Bob Dick
Bob has about 35 year’s experience as a facilitator and consultant. In this work he mostly uses action research and action learning to help people (and himself) improve their effectiveness and enjoyment. He has a particular interest in the use of participative methods, and the development of organisational resilience. He is also an independent scholar, an occasional academic, a writer, a loving partner, and a doting grandparent.
Martin Butcher
Martin Butcher has a PhD in Participatory Development: Methods, Skills and Processes. Martin has 20 years of experience working with communities involved in development projects and in training government officers in community and stakeholder engagement. Combining a design background with the emerging discipline of community engagement he has developed a systematic approach to designing engagement activities for all projects and programs.
Andrew Huffer
Andrew is a qualified facilitator and trainer with 17 years experience in working with managers, communities and businesses across Australia’s rural & business sectors at a local, regional, state and national level. His work focuses on staff development; community engagement processes; workshop design and delivery; and action planning.
He believes in providing extra value to clients, establishing opportunities for participant involvement and drawing on participants experience to make learning relevant.
Andrew has delivered almost 500 workshops for a range of organizations across Australia and overseas. He’s is active in the AFN and is the AFN Coordinator for WA.
Hedy Brant
Hedy Brant is the Manager, Service Culture coordinating the cultural change and professional development aspects of the student experience program at Charles Sturt University. Hedy is a Certified Professional Facilitator (International Association of Facilitators), and is a member of the Institute of Cultural Affairs, Australasia. Hedy has a Diploma of Applied Science (Agriculture) (Wagga Agricultural College) and Masters of Environmental Management (CSU) with a diverse background in natural resource management, corporate governance, community/adult education and development, and organisational development. She is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in communication focusing on facilitation in organisational change.
Dr. Tom Schwarz
Dr. Tom Schwarz is a Consulting Facilitator focusing on facilitative leadership and management development, and team effectiveness and creativity.
He is a Certified Professional Facilitator (IAF) and CPF Assessor, was an IAF Board member , ANZ Regional Representative – with a broad formal and informal facilitation, training and and experience. These are derived from corporate roles with various companies, and running his outcome focused organisational agility intervention practice over Asia Pacific.
Tom also contributes to the NGO sector through his work with the ICA (Institute of Cultural Affairs), AIESEC youth leadership development in China, and with the Feb’09 Citizen’s Parliament in Canberra.
Mark Butz
Mark Butz has his home base in Canberra, and works as a consultant, facilitator and trainer across Australia and internationally. He is an environmental science graduate (Macquarie University). He is an accomplished facilitator of stakeholder and community participation and engagement with his skills, knowledge and perspectives being shaped by over 30 years of practical experience in the public service and the community sector and a diverse range of engagements as a consultant, facilitator and writer.
He has particular expertise in the emerging field of cultural translation. – bridging gaps of communication and understanding between participants from different political, administrative, technical, scientific and community spheres.
Sue Gregory
Sue Gregory is an independent consultant, facilitator and facilitation trainer based in Melbourne. She has worked in facilitation in Australia and England working alongside organisations and individuals, supporting them through the development of participatory practices, the proactive management of change, and the establishment of partnership work approaches.
Sue is also a Reiki and Crystal Therapy practitioner. Since arriving in Melbourne she has established her own consultancy, The Emerald Approach. This embodies facilitation approaches plus Reiki and other holistic therapies to help organisations and individuals find balance through change.
Chris Harkess
Chris Harkess is a teacher educator, facilitator and trainer. She taught education at the University of Canterbury, and recently completed an M.Ed Honours in Adult Learning (2009).
Chris has a Zenergy Facilitation Diploma and is now an independent contractor working with community and educational organisations. Her time is divided between the beautiful Lake Taupo and the buzz of Auckland City. Family time is particularly important. Chris enjoys teaching and practicing tai chi, meditation, mindfulness, walking, yoga and singing.
