Meet The Speakers
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Meet The Panellists
IWD24 – INSPIRING INCLUSION: How to help women feel they belong, are connected, and empowered in the workplace
Biography
The CEO and Founder of The Welcome Philosophy. Her mission is ‘Empowering one million women across the world to embrace the ‘10 Dimensions of Wellbeing’ through mentoring to achieve mental capital and wellbeing.
Clara Deans is an experienced Speaker, Storyteller, Wisdom Activator, Mentor, Workshop Facilitator, Educator and International Best-Selling Author.
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Starting out as a teacher, Clara realised early on, the importance of Intellectual Wellbeing and lifelong learning. Saying ‘yes’ to vocational or career opportunities offered and upskilling her qualifications if required. Permitting her to pursue her passions in a myriad of different roles across a diverse spectrum of employers. From education and academia to government, not-for-profit and private enterprise Clara amassed a vast legacy of projects.
Working in roles as an educator, facilitator, co-ordinator, trainer, researcher, project officer, community development officer, event and project manager, writer and editor, local area coordinator in disability services and recovery coach to name a few.
Driven by a deep passion for building awareness and promoting mental capital and wellbeing, Clara made it her focus to foster healthier, more resilient individuals, families, and communities. She understood that in an ever-changing world, it was crucial to equip individuals with the skills, tools and strategies to navigate challenges and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Clara has developed a transformative approach that embraces more than just the social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental capacity. She believes in the power of reflection and resilience-building to create lasting positive change. Through her teachings, Clara offers a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their inner landscape, understand their fears and limiting beliefs, and develop the courage to overcome them.
Areas of Expertise:
Clara works mostly with women in financial overwhelm. Especially women, like herself, with a ‘long career gap’ through losing a job due to retrenchment or redundancy; being unemployed or unable to find enough work; having debts that they can’t pay; worrying about expected financial pressures; Or living in financial abuse which can leave the women feeling vulnerable, isolated, depressed and anxious. Also taking away her independence.
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The Welcome Philosophy offers these women a reflective space to build resilience using the ’10 Dimensions of Wellness’ to embrace a ‘love of wisdom’ for learning skills, tools and strategies needed to overcome any adversity in life. This enables her clients to take steps towards making positive changes, for themselves and their loved ones, by focussing on the ten different wellness dimensions of life.
As a result, her clients develop cognitive and emotional resources to enable them to grow and achieve their full potential, to work productively, build positive relationships and contribute to their families and their community.
Notable Achievements:
Clara’s commitment to mental capital and wellbeing extends beyond her professional endeavours. She actively participates in community initiatives, collaborating with organisations and individuals to create a culture of mental wellness. Her advocacy work focuses on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering a supportive environment for individuals to seek help and thrive.
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As an alumna with ‘Inspired Women Lead’ she is part of an elite sisterhood shaping the next generation of women leaders through cross cultural mentorships across 85 countries, spanning every continent. In Western Australia she volunteers for the Raise Foundation making a difference through mentoring, through early intervention, evidence-based mentoring for young people in high schools. At CarersWA she is a Carer Representative for state and national bodies participating in health, mental health, and alcohol and other drug service policy and development, planning and evaluation. Plus, sits on various committees including the HelpingMinds Mental Health Carer Reference Group.
In her latest endeavour, Clara draws on one of her lived experience stories to contribute to conversations about the power of words in an international bestselling book called ‘Making a Difference’ – Ways to Magnify Abundance, Vitality and Freedom in your life. Published, August 2023.
Her chapter called “Baptised 10 months before I was born – The power of resilience when faced with lessons in life,’ describes the resilience and courage that enabled her to take control of her life and make plans to achieve all dimensions of wellbeing.
Another example of the wealth of knowledge and expertise Clara brings to her work which she shares through her ‘intergenerational storytelling’ of personal stories of resilience, perseverance and an ability to overcome obstacles. Stories ranging from her early years on a market garden, being in care in an orphanage, overcoming adverse childhood experiences, divorce, IVF and even losing her identity.
Soon celebrating her 25th Wedding anniversary, Clara lives in Scarborough, Western Australia and has been in a loving relationship with her partner for over 30 years. They have a son (which she had at the age of forty-one). That is another of her resilience stories.
