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PF_Bio_GretelBakker

Kelly applies her expertise as a registered psychologist to guide both individual and organisational development in her work as a designer, coach and facilitator.

Kelly provides strengths-based and solution-focused support, challenging mindsets to facilitate behavioural shifts amidst periods of significant change.

An experienced facilitator, Kelly enjoys working with a diverse range of organisations. She has an ability to adapt to the unique needs of each group, drawing knowledge from participants to assist with their learning. As an executive coach, she is able to quickly build trust and rapport to encourage the exploration of new ideas and perspectives, uncover deep insight, and guide the development of practical pathways for improvement and ongoing learning.

Kelly has over 15 years’ diverse commercial experience within some of Australia’s most successful and respected organisations, encompassing the fields of human resources, account management and procurement. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Business and a Master of Organisational Psychology. She is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

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Three words that describe you: Curious, Explorer, Connector

If you were a superhero your name would be? Culture Kid

What annoys you? Closed minds and when humans don’t show each other kindness and/or respect

What gives you energy?

Life in general, but if I were to be more specific, learning, music, art, travel and adventure would top my list. I also love hearing people’s stories and trying to understand what makes humans tick. And I’d better add a good belly laugh…

What do you want to be remembered for? Inspiring people to have meaningful (to them) lives through realising the strengths they have to offer themselves, others and the world

No one day is the same for Aylesha, and her juggling skills rival those of the most seasoned circus performer. Whether it be administration, program management, travel and event coordination, client liaison, database management – Aylesha takes it all in her stride and diligently applies her focus, professionalism and passion for a job well-done to traverse her mosaic of roles with ease.

With 18 years’ experience in administration and project coordination, top-notch logistical skills and a go-getter attitude, there is no better person for the job.

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Three words that describe you: Consistent, committed, passionate

If you were a superhero your name would be? Sister-matic

What annoys you? When people don’t put any thought into their actions

What gives you energy?

• Working with inspiring people
• Seeing the positive impact from the work I do
• Love and laughter from my family and friends

What do you want to be remembered for? Giving my very best in areas of life. Whether I be playing the role of mother, friend, wife, or employee – I’d like to ace it across the board.

Kylie uses her high-level relationship skills, expertise in coaching psychology and facilitation prowess to co-create transformative learning experiences and build human potential.

Drawn to PF’s innovative work in 2017, Kylie has quickly carved out a niche as a gifted facilitator, designer and coach who builds strong partnerships that uncover deep insight to help our clients own their journey of positive change.

Kylie is a highly skilled program designer and facilitator with a strong track record leading cultural change and leadership development initiatives across organisations such as BBC Worldwide, ABC and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Her work is informed by her expertise in strategy and policy, which equips her with a unique understanding of how organisations should tackle modern challenges with intelligence, agility and creativity.

As one of our key executive coaches, Kylie’s warm, engaging and curious nature helps her create the conditions for trust, discovery, reflection and transformation for exceptional personal and professional client outcomes. Her expertise is supported by a Masters of Applied Science in Coaching Psychology, LSI accreditation and experience in mentoring and coaching individuals primarily within the media sector.

A self-confessed people person – Kylie is most comfortable having authentic conversations and challenging people to achieve their boldest ambitions.

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Three words to describe you: Effervescent, people-oriented, inquisitive

If you were a superhero your name would be? WonderWoman

What annoys you: People using email as avoidance

What gives you energy:

• The beauty and power of the ocean
• Facilitating people to take opportunities and transform
• A really good coffee

What would you like to be remembered for? Changing the world, one person at a time. Being kind. Making people laugh. Serving a great meal. Bringing up two very lovely girls. A beautiful garden.

Lowanna uses her 20 years’ experience as a program designer, facilitator, arts educator and academic to help our clients make meaningful change in a way than inspires transformational growth.

