Dr Monique Beedles is Principal Strategy Advisor at Teak Yew. Monique works with leaders and their teams to clarify their vision, and to build the practical capabilities required to sustain long-term growth.
With over 14 years of board experience, Monique understands the strategic imperatives from a board perspective. This makes her an effective advisor to boards, and to the executives who report to boards, in understanding how to best meet the company's requirements.
Dr Beedles earned her PhD in Strategy from QUT Business School and through their Alumni program, Fostering Executive Women, was awarded a St George Bank Harvard International Scholarship to attend an Executive Education program at the Harvard Business School in 2012.
Monique regularly conducts workshops, speaks at conferences and industry events, and writes for various publications. Pivot Point: Making the decisions that matter in business, is Monique's most recent book.
Helen Brodie is a senior executive and corporate adviser with a proven track record in leadership, management, strategy, corporate governance and transformation. Helen has previously served as a director on public and private sector Boards across the education, not-for profit and business sectors, most recently Southbank Institute of Technology.
She is currently a director of Sure Grow Hydroponic Limited, a member of the Library Board of Queensland and a member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee. Her experience as Chairman includes: Starlight Children’s Foundation Advisory Board (Qld) and API Leisure & Lifestyle group of companies. She has experience leading and advising audit, risk management and remuneration committees. Helen’s senior business experience spans more than 30 years, leading diverse teams through massive change programs while achieving tough commercial targets. During her 27 years at Australia Post, Helen held several senior roles. As Commercial Manager Queensland, Helen managed a team of retail, sales and customer service staff, encompassing five direct reports and 2,500 employees.
Throughout her career Helen has built strong relationships and varied networks and she remains passionate about positive leadership.
Marie-Claire Grady is a Customer Focus Specialist who helps leaders deliver results by aligning strategy with customer needs, and improving customer and employee experience to deliver strategic outcomes. Marie-Claire has a unique ability to ‘bring customers into the room’. She challenges clients to engage, observe and empathise to bring a range of perspectives to business opportunities or business challenges. Her ‘Design Thinking’ approach ensures holistic and fit-for-purpose solutions are delivered.
After successfully leading operational, project and consulting teams across a range of industries (Retail, Banking, Insurance, Construction, Manufacturing, Mining and Government), Marie-Claire founded 3rdView Consulting. Her clients value the insights, stories, and innovative solutions that come from such diverse experience. Marie-Claire uses her strong facilitation, coaching and communication skills to engage and inspire teams. She has a reputation for professional delivery, remaining calm under pressure, and making the complex, simple.
Marie-Claire makes a significant contribution to the Brisbane community as Deputy-Chair of the QUT Alumni Board, as a Mentor in the ‘Fostering Executive Women’ program and as an active member of the Coorparoo school community. She was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious ‘Women’s Leadership Forum’ at Harvard University in 2011, completed a Master of Business (International Management) at QUT in 2001 and holds a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) from QUT.
Lesley-Anne’s primary role is General Manager of Conexus - a consulting business specialising in organisational development solutions in Safety and Leadership. Lesley-Anne is committed to ensuring that the Conexus team delivers outstanding results for customers whilst continuing to develop strong professional expertise. Her exceptional business and financial management has ensured that Conexus is well positioned in the market and has the resources to continue to grow and develop in times of economic uncertainty.
Under LA’s management, Conexus has become an award-winning company, being awarded an Australian Business Award for Enterprise in 2009, and a finalist in the Telstra Australian Business Awards for 2012.
In 2009 Lesley-Anne attended the Women’s Leadership Forum at Harvard School of Business, further developing her skills in innovation and change, and gaining insight into strategic options for Conexus.
In addition to her business duties, LA also finds time to support a number of community organisations, including:
- ACT for Kids, Director
- Room to Read, Queensland Chapter Leader
- QUT Fostering Executive Women, Mentor
She also travels annually to Cambodia to support the Savong Orphanage Centre.
Heather has broad experience across the nonprofit sector, having acted for and been a member of many community and charitable organisations. Her expertise covers aged health and community services, affordable housing and indigenous communities. Heather focuses on establishing and restructuring legal and tax entities for charitable and nonprofit organisations, advising boards on risk and governance related issues and establishing charitable foundations. As the role of government in the funding and delivery of human services is changing, this has led to an even greater demand for Heather’s high-level strategic advice.
Heather and her team have a proven deep understanding of their clients’ needs. Her drive and determination, coupled with technical knowledge and strong commercial awareness, ensures that clients extract maximum value from funding for their projects. Heather assists in leadership of the firm's Community Partnership Program. She is a director of McCullough Robertson Foundation Ltd which is a conduit for giving by the partners, staff and clients of McCullough Robertson and forms part of the firm’s Community Partnership Program. Heather recently completed a maximum term of nine years as a board member of UnitingCare Queensland (including 7 years as its Chair).
Heather is also a director of the following boards:
- Community Services Industry Alliance Ltd (Chair)
- Australian Regional & Remote Community Services Ltd
- Trinity Health Services Ltd
- Board Connect Ltd (Chair), and
- Australian Legal Sector Alliance Ltd.
She is a regular speaker on legal topics to clients and professional groups.
Heather attended the Women’s Leadership Forum at Harvard School of Business in 2011.