Personal Information
Clara loves a ‘walk and talk’ in nature, to meditate and ground herself. Especially on the beach in Scarborough, Western Australia where she lives with her partner and son. She uses this daily self-care ritual to welcome the start or end of a day. Finishing with the practice of gratitude for the life lessons learnt and the people in her life.
Clara named her business ‘The Welcome Philosophy’ because it represents the two most important values to her own Mental Wealth. The first is the value of ‘lifelong learning’. The word philosophy means to have a “love of wisdom” or ‘love of learning’.
The second is the value of being welcoming to all. The word ‘Welcome’ is a social and emotional greeting. It expresses arrival, gladness, gratitude or a greeting on a joyous occasion.
Clara welcomes you to a love of learning with Mental Wealth.
Biography
At 27, Ricky, wanting a break from practicing law, left NZ in 1991 to come to Perth for one year to play rugby. Arriving in Perth to a building recession and not being able to find work as a builders labourer, he reluctantly continued to practice law.
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Ironically in 1992 this move allowed Ricky to play against his childhood heroes, the All Blacks, where he controversially made headlines for disrespecting the haka.
In 1997 he gave away the extraordinary long hours as a commercial litigator to pursue his lifelong passion of becoming a professional rugby coach which started with being employed by the Australian Rugby Union as the Regional Coaching Manager for Western Australia.
Areas of Expertise
Being an over achiever, it wasn’t long before he was asked to become the CEO of Rugby WA. Torn between his passion of becoming a professional rugby coach and becoming a paid sports administrator, he chose the latter and made it his goal to attain a Super Rugby team for Perth.
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In December 2004, this goal was realised when Perth beat Melbourne for the 4th Super Rugby franchise in Australia.
A major turning point in Ricky’s life would hit when he was made redundant by the end of 2006. As a mentor, one of Ricky’s key strengths now is being able to reflect upon this devastating period of his life and share with others how he drew upon inner strength and resilience to help him move forward in his career.
Notable Achievements
Ricky would go on to become the CEO of Basketball WA, and build the team from 5 staff to 17, redesign the sports business model and grow the sport throughout the state.
Launching his own business, Elite Business Performance in 2015, Ricky now focuses his time working with a range of businesses and clients focusing on organisational development and capacity building, coaching, and mentoring.
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Ricky’s wealth of knowledge and experience and engaging style makes him a highly sought after educator and facilitator. His clients include Business Owners, Local Government, National, State and local Sporting Organisations, and Executive Managers/Employees.
A proud Māori man, leader, and father of four (to two ex-wives), and having strong cultural and family values, Ricky recognises one of his key struggles was finding the life-work balance between family and work. A work in progress is finding peace in all his relationships.
Ricky now leads by example and challenges and inspires others to achieve outstanding results in all areas of their life to realise their full potential.
PERSONAL INFO
As a conscious man, Ricky recognises the importance of serving others and that to achieve this we need to love ourselves first, rediscover our authentic selves, and learn how best to treat others with compassion, kindness and understanding.
Biography
Growing up in a street full of boys Lorraine, the only girl, got used to two things early on in life: 1. feeling like she didn’t belong, and 2. having a choice: rather than fit in, instead spend time alone to write poems, draw, or make up songs.
Raised alongside a brother with dyslexia, Lorraine was often left to handle her studies on her own as she watched her mother fight to provide a fair environment for her brother to achieve at school.
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Coming from a line of strong women, Lorraine has many times in her life heard the words, you are too much. A mentor once explaining her biggest hurdle to overcome is having too much grit for a woman, that she can easily come across aggressive and arrogant. Men will likely avoid her.
An athlete all her life with a love of aquatics and despite being a natural writer and gifted in project management, Lorraine chose sport going on to study physiology and sports science, later majoring in sports medicine, finishing up fours year later not really knowing what was next.
Having decided at 18 years old in 1996 after a brief holiday of a dream life in Perth, Western Australia at 28 this dream became a reality, having worked hard to gain all that is required to emigrate with permanent residency.
Driven by challenge, a natural high performer, never one to keep quiet in a room, often the strongest contributor, became aware of a key skill in conceptual thinking, and began to see how rare this is. By 2012 Lorraine was working in a dual role for the WA State Government focused on people development and sports consultancy.
