CO-FOUNDER, YORK ST BRANDS

Rachael Wilde, aka the Gen Z Boss in a Mini, is the co-founder of York St Brands and the powerhouse behind tbh Skincare, Bouf Haircare and BOOST LAB. As CMO, she’s led all three brands to shake up their categories with viral marketing, bold storytelling and disruptive innovation. From launching tbh Skincare from scratch to building Bouf into a sell-out success, Rachael is known for rewriting the beauty playbook, and having a bloody good time doing it.

CEO, DISSH

Lucy Henry-Hicks is the CEO and Creative Director of DISSH, the Australian fashion brand redefining minimalist style with a sustainability-first approach. A second-generation entrepreneur, Lucy took the reins in 2020, steering DISSH from a local boutique into a global label with a cult following and a growing U.S. presence. With a team that’s 92% women, she’s building more than a brand—she’s creating a business model that supports and empowers working mothers. Lucy’s leadership blends creative clarity with purpose, proving that fashion can be both elevated and ethical.

FOUNDER, THE BEAUTY CHEF

Carla Oates is the founder of The Beauty Chef, a pioneering inner beauty brand based on the philosophy that glowing skin begins in the gut. After a decade as a fashion stylist, Carla shifted to beauty writing, becoming concerned with synthetic ingredients in skincare. Her passion for natural alternatives led her to create Feeding Your Skin and begin experimenting with fermented wholefoods in her Bondi kitchen.

In 2009, she launched Glow®, a groundbreaking fermented powder that sparked The Beauty Chef. Today, she works with a team of experts to develop supernutrient-rich formulas powered by prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics—supported by their unique Flora Culture® process and exclusive GUT5Y™ strain.

Carla is the author of two books, a longtime columnist for Wellbeing Magazine, and a speaker at global wellness and beauty events.

FOUNDER, HIVE HQ

Meet the publicist behind the cult brands like tbh Skincare, Bangn Body and Naked Sundays. Jessy Marshall is the founder of Hive HQ, a PR agency that began on her bedroom floor in 2018 and has since grown into a buzzing team of PR pros working with some of Australia’s most iconic brands. Jessy began her career as a beauty therapist before pivoting careers to PR, working with names like Khloe Kardashian, Martha Kalifatidas, Bec Judd, Nadia Bartel, Indy Clinton and Abbie Chatfield. Hive HQ has delivered viral campaigns, headline-grabbing media coverage, and unforgettable events for brands like SWIISH, Bouf, Princess Polly, FAYT The Label, Showpo, STAX, tbh Skincare, Bangn Body and Naked Sundays, earning Jessy and her team of bees a reputation for brining the buzz.

FOUNDER, WHO IS ELIJAH

Raquel Bouris is the Founder and Creative Director of WHO IS ELIJAH, the Australian-born, now global fragrance house disrupting the industry with genderless scents and rebellious storytelling. From bottling perfumes in her lounge room to launching in Sephora, Raquel has built a universe where fragrance isn’t about memories, it’s about identity.

FOUNDER, PROCESS THE PODCAST

Arielle Thomas is a Melbourne-based motion director, content strategist, and the founder of Process The Podcast - a series of creative conversations with some of Australia's most celebrated names in fashion, media, and design. With a background in visual storytelling, Arielle has built a career directing and producing content that blends strategic insight with artistic vision. She is also the founder of Cinema Thom, a creative studio specializing in video production and brand storytelling. Through her work, Arielle champions authentic creative journeys, offering inspiring insights into the challenges and successes behind Australia’s creative industries.

FOUNDER, BANGN BODY

Priscilla Hajiantoni the beauty and the brains behind Australia's favourite cult-beauty brand Bangn Body. Known for her yellow tube of goodness Priscilla launched her brand in 2019 after spending her house deposit on launching the brand over the past 6 years Bangn Body has been known for landing retail partnerships, turning social media yellow and talked about by some of Australia's most known influencers.

CEO, HERO PACKAGING

Anaita Sarkar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Packaging, a global sustainable packaging company that has sold over 33 million compostable mailers. She’s also the founder of Sell Anything Online, helping entrepreneurs grow through marketing mentorship. Anaita built two successful e-commerce businesses using TikTok and has since gained over 330,000 followers by sharing daily business and branding tips. She’s worked with brands like Google, TikTok, and Adobe, and has been featured in Forbes, SBS, and Entrepreneur. Anaita’s work has earned her the Amazing Women in E-Commerce Award and Smart Company’s Retail Champion Award.

HEAD OF PR & INFLUENCER, MECCA

Lucy Asker is the Head of PR & Influencer at MECCA, where she leads strategic communications and community initiatives for one of Australia's most iconic beauty retailers. With over a decade of experience in public relations and brand partnerships, Lucy has built a career spanning both the UK and Australia, working with leading brands and agencies in London before returning home to Melbourne.

