Our keynote speakers are joined by five successful EA speakers and a CEO of a major NSW organisation discussing what the boss wants from an EA - an unbeatable combination!

Establishing herself quickly as a professional and respected presenter, Gruzlewski broadened her Gold Coast reporting responsibilities by becoming host of the Queensland-based programs, Saturday Extra and Gold Coast Weekend.

Natalie’s nationwide career took off in late 2002 when she began guest-presenting stories on GETAWAY. In 2004, Gruzlewski became a regular face on GETAWAY and continues to report from some of the world’s most exciting destinations. 2010 saw Natalie join the NINE NEWS SYDNEY team, presenting the weather and filing life-styles stories.

Natalie currently splits her time between her family base on the Gold Coast and work commitments in Sydney.

Carrie got her first break during a work experience placement in her hometown, Perth, when she was thrust into the studio as an emergency replacement for a newsroom colleague who fell ill on the job.

Now the face of Channel 10's The Project, and an incredibly inspiring speaker, we're very pleased to welcome Carrie to the Corporate PA Summit for 2012.

Keynote speaker - Richard de Crespigny
Melbourne born and educated Richard de Crespigny got his first taste of a future flying career as a fourteen year-old when his father organised a tour of the RAAF Academy at Point Cook in Victoria.

He had never seen such extraordinary facilities before. He knew, then, that he needed to get a university degree and become an RAAF officer and pilot.

The rest is history. In 1975, aged 17, he joined the RAAF. One year later, he started flying. During his 11 years with the RAAF, he was seconded as Aide-de-Camp to two Australian Governors General – Sir Zelman Cowan and Sir Ninian Stephen.

Richard remained with the RAAF until 1986 when he joined Qantas, converting to Boeing 747s.

He converted to A380 command in 2008 as one of Qantas' most senior captains.

It was at the control of the world's largest and most advanced commercial jetliner when he and his fellow officers were faced with their greatest challenge. The date was November 4 2010.

Early into the Singapore/Sydney leg of flight QF32, one of four engines exploded. The damage to the aircraft was extensive. On top of ensuring that 460 or so passengers remained calm during the ordeal, Richard had a mammoth task on the flight deck to keep the aircraft in the air and then get it back on the ground. For two hours he and his fellow crew (technical and cabin) remained calm as they planned how to stabilise the damage, configure the overweight aircraft then manoeuvre towards Changi Airport in Singapore.

Once on the ground, a recalcitrant engine refused to shut down, fuel was leaking near white hot brakes and a new environment was set for potential disaster. Passengers remained on board for two gruelling hours before they were safely disembarked.

The incident brought into play Richard de Crespigny's considerable skills involving teamwork, problem solving, judgement, knowledge, experience and putting years of highly-skilled training into practice. This pivotal event has changed his life forever, and we're extremely pleased to welcome Richard to the Corporate PA Summit to share these qualities with us.

Professor Kerryn Phelps has been a familiar face to many Australians over the last twenty years during which time she has appeared regularly on television, radio and the print media informing the Australian public on health issues. 

In 2009 Prof Phelps hosted Channel 7’s “Last Chance Surgery” which was one of the highest rating shows of the season.  She has been the health writer for the Australian Women’s Weekly for nearly twenty years and writes political commentary for Medical Observer Magazine. She is a regular commentator on general practice, public health, medical politics and human rights issues.

In May 2000 Prof Phelps was elected Federal President of the Australian Medical Association, becoming the first woman to head this organisation and serving a maximum term of three years.

Prof Phelps has two medical clinics in Sydney and her particular interest is in the area of Integrative medicine. In December 2009 she was elected President of the Australasian Integrative Medical Association and in 2010 was the author of a textbook on Integrative Medicine which was published by Elsevier.

In 2003 she was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to Health and Medicine.

In 2011 Prof Phelps was awarded the Order of Australia for services to Medicine.

Before his appointment as Chief Executive, Albert was responsible for the Commercial Operations and Corporate Governance in Businesslink. This included being Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for corporate governance, financial services, taxation services, payroll, business service centre (call centre), internal audit and risk management, product management, corporate services and the management of relationships with key clients and stakeholders.

Albert has significant experience in management roles with hands-on relationship management and project/program delivery, following previous employment with Westpac Banking Corporation, and Allianz, where he held the roles of Group Process Officer, managing organisation-wide process reengineering, and National Manager, Strategy Implementation Support.

Some of Albert's achievements since he joined Businesslink include the successful implementation of SAP Human Resources and Finance functions for Businesslink’s largest client; the lead and management of the key organisational transformation program to implement a whole of business product framework and unitised fee-for-service business model and the oversight of implementation of organisational risk management, fraud and corruption and Business Continuity Management strategies and plans.

Lisa is also the first person outside of the USA to ever be inducted into the international Speaker Hall of Fame - the highest designation possible in the speaking world. This international recognition from clients and peers alike is due to her extraordinary gift to communicate, connect and transform.

