Training Facilitators

Alistair is an organisational behaviour specialist and registered psychologist with over 30 years’ experience. Commencing his career in injury management he gained significant insights into the critical role that work plays in people’s lives.  This early experience shaped his enduring commitment to helping individuals restore wellbeing, purpose, and performance.

For the past 15 years Alistair has worked extensively as a consultant, facilitator and coach partnering with individuals and teams to maximise their potential and achieve in their personal and professional lives.  Alistair has facilitated a range of workshops from brief ‘lunch and learn’ awareness programs to multi year leadership programs incorporating multiple learning modules, group and individual coaching, 360 feedback assessments and psychometric self-awareness assessments.

As a coach, Alistair has worked extensively across a range of industries and private and public sectors.  Providing coaching across a range of topics including leadership and team development, self-awareness and personal and career growth, he has worked with frontline leaders through to executives and senior managers, supporting his coachees to achieve their desired goals and ambitions.

Driven by a strong sense of purpose, Alistair brings empathy, insight, and clarity to his work — helping others navigate complexity, overcome challenges, and move toward their most authentic and effective selves.

Amberley has 10 years experience teaching literacy in the UK, Kenya and Australia to young adults and professionals. She has also worked in the mental health sector, coordinating and delivering prevention programs throughout Australia. Through this work Amberley recognises the barriers people may face developing their writing skills and this combination of teaching and industry experience gives Amberley the insight and ability to engage with professionals from a range of backgrounds, with her facilitation style focused on group learning and interaction.

Claire has worked in the field of health and safety for nearly 20 years. She has assisted many organisations to upgrade or develop their safety systems in practical ways that ensure worker safety and compliance with relevant legislation. Claire has worked across all tiers of government including in a regulatory role and as a consultant developing and improving safety systems and delivering training initiatives.

Dr Darja Kragt is a Lecturer in Work Psychology at the University of Western Australia. She is also a leadership consultant, program facilitator, speaker and author. Darja’s research focuses on developing leadership skills and competencies, particularly how identity and implicit beliefs shape leadership behaviour and effectiveness. She regularly conducts unconscious bias training for public and private organisations.

The Hon. David Bartlett is the former Premier of Tasmania. Before entering politics, David had a successful career in the information technology, telecommunications and innovation sectors. During his time as Tasmania’s 43rd Premier, David championed his home state for its natural strengths in water, renewable energy, high value food and primary industries, tourism and high-speed telecommunications.

Greg is an experienced Psychologist with a deep passion and commitment to supporting leaders and organisations to cultivate a culture of psychological safety that supports a work environment that is free of psychosocial harm. Greg has spent the last 25 years supporting teams and leaders not only around Australia but across the globe in both face to face and virtual delivery to maximise their potential.

Greg has a particular focus on assisting leaders to create a culture of psychological safety, accountability and high performance. His expertise and knowledge is around building and developing a culture of accountability, leading high performing teams, and getting the most out of people in a psychologically safe way to deliver the highest standards of work. He believes that vulnerability and authenticity are fundamental attributes of leadership, which are built on a foundation of accurate self-awareness and a personal commitment to growth and improvement.

Greg brings a unique set of skills and experience to his facilitation and coaching. His background as an elite athlete, Olympian and coach of a national team allows him to apply his learning with lived experience of reaching potential and performing at the highest level to achieve great outcomes to the corporate world and public sector environment. His experience working in and with the Public Sector (e.g. Staff Psychologist for the Department of Justice) since 2002 brings an appreciation of the challenges facing leaders in the Public Sector.   Greg’s experience of working with organisations around the world, having delivered programs in unique and diverse locations like Mongolia, South Korea, India, Canada, Singapore brings a unique cultural lens to his work and a deep appreciation for supporting people to be their best selves in every context.

Greg’s passion and energy for people, supporting leaders and team members to be their best selves, and for enabling high performance is clearly visible in all aspects of this delivery, whether it is one on one coaching, facilitation or supporting cultural transformation.

Hannah has over 18 years experience in business, communications, planning and program/project management in government and private consultancy, with formal qualifications in business (BCom, MBus) and project management (PRINCE2 Practitioner). Known for her personable approach, energy, and ability to get results, she has realised high value projects as a Project Manager, Program Manager and PMO Manager across diverse areas including: ICT development and reform, procurement, construction, policy and legislation, human resources, ethics, community engagement, and business strategy. Hannah’s engaging style and varied expertise make for a memorable and highly applicable learning experience.