A graduate of RMIT University with a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations, Lucy combines her academic foundation with global industry insights to craft compelling narratives and drive brand growth. She is passionate about the evolving landscape of beauty and media and is dedicated to fostering authentic connections between brands and their communities.

CREATOR PARTNER MANAGER ANZ, SPOTIFY

Starting her career in beauty editorial, Jordyn has contributed to titles including marie claire, Harper's Bazaar and ELLE Australia before co-founding youth media company Centennial World in 2019. As co-founder, Jordyn was named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2022, featured as an expert on Gen Z for panels hosted by Pinterest and Instagram, and cohosted a weekly internet culture podcast that saw 30K+ monthly downloads. She also navigated media partnerships with some of the world's biggest consumer brands, including HP, Samsung, Bumble and DECIEM, helping them reach and resonate with Gen Z audiences.

Jordyn has since joined Spotify as Creator Partner Manager for Australia and New Zealand, working closely with creators and expanding the video category on the platform.

CO-FOUNDER, CHANGER

Farhad is the Co-Founder and Head of Strategy at Changer, where he oversees the development and execution of the company’s global programs. He has collaborated with some of the world’s top Creators, helping them rapidly grow their channels, diversify revenue streams, and unlock the full potential of their audiences.

CONTENT OPERATIONS LEAD, TIKTOK

Ellie is the head of Content Operations for TikTok LIVE at TikTok Australia, where she leads a growing team across content strategy, partnerships, campaigns, product marketing and social media strategy for TikTok LIVE in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Before working at TikTok, Ellie worked at Meta, curating content, forecasting trends and educating local creators and global product teams on how to organically, and editorially, grow Instagram Reels in Australia, New Zealand and the US.

FOUNDER, ANNA MACK’S STACK

Anna Mackenzie is a Startup Advisor, Portfolio Career Mentor and Writer who has emerged as one of the leading voices on portfolio careers globally. She's built a multiple-six-figure business around five income streams - consulting, fractional work, advisory, mentoring and digital products - and through her Substack Anna Mack’s Stack she's inspired tens of thousands of others to do the same.

Before becoming a portfolio career fangirl Anna worked in high-growth startups and for iconic consumer brands. She launched UNIQLO in Australia, brought Mecca’s ‘beauty store of the future’ to life and co-hosted the award-winning podcast lady-brains, where she interviewed over a hundred female founders and secured a multi-year partnership with Australian Fashion Week.

These days Anna splits her time advising VC-backed startups across consumer and tech, mentoring high performing professionals who are building portfolio careers of their own, selling my digital products and waxing lyrical about alternative work models on Substack, LinkedIn, Tiktok and Instagram.

CREATOR

Unice is a dynamic force hailing from Perth, capturing the attention of millions of followers on her social media accounts with her unique style and dance moves. Not content with just dominating the online realm, Unice is set to make waves in the traditional media landscape, poised to advocate for representation and diversity. This has led Unice to some great achievements, including livestreaming her walk down the runway for P.E Nation at Australian Fashion Week, a collaboration with Gucci and MCing the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2023 National Final. With a passion for empowering the youth and reshaping Australian media, Unice embodies the essence of a modern-day trailblazer. Her journey stands as an inspiration for aspiring content creators and change-makers alike.

FOUNDER, CREATE YOUR LIVING

Lizzie is a published travel author, internationally-experienced journalist and content creator with a passion for capturing connection and exploring the grey areas that make us human. Lizzie has aver 10 years' experience spanning journalism, PR and marketing throughout Australia, US, the UK and Europe. Having worked as a travel and lifestyle reporter for a national British publication, authored the Time Out Amsterdam Guidebook, and written features for a number of major publications including: HuffPost, Refinery29, Time Out, Body + Soul, Express Online, The Journal by Intrepidand more, Lizzie's marketing and communications portfolio spans the likes of Red Bull, Intrepid Travel, UN Foundation, Johnnie Walker, Dove and Magnum.

FOUNDER, DEJA MARC

Rosie Collins is the founder of Deja Marc Jewellery, a brand dedicated to crafting meaningful, sentimental keepsakes that celebrate life's most precious moments. With over 10 years experience in Advertising and Marketing, Rosie transformed her expertise into entrepreneurial success, channeling her creativity and business acumen to build a thriving global brand. In just four years, she has cultivated a dedicated team of 12 women, inspiring people around the world to celebrate the connections that matter most.

SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD, MERIVALE

Phoebe Perring has spent over a decade deep in social media strategy. After beginning her career in agency world in New York City, she relocated to Melbourne to lead the social media strategy in-house at MECCA. Phoebe is now based in Sydney heading up social media and content at Merivale - one of Australia’s largest hospitality companies. In her role at Merivale, she works across more than 90 brands and is passionate about building community through social platforms, creating standout content, and shaping the way people connect with brands on social media. 