In 2016 Lorraine was asked to lead a project to create a Champions of Change group for sport CEOs, bringing a focus to equality and equity for women in sport. This highly successful initiative led Lorraine to her first board director role, as an independent appointed director. The key theme of the project, to achieve equality men need to be in conversation.
An introvert by nature, Lorraine struggled throughout her life to express herself, to ask for what she wanted, and to connect with others. Known for her quick temper Lorraine had no other role model to help her act differently. Now a wife and mother, and unaware of suffering from low self-esteem and low self-worth, going back to work brought back her desire to succeed whilst racked with guilt over being the best mum she could be.
To take her career to another level would take Lorraine choosing to get comfortable with change. It would take her realising what needed to change within her to get noticed in rooms where people were listening to her, where she communicated in a manner that was inclusive of others, and where she was making a difference. Deciding she wanted more of this opportunity in life would lead to Lorraine making one of the most devastating decisions of her life to date: ending her 14-year marriage.
Areas of Expertise
Handling rejection after rejection to become a CEO, Lorraine eventually achieved her goal, after facing financial ruin, homelessness, managing crippling anxiety and suicide ideation, and realising she was doing something wrong.
Lorraine established ONE7 COACHING to help and support others on their personal success journey.
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Lorraine’s work with business leaders focuses on organisational development, emotional growth and development, how to have functional relationships in all areas of your life where we openly and unashamedly express how we feel, and ultimately scaling up business and career goals to create a life destined.
Notable Achievements
Lorraine’s engaging, analytical, fierce yet compassionate style makes her a sought-after coach, mentor, facilitator, and consultant. Clients include sport organisations: State and National; local government; small business; mining, and real estate high performing teams.
Personal Information
A mother of three, including one son with dyslexia, hypermobility and ADHD, Lorraine continues what her mother started to ensure her son is given a fair education, whilst quietly knowing if she does her job right, likely he’ll outdo his siblings as an entrepreneur.
Biography
With over fourteen years of corporate experience in software, mining software, IT, recruitment, and telecommunications, Suhani is deeply connected to helping others maximise their potential. With an MBA and credentials as a Meta Dynamics Facilitator and Professional Coach, Suhani brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her work.
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At 27, Suhani embarked on a journey that would reshape her life entirely. Leaving behind familiar shores, she ventured to Perth, Western Australia, where she courageously embraced the challenge of starting anew. Amidst the unfamiliarity, she sought to build connections, weave bonds, and adapt to a culture foreign yet rich with promise.
However, beneath the surface of this exciting chapter lay a daunting landscape of workplace culture, where Suhani found herself tested in ways she never anticipated. In the throes of uncertainty, she grappled with a profound loss of confidence, questioning her roles as a mother, a wife, an employee, and a woman. Yet, with a heart brimming with resilience and compassion, she refused to succumb to despair.
In the face of intimidation and adversity, Suhani made a resolute choice: to embrace courage over fear and compassion over bitterness. In the depths of the challenge, she discovered a new perspective—about herself and the world around her. Through the crucible of struggle, she unearthed a profound spirituality that illuminated her path, guiding her towards a holistic way of living beyond the confines of body and mind.
With unwavering determination and grace, Suhani transformed moments of darkness into beacons of growth and empathy. Each trial she encountered became a stepping stone, propelling her towards a brighter, more empowered existence. Her journey stands as an example to the incredible power of resilience and the boundless beauty of compassion.
Today, Suhani radiates with a spirit that shines brighter than ever before. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for those traversing similar paths, reminding us of the strength within us.
Areas of Expertise
She is widely recognised for her ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences on topics such as emotional intelligence, cultivating emotional calm in chaotic environments, overcoming adversity at work, and leading with impactful influence.
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As a guide and mentor, she helps others tap into their inner wisdom, connecting them with the deepest, most loving parts of themselves. In her light, they discover their true essence and embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and empowerment.
Notable Achievements
Suhani is recognised for her inspiring motivational speaking and engaging facilitation skills. Suhani is dedicated to fostering a culture of emotional intelligence within organisations, nurturing both personal and professional growth while cultivating a more compassionate and empathetic society.
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She is especially inspired to help people take their careers – and themselves – to unprecedented levels by advocating for their voices, cultivating deep, authentic connections, and igniting influential leadership.
Personal Information
Suhani Vaidya works with individuals and organisations to amplify their communication, connection and confidence so they can influence the world. She mentors passionately, guiding her clients to strengthen and elevate their leadership skills to new heights.