Leadership and Facilitation Experience: Heather McGregor-Bayne is an experienced Sport Psychologist, Facilitator and Executive Coach with over 20 years professional experience. Having worked at the West Australian Institute of Sport for two Olympic cycles, Perth Women’s Scorchers and Tennis Australia she has an appreciation and comprehensive understanding on how to get people to be their best selves.

Heather has also worked with a broad range of private, public, and not for profit organisations and senior leaders to facilitate the shift in personal performance and importantly, culture. She fundamentally believes that leadership and culture are the foundation of well-being, plus both individual and organisational performance.

Heather is passionate about helping individuals and teams reach high performance and has significant experience working with a vast array of leaders, teams, and employees to build environments which bring out the best in each individual.

Jamie is a business systems transformation facilitator with 20 years’ experience leading strategy and engagement design across government, industry and community sectors. This is supplemented by senior executive experience and global influence as Australasia’s representative on the Global Standards Advisory Council for B Corporations. He has successfully managed three innovative start-ups to deliver technology solutions in regional Western Australia, capacity building in remote Aboriginal Communities and transformation through engagement. Since 2006, he has been the Principal Consultant at 361 Degrees Strategic Engagement Services. He has nationally recognised training credentials and extensive experience designing and delivering training in tertiary and professional development environments.

While in government, Jan worked for seven agencies in research and policy roles and spent one year as Executive Officer to the Ministerial Taskforce on the Condition and Status of Teaching. Since leaving government in 1995, Jan has consulted back to government on a variety of projects involving strategic people management, policy development, organisational design, systems review and executive selection and remuneration.

John Harman has written for living all his working life. An ex-Fleet Street journalist, John is also a script writer, having written scripts for many popular UK television series. He is also a novelist, with a series of crime thrillers to his name, and is the author of more than 30 non-fiction books. John has lectured extensively at UWA, at The University of Cambridge UK, at UCLA Davis in the United States, and as an adjunct senior lecturer in the School of Communications and Contemporary Arts at ECU. John specialises is conducting workshops for companies and for Federal, State and Local Government on: simple and effective writing skills; presenting skills, basic grammar and punctuation; speed reading, and effective workplace communications.

Jonathan Kurtjak is a skilled educator and training facilitator with a background in education, recruitment, and professional development. He specialises in designing and delivering engaging, results-oriented workshops that equip participants with the knowledge and tools to navigate the public sector job market with confidence.

With extensive experience in developing and facilitating training programs, Jonathan has supported professionals across Western Australian government agencies in CV and resume writing, interview techniques, and crafting compelling job applications. His expertise also includes designing course materials focused on recruitment processes, government codes of conduct, and public sector expectations.

Passionate about empowering individuals to articulate their skills and career aspirations effectively, Jonathan’s workshops provide valuable insights into government recruitment practices. His practical, hands-on approach ensures participants are well-prepared to apply for and secure roles within the public sector. Focused on best practice principles in workforce development, Jonathan’s facilitation style is engaging, informative, and tailored to the unique needs of public sector professionals.

Karen is a freelance editor and self-published author. She has been a copyeditor since 2011 in her business, Red Feather Publishing, after achieving a Diploma of Publishing (Professional Book Editing, Proofreading and Publishing).

Words are Karen’s medium. Be it reading, writing or playing, she loves creating, shaping and polishing manuscripts.  Karen has edited novels, non-fiction, memoirs, theses, resumes, websites, essays, film scripts, brochures and more.

Karen’s aim is that her editing makes the author a better writer.  She has also guided many clients through the self-publishing process and facilitates courses on how to self-publish.

Karen is a highly experienced leadership development practitioner, bringing a wealth of expertise to both public and private sector clients. With a strong track record in driving organisational performance through employee engagement, strategic design, and process development, Karen excels in guiding leaders through complex change initiatives. Her extensive coaching experience spans senior executives, management teams, and project boards, empowering them to navigate challenges and achieve strategic objectives. Notably, she contributed to the PSC’s Building Leadership Impact Program, demonstrating her ability to facilitate impactful leadership development at the highest levels.

Karen’s background as a Registered Nurse, coupled with her formal qualifications and fellowships from esteemed institutions like the Institute of Learning Professionals and the Australian Institute of Management WA, provides her with a unique perspective and deep understanding of organisational dynamics. Her proven ability to design and deliver impactful leadership programs, coupled with her expertise in change management and strategic planning, makes her an invaluable contributor to any organisation seeking to cultivate strong, effective leaders.

Lee is a leader, manager, and systems strategist with extensive experience in private, public, and non-profit sectors. Within each, Lee has effectively translated and communicated the strategic and workforce delivery imperatives for operational relevance.