HEAD OF PRODUCTION, MELBOURNE SOCIAL CO

Hannah Coombs is a production expert and podcast host passionate about content creation, team mentorship, and data-driven storytelling.

As Head of Production at Melbourne Social Co, Hannah oversees the coordination and execution of branding and social media shoots. She leads the native video content department, training her team to produce innovative, high-quality content that achieves impactful results.

Hannah co-hosts Approved, Melbourne Social Co's podcast, with her sister Nicole, where they discuss industry trends, career advice, and social media insights.

Combining analytics with creativity, Hannah drives strategies that meet brand goals and key performance indicators, positioning her as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader in the industry.

SOCIAL CONTENT MANAGER, MELBOURNE SOCIAL CO

Rosie is a LinkedIn and Personal Branding aficionado, known as the 9-5 Personal Branding Gal on-LinkedIn. She has become one of Australia's leading Top Voices in the industry over the last 4 years, showcasing the power of a personal brand both online and in real life regardless of your job title. She has recently joined the Melbourne Social Co team as a Social Content Manager, helping brands find their distinctive voice online and stand out in the market. She is also the co-host of the Branding Personal Podcast alongside her colleague Ebony Coastworth.

FOUNDER, THEORY CREW & RISER COLLECTIVE

Felicity Grey is an award-winning marketing leader and the founder of Theory Crew and RISER Collective. With over a decade of experience, she specialises in modern PR, influencer marketing, and large-scale social campaigns, helping brands connect with Australian and New Zealand consumers. Felicity is known for her innovative, results-driven approach and her passion for challenging traditional marketing methods.

SOCIAL MEDIA EXECUTIVE, MELBOURNE SOCIAL CO

Ebony Coatsworth is a specialist in organic content and strategy and the podcast host of Can I Buy You a Coffee? - the podcast for marketing professionals seeking industry insights from the leading voices in marketing, PR, and advertising.

In 2024, Ebony used her social presence to build a community of young marketing professionals. She hosted seven networking events across Melbourne, Sydney, and London, creating spaces for connection and growth.

Ebony has now joined the Melbourne Social Co. team as a Social Media Executive, where she enjoys working across account management, business development, and creating strategies to drive client success. She. is also co-host of the Branding Personal Podcast alongside her colleague, Rosie Chong.

CUSTOMER SUCCESS, VAMP

At Vamp, Pip sits at the sweet spot between strategy, customer success, and creator community, working closely with brands, creators and talent partners to bring social campaigns to life. Outside her 9-5, Pip creates UGC for hair brands, and also supports a small handful of creators in representing themselves for brand collabs, giving her a 360 lens on what drives real results in the space from both sides.

CRO, VAMP

Steve Wright is the Chief Revenue Officer at Vamp, a platform that helps the world’s biggest brands connect and collaborate with creators and talent managers. With a background in digital media, he’s focused on scaling brand-creator partnerships through platform-first thinking. Outside of work, he’s a dad of three, a wannabe golfer, and a frustrated Spurs and Eels supporter.

FOUNDER, THE SOCIAL COLLECTIVE

Loren Tomlinson is the Founder and Lead Digital Marketing Strategist of The Social Collective, a boutique agency helping entrepreneurs align their marketing to scale with confidence. Known for her holistic approach, Loren creates strategies that integrate social media, advertising, and email marketing to attract ideal clients and deliver measurable growth.

With nearly a decade of experience, Loren simplifies marketing for business owners, allowing them to focus on what they do best while their marketing works in the background. Loren is also the host of Coffees and Content, one of New Zealand’s top marketing podcasts, where she shares actionable insights and expert advice.

Whether coaching, mentoring, or creating full-service strategies, Loren’s mission is to help entrepreneurs connect authentically with their audience, grow sustainably, and feel confident in their marketing.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MERCHGIRLS

Hannah is the Creative Director of Merchgirls, a creative agency that is doing corporate merch differently. Since 2015, Merchgirls has been designing and manufacturing quality custom merch for high profile clients such as Google, Mecca, Vogue, ANZ and David Jones. Merchgirls manufactures mindfully, and is an industry leader when it comes to producing environmentally responsible merchandise that will be used time and time again.

FOUNDER, DM PODCASTS & BETOOTA ADVOCATE

Antony Stockdale is the founder and head of strategy for DM Podcasts, The Betoota Advocate and Leverage Agency. A keen advocate of independent digital media, Antony focusses on helping content creators build their unique voices into a thriving media businesses. DM Podcasts has helped develop challenger digital media brands including - Hello Sport, Equity Mates, The Squiz, The Grade Cricketer, and The Levels Network. Antony helps brands, movements and organisations navigate the modern media environment.