Right where you are – is where you are.

Written by Angie Hammond on .

Last weekend I played a game of basketball with my ten-year-old, I wasn’t playing by the rules, in fact, I was dodging the rules and laughing my head off – it was fun. As the afternoon Queensland sun beat down on us we relaxed and just played. It’s a cracking memory (literally). 

I stole the ball from him, he ran after me and I ran away with the ball, I aimed for the hoop and dismally missed, but it didn’t matter it was fun. I chased after the ball, I was closer and faster than Zak so I knew I’d get it. Just as I jumped off of the concrete court I landed in a small divot in the ground and rolled my ankle. I fell to the ground with an audible snap. Bugger!

Since then I have been in physio, had X-rays and ultrasounds. The good news is that it is not broken or fractured – just badly ruptured. So what does this teach me?

Maybe I should have played by the rules – wouldn’t have been as hilarious – but I’d still be walking normally and less like someone on the chain gang. 

Maybe I should look where I am going – hindsight is awesome. 

But maybe I am exactly where I am supposed to be – albeit with a sore ligament. 

With my ailment, I have been more mindful about where I walk to or chose to go to. Because before I was just walking or running or both endlessly and sometimes aimlessly doing way too much, too fast and without purpose. So learning to slow down is an interesting and useful skill. 

I have also completed more of my Sustainability Diploma which Im soaking up like a woman who should quite possibly have completed the first degree I started in Landscape Architecture (but then I wouldn’t have made it to Australia and wouldn’t be doing what I am doing now). 

See life happens to us, and we happen to life. We can look back with nostalgia and we can think that we are supposed to be doing other things, but it is what it is and being happy where you are is the true key to internal peace. 

So I embrace my sore ankle as I reinvigorate my brand, write my blogs, hang with my boys’ during school holidays, crack on with my course and supervise other people moving stones and mulch in my garden that would have otherwise been my job (sneaky – haha). 

#behappy #silverlinings #unpacking

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Felicity Burns

Education & Comms in Business

I am passionate about the creative industries, innovation, and strategic communications in business. My experience spans across education and marketing communications.

I have managed, designed, and led multiple programs in entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing communications and public relations.

Since 2022 working with the University of Southern QLD, I have been working with over 350+ industry partners to deliver research, innovation and entrepreneurship projects and programs.  Directly working with Chambers of Commerce, TSBE, council, investors, Government (Advance QLD and the Chief Entrepreneur’s Office), social enterprises, tourism, and local SMEs to create and innovate in the regional Queensland.

In Higher Education and the training sector, I have initiated and developed many exciting projects working with students, academics, and industry across Australia and globally. I have organised and led Industry Research Projects, professional development workshops and incubator/ accelerator programs. I have had further opportunities to lead and develop national accredited training programs across Australia and been able to input my creativity and vision into these new programs, working directly with industry partners.

I enjoy strategy development, enhancing work with the use of technology and creative communications. I generally love working with business owners to support them with achieving their goals. I currently own a publishing company in the UK and accelerator program called Start Us Up to support start-up businesses in Australia.

Felicity can help with:

Education: training workshops and program management (including design, execution, and delivery)

Communications: publishing, public relations, media, advertising, professional communications, brand point management, reach and engagement

Business: accelerator programs and delivery of workshops (across marketing communications)

Felicity brings a host of connections within Higher Education, the Australian research community and advise across areas within marketing communications in particular media, advertising, public relations, and strategic communications. Having worked for multi-national organisations in marketing communications in the FMCG sector and 3 x Australian universities – RMIT University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and the University of Southern Queensland, Felicity has managed and delivered specialised training programs in Australia in topic areas of, employability skills, public relations, and marketing communications. She is a valuable asset to our board as we strive to intertwine Education into the companies that we help on the Next Level program. This skill is crucial to us meeting our goal of making the Sunshine Coast attractive as a place to live, study and find long lasting purpose filled careers after study.

Alan Hegerty

Growth Advisory and Executive Coaching

Alan believes in creating a better world through business. He is driven by helping great businesses multiply their growth and impact in the world.

He has had a 25-year career growing business across UK, Australia and North America, including his own investment platform business he grew to managing in excess of $3.5 billion before exiting in 2023.

Alan Started Impactus Growth Advisory because he is on a mission to help purpose-led businesses owners and executives, to not make the same mistakes as he did and to short cut the path to industry leading growth, with less effort, less time, less money AND MORE FUN. 

So you they can amplify their impact on the world spend time on what really matters in life.