Peter Lawless
Peter Lawless is Director of The Lawless Edge Ltd, co-founder of Phoenix Facilitation (New Zealand), a Director of Tuatara Maori and father of five sons. Peter works as an independent facilitator and trainer in the Te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Maui, the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Peter’s professional practice includes training facilitators, developing strategic plans in biodiversity, biosecurity, and education, assisting teams perform better, mentoring and coaching clients, supporting policy development, trouble shooting management issues in organisations and working with industry on better environmental practice. When not facilitating Peter is parenting, cycle racing, tramping and yachting.
Cheryl Cruttenden
Cheryl Cruttenden has lived and worked with horses in the USA, UK and Hong Kong and has spent 30 years teaching and facilitating groups in indoor and outdoor recreation, adventure activities and recreation management at the University of Hong Kong. As an Equine Facilitated Learning specialist, Cheryl combines her experience and training in horsemanship, outdoor activities, Tai Chi and Gestalt Therapy, to design and facilitate experiential horse human interaction programs for personal and professional development. Individual and group clients include educators, managers, mental health workers, women’s groups and young people.
Cheryl has a BA Recreation – Leadership & Management and Cert. EAGALA Equine Assisted Therapist
Dr Marie Martin
Dr Marie Martin has been facilitating professional learning, organisational development and group conversations since 1993 and completed her PhD “Understanding the Lived Experience of Co-facilitation: A Phenomenological Study” in 2004. Blending theory and practice in lively interactions which enable participants to build their knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, Learning Conversations workshops encourage thinking, movement and laughter.
Dr Anna Alderson
Dr Anna Alderson has been a teacher, a lecturer, a researcher and an administrator in schools, universities, government and non-government organistions over the last 30 + years. In most of these roles she has been working to facilitate people’s learning. Since working with Marie Martin in Learning Conversations, she has developed more deliberate strategies to create workshops that blend theory and practice in lively interactions and which enable participants to build their knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, encouraging thinking, movement and laughter.
Dave Rees
Dave Rees helps groups make decisions on a variety of issues like change, strategy, planning and problem solving. He has been a facilitator for 20 years, initially with Rolls-Royce Aerospace then EDS and for the last 10 as an independent consultant. He has facilitated over 500 workshops in the UK, other European countries, the USA and Canada and is now living in New Zealand. Dave is a founder member of UK Facilitators Network, a member of the IAF and is a CPF. He is an active member of the global CPF programme as an assessor and process manager.
Sue Elks
Sue Elks works in the Parks and Wildlife Group of the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. She is currently Manager Community Programs and Visitor Services for the Coastal Branch covering a geographic area between the QLD and VIC borders. Sue is a leading facilitator for her organization and delivers facilitation training to staff. She was on the organizing team for the 2008 AFN conference in Bathurst, NSW. Although vertically challenged, her passion for conservation, communication and mentoring ensures her presence is always felt and heard. A mother of 3 adult children, Sue is now relishing her entry into middle youth and particularly in sharing her knowledge, skills and experience with young people.
Martin De Los Rios
Martin is a passionate social planner and community development professional. He works as a community engagement officer for the City of Melbourne and is a Deep Democracy trainer. He has worked in local government and in the consulting industry around Australia for the last 4 years. He has a Master in Project Management specialising in social planning and development, a Master of Environment specialising in community development and a bachelors in Civil Engineering. He loves nature, hiking, photography and working with people.
Carla Rogers’s
Carla Rogers’s boundless energy and curious mind have seeded new approaches to coaching, facilitation and making large meetings work for a diverse range of people and clients in the business, public and community sectors. Carla has created meeting marketplace™, an engaging and highly acclaimed approach to large meeting facilitation, and has been recognized for the quality and originality of her work through international, national, state and ministerial Awards for excellence. Her interest in and deep commitment to helping people discover and develop their unique talents, strengths and confidence is at the heart of her business, EVOLVE Facilitation and Coaching.
