Meet our instructors

Founder of Lumin and Think HQ, Jen is an experienced communications and social marketing strategist with a diverse background spanning corporate, policy, not for profit and entrepreneurial industries. Jen established Think HQ in 2010 because she wanted to lead a truly independent agency that stood firmly by its values through the work and projects it delivered, and over the last eight years, that vision has been realised. Overseeing all Think HQ projects, Jen has quickly grown an impressive catalogue of clients, ranging from Federal Government departments, major philanthropic organisations and not for profits of all sizes.

An experienced and multi-skilled Account Director, Alice has successfully managed national media relations campaigns for clients in the government, non-profit and philanthropy sectors. For the last five years, she has worked with the Scanlon Foundation to help on the national launch event for its annual Mapping Social Cohesion Report, including event management, securing quality media coverage for the research and capturing migrant case study stories. She has played an important role in PR activity for the Organ and Tissue Authority since 2012 to support its annual awareness campaign, DonateLife Week.

Andy is an award winning branding and communications professional with 15 years of experience providing strategic planning, creative direction and implementation of projects and campaigns across advertising, events, film and digital. Andy has delivered creative services for several Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Novartis, Nestlé and Caterpillar, helping to shape their brands and communications. He is also a successful producer – his short film, Mrs McCutcheon, won Best Australian Short Film at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and was nominated for an AFI AACTA.

Anna is a relationship builder with a keen interest in supporting social causes that inspire communities to create positive change. With more than 16 years' experience in the philanthropic and not-for-profit sector, Anna has a strong knowledge of fundraising, philanthropy, and partnerships. Her areas of expertise include philanthropy, stakeholder engagement, event and project management, mentoring, campaign research and content development. Anna is a board member of The Cranlana Program, and previously held the role of Vice President of the Myer Foundation and The Butterfly Foundation.

Stefan is an accomplished communicator specialising in media, crisis messaging and strategy. With 18 years’ experience, his passion is for using stories and ideas to shape communities and empower them. His origins as a journalist in a regional community give him a deep understanding of how people digest information, interact with complicated ideas, and the role communication plays in their lives. Working from strategic planning right through to time-critical reactive messaging, he has successfully coordinated emergency management communication functions that provide cohesive advice and action.

Kate is a sponsorship, corporate communications and social responsibility professional. She delivered sponsorship strategy at nib health funds for the first six years of her career. It was here she gained invaluable experience working closely with nib foundation. Kate turned her interest to the for-purpose sector in 2016 and soon became CSR and Communications Advisor at GM Holden. In 2018 Kate’s team won Mumbrella’s CommsCon Award for PR Team of the Year – Inhouse, acknowledging her role in supporting the community and Holden employees following the closure of Holden’s manufacturing plant in Adelaide.

CultureVerse was established in 2015 by Loc Trinh and Jessica Billimoria. The CultureVerse team has proven experience providing a variety of communication and engagement services targeting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) audiences nationally. Jessica is an accomplished marketing communications professional with 13 years' experience working for government, non-profit and private sector corporations. Skilled in strategic multicultural communications, Jessica is experienced in developing and implementing organisation-wide approaches to engaging diverse audience groups. Loc has over 20 years' experience in marketing communication and engagement with multicultural communities in Australia. His wide-ranging network of contacts across multicultural communities in Australia is not often rivalled.

With a background in public relations, over the past six years Elen has accumulated extensive communications experience on both a local and global level. Throughout her career she has developed a passion for providing support to companies experiencing crisis situations. Elen utilises her skills to equip social purpose organisations with the tools needed to execute a seamless crisis response if the scenario arose.

Jade is a receptive and proactive content creator and community manager with experience working across a range of channels and formats. With her finger constantly on the pulse, Jade understands current and emerging digital trends and creates content to match. At Think HQ, she creates engaging, meaningful content for clients across the government, not-for-profit and corporate sectors.