Lowanna’s expertise in contemporary leadership studies, arts-based practices, design-thinking, neuroscience, learning and psychological development theories enrichens all of our learning and development initiatives at PF. Her advocacy of experiential learning and a ‘hands on’, personal approach to learning enables participants to connect intellectually, physically and emotionally in the learning journey. She has a wealth of experience working with middle managers, executives and senior leaders to guide, monitor and motivate personal and professional development and the creation of healthy workplace communities.

Lowanna is highly skilled in bringing together a diverse group to form a cohesive whole. Her career history as an academic and facilitator at QUT has required her to navigate a diversity of groups including leaders, course and unit coordinators and student groups in order to successfully co-create and lead various experiential programs. This, coupled with 10 years working abroad has given her real insight into cultural diversity and communication, negotiating cross-cultural collaborations and the development of diverse groups of individuals.

Prior to joining Performance Frontiers, Lowanna led a number of large scale development initiatives with QUT, QPAC, Queensland Health and the Queensland Ambulance Services in the areas of leadership, attrition, healthy communication, change management, and personal development.

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Three words to describe you: Energetic, empathetic, practical

If you were a superhero your name would be? The Co-creation Queen

What annoys you: Wasting time and wasted opportunity

What gives you energy:

• Working in an environment that is different everyday
• People! Engaging with people as they learn and discover is fascinating
• My family and nature

What would you like to be remembered for? Creating a beautiful family, being kind and wise; and injecting a little fun wherever I go.

After acting as PF’s lead graphic designer for 5 years, Kate now applies her expertise and keen eye for detail to supporting our graphic, instructional and product design department while she traverses the sunburnt landscapes of the Australian outback.

At the heart of Kate’s work is the belief that smart design makes a big contribution to productive and sustainable workplaces. With a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Based Art and Design and qualifications in graphic facilitation, Kate is expanding our design horizons by investigating innovative approaches to product design. She continues to enhance our learning environment by developing a suite of interactive resources and tools that clarify complexity and make abstract concepts more tangible.

Kate is inspired by the serendipitous discoveries of creative processes, and is a firm believer that from little things, big things grow. A dynamo designer and adventurer at heart, Kate currently enjoys visiting diverse communities across Australia and bringing people together over an appreciation for art and design.

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Three words that describe you: Thoughtful, practical, adventurous

If you were a superhero your name would be? Wanderlust woman

What annoys you? When money and ignorance rule

What gives you energy?

• Learning new skills
• Innovative ideas,
• Meeting compassionate people
• Travelling to unusual destinations
• Doodling and daydreaming

What do you want to be remembered for? Advocating creativity to enrich people’s lives

Ed recognises the partnering role finance has in realising an organisation’s strategy. Over six years, Ed has responded to manifold challenges of our rapidly evolving business and has helped Performance Frontiers thrive. His skillful management and refinement of our financial processes and systems help to ensure that we remain agile, responsive and successful. His financial expertise has been built through decades of financial consultation, dedicated bookkeeping, financial reporting and accounting both locally and nationally.

Three words to describe you:   Positive, Curious, Focussed

If you were a superhero your name would be: The Seeker of Truth

What annoys you: WASTE

What gives you energy:

• Helping Others
• Seeing Improvement
• Making Others Smile

What would you like to be remembered for?  Helping make things, processes and businesses better and more efficient

Olga is our office all-rounder and administration superstar. She applies her design acumen and super organisational skills to the task of designing efficient systems processes behind the scenes at Performance Frontiers.

Deftly migrating across from the creativity of the print room (when studying for her MDes Textiles Degree) into the world of architectural administration, Olga is now applying her skills in time management and her attention in the many roles she assumes on a daily basis, including resource creator, travel agent, receptionist, caterer and master scheduler.

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Three words that describe you: Independent, unflappable, pragmatic

If you were a superhero your name would be? The Masked Coordinator

What annoys you? Inconsistency and sudden mind-changing

What gives you energy?