Nigel Russell
Nigel Russell teaches, coaches, trains and supports individuals and organizations to communicate, collaborate and learn over distance. Nigel sails and races on a yacht each week and in winter 2009 ventured across the Tasman on his first major ocean journey. Nigel has been doing stuff at a distance for over 20 years – broadcasting, instructional design of multimedia, distance education, e-learning, coaching and webinars. Nigel has qualifications in Distance Education and was facilitator and collaborative consultant for the ABC’s online presence. Nigel is co-founder of NoMadMeetings, an innovative coaching and training organizations for people who need to effectively communicate, collaborate and learn at a distance.
Becky Hirst
Becky Hirst is an enthusiastic, hardworking and dynamic professional with a strong background in working with a diverse range of groups and communities. With over a decade of experience, Becky provides expertise in delivering community engagement initiatives, group facilitation and management of a range of projects that focus on social inclusion, community development and health promotion. Becky founded Becky Hirst Consulting in 2009 and is a participant of the South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme 2010.
Christine Carlton
For twenty years Christine Carlton has worked as freelance Consultant, Facilitator and Educator in Story, Drama and Creative Arts in Education, Business and Community Development. She travels Australia and overseas offering opportunities for individuals and organisations to tap into their creativity to gain insight and direction for their lives and their communities. Christine lectures in Story and Drama in Education at the University of Western Sydney; facilitates leadership and team-building processes; offers teacher inservice, storytelling workshops, reflective retreats and is regularly called upon to provide creative leadership and group facilitation at national and international conferences.
Glen Ochre and Ed McKinley
Glen Ochre and Ed McKinley have been independent facilitators since 1984, and are directors of the Groupwork Institute of Australia – which has been at the forefront of facilitation and collaborative management these last 25 years. The Groupwork offers the Advanced Diploma in Group Facilitation – the first government accredited facilitation qualification in the world, and 2 day Facilitation Training Short Courses.
Dr. Dale Hunter
Dr. Dale Hunter is an international leader, author and pioneer in the field of facilitation. She is a co-founder and director of Zenergy Ltd. a dynamic New Zealand registered company, formed in 1993, and providing facilitation, coaching, and research services. Dale’s books, including the widely read The Art of Facilitation (2009), are internationally influential in the field of facilitation and groupwork. The visionary experiential training programmes designed by Dale have educated over 1500 facilitators. Dale has served six years on the Board of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) and was a co-founder of the Australasian Facilitators Network (AFN).
Andrew Rixon
With one of the first PhD’s in Complex Systems and Complexity Science from the University of Queensland in June 1999 Andrew has gained global experience in working with organisations, within Australia and internationally in the USA, the Netherlands and the UK. Working in Boston in 2000, Andrew joined in some of the early story and storytelling workshops of Dave Snowden and Steve Denning. Today, Andrew’s focus is on how complexity inspired approaches, such as story and narrative, can change the way we work. As a keynote speaker, professional facilitator and change consultant, Andrew’s style is engaging, light hearted and curious.
Sascha Rixon
After completing an honours degree in linguistics, Sascha travelled and worked in London in a variety of corporate environments from a trading room in an investment banking firm to human resources in a global insurance company. On returning from London, Sascha spent many hours in unproductive meetings and became curious as to how effective communication could facilitate more productive meetings. In addition to her work at Babel Fish Group, Sascha is pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Melbourne exploring the language use of facilitators in facilitated workshops. Sascha’s style is open, enthusiastic and fun.
Irwin Tobias
Irwin Tobias is General Manager Vic/SA/WA/Tas for Herrmann International Asia. He has a diverse background including Managing Director of his own business, HR consultant and as a trainer for a variety of organisations.
Irwin started his path as a facilitator in the early 90’s when he joined the Augustine Centre and began facilitating personal growth groups. He also began working with leading Australian corporations and institutions to harness and develop the true power and potential of their people.
Irwin is an accredited practitioner in the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI).