Alan can help with:

  • How to develop market leading strategy to propel your business forward
  • Implementing structures and systems into your business to ensure you successfully achieve your strategic goals
  • How to evolve your business and your leadership
  • Increasing cashflow and access to capital to enable growth
  • Establishing system to track key financial and non-financial metrics to
  • Developing organisation culture and creating a cohesive leadership team
  • Growing and empowering your people
  • Help business to formulate high growth strategy
  • Structures and systems to ensure strategic execution
  • Increasing cashflow and access to capital to enable growth
  • Establishing system to track key financial and non-financial metrics to
  • Developing organisation culture and creating a cohesive leadership team
  • Growing and empowering your people

Mark Paddenburg

Leader in Commercialisation, Innovation & Business Development

Mark is a dedicated, experienced business mentor, advisor and investor, passionate about transforming SME’s into successful, thriving scaleup businesses with a competitive edge.  Mark has held leadership roles at the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast, Trade & Investment Queensland, Board Associates, Brisbane’s Economic Development Agency, SparkTank, Northern Securities and Everlast Networks. 

Mark is an AICD Graduate and has a demonstrated track record in connecting ideas, people, programs, IP and capital, through his 30+ years at the forefront of economic development and innovation in Queensland. Mark has assisted over 125 companies to commercialise and develop sustainable growth strategies, thriving on unlocking hidden potential.

Mark co-founded SunCoast Angels in 2017 and the Silicon Coast group in 2014 (following the successful inaugural Startup Weekend SC which the Innovation Centre and UniSC organised in 2014). Mark was recognised as an Innovation Champion by Advance Queensland and was a mentor in the Queensland Government’s Mentoring 4 Growth Program.

Mark also directly contributed to the establishment of a number of key initiatives including Australia TradeCoast, the ourBrisbane portal (first capital city online portal), the Australian Institute for Commercialisation, The Queensland BioScience Precinct, The Sunshine Coast Digital Strategy, various Advance Queensland policies and he cofounded The Asia Pacific Cities Summit in 1996.

Mark has a GradCert in Management (UQ) and has worked in five different countries.  He stays busy as an advisor, founder, investor, facilitator, non-executive director for some local scaleups and is father of two teenage boys.

‘I am excited to join the Next Level Advisory Panel so that I can share my business development experience, expertise and networks with local business owners and entrepreneurs in a more collaborative way" says Mark, reflecting on his unwavering commitment to commercialisation, sustainable growth and making a meaningful impact for business owners.

Connect on Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-paddenburg-6421121/

Gavin Keeley

Gavin Keeley is an experienced technologist and business leader with a career spanning 4 decades in international consultancy and executive corporate roles across a diverse range of industry sectors, working in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

He has been at the (b)leading edge of commercialising emergent technologies, from the advent of the Personal Computer, through internet, cloud computing, to pioneering the commercial deployment of emergent Large Language Model AI and computer vision in classified Defence Intelligence projects since 2015.He has consistently been an early adopter, and has been featured in articles, and spoken
at conferences for several decades.

He has continually supported Queensland for instance having researched, then lobbied Federal, State, and Local Government for seven years, to establish an undersea fibre optic connection direct to the internet, with the network finally commissioned and operational in March 2020. He co-founded the Silicon Coast group in 2014, which has over 2,000 supporters, where he continues to mentor founders and support the growth of the region’s Digital Economy, and has also served as The President of SunCoast Angels.

In 2018, he was made a member of the Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Hall of Fame then in 2021 was inducted as a Fellow into the Australian Computer Society Hall of Fame for his distinguished contribution to the field of ICT in Australia, and in 2022 he was given a special achievement award by the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur for consistently contributing to a connected and inclusive Queensland innovation ecosystem.

He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of The Sunshine Coast, serving as a current member of the Planning and Resources Committee of the University Council and was recently appointed Chair of Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast, by Federal Minister Kristy McBain MP.

In 2023 he joined Flower Group as Venture Partnerships Director where he is currently working with CSIRO to commercialise their considerable IP catalogue.

“I’ve spent my entire life living in the future and I’m impatient for you all to join me there”.

Connect on Linked in
Https://linkedin.com/in/keeleyg

Ryan Hollis

Ryan Hollis is a distinguished sustainability expert with over 25 years of experience transforming business sustainability across manufacturing, construction and resources industries. As the Founder of everfocus, Ryan leverages his extensive real-world experience to guide businesses toward delivering maximum impact, growth, and long-term sustainability. His expertise spans industrial engineering, business improvement, and sustainability, making him an invaluable asset to any advisory board.

As a business owner, Ryan intimately understands the challenges businesses face when implementing change. His extensive experience across roles in Health and Safety, Transport and Logistics, Operations, Risk, Environment, Technology, Community, Major Projects, and External Affairs equip him with the insights needed to drive innovation and growth while managing stakeholder expectations. This unique perspective reassures businesses that they are in capable hands.