• Discovering the new – whether that be fresh and exotic tastes, traversing foreign landscapes, or meeting new people
• The sense of accomplishment gained from polishing off the last task of a large-scale project
• Cooking delicious, nutritious food that’s made with love

What do you want to be remembered for? Giving back to my friends, family and our community in a way that is meaningful

Jocelyn utilises her expertise in relationship management, knowledge of integrated marketing communications and skills in word wizardry to establish, maintain and enrichen PF’s professional relationships.

Jocelyn skilfully juggles project management and client engagement, infusing all points of engagement with content that resonates. She is passionate about corporate sustainability and the power of communication, co-authoring a paper surrounding the use of rhetoric in recent corporate social responsibility movements, which was presented at the Annual ICA Conference in early 2016.

With a master’s in Public Relations and an undergrad in Creative Industries, Jocelyn has a deep understanding of the transformative effect that effective communication and arts-based practices can have in business. She has her finger on the pulse of up-to-the-minute conversations happening in our areas of expertise and she is constantly looking for fresh business insights to share with our team and clients.

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Three words that describe you:  Engaging, industrious, inventive

If you were a superhero your name would be? The scribbler

What annoys you? Ignorance, laziness and my ever-present Gen Y “FOMO”

What gives you energy?

• Finding a point of connection with each person I meet
• Immersing myself in the arts; through creative expression such as writing, illustration, and design; or through appreciation for the creative work of others.
• The often maddening, yet immensely rewarding, process of weaving together a well-written piece of work

What do you want to be remembered for?  Hopefully, for being one of the mad ones…

As Performance Frontier’s lead graphic and instructional designer, Jason breathes life into complex theory and unlocks new ways of thinking through the production of captivating tools and designs.

Jason applies his expertise as a ground-breaking artist, designer and educator to the development of cutting-edge print resources and online learning tools. His career portfolio spans the fine-arts, design and arts education sectors. He has taught internationally and lectured in university settings, and has also worked in freelance, agency and in-house design contexts in the travel and health sectors. He understands the mechanics of learning and takes an active role in designing our engaging learning experiences by developing innovative, meaningful and interactive tools, resources and visual stimuli.

Jason never stops moving, creating, thinking and reflecting. He believes that smart design is essential to sustainable business practice, and his enviable design acumen helps us remain at the forefront of visual and interactive technologies.

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Three words to describe you: Creative, Open-minded and Collaborative

If you were a superhero your name would be? The Energiser

What annoys you:  If I had to name two things it would be wasting time and being idle

What gives you energy:

• Being part of something bigger– creating something useful and meaningful
• Helping others to be better versions of themselves – me too!
• The awe-inspiring grandiosity of nature is a constant source of inspiration

What would you like to be remembered for? Unlocking new and exciting ways of thinking through graphic design

Dr Jane Austin brings over 20 years’ experience as a registered clinical psychologist to guide organisational and individual development in her work as a designer, coach and facilitator with Performance Frontiers team.

Her areas of expertise include executive coaching, leadership development, psychological assessment, mediation and conflict resolution, building resilience, and organisational and team assessment and development. Her areas of expertise include executive coaching, leadership development, psychological assessment, mediation and conflict resolution, building resilience, and organisational and team assessment and development.

Jane’s skills and expertise are supported by a lucrative career working both nationally and internationally with medium to large multinational organisations in variety industries including the resources and energy/utilities industries and government completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology in 2004 and holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) and Pyschology. She is currently registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, a Member of the Australian Psychological Society and the College of Clinical Psychologists.

Dr Georgia Seffrin is supported by over 15 years’ experience in transformational change and leadership in organisations. She has built a productive career in learning design and facilitation across a diversity of professional sectors including education, health, government, corporate and arts organisations.

In particular, Georgia’s professional practice focuses on the power of creative-thinking in leadership, leading in uncertain and complex environment, effective communication and navigating cultural change within organisations. She specialises in assisting leaders and teams to build their capacity in collaboration, high-level negotiations, and brokering partnerships across internal and external stakeholder groups.