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When Suhani isn’t busy lighting up stages with her speaking skills or soaking up precious moments with her daughter and family, you’ll catch her whipping up mouthwatering dishes, plotting surprise delights for her nearest and dearest, and nudging people to break free from their self-imposed limits. And her dance moves? Let’s just say she’s a one-woman party—while she hasn’t quite nailed down a specific style, she’s always grooving with gusto. Always ready to lend an ear and a helping hand when someone’s in a pinch.
Biography
David Julian Price is a member of the Australian Speakers Hall of Fame.
He’s been speaking, coaching and consulting for over 30 years all over the world, he has quals as long as your arm but he’s not an academic.
As the author of 4 books on meetings, he is sought after for advice on the intricacies of meetings and procedures. Daves coaches senior people how to get their message across powerfully and persuasively.
Dave is funny, he starts every day with the goal to make a perfect stranger laugh or smile – most days he succeeds.
Biography
Martin Meader is a writer of children’s fiction, a feature film producer and choral director.
In 1997, Martin Meader Co-Wrote and Co-Executive Produced Paradise Road, a $25.6 million Fox Searchlight feature, which starred Glenn Close, Cate Blanchett, Julianna Margulies, Jennifer Ehle and Francis McDormand. Co-authors were: David Giles, Martin Meader and Bruce Beresford.
Martin is also the musical director of the 200-voice Born to Sing Choirs in Perth. In 2013-2104, Martin was the musical choral director for a choir that was part of the $7 million Western Desert Kidney Health Project, an initiative that aimed to reduce disease and diabetes by 20% over three years in 10 Aboriginal Goldfields communities.
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Most recently, Martin produced and conducted the Born To Sing 1,000 voice choir in a sell-out concert at the Perth Concert Hall. The choirs have raised over $250,000 for various charities and have performed in the Perth Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Martin is now also co-ordinating a documentary of the journey of the Born To Sing 1,000 voice choir from the moment it was conceived to the majestic performance at the Perth Concert Hall.
Personal Information
Martin is the writer of two published books The Adventures of Charlie & Moon and 24 Carrots. He is also the inventor of two educational card games, SPELL & A2Z, which help children improve their literacy.
Biography
As a Member for the East Metropolitan Region at the Parliament of Western Australia, Lorna Harper represents the interests and concerns of the people in her constituency, especially the workers, families, and communities who face the challenges of economic and social inequality. Lorna has been a trade unionist for over two decades, working as a Trade Union Official at United Workers Union, where she fought for better wages, conditions, and safety for workers in various sectors, such as early childhood education & care, health, and education. Lorna possesses the skills of union organizing, negotiation, communication, and leadership, as well as the competencies of problem-solving, teamwork, and advocacy. Her mission is to create a fairer and more inclusive society, where everyone has access to quality public services, education, and health care. Lorna’s field of expertise is in labor relations, social justice, and policy development. Her values and goals are aligned with the principles of democracy, solidarity, and equality.
Biography
For the past 20 years, Jon’s career has been characterised by leading cultural regeneration, building leadership capability, and driving the execution of high-performance behaviours in various elite sporting environments.
Following his return home to WA in 2022, Jon has successfully transferred his learnings, experience, and expertise to the WA resource industry. Jon is currently the GM Health & Wellbeing at Mineral Resources where he is responsible for a truly innovative wellbeing strategy that is consistently being recognised nationally and on the global stage.
Jon has complemented his professional career with extensive tertiary study and has most recently been awarded a Churchill Scholarship. Jon is the only person in Australia to be awarded a fellowship on this topic with the scholarship supporting an international research project to better understand global best practice in adolescent character development and the subsequent relationship with identity and wellbeing.
This broad and unique experience, along with Jon’s academic, professional, and personal journey has driven the creation of a character-based framework that is supported with a unique experiential system and book (Rock Solid Character), designed to support adolescent and young adult wellbeing.
Professional Highlights
- General Manager Health & Wellbeing – Mineral Resources
- General Manager Football Operations – Gold Coast Suns Executive
- GeneralManager Football -WAFC
- General Manager Football Operations – North Melbourne Football Club
- Head of Coaching & Development – North Melbourne Football Club
- High-Performance Manager – WAFC
- Marketing Manager – Fremantle Football Club