Cindy Tonkin
Cindy Tonkin is the author of the extremely practical Australian Consultant’s Guide – setting up and running your consultancy business profitably and painlessly, and Consulting Mastery – the ability myth – when being good is not enough, both published by Allen and Unwin. She has been a consultant and contractor since 1987. She works with consultants to improve their business performance, create the lifestyle they want, and keep their clients happy. Her presentations are always lively and interactive.
Louise Russell
Louise Russell witnessed some profound changes in individuals while facilitating in 2005 and was inspired to accompany and assist others to create their own transformations. She certified as an NLP coach, trainer and presenter. Her work primarily used NLP, accelerated and quantum learning techniques with professionals and community groups. It has since evolved into an integrated practice that combines the techniques of NLP with the strategies of the Virtues. These principles provide a framework to inspire individuals to do well while being good – be it at home, the workplace or in the community.
Mary Maher
Mary Maher, principal consultant of a Brisbane-based consultancy, has been a practitioner in environmental, social and sustainability strategies for 28 years, with clients in government, academia, Councils, institutes and business. She now specializes in facilitation aimed at building group dialogue about how we should respond sustainability challenges which require future thinking skills including problem solving, strategy development and strategic evaluation of progress towards desired outcomes. She has 28 years’ professional experience including lecturing in universities for 11 years (Australia, University of Surrey, UK and University of Nanjing, China), senior policy adviser and Branch director in Brisbane City Council for 5 years managing a team of 24 environmental scientists and planners; in private consultancy for 12 years managing a small business of six staff; and a range of government appointments including two Government-owned Board directorships. Mary’s website: www.marymaher.com.au
Pam Bourke
Pam Bourke has 30 years experience in working with Local and State governments and the private sector to facilitate greater community engagement and development. Pam has designed and managed community development programs in Australia and New Zealand for local and state governments and provided training in Community Development and Engagement for the Resources Sector in Australia and internationally.
Lola Greeno
Lola Greeno is a Tasmanian Aboriginal artist specialising in traditional jewellery making. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and has completed the Indigenous Women’s Leadership program. She has worked in Aboriginal education and as an arts worker for Karadi Aboriginal Women’s Corporation. Lola is an oral historian and was an interviewer for the “Bringing Them Home” project. Lola currently works within the Tasmanian Arts community through her role with Arts Tasmania as the Aboriginal Arts Project Officer. Lola exhibits both nationally and internationally and is the “artist in residence” during the conference.
Linda Mather
Linda Mather, president of Beacon Consulting Associates, is a communications consultant, specializing in group dynamics, facilitation and leadership with particular emphasis on public policy and non-profit organizations.
As founding president of Forums Institute for Public Policy, she facilitated the New Jersey Policy Forums on Health and Medical Care. She also facilitated the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Citizen Jury, the Washington State Citizen Jury on Initiative and Referendum, the Citizen Research Group Viewpoints project York, as well as Community Advisory Panels for a variety of chemical companies.
Certified by the International Association of Facilitators, she also serves as an assessor and process manager.
Tom Verghese
Tom Verghese has a passion for increasing Cultural Intelligence. He is the author of ‘The Invisible Elephant – Exploring Cultural Awareness. As a Intercultural Management Consultant for the last 18 years , he has had extensive experience working with a diverse range of global organisations all over the world. Of Indian origin, born and raised in multi-ethnic Malaysia, he moved to Australia nearly 30 years ago as a foreign student. His wife is English and they have two children.
Kimbra White
Kimbra White specialises in facilitating community engagement and is based in Melbourne. Kimbra has considerable experience working in the state, regional and local government sectors. Prior to commencing her consulting practice in 2002 she was the Executive Director of Business East, the regional economic development agency for Melbourne’s East. Since 2002 she has facilitated meetings for many state agencies and local councils in Victoria often on issues that are highly contested. In addition, Kimbra is the vice president for the International Association for Public Participation, Australasia.
