Experience

SMEVentures

• Australia
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Sep 2021 - Present

  SMEVentures comprises a small team of entrepreneurs each looking to buy and operate an SME in Australia. By employing a proven buyout model known as a search fund, SMEVentures pairs talented entrepreneurs with businesses in need of a succession plan, providing reliable continuity and peace of mind for the outgoing business owners, and dreams-come-true for the incoming entrepreneurs. SMEVentures comprises a small team of entrepreneurs each looking to buy and operate an SME in Australia. By employing a proven buyout model known as a search fund, SMEVentures pairs talented entrepreneurs with businesses in need of a succession plan, providing reliable continuity and peace of mind for the outgoing business owners, and dreams-come-true for the incoming entrepreneurs.



Microsoft

• United States
• Software Development
• 700 & Above Employee

• Business Program Manager

  • Jan 2019 - Sep 2021

  I had the incredible opportunity to run a $51 million investment portfolio. By partnering with Microsoft's sales leaders and driving efficient processes, we grew to global recognition within Microsoft. I had the incredible opportunity to run a $51 million investment portfolio. By partnering with Microsoft's sales leaders and driving efficient processes, we grew to global recognition within Microsoft.



INSEAD

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• MBA Candidate

  • Dec 2017 - Dec 2018



Australian Army

• Australia
• Armed Forces
• 700 & Above Employee

• Infantry Company Commander

  • Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

  By far the most challenging and rewarding experience of my career. I was given the privilege to command a permanent team of 140 amazing men and women and an additional 60 specialists to deliver a ready deployable contingency force for Global Operations.

• Combat Training Systems Manager

  • Jan 2016 - Jan 2017

  Appointed to a project leadership role, I was responsible for leading the design, delivery and evaluation of large scale military exercises designed to challenge and develop organisational capabilities of up to 33,000 Army, Navy, Airforce and other coalition personnel. Managing a team of 8, I oversaw the 18-month planning process of complex exercises for military staff across ANZ, the USA and UK, creating life-like situations that create the right conditions to collect data critical to assessment. My role spanned end-to-end exercise management including concept scope, logistics, scheduling and resources through to execution and evaluation to measure specified ‘preparedness’ milestones. • Successfully supported the delivery of an exercise for 10,000 soldiers in July 2016, contributing expertise throughout planning phase to ensure that all elements of the activity met the required operational standards;• Delivered an Army-first exercise in terms of simulation complexity and scale, designed to evaluate the preparedness of a combined joint task force entering a major combat environment. Show less

• Chief of Staff

  • Sep 2014 - Jan 2016

  Tasked by the Commanding Officer (CEO) to direct all administrative, financial and operational activities for an infantry section comprising of ≈640 staff, I shaped strategic decisions and provided C-level recommendations to effectively manage performance, welfare, security and safety. Focusing on strengthening the operational capabilities of the unit by developing robust incident management processes, facilitating staff development and defining behavioural expectations to support positive change, I also provided independent leadership to special CEO-initiated projects including technology initiatives. • Supported the modernisation of the unit’s communication and recruitment processes including training to support the use of SharePoint and the introduction of social media (Facebook and Twitter);• Received recognition from seniors for an ability to innovate to improve productivity, leveraging advanced communication skills to shape opinions and achieve desired outcomes. Show less

• Operational Planning Manager

  • Jan 2014 - Sep 2014

  As Operational Planning Manager, I was entrusted to lead the development and execution of major collective training activities to achieve key unit capability and operational preparedness milestones. Working closely with stakeholders across departments, I ensured the optimisation of a multimillion dollar budget to create activities and scenarios that tested the competencies of Army personnel, across levels, through high-risk exercises. A critical element of this role was ensuring that safety was maintained as a number one priority and that adequate contingency plans were in place in the event of an emergency situation. • Oversaw end-to-end operations including detailed contingency planning that in one instance was credited for the prevention of death following the injury of a staff member in a remote location;• Developed and executed a six-day training event with no safety incidents on time and in budget, creating a complex exercise that challenged all levels by staging battlefield activity. Show less

• Counter Terrorism and Emergency Liaison Officer

  • Jan 2012 - Jan 2014

  Responsible for facilitating the smooth and efficient planning, coordination and execution of counter-terrorism and emergency operations in response to emergency situations in NSW, Australia and the region. A critical element of this role was building a strong network of partnerships including State and Federal Government and NGO stakeholders to ensure that agreements were in place regarding coordinated and rapid involvement, resources and support during emergencies. In addition, I acted as the ‘face’ of the section, undertaking regular public speaking engagements and awareness campaigns to provide military policy and procedure education. • Effectively coordinated emergency assistance following disaster incidents including a State-wide bush fire and an aircraft crash in the affected area, releasing helicopter support within 30 minutes;• Established partnerships to access facilities for live fire training including Sydney Airport rail and contracts with Xstrata Coal to use their mine training facility to practice counter-terrorism activities;• Created a central repository to manage business processes and improve the retention and assimilation of corporate information, supporting smoother operations and disaster planning post role handover. Show less

• Staff Officer

  • Jan 2010 - Jan 2012

  Appointed to an operations management role with responsibility for the recruitment, education, well-being and performance of a part-time workforce encompassing over 100 Army soldiers. I led general task management across operations, incidents, quality control and section communication in addition to providing advice to C-level leaders to support decisions relating to staff development, HR and WHS. During this tenure I also provided career advice and mentor-ship to junior staff and developed training courses and workplace assessments to resolve productivity issues. • Created internal processes for safety management from an operational perspective, developing a training program that focused on prevention, early intervention and support networks;• Successfully drove innovation in a multifaceted environment to promote and foster a new culture of safety, resulting in the section receiving a division Work Health & Safety award;• Improved unit security processes and practice, leading a base and unit review to inform the development of policies that were operationally enforceable, going on to secure business case funding to resolve issues. Show less

• Military Instructor - School of Infantry

  • Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  Leading a team of 6 instructors, I was accountable for the design and delivery of high quality training courses across a range of infantry competencies to ensure that training requirements were met and RTO standards maintained. Overseeing training delivery for cohorts of up to 50 personnel at any one time, I delivered formal assessment to students in addition to informal mentoring and coaching to those who were experiencing difficulty with the demands of the highly physical course. • Consistently achieved 90-100% completion rate across training cohorts representing the highest performance in the school, successfully executing plans to minimise dropout rates;• Increased the school’s annual trainee numbers from 850 to 1950, developing and delivering plans that maximised staff to student ratio and occupation rates;• Developed pilot program for the ‘Urban Doctrine’ element of training, leading design and validation of the program in addition to successful external assessment of training instructors. Show less

• Mechanised Section Manager

  • Jun 2006 - Jan 2009

  In 2008, completed a six month project in East Timor as part of a United Nations led initiative to stabilise the region following a major political election in 2007. Led a team of 30 staff to plan and execute stability operations. Engaged with local and non-local agencies to coordinate joint efforts in often-adverse environments, with limited resources. Successfully completed an eight-month project in Iraq in 2007 in support of multinational counter terrorism initiatives. Led a team of 30 staff to plan and execute emergency evacuations in hostile environments, resolve conflict, mediate violent interactions and ensure the personal safety of all involved. Show less