by SA Woman Member | Feb 11, 2024 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Melanie has worked throughout Australia in a variety of government and corporate industries. She first worked as a specialist investigator with SAPOL within the Paedophile Taskforce and Sex Crimes Investigation Branch.
During the time she served in the force she completed a prestigious state-based scholarship focussing on an outcome that led to the offence of ‘drink spiking’ being included into South Australian criminal legislation. Melanie developed her portfolio of governance experience as a Board member and Chair of YWCA Adelaide focussing on the status of women and women’s policy and program development as well as attending international and national leadership conferences.
Melanie transitioned into careers within community and social services development – including senior roles in aged care, disability and education models for at-risk young people. Melanie has worked with a variety of organisations to implement change management and create commercial service models, as well as leading local and national projects within sport including within an AFL club.
Melanie assists police officers to transition into new careers and is a CEO in the non for profit sector with a focus on leadership for young women.
by SA Woman Member | Jan 27, 2024 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
A confessed extrovert and lover of freckles (the chocolates), I transitioned into a supposed semi-retirement nearly five years ago after selling my business, only for it to last a mere two weeks.
Passionate about business, I thrive on connecting, inspiring, and supporting individuals. My expertise lies in developing systems and processes to streamline and scale businesses. My philosophy is that every business owner should be in control, with the business serving them, not the other way around.
As a dedicated entrepreneur, I am committed to assisting fellow business owners in taking charge of their futures. This involves one-on-one coaching and facilitating business development groups.
What sets me apart is my firsthand experience. I built one of South Australia’s most successful conveyancing brands, a profitable and self-sustaining venture that required minimal hands-on management. My aim was to create a thriving business that could stand on its own and be sold as an asset upon my retirement in my 40s – a goal I successfully achieved.
Balancing personal life, family, and business is crucial, and I’m passionate about guiding my clients to create the lifestyle they desire.
Beyond business, I engage in activities that satisfy my extroverted nature, such as organising get-togethers with girlfriends, embarking on adventures with my daughter and hubby, acquiring new skills at art classes, and leisurely strolls around shopping centers (as a minimalist, I rarely make purchases but enjoy soaking up the energy of bustling crowds). Currently, I’m enthusiastically working through a “50 before 50” list, adding a delightful dimension to my life.
by SA Woman Member | Jan 27, 2024 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Hey there, I’m Karina, the creator behind Connect Comms!
I began this journey when I found my knack for helping business owners discover their voice and vibe with their dream audience. Connection is my highest value – I get so inspired when a message hits the heart with the right person.
Proud mum of two, it on my son and a little thing called divorce that kick started my business. When life threw me a curveball with my son’s quadriplegic cerebral palsy diagnosis and a 22 year marriage plot twist, I realised that time is too rich to be spent poorly. I ended my 14-year stint in corporate telecommunications, loaded up on learning through courses, and decided to do what lit a fire in my belly while creating a bright future for my kids.
Beforehand I was a team leader, ops manager, case manager, and training deliverer at Optus. Loved it, learned tons, but I craved a life where I could dance to my own tune, be flexible to my son’s needs, and find creativity in my work.
I’m also a fierce advocate for disability and have spoken on TV, radio, in newspapers and on podcasts in an effort to create change for the disability community and their carers.
by SA Woman Member | Jan 27, 2024 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Hi, my name is Kendie and I am the Director and Occupational Therapist at My OT and Me. Throughout my 10 year career, my Occupational Therapy journey has taken me far and wide, from Gawler to the United Kingdom, working across public and private organisations. My position within these roles never ‘felt right,’ for me, so in 2023, I set off on my journey to establish an OT service that truly values people and that truly cares., and so, My OT and Me was born.
I wanted to create a service that focused on supporting the vulnerable in our community. To do this, I strive to support people with empathy, compassion and with the aim to be that OT that ‘gets it.’ In order to do this, I continue to seek opportunities to grow as a therapist and also learn from my patient cohort.
Beyond my professional career, I am a proud cat mum to Winston. I enjoy baking/cooking and creating an urban veggie patch to fulfil my ”sustainability cup’.
by SA Woman Member | Jan 16, 2024 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Rosie Bartlett founded Mindseye Training and Consulting in 2015 with a mission to help workplaces support the mental wellbeing of their people.
Principal Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor with over 16 years’ experience training in Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, resilience training, and other mental health and drug and alcohol programs. Caring about outcomes and ensuring change within an organisation is sustainable – not just another ‘tick the box’ exercise. She believes if an organisation wants to build a healthy culture and be an employer of choice, they must invest in the mental fitness of their people. Equally important is to provide programs upskilling individuals, teams and managers to confidently handle mental health challenges as they arise.
With a background in health science, training and assessment, Rosie has a demonstrated history of working across Accounting and Professional Services, Acting and Modelling, Active Communities and Mental Health, Building and Construction, Community Services, Defence, Disability, Drug and Alcohol Services, Education (Early Childhood, Schools and Higher Education), Employment Services, Hospitality, Insurance, Local and State Government, Manufacturing, Medical, Mining and Resources, Non-Government Organisations and Peak Bodies, Retail, Small Business, Tertiary institutions, Tech Companies, Unions and Wine.