Desley Renton
Desley Renton is the Manager of the Community Engagement Program for the City of Melbourne. She brings to this exciting and challenging role a history of working with local government and a belief in its potential to lead participatory processes that strengthen local democracy and enhance wellbeing. Desley’s job is to build the capacity and readiness of the organisation to engage its communities as an integral part of the decision making process. In her spare time she is the President of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) International. In 2005 when working at the Local Government Association of Queensland her work was honoured with the IAP2 Asia Pacific award for best policy framework.
Sue James
Sue James works with her partner, Chris Bennett, as BJ Seminars International. Based in Melbourne, they provide a range of programs and services across education, community and business sectors. They inspire and connect people using their AQ-KQ® Framework – a combination of Appreciative Intelligence® and Kinaesthetic Intelligence that draws on Appreciative Inquiry, Tai Chi, storytelling, humour and other strength-based approaches.
To this workshop, Sue also brings over 20 years experience in working with young people in the education and youth sectors to foster their resilience and help them achieve a positive future.
Fiona O’Shaughnessy
Fiona O’Shaughnessy is responsible for facilitator development for a large international bank that operates across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In order to support business strategy and growth, the bank undertook to define facilitation standards in 2009 and determined levels of experience and capability in order to develop and deliver training, leadership development, and facilitate organisation-wide interventions. Fiona certifies and coaches in-house facilitators and engages stakeholders in the businesses and functions to ensure there is an adequate pipeline of skilled facilitators. Fiona is a Certified Professional Facilitator (IAF) and a Certified Practitioner in Learning and Performance (ASTD).
Peter Wallman
Peter Wallman works with techniques to discover, ignite and direct passion for individuals, couples, teams and communities. With leadership experience in several industries including a decade as the CEO of an international investment bank, Peter is able to bring an unusually diverse range of perspectives and capabilities to his work. He is the inventor of Passion Maps™, a unique process which allows individuals to connect with their deepest drivers and passions, and in doing so, to find a deep sense of authenticity and potential. Peter trains and accredits practitioners around the world to use Passion Mapping™ processes, as well as leading projects for leaders of international organizations. He is the author of “The Wisdom of Passion”.
Jill Knell
Jill Knell, principal of Soul in the Workplace, is a highly skilled and deeply intuitive facilitator with extensive professional experience in personal, leadership, organisational and community evolution both nationally and internationally. Her most treasured accreditations are in Passion Maps, Neuro-semantics and Laughter Yoga. Jill’s academic research partnerships include Integral Passion, Transformational Collaboration, Spiritual Capital, Life Work Balance and Workforce Sustainability. She is passionate about developing and using highly practical tools of alchemic and integral spiritual intelligence in the co-creation of a better world.
Christina Giudici
Christina Giudici is a Hobart based consultant, facilitator and owner of a small business (FIMBY) which helps people grow their own vegetables and fruit. During 2005 – 2008 she studied intensively with Reinhard Flatishchler, the founder of the TaKeTiNa Rhythm process. After 18 years in the corporate sector providing environmental management advice and leadership, she now divides her time between growing the FIMBY business, consulting and facilitation with Australian business clients, and leading TaKeTiNa workshops for community, corporate and general public groups.
Dee Brooks
is a passionate and highly energetic community worker who currently works with the Family Action Centre based at the University of Newcastle. She is a people’s advocate who believes everyone has gifts and abilities to share. Dee’s background is in youth work, community research and community development. She provides Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) training for a range of services, organisations and government departments and additionally assists them with community inclusive strategic planning. Dee provides professional facilitation for conferences, forums and events; she is the Facilitator of the ABCD Asia Pacific Network, an accredited ABCD trainer and an Art of Hosting facilitator and trainer.
Yeshi Eperjesi
With a Master of Education, Yeshi offers an integrated approach drawing from thirty five years in Wilderness Education, Psychotherapy, Social Ecology, Meditation and Dance. An early pioneer of outdoor education and executive coaching in Australia he has fifteen years experience in corporate leadership. Including Managing Director of Compass Learning specialised in Transformational Leadership.