Lee’s expertise includes designing the intersection of strategic workforce planning and development with policy frameworks and innovating workforce design and capability-building approaches to address workforce capability supply risks. She has also successfully managed projects and contracts related to clinical technologies, employment and education funding while fostering government relationships with industry stakeholders. In this work and through undertaking comprehensive research, analysis and stakeholder engagement, Lee has designed targeted workforce initiatives to address the diverse needs of regions.

An important aspect of Lee’s experience has included establishing and maintaining stakeholder partnerships across vocational, tertiary, and industry sectors to enhance workforce planning and capability interventions. This reflects in her commitment to advancing and shaping capability development connectivity that promotes career pathways and employability.

Lesley has enjoyed a successful career as a member of the public sector in Victoria and Western Australia. She has over thirty years of executive and senior management experience. She has worked as an executive director, business strategist, policy manager, and professional writer. Further information is available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-smith-b4890b50/. Lesley has extensive experience developing and reviewing a range of public-sector business documents. She has prepared strategic plans, environmental scans, policy documents, budget submissions, business cases and tenders, ministerial briefings and correspondence. She has also prepared material for and led the development of annual reporting activities for government departments, statutory authorities, and universities. Lesley has completed research and investigations, developed policies and programs, and prepared associated documentation. She has completed training in the Australian Business Excellence Framework and implemented the approach in government agencies. She is experienced in a soft systems approach to addressing complex problems. Lesley is also a qualified and experienced workplace trainer and assessor who has delivered government writing programs for IPAAWA for over six years and received excellent feedback. She believes lifelong learning is essential for people to realise their potential and enjoy satisfying careers in turbulent times.

Dr Mel Milton-Smith is an accredited executive coach and award-winning training facilitator who specialises in leadership, communications, and engagement. She works with emerging leaders through to executives from Australia’s leading companies and organisations. Dr Milton-Smith has held management roles in state and federal government and is an experienced Senior Lecturer in Communications and Media. She is the Chair and Director of several boards and is an Adjunct Professor at Curtin University. In addition to over 20 years of professional experience, Dr Milton-Smith has a PhD in Communications and Cultural Studies, Masters of Philosophy, and Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching. She has been an emcee and keynote speaker at many national and international conferences including TEDxPerth, The Cyber West Summit, The Agents of Change Ministerial Conference, EduTech, and The Social Impact Festival. Dr Milton-Smith is committed to helping people thrive at work and in their personal lives.

With a rich experience spanning over two decades, Dr. Nancy has carved a niche for herself in the realm of leadership. She is at the helm of her consultancy, specialising in the design and facilitation of programs and workshops, training, coaching, mentoring, and public speaking. Her expertise and insights have found their way into various journal articles, reflecting her extensive research and experience across diverse sectors.

Dr. Nancy is also the author of two acclaimed books: “It’s All About It – An Evidence-Based Practical Guide to Workplace Communications”, which offers readers strategies to enhance their communication skills and master the art of conversation in the workplace, and “Show Up and Lead”, which provides actionable insights on effective leadership.

A life-long learner at heart, Dr. Nancy leverages her academic prowess and practical experience to foster the growth and development of individuals, teams, and organisations. Her work spans across not-for-profit business and education sectors, as well as corporate environments at both local and national levels. Her commitment to supporting others extends beyond her professional life, as she generously devotes time to various community groups.

Paul spent six years in private practice as a lawyer before joining a Commonwealth agency to provide advice on administrative law matters. He has over 20 years’ experience as an SES officer in Commonwealth and State agencies and his roles have involved the management of workplace investigations. Paul has held senior positions within the WA Department of Education, the Corruption and Crime Commission, WA (Director of Legal Services) and the Office of the Public Sector Commissioner, WA (Head of Legal Services working directly to current and past Public sector Commissioners).

Rhys was the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in Tasmania for six years (2008-2014) and has held numerous senior public sector positions as well as roles as a Ministerial adviser. Rhys is an experienced organisational leader and has worked at the highest levels of the public service for over 16 years. Rhys is passionate about great leadership in organisations and has driven reform agendas across many areas of government. He has a strong background in governance, central agency leadership, energy policy, industry development and major project facilitation.

Drawing on a unique blend of project management expertise and an advanced understanding of procurement legal frameworks, Sam Murphy is ideally positioned to lead contract fundamental workshops for the public sector. Holding postgraduate qualifications in project management and law, Sam’s career has been marked by extensive experience as a contract administrator, commercial advisor, independent certifier, and superintendent’s representative for numerous state projects. His background includes successfully managing major health and infrastructure projects as a superintendent’s representative, providing strategic oversight of projects, and facilitating the resolution of complex contractual claims, demonstrating his practical grasp of contract application and dispute resolution.