Jenna is a media-savvy communicator, skilled writer, natural organiser and creative thinker. An experienced Senior Account Manager, Jenna has a passion for authentic relationship building and an appetite for positive social change – leading her to design and implement innovative and strategic solutions for clients across the government, non-profit, philanthropy, corporate and commercial sectors. She plays a key role in leading media relations and event management campaigns, as well as creating communications strategies and community awareness initiatives.

Jennifer has extensive marketing and brand experience, working with disability organisations to become NDIS ready. With roles in marketing and communication, Jennifer commenced her career in marketing roles for global brands including International Computers Limited (ICL) and BP Exploration in London. She’s also been involved in the rebranding of some of Melbourne’s most iconic institutions – including VECCI and RMIT University – and was selected to present ‘The RMIT Brand Story’ at the American Marketing Association’s Symposium for Higher Education in Boston.

Jesse brings 13 years of management and leadership experience spanning advertising, public relations, communications and professional advisory at state and federal levels. He has worked for Federal Ministers, a former Attorney General and the South Australian Premier. He is passionate about creating change in the community and social change sectors and his unique skill set provides a valuable tool for clients.

Joseph is a diligent strategic communicator, experienced in content production and copywriting. Joseph has successfully developed and produced content for a range of platforms for clients including DonateLife, Department of Social Services, Australian Financial Complaints Authority and Council on the Ageing NSW. He played a key role in delivering targeted stakeholder engagement activity to promote WorkSafe Victoria’s 2017 Health and Safety Month, and has worked on media relations campaigns for clients including Greenfleet, the Organ and Tissue Authority and Social Research Centre.

Lauren is a media relations specialist who is passionate about using public relations to help communities understand complex issues that initiate positive social change. Having worked across a range of research led consumer and not-for-profit campaigns for clients including the Dylan Alcott Foundation and Victoria University, Lauren is experienced in transforming research into compelling stories that will engage media and connect with communities. Lauren has worked with Melbourne City Mission, launching Frontyard, its integrated service model and emergency accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness. The Australian first model, developed from international leading research, was announced as part of a media doorstop which included the Minister of Planning and Housing and the Lord Mayor and resulted in quality coverage across metro TV, print news and radio. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations) with Distinction from RMIT.

With a background in project and event management, Lauren is a smart and strategic communicator with great attention to detail. At Think HQ, Lauren is focused on event management, research and campaign planning, and social media content development. Lauren is vital to the successful implementation of key projects, including the Organ and Tissue Authority and the Transport Accident Commission.

Prior to joining Think HQ, Lauren worked with The Barwon Health Foundation and Give Geelong, assisting with the planning and delivery of several community events including Gala Day, VECCI Charity Golf Day and Geelong RiverFest.

With experience spanning across the Australian and European markets, Louisa possesses a deep understanding of the power of data, purpose and creativity in shaping long-term social strategies that work. She has expertise in brand strategy, audience segmentation, trend forecasting and creative testing with an acute eye for innovation. Louisa crafts brand and digital strategies that drive positive behavioural change. She has developed digital strategies for clients including the Department of Education and Training, Respect Victoria, Study Melbourne and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Louisa holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Relations from Monash University and a Masters Degree in Brand Strategy and Marketing from Sup de Pub in Paris.

Nick is a seasoned online content developer, social media planner, advertiser and writer. He has developed content marketing strategies, thought leadership and opinion pieces for a range of clients spanning health, consumer, government and corporate sectors. With a talent for identifying engaging content angles, Nick is able to produce pieces that resonate with target audiences. Passionate about business and networking, Nick has held positions on the New and Emerging Practitioner subcommittee of PRIA, and as the Marketing Director of GLOBE (Gay and Lesbian Organisation of Business & Enterprise).

Sophie is a dynamic communicator and project leader. She has significant experience in the social change and community sector having established a broad skillset during her time with Communications agency Think HQ and not for profit, Keep Victoria Beautiful where she sculpted a set of versatile skills across community engagement. Sophie is passionate about building the marketing and communications capacity of Australia's community and social change sector - creating effective and sustainable change.