Creating spaces and fostering an environment where individuals and families can learn, grow, connect and thrive.

Lead the development of a comprehensive 10-year Economic Development Strategy titled “Towards a Regenerative Yarra Ranges. The Strategy aims to foster purposeful growth, embrace regenerative principles, and build resilient communities.

Lead and manage the Economic Development and Investment department and its resources in the delivery of high-quality and responsive services that support economic development, tourism, investment, job creation and community wellbeing across the council’s 55 townships and suburbs. Manage annual operational budget of $1.4M, leading a team of 5 direct reports, whilst actively promoting a service excellence, customer-focused culture.𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:• Undertook additional role as Pandemic Municipal Recovery Manager from Mar 2020 to Apr 2021, overseeing reporting, governance, framework and action plans.• Coordinated business and tourism recovery works following a severe weather event in Jun 2021, including facilitating recovery forums, establishing a recovery committee, terms of reference and action plans.• Implemented new Business Concierge Services for Priority Investment Projects and small business permits. Facilitated >580 enquiries to support developers and small businesses during the Pandemic.• Collaborated with Box Hill Institute to develop an Innovation & Incubator Hub.• Improved evidence-based program development and advocacy through quantitative and qualitative monitoring & reporting.• Introduced a ‘Buy Local, Employ Local, Enjoy Local’ campaign to assist recovery efforts. • Increased reach with small businesses through YR Business Facebook (up 46.5%) and YR Business e-bulletin (up 31%). • Established the YR Business Leaders Roundtable, chaired by the YR Council CEO.• Developed a Business and Traders Group Framework that is sustainable and integrated, has fair and equitable representation across the shire, and enables local business collaboration and advocacy.• Appointed Co-Chair of the Together for Equality & Respect Partnership, championing for the prevention of violence against women in Melbourne’s East.• Appointed to the YR Steering Committee for the development of the Organisational Excellence Strategy – YR Ignite 2021–2025.

• Providing operational, strategic and financial oversight for the delivery of services supporting economic development, social planning, community engagement, youth development, local laws, emergency management, environmental health and libraries. • Overseeing an annual net budget of $13M and providing indirect management to a team of more than 180. • Successfully managed the transition of childcare and community services between agencies, with minimal impact to service users, employees and reputation.

Leading a small, multi-disciplined team in the development, implementation and coordination of strategies and programs to encourage economic growth and business prosperity. Included developing strategies, policies and projects to drive economic growth, attract and facilitate investment and improve business sustainability. Conducted evidence-based analysis and planning of programs and services to ensure a customer-first, outcomes-focused approach.𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:• Successfully secured regional grant funding to protect Yarra Ranges producers of berries, fruit and wine grapes from fruit fly, thus safeguarding $563M annual economic output and 1593 jobs.• Secured grant funding through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund towards the Coldstream Recycled Water Pipeline Scheme, which will generate over $50M in local economic benefit.• Increased international and domestic day trips by 9.5 % in partnership with Yarra Ranges Tourism. • Secured stakeholder buy-in to become a Small Business Friendly Council and establish a Small Business Office.• Initiated the Business Approvals Project in partnership with the state government to streamline permit approvals.

Coordinating the planning and delivery of business development programs and services across the Council. Lead a team of 1.5 personnel with responsibility for preparing the draft Economic Development Strategy.𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:• Identified and implemented operational improvements, including consolidation of business communication databases and information management systems.• Reviewed and relaunched the Women’s Business Network, which resulted in growth in event registrations, increased diversity in participation and improved survey results.• Restructured and recruited two new positions and transitioned existing contract employees out of the organisation.

Overseeing management of Council’s properties and facilities, as well as all purchases, sales, road discontinuances and property projects. Led a team of four, including the application of PERMA model to transform team culture.𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:• Successfully introduced strategic department management and structured work programming.

Managing the design and delivery of activities to stimulate and grow the local economy. Encompassed overseeing organisational systems and operational improvements, including communications plans, rebranding and website redevelopment. Built and maintaining strategic stakeholder relationships with Victorian Government agencies, other councils, education providers, industry groups and business, as well as coordinating development facilitation activities, including business expansions.𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:• Researched and prepared the Knox Skills Report to address current and future training needs.• Contributed to a major review of economic development activities in the local economy.• Increased registrations to Council’s annual business conference and decreased events costs through the introduction of sponsorship packages.

• Coordinating the delivery of activities to stimulate the local economy, including development of business frameworks and guidelines, networking and training programs, economic development strategy, sustainable business guidelines and an online business directory.• Developing and implementing a marketing strategy to promote Council’s business services and improve communications. • Promoted from a part-time Acting role into a permanent full-time position

• Building and maintaining productive relationships with 8,500 small to medium businesses in Yarra. • Developing communication strategies, programs and forums to develop greater understanding of business needs and challenges and to communicate Council plans and initiatives.