During his tenure as the Head of HSEC and External Affairs at BHP Manganese Australia, Ryan was not just a part of sustainability initiatives; he was the driving force behind them. His expertise in strategic planning, system design, governance, and community engagement across diverse geographic and regulatory environments adds unique value for his clients. Simon Marr, Managing Director of Marr Contracting, notes, "One of Ryan's key strengths is that he has come from an industry that arguably needs to change the most regarding sustainability, and he understands the commercial and organisational drivers that can impact change." Ryan has helped Marr Contracting source and utilise renewable diesel in their tower cranes, reducing carbon emissions by over 80%.

Ryan's advisory skills in external and regulatory ESG expectations for SMEs also include a detailed understanding of global trends driving sustainability and how supply chain dynamics influence local businesses. As part of the Next Level Education & Advisory Program, Ryan will bring his extensive experience to help local manufacturers identify and overcome sustainability challenges, driving profitability and sustainability.

Showcasing this potential is an ESG governance project recently delivered for an ASX-listed building fixtures manufacturing client. Ryan's guidance resulted in the proactive detection of significant waste in electricity and water use across their operations. The project also gave the CEO and board better transparency on where innovation must occur within their supply chain to remain competitive and sustainable.

Ryan holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship, a Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering, and an Advanced Diploma in Work Health and Safety. His academic background and professional experience prepare him to tackle complex sustainability challenges. Read his LinkedIn profile here.

With three young children and a deep affinity for the ocean and land, Ryan's passion for sustainability is profound. He believes that sustainable development is not just a professional pursuit but a personal mission. His dedication to preserving the environment for future generations is a testament to his character. "I'm happy if I can create, connect, illuminate, and lead businesses to be more sustainable, and I am particularly excited for the value we can create through the Next Level program," says Ryan, reflecting his unwavering commitment to making a lasting impact.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/impactwithryan/

Katrina Brennan

Katrina has been in the accounting profession since she was 19, starting as a junior and climbing through the ranks to Director of a mid-tier Brisbane city based firm before joining SRJ Walker Wayland on the Sunshine Coast as Principal. I have 30 years experience in the profession, working across any different industries.

Current roles:
Principal/Owner – SRJ Walker Wayland – Sunshine Coast
Director – Turbine Sunshine Coast
Mentor – Qld Government Mentoring for Growth
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce - Treasurer
Mindshop – Accredited Facilitator

Specialties:
Business advice
Tax consulting and compliance
Corporate transactions
Family Businesses
Strategic planning
Cashflows
Business mentoring

Katrina specialises in advising small, medium and large business clients engaged in activities across a variety of industries including professional services, building and construction, Manufacturers and service industries. Regularly assisting business owners with their personal affairs in addition to their business operations.

Forming good relationships with clients is very important to Katrina. She believes the more time she invests in relationships, the more she can learn about her clients and their businesses.

Katrina is a huge advocate for supporting her local community by helping business owners take control of their businesses – including setting up, selecting the right structure, growing in the right direction, at the right pace and getting the right systems and technology in place to support growth.

Katrina and the team have collaborated with industry groups and events to connect their clients with other businesses on the Sunshine Coast which has led to exciting new collaborations and partnerships. Sponsoring and partnering with industry events has seen the teamwork alongside industry groups such as Awesome Women in Construction, Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturing Excellence Forum FAN and Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-b-00470885/

Rebecca Ramsay

Rebecca Ramsay is an accomplished business owner and qualified Coach, Advisor and Advisory Board Chair, dedicated to empowering business owners and leaders. With a dynamic and engaging communication style, Rebecca excels in understanding, developing, motivating, and focusing individuals through coaching and mentoring relationships. Her extensive experience spans both SMEs and corporate environments, providing her with a unique perspective on identifying improvement opportunities for both people and systems.

Throughout her career, Rebecca has owned and operated four businesses and has worked with hundreds more in her coaching and advisory practice. Additionally, she is skilled in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Advanced Insights Profiling, and is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher.

Rebecca’s expertise is demonstrated through her current ventures. Through Clear Light Capital, she provides strategic advice and executive coaching to business leaders, focusing on growth, results, team development, and engagement. Whether you're a leader, executive, board member, investor, founder, or business owner, Rebecca helps you leverage your natural talents and those of your team to achieve success. She excels at uncovering areas that may have been overlooked, enhancing decision-making and leadership capabilities.

In addition, Rebecca is at the helm of LeverageMe, where the team partners with business owner-operators to deliver management matchmaking for businesses ready to secure General Manager support essential for growth and success.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaramsay/

David Neal

David has extensive experience specializing in leadership, management, strategy, project management, and organisational change.

