Technology ColumnistAdam Turner was formerly Melbourne deputy editor of Next, the business IT section of Fairfax's The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
After seven years at The Age, Adam switched to a freelance career and now contributes news, features, reviews and opinion to various consumer and business technology publications. His specialty areas include mobility and the "digital lounge room".
Alana Lowes is living a love affair with all things fashionable and food. Exploring flavours, creating recipes, cooking and sharing these experiences with others is most important to her. Alana’s third place finalist finish on MasterChef Australia 2011 catapulted her into a career that she has not only been dreaming of, but also has been working hard at for years now.
Melbourne born Alana grew up in Mildura after her parents relocated from the city. Mildura, known as ‘Victoria’s Food Bowl’, was the perfect setting for her love of food to blossom.
At 32, Emma Isaacs has achieved more than most three times her age – she has bought four businesses and sold one, all of them successful and highly profitable.
Superwoman? Maybe. A serial entrepreneur? Absolutely. She is obsessed with taking something good and turning it into something spectacular. An example of this is the recruitment company she acquired when she was just 18. This business was named ‘Australia’s Favourite Recruiter’ in the SEEK Awards for three consecutive years and also won the Westpac 2005 Small Business of the Year award.
Motivation ColumnistBestselling Author, Forbes Columnist, Media Commentator & Keynote Speaker, Margie Warrell empowers people globally to live and lead with greater courage.
The best-selling author of Find Your Courage (McGraw-Hill), Margie is a sought after speaker who has been described as “a power house of inspiration, insight and practical advice” by her client organisations, which include AOL, Bechtel, Best Buy, British Telecom, Ernst & Young, ExxonMobil, NASA, United Healthcare and the Pentagon. She is a guest lecturer at Georgetown University and serves on the board of Ladies America.
Mark Cameron is CEO of Working Three, a social media strategy and online marketing agency. Working Three [W3] specialises in developing and implementing strategies that convert social media activity into sales.
Mark began his marketing career in the early nineties giving him abundant experience and unique insights into online strategy. Born in New Zealand, Mark started his career working in top-tier advertising and branding agencies. He went on to work on digital projects for NZ Post, Opus International, Origin Airways and an award winning project for Transit New Zealand.
Naomi Simson established online experiential gift retailer RedBalloon in 2001. Now Australia and New Zealand’s most awarded gift retailer, redballoon.com.au has been listed in the BRW fast lists six times.
RedBalloon has achieved enormous success since its first sale in 2001 to the multimillion business it is today. Voted in the Top Ten Great Places to Work in Australia, Hewitt independently ranks RedBalloon with a 97% employee engagement score (when the Australian average is 54%).
Education/Training/Recruitment ColumnistSarina Russo is the Founding Owner and Managing Director of the Sarina Russo Group. Sarina opened ‘The Office’ Business Academy (now Sarina Russo Schools | Australia) in 1979 with $2,600, nine students and two part-time staff.
Sarina now leads the Sarina Russo Group, a private company with interests in education, employment services and property. The Sarina Russo Group employs over 1,100 people and has a yearly turnover exceeding $100 million.
Innovation ColumnistShelley Barrett is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s fastest growing innovative beauty brand, ModelCo. ModelCo creates premium beauty products that combine cutting-edge creativity and technical innovation.
At just 21 years of age, Shelley started her career as a model agent at her own boutique modelling agency. For 10 years, she owned and operated one of the most highly respected management groups in Australia, Shelley’s Management Group. After first-hand experience working behind the scenes in the fashion world with models, and hair and makeup artists, Shelley astutely identified a niche in the market for innovative, quick-fix and multi-purpose beauty solutions.
Tammy May is one of Australia’s leading business women and the Founder of personal budgeting company MyBudget, which has grown into a national success story.
At the age of 22, Tammy started her business in 1999 from her home kitchen table after realising she could help people to gain control of their finances and manage their personal budget.
Today MyBudget has helped 20,000 clients Australia-wide and employs 160 staff as Tammy successfully combines her career with motherhood.
Consultant, blogger, speaker and entrepreneur Trevor Young describes himself as ‘a PR Warrior on the front line of the communications revolution’. Trevor is an independent adviser and content creator who helps progressive brands to increase the intensity of connection they have with the people who matter the most to the success of their business, cause or issue. He blogs at prwarrior.com and manages Australian blogging directory and news site bloghub.com.au