Lisa was raised in a family of high achievers in the sporting world and grew up observing what separates achievers from the rest. It was natural that she would study Sports Psychology, but what wasn't natural was her desire and ability to take what she learned about peak sporting performance and apply it to people in all walks of life. During a brief period of adversity, Lisa set herself a goal to positively impact the lives of one million Australian teenagers.  It had the potential to be a lifetime goal, but took just eight and a half years. Throughout that period, business people and corporations also started embraced her message, recognising its effectiveness and impact on the attitudes and mindsets of their teams.

Lisa's focus is what it takes to create a tangible shift - whether it be shifting an attitude, shifting direction, shifting behaviour or shifting outcomes. She also knows that people don't come to conferences just to learn; they also want to be truly engaged. Lisa has developed a unique process of teaching her principles. Her fast-paced keynote presentations take her audience on a journey, an unforgettable experience where they are challenged to embrace a new way of thinking about, and seeing, their current world. They are touched and inspired to grow.

Twenty-five years of commitment to her craft and her audiences have placed Lisa in the top echelon of corporate keynote speakers in this country. She is a true keynote specialist and a master of large audiences, her largest audience to date being 33,000 people packed into one auditorium!

Lisa speaks regularly throughout Australia, Asia, NZ and the USA.  She has shared the stage with two American Presidents, one Vice President and a host of celebrity entertainers, including the late Ray Charles.

"The feedback from our Leaders has been unbelievable. We often receive positive feedback but the enormity and scale from this presentation has been outstanding."
National Sales and Marketing Manager, Neways (International) Australia

Dr Friedland consults internationally to healthcare, corporate and financial institutions on health & lifestyle interventions as well as emerging health trends. She is one of the highest rated international speakers for many global organisations and has spoken in more than 25 countries in the past few years.

Her television career includes several years as the medical expert for the South African Broadcasting Corporation award winning show -3 Talk , she was an anchor for a weekly TV medical show ‘Housecall’ as well as the 'Radio doctor' (a weekly radio show that was broadcast across the African continent). She is a feature writer for daily newspapers and
many health and women's publications.

Her first three books 'Self' (2005), 'Having it all’(2008) and ‘Ultimate Guide to Women’s health” have all reached local bestseller sales. She is currently working on a fourth manuscript - The Ultimate Family Health Guide.

She delivers talks, designs & implements numerous health, lifestyle and illness prevention programs for corporations throughout Asia, the U.S and the UK. The mother of 5 children, Dr Friedland is now based in Western Australia.

Tammy’s current position is Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, Red Bull Australia and New Zealand, a well known, fast paced FMCG company. Red Bull has annual sales of approxitmately 4 billion cans in more than 160 countries and are known to execute some of the most exciting and innovative events ever seen, world wide. They have a strong presence and reputation as the premium energy drink in the competitive energy drink market across Australia and New Zealand.

Diana Valcovich, Executive Assistant to MD and CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle
Diana is Executive Assistant to the CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Australia and Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of Jones Lang LaSalle Queensland.

She has been with Jones Lang LaSalle for 7 years . 

Her role focuses mainly on event management, diary management, co-ordinating travel and meetings for QLD and Australia.
Diana has been an Executive Assistant for 14 Years.  Her previous roles were for property firms in London and Ireland and for a hotel and resort chain in Canada.

Before joining the PA profession she was a tour guide in Turkey and Europe and worked in the fitness industry.  When she isn’t working as a PA she enjoys traveling, keeping fit and socialising with friends and family. 

Her role at NAB involves providing assistance to the Executive General Manager and his direct reports through ever-changing diary management, organising complex travel plans, arranging meetings and events and managing all financial transactions for the team e.g. budget, expenses, accounts payable.

Helen is currently studying for her Diploma of Financial Planning and  Diploma in Life Insurance which keeps her busy.  Once completed, Helen envisages a change of career making this her profession in the not too distant future.

Helen is also the lucky recipient of a kidney transplant which she has had for 24 years.  This new lease of life has enabled her to travel the world and enjoy the new found freedom of such a wonderful gift.

Julie added Event Co-ordinator to her title in 2009, when the General Manager of Esanda and the Managing Director of ANZ Commercial Banking recognised Julie was capable of applying her organisational skills and creativity to organising events and functions for Esanda and ANZ’s Commercial clients and staff.

Julie has helped deliver major staff summits for the Managing Director of ANZ Commercial Banking in both 2010 and 2011 (a 3 day event for over 200 participants).  Julie has also organised numerous client events at the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Open Tennis, tailored events for Esanda’s Senior Dealer Forum (including events in Melbourne, Sydney, Noosa, Port Douglas and Fiji) and numerous staff functions, some for over 1,000 people.

Julie believes being a successful assistant requires good attention to detail, being proactive, thinking ahead and building and maintaining strong relationships both within the organisation and with external providers, suppliers and clients.
Prior to joining Esanda/ANZ, Julie held a range of roles including Fund Manager at SMA Consultants and Executive Assistant roles at both GE Capital and RACV.

In her spare time, Julie enjoys shopping and adding to her aviary of birds, which her indoor cat Sly finds amusing!  Julie’s favourite holiday location is Santorini in the Greek Islands, where she has visited four times – so far!

Elise just recently completed a Diploma of Business Administration and is looking to shortly start a Masters of Business Administration. Outside of work she enjoys painting, photography, scrapbooking and spending time with her partner and step son.