Dr. Seth Nicholls is a policy and decision strategist and the Director of Nicholls Consulting Services. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Nicholls has worked extensively in academia (as a lecturer in international relations, political science and public policy); as well as in state and federal government (as a principal policy and project officer) and as a consultant to the South Australian, Victorian, New South Wales, Tasmanian and Northern Territory public sectors. Dr. Nicholls’ work has been published in high quality, peer reviewed journals and he holds a PhD in public policy from the University of Adelaide. He is also a graduate of Stanford University’s internationally-renowned Strategic Decision and Risk Management program.

Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) is a leading provider of specialist services in sexual and reproductive health in WA since its inception in 1972. SHQ is an independent, non-for-profit organisation which aims to promote sexual health and wellbeing to all Western Australians. SHQ has provided LGBTIQA+ diversity and inclusion training as component for all its training courses for professionals such as doctors, nurses, police officers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educational Officers, teachers, youth workers, counsellors, and allied health professionals. In response to emerging market need, SHQ created our stand-alone LGBTIQA+ diversity training for professionals and workplaces to be more inclusive of diverse staff and clients. LGBTIQA+ Diversity Training is delivered by experienced facilitators with over 50 years’ experience in education and training.

Susan Barrera worked for over 30 years in a number of senior management and policy positions in the Western Australian public sector. Her last position was Director General, Department for Communities. Prior to that she was Executive Director, Labour Relations. She also held senior policy and management positions in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Corrective Services. She currently works as a consultant specialising in training, human resource, organisational development and evaluation. She also lectures part time at Murdoch University and the University of WA in industrial relations and management.

Susan Kurtjak is a highly regarded senior strategic HR adviser with over 30 years’ experience in the public sector. As a former Regional Director at the Australian Public Service Commission, she led major recruitment reforms and provided high-level advice on workforce strategy, talent management, and best practice selection processes.

Susan specialises in recruitment consultancy, executive search, and policy modernisation, advising government agencies on streamlining hiring processes and enhancing workforce capability. A trusted facilitator and trainer, she delivers specialist recruitment training for the WA public sector through IPAA WA, equipping agencies, HR professionals, and individuals with practical, results-driven strategies.

As a respected career coach, Susan guides individuals through public sector recruitment and career transitions. Her highly regarded workshops provide participants with insider knowledge on public sector recruitment—from crafting standout applications to mastering behavioural interviews—giving them a competitive edge. Many have secured promotions or successfully transitioned to coveted roles within the public sector after attending her courses, such as ‘Job Application and Interview Skills for the Public Sector’. By demystifying government hiring and sharing proven techniques, Susan empowers individuals to navigate career opportunities with greater clarity and skill.​

Tanya Finnie is a global cultural strategist with expertise in building meaningful relationships and instilling confidence within individuals. As multi award winner, who worked on every continent, Tanya brings global experience pertaining to culture and diversity. Tanya assists organisations to increase their cultural intelligence and grow their human capital, to be more collaborative and leverage their diversity. She is a TEDx speaker (2020), certified Global Goodwill Ambassador and voted as one of Perth’s Top 100 Small Business Influencers (2016). As a long-standing mentor for UWA postgraduate students and mentor to CALD communities on boards via the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI), she loves giving back. She is also the founder of the two-day Diversity and Inclusion Summit. Tanya creates custom executive development programs, specifically focused on high-performance culture, to provide individuals and organisations with creative solutions and a competitive advantage.

Theo has been an evaluator in the Western Australian public service and private practice for 20 years.  He led an evaluation that won the IPAA Australian Evaluation Society Best Practice in Public Service Evaluation award in 2021.  In  September 2024 he was recognised as a Fellow of the Australian Evaluation Society for his long term contribution to evaluation in Australia and internationally. His international experience includes extensive work across diverse sectors in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East. Theo has delivered at least  60 training courses related to evaluation.

Since 2006 Theo has delivered numerous Introduction to Evaluation and Program Logic/Theory of Change courses for government departments and  Not for Profits in  Australia and internationally. A recent example is his  facilitation of two Theory of Change workshops in Jordan for a national social protection program.

Theo is interested in novel and participatory Monitoring and Evaluation approaches and is a passionate trainer and advocate of the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique nationally and internationally.  Since 2011 he has delivered MSC training via IPAA and the WA Council of Social Services. Theo has extensive experience in MSC, having used it in over 20 assignments and is one of the most experienced Western Australians in the use of the MSC technique. He was a member of an International Resource Panel project piloting complexity-aware monitoring and evaluation approaches, including MSC, for USAID.