Georgia is an open and adaptable facilitator. Her warmth, authenticity, and capability for artful engagement enable her to create constructive sessions of consideration, reflection and action. She is skilled at guiding conversations into uncharted territory, nurturing fruitful discussions and building collective insight. She encourages leaders to be aware of blind spots and have a solutions thinking mindset in order to seize opportunities and co-design plans for positive action.

Along with her work in professional development, Georgia’s skills are reinforced by her academic endeavours. She has worked extensively in the education sector as a as a lecturer, tutor, director and degree coordinator for QUT. She is involved in ongoing research into the field of culture after completing a PhD in cultural studies in 2009. She has published a series of papers in this field, and presented as a keynote both nationally and internationally.

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Three words to describe you: Curious, inclusive and creative

If you were a superhero your name would be? The Fashionator

What annoys you: In myself: not backing myself; in others: arrogance and bullishness

What gives you energy:

• The Arts and Design
• Pilates
• My family (Not necessarily in that order)

What would you like to be remembered for? Being compassionate, encouraging and curious, especially when one’s instinct suggests otherwise.

Backed by over a decade of national and international experience in education, corporate management and consultancy, Taya’s work as an impassioned facilitator designer, educator and coach at Performance Frontiers expertly balances content and process to elicit powerful learning outcomes and cultivate meaningful change.

Taya applies an integrated approach to adult education, creating a stimulating and engaging environment that caters to many different learning styles. Her areas of expertise include leadership development, maximising team performance, communication, collaboration and innovation, presentation skills and facilitation skills. Her work is underpinned by a depth of knowledge in current neuroscience and the psychology of behaviour change.

Taya’s facilitation style is vibrant, energetic and empathic, enabling her to quickly build rapport and trust with the people she works with. Expertly balancing content and process, she facilitates an environment that supports both individual learning and collective wisdom in order to consistently elicit powerful learning outcomes for participants.

Taya’s corporate management experience both internationally and in Australia enables her to connect with the realities of the workplace environments of her participants. She draws on her experience as a performer and arts educator to develop and deliver programs that use creative forms to explore real-time issues.

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Three words that describe you: Intense. Expansive. Sensitive.

If you were a superhero what would your name would be? Big Mama T

What annoys you? Slow drivers…

What gives you energy? Many things, to name a few…

• Deep engagement with nature: I am an avid backpacker and rock climber.
• Dogs: I LOVE THEM (and they love me).
• Food: I know this sounds obvious, but looking beyond its nourishing capacities, exploring all aspects of food is one of my greatest joys.

What do you want to be remembered for? My epic engagement with life and my relentless pursuit of my potential in the service of a healthier and more conscious world.

As a leading designer, facilitator and coach at Performance Frontiers, Sharon draws from her expertise in the fields of experiential adult learning, communications and design to carefully curate engaging, meaningful and transformational learning experiences that develop and build human potential.

Drawn to the innovative work of Performance Frontiers in 2016, Sharon applies her deep expertise in collaborative, experiential, adult and live-scenario learning, to design customised creative, experiential and immersive professional learning programs that build commitment to a clear vision. Sharon is known for her warmth, positivity and catalytic ability to synthesise multiple perspectives into clear pillars and strategy to assist organisations, teams and individuals to design exceptional futures.

A strong believer in the power of individualised learning in the workplace, she is a highly reputed performance and organisational coach. Her authentic approach rapidly builds trust with clients and creates the conditions for individuals to gain deeper insight and plan positive action.

Prior to joining Performance Frontiers, Sharon led teams and projects in government, health, corporate and education sectors in Australia and Asia. Her work is supported by a wealth of knowledge in business, creative industries, education, policy and qualitative research. She holds a master’s degree in experiential and adult learning and is currently completing her PhD in the field of feedback, communication and learning.

