I’m a Purpose Pioneer. I’ve been teaching personal and organisational purpose in Australia for over ten years and my best-selling book The Purpose Project is a trusted guide to thousands of leaders. My clients include such organisations as lululemon, BankVic and Independent Schools Victoria.
When the last lockdown in Victoria hit in August 2021, I was devastated not to be able to swim. With the pools closed and beaches off-limits, the Yarra Birrarung river become my salvation. Two hundred swims later, I’m now a devotee of our great river.
I swim almost daily at Deep Rock in Melbourne (just up from Dights Falls) with a courageous community of river swimmers known as the Yarra Yabbies. (And yes, it is safe and freezing in winter.) We’ve even been featured on the ABC News.
Also this year I’ve completed a year-long Nature-Based Leadership Training program. It’s the first of its kind in Australia with world-renowned nature-teacher Claire Dunn, author of Rewilding the Urban Soul and Sieta Beckwith of CERES School of Nature and Climate.
So, now I’m an ex-banker and marketer turned purpose pioneer, river swimmer, activist and nature-leader. I’m bringing purpose to life in partnership with Mother Nature—in my own life and with clients.
‘Practice what you preach’ is my mantra.
That’s what I’m doing through my own purpose projects Brave Women Write and Love Stories of the Yarra Birrarung alongside teaching purpose and storytelling.
Aside from Brave Women Write and The Purpose Project (2017), I’ve written four other books; Conscious Marketing (2015), Unstuck in Provence (a travel memoir 2014), Marketing your Small Business for Dummies (2010) and Small Business Big Brand (2008).
I believe that nature is our greatest teacher. When we’re deeply connected to the more than human world, our true gifts and soul’s purpose are revealed. That’s why I infuse nature-based learning (and even river-swimming if you’re game) into all my work for the best results.
Some leaders teach purpose but may not actually live it. I try my best to do both — to show not just tell. This means I’ve learnt what it takes for purpose programs to change cultures and drive impact. Reach out if you’d like to explore how we might work together.
Purpose Pioneer | River Swimmer | Activist