David is a highly energetic, charismatic, and committed leader who takes pride in inspiring others to reach their full potential and allowing organizations to find their competitive edge. David’s experience stems from fourteen years as a leader within the Australian Army as an Army Officer. He was directly responsible for managing highly diverse teams and projects ranging in size and complexity. He has specialist skills in raising, training, and sustaining teams, risk management, and significant hands-on experience understanding, analyzing, and developing group dynamics.

David Neal has previously been featured in Forbes magazine and developed an extensive follower base on LinkedIn. Recently, he has been acknowledged for the following awards: Top 200 Global Leaders (Leaders Hum), LinkedIn Top 20 Voices Australia, and Top 50 Innovative Coaches (Global Leaders Today).

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-j-neal/

Chris Scott

I am an inspirational, results-driven business development leader specialising in individual and organisational alignment to personal and strategic intent. My resolve is to inspire leader and executive team performance to ensure results-oriented business outcomes. I am passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to reach their potential. Working with and guiding senior leaders, board directors, and executives to create exceptional outcomes or unveil considerable opportunities. I firmly believe that the path to individual and business success is empowerment over power … great leaders inspire leadership qualities in others’ capability to lead.

I bring more than 25 years’ experience as a Chief Executive in the health and corporate sector underpinned by a strong foundation of academic success and business acumen. I have gathered a myriad of skills and experiences which places me at the forefront to be a significant and practical resource for any business entity seeking tangible results.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-scott-turnerscott-consulting/

Scott Oxford

Scott has been a partner in creative agency New Word Order for nearly 20 years and heads creative and strategy. He is developing a new B2C and B2B2C SaaS business in the health and wellbeing space. He is also a certified advisory board chair.

He stays busy as a founder, creative, writer, strategist, facilitator, producer, speaker and podcaster.

He is driven by the power of human decision making across personal, professional, commercial and organisational spheres and the power of evidence to inform strategy that achieves change, either solving problem or unlocking potential.

Scott is a recognised expert in the separate, and sometimes, related, fields of brand and behaviour change. His work over the past few decades has focused individually on both disciplines, leading brand strategy and using brand to transform the leadership and prospects of businesses and organisations.
Scott has also led and written most of the behaviour change campaign projects produced by NWO over the last few decades. These campaigns have been independently proven to successfully empower people to make positive changes in their lives, from key personal decision making through to preventative health, safety, crisis management and ethical and sustainable choices. He led the development of the scientifically informed and proven behaviour change methodology the agency still successfully uses today. Scott is proud to know that all of this work contributes positively to people and the environment, and most importantly, that sometimes, it saves people’s lives.

Scott is an active thought leader in the brand space and hosts a podcast called BrandJam where he interviews leading minds across brand and marketing and encourages them to share their expertise.

He’s also developed many of the brand methodologies unique to the agency today and together with his agency team has developed a framework for evidence-based insights driven strategy around brand and has successfully implemented it across a wide range of businesses organisations and brand projects in government and private sector.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottoxford/

Kevin Bennett

An experienced and motivated senior manager who has worked in Public and Private sectors, delivering a wide range of Performance andProcess Improvement Programs. This experience is being used to support the development and deployment of Strategic Plans, Improving Customer Satisfaction, Team Building, Coaching, Project Management, Business and Workforce Excellence, Leadership and Management Development, Financial and Operational Performance for organisations who want to improve their performance by building a positive culture to continuous improvement. 

An AICD Graduate, Founding Director / Advisory Group member for Manufacturing Excellence Forum and Vice-President Cleantech Network.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbbpn/

Angie Hammond

Angie is an experienced, enthusiastic and determined advisor, mentor and marketer who has a mission to inspire, educate and transform small businesses into scaling businesses that thrive. With a passion for creating connections that bring opportunity and cohesion to a company, she has a slightly different view of the world where she sees pathways that can often be missed.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and a number of years working on Advisory Boards, over 13 years as a mentor with programs such as Mentoring for Growth, Arc Hardware Hub, Ignite + program she is well equipped to listen, hear and then develop tangible and feasible solutions to sometimes tricky problems.

As a qualified trainer and assessor Angie is able to facilitate workshops and run courses with a passion that is palpable. As a certified chair and qualified company director she brings understanding of good governance and the importance of risk mitigation to the table. Working with hundreds of small and scaling companies over the past few years she has the understanding of what can and will throw a business off course and how to get it back on track.

With a passion for Advisory Boards and the understanding and experience in seeing just how transformative they can be, Angie has set up the Next Level program to deliver the understanding of what an Advisory Board can do for a small business that is on the cusp of growth.

Angie’s personal guarantee is that you will learn lots, you will love the process, you will not be bored and you will scale your businesses in the direction you want to go in and we will hold your hands whilst you do it. Its time to take your business to the Next Level.

Connect on Linked in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-hammond/