Sydney Morning Herald and one of Australia's ‘Top Business Thinkers’ by Smart Company.

Julie Mason

LinkedIn Sales Strategist

Julie Mason International·Australia

Julie is a renowned LinkedIn Sales Strategist with over 30 years of experience in traditional and digital sales. Featured on the cover of Social Media Success Magazine Australia and the LinkedIn tutor for the University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Griffith University and Recruiter.com, Julie is celebrated for her innovative, results-driven approach. She specialises in empowering small business owners to leverage LinkedIn effectively, transforming their profiles into powerful sales tools that position them as authorities in their industries.

Petra Zink

Founder · Personal Branding Strategist

impaCCCt·Australia

Petra is the founder of personal branding agency impaCCCt which helps transform high-potential and high-growth startups into thriving, market-leading businesses through bespoke personal branding strategies. She has been featured in publications including Forbes, news.com.au, Marie Claire, hashtagHR and the Business Women Media. Petra has also spoken at leading conferences including Disrupt HR, HackingHR, LearnX, Australian HR Summit and genYou events.

Jonathan Hawkes

Campaigner & Communication Adviser

Uncommon Asymmetry·Australia

Jonathan is a highly experienced campaigner, communication professional and adviser, having worked on many industry positioning campaigns and over 30 state and federal campaigns for more than 20 years. He is a former federal director for the National Party of Australia, director of the 2010 state campaign for the Tasmanian Liberal Party, and a senior media adviser to cabinet ministers and political leaders. Jonathan knows how to compete for attention and message space, and achieve influence and successful advocacy.

Vincent Potage

Strategic Communicator · MBA, CIPR (UK)

Wyatt Potage Consulting·Global (Europe & Africa)

Vincent is a strategic communicator who holds an MBA and is licensed with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in the UK. With over 15 years of experience spanning global markets, he specialises in transforming complex ideas into authentic stories that connect with audiences. Fluent in both English and French, Vincent has worked remotely with brands and agencies across Europe and Africa.

Cavill Stone

Radio and broadcast PR specialist

Australia

Cavill is a former director of clients, people and culture at a PR agency specialising in radio and broadcast communications, and has more than ten years' experience in PR, communications and marketing. She has assisted companies and non-profit organisations to elevate their profile, build their brand and ensure their messages are heard by their potential audiences - all using the power of radio.

Tim Whincop

Director

Vocare Law·Australia

Tim has an extensive background as an in-house legal practitioner in a global not-for-profit organisation spanning numerous years. His proficiency lies in his extensive work with clients in the NGO and NFP sectors, and he has cultivated expertise in handling complex legal and business matters across global jurisdictions. Tim holds a Master of Laws (International Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution) from Bond University, and an MBA and Bachelor of Laws from SCU. He is admitted to practise in the NSW Supreme Court and High Court of Australia.