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Three words to describe you: Playful, positive, calm

If you were a superhero your name would be? Super Synthesiser

What annoys you: The fact that there is only 24 hours in each day

What gives you energy:

1. Learning – for myself and seeing the spark in someone’s eyes when they have discovered something new
2. Physical Challenges – hiking, running and anything that makes me breathe deeply
3. Freedom –the value of free time and having the space to think and focus

What would you like to be remembered for? Energising teams – helping people achieve serious outcomes and real behavioural change without taking fun out of the equation.

As a principal, lead facilitator, process designer, writer and executive coach at Performance Frontiers, Dr Martin Challis is dedicated to utilising his creativity and insight as powerful catalysts for facilitating learning and transformational change in organisations, teams and individuals.

Martin specialises in co-creating high impact, experiential leadership development programs that enable individuals to develop self, team and whole system leadership. His human-centred approach to professional development has successfully enabled leaders to embody new cultural behaviours and strategies that strengthen and harmonise their teams and organisations.

As an executive coach, Martin creates conditions for insight and positive behavioural change through an artful balance of inquiry, diagnosis, reflection and action. He specialises in building capacity in the areas of leadership, communication, emotional and social intelligence and practical mindfulness.

Martin has worked with clients from a broad range of backgrounds throughout Australasia and leverages significant expertise in applied theatre modelling, psychological theory, applied communication, relationship dynamics and behavioural change. An awarded educator, a published author and lyricist, and a corporate leader in the retail and creative industries, and a dedicated family man, Martin is committed to living life authentically and inspiring others to do the same.

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Three words to describe you: Authentic, curious, compassionate

If you were a superhero your name would be: Metaphor Man, ably assisted by Segue Boy

What annoys you: Bigotry and intolerance of diversity

What gives you energy:

• Learning – I am a voracious reader, thinker, writer and love to understand more about people and what makes us, us
• Spaces in the natural environment – this could be the ocean, estuary, river, field, forest or mountain
• Imagination released for the creative enjoyment and benefit of all

What would you like to be remembered for? For words and deeds of compassion and strength that uplift, shape and heal when needed

Performance Frontiers’ Founder and Director Gretel Bakker leverages her 16 years’ experience as a world-class organisational designer and facilitator to expand human capacity, incite transformational change and drive individuals to shape exceptional futures.

Since establishing Performance Frontiers in 2001, Gretel has shared her entrepreneurial skills and cutting edge approach to organisational transformation with a suite of blue chip clients in the government sectors, design and professional services, and retail industries. Recognising that cultural change requires an embedded approach, Gretel works alongside organisations, right in the thick of it, to build high performing leaders and teams that can deliver on strategy.

As a designer and facilitator of experiential learning, Gretel is revered for creating immersive and insightful sessions that leave leaders and teams with a greater sense of confidence, unity and direction. She has worked extensively as a mentor and executive coach of leaders from all levels, industries and sectors. Her engaging, incisive approach and expert knowledge helps leaders build the clarity and momentum required for individuals to break new ground and maximise their performance.

Gretel’s vision and expert guidance is highly sought-after. Her sophisticated understanding of business strategy has been shaped working alongside global visionaries at Stanford and the European Presencing Institute, as well as a number of top-echelon innovators in cultural change and sustainability. She has presented as a keynote nationally and internationally and is widely regarded as a thought leader in the fields of transformational change, arts-based practice, human-centred design and whole-system thinking. She continues to lead successful, high impact programs throughout Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.

Gretel believes wholeheartedly that excellence is achievable and is dedicated to cultivating it; one team member, one leader, one organisation at a time.

More about Gretel

Three words to describe you: Bold, resilient, activist

If you were a superhero your name would be?: Catalyst Woman

What annoys you?: Negativity or entitlement

What gives you energy?:

• The land – putting my hands in the earth, gardening and growing something from nothing
•  Art and Artists – I am inspired by films, novels and stories and the visual
• Creating and collaborating with my colleagues, family, friends and clients

What would you like to be remembered for?
Creating and inspiring meaningful, holistic transformations that build exceptional and sustainable futures for individuals, organisations and the greater world.