About Port Stephens Women in Business
The 2020 Port Stephens Women in Business Committee
Port Stephens Women in Business is a supportive group of like minded business women that has been supporting each other across the Port Stephens region since 2009. With over 60 members, Port Stephens Women in business aims to provide a space for women in business to network, support each other and develop friendships. We meet once a month at various venues across Port Stephens. Monthly guest speakers are a regular feature providing valuable information on a variety of topics that support women in business. Our mentoring program is also available to members and aims to match mentors and mentees in valuable connections.
Meet the Committee
President
Fiona Brown
Fiona made the sea-change to Boat Harbour in 2017 via Balmain and Mudgee, and is loving the all the Port Stephens has to offer. Fiona has a Diploma of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing. NSW She was on the inaugural committee of the NSW Urological Nurses Society (now Australasian) and was Chairperson of the Nurse Continence Advisors Association of NSW. Her nursing specialties have included continence management and ophthalmology nursing. In 2007 Fiona branched out to other fields to be able to help people in a more holistic way. Since that time she has gained qualifications in Life and Personal Leadership Coaching, NLP and Matrix Therapies Master Practitioner, Hypnotherapy, Reiki Master/Teacher and Crystal healing/teaching. Fiona ran an organic personal development group for local women for almost 5 years. For 12 years Fiona worked as coach, program manager, coach trainer and facilitator of an award-winning youth leadership coaching program ‘Max Potential’. She is currently enrolled in training with ‘The Speakers Institute’. Fiona runs workshops, sees clients individually and does public speaking. Fiona is currently writing her first book and developing an online course. Helping others achieve their potential and feel good about themselves is what makes her heart sing.
Vice President
Kerri Rodley
Kerri is a Positive Psychology Practitioner and Workshop Facilitator with her business Workshops in Wellbeing. With a Degree in Agricultural Science and a Diploma in Positive Psychology & Wellbeing, she is aiming to take Wellbeing Workshops to regional areas around Australia to help farming communities affected by drought.
Kerri also has 28 years marketing experience in the agricultural and tourism industries and a business as a Professional Organiser for over ten years, specialising in hoarding cases.
Having lived in Port Stephens for two years with her husband David and her pooch Jaffa, Kerri loves boating on the beautiful waterways and exploring the surrounding Hunter countryside on their motorbike. She is also a volunteer adoptions officer with Port Stephens Koalas.
Treasurer
Debbie Innes
Debbie is a HR Specialist and Director of Addison Partners HR & Consulting located in Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. Debbie is an experienced and qualified Human Resources Specialist providing practical guidance and advice to allow you to work with your employees to meet your goals whilst complying with all relevant legislation. Debbie is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and holds an MBA majoring in HR.
Debbie has a background in Agriculture and Food Safety, having studied Agriculture at university before working as an Imported Foods Officer for AQIS prior to joining Addison Partners. Debbie can assist you with payroll software implementation and can connect you with IT and Workplace Safety Specialists.
Secretary
Dinah Watson
Dinah’s business passion is to be a mentor and cheerleader to other women in business, which she fosters through her business, Dinahmite Management.
As a lifelong learner, she loves to be able to share her learnings with those she mentors and coaches – these skills ranging from tech, marketing, systems and processes to strategy & vision casting.
She has lived in Port Stephens since 2003, raising her three children and after a decade in banking (pre-children), she has since been employed at various times in non-profit, Christian children’s ministry, and as a teacher in local schools, all whilst supporting her husband’s mortgage broking business and formerly being a co-owner in an education business.
Dinah has a Master’s Degree in Education, and loves exploring the food of the world, both at home, and when travelling.
Social Media
Tanya Beaumont
Following a 25 year career in Pharmacy, in 2017 Tanya went on to create her first business, Amplified Business Services: a social media marketing and amplification service for small to medium businesses. Tanya incorporates her love of photography into the business with customised product and business shoots.
In 2019 Tanya added 'Owner' of Zone Active Gym Sports & Dance Academy to her resume and can be found most days mentoring and keeping alive the 3 F's for kids: Fun Fitness & Friendship in the multifaceted Dance & Gymnastics studio.
Tanya is a dedicated mum of two teenagers and a pooch.
Event Coordinator
Carole Orbell
Carole emigrated from England to Sydney but after several years of weekend commutes to Port Stephens has now made the move permanent.
Following a BA (Hons) in Information Graphics, Carole made a career in publishing and has an extensive portfolio of work. Her career has focused on illustrated reference book publishing for adults and children and mass-market magazine design. She has been Art Director for international publishing houses and more recently a freelance designer working with small business.
Carole can usually be found at Spark, Salamander Bay’s own co-working space, as she is currently employed by a Sydney publishing house. She also finds time for some small business clients and creating the marketing strategy for Nifty Australia, her partner’s business. When not at her desk she may be at the Art Gallery making prints or planning her next adventure holiday.
Communications
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca is a high performing Executive Manager- Marketing and Business Development Specialist with more than 24 years’ experience in the tourism/hospitality, finance and fast-moving consumer goods industries. Experience spans some of Australia’s largest consumer brands (including Nestle Australia’s largest brand portfolio worth over $500 million) and more recently within National and State Award winning tourism properties (Reflections Holiday Parks, Port Stephens Beachside Holiday Parks and Shoal Bay Resort & Spa).
Expertise in B2C and B2B, strategic business planning, brand development, digital marketing, customer experience marketing, market research, budgeting, business development and staff management and development.
With a strong return on investment focus across all aspects of business, Rebecca is a proven team leader building strong and effective teams and business relationships. Industry positions held have included Director of Destination Port Stephens, NSW and North Coast Tourism Awards judge and mentor. Rebecca has run her own successful Marketing and Business Development Consultancy (specialising in digital marketing and marketing strategic planning) and has managed small marketing teams and entire business units with up to 55 staff.
Currently Director of Gold Key Marketing, a consulting agency assisting small to medium businesses to navigate the complicated online marketing maze. Rebecca assists business owners to avoid making costly mistakes with their online marketing efforts while honing in on the most profitable opportunities to reach their business goals.