Our team

After founding Rowland in 1992 as a one-person operation, Geoff Rodgers has led the company’s growth into one of Australia’s premier strategic communication consultancies.

As Chairman, Geoff is widely recognised as a leader in the profession, having built a particularly strong track record across a range of industry sectors.

Over the past 36 years, he has provided strategic consulting support to some of the world’s and Australia’s most significant entities including ExxonMobil, BHP Billiton, Vale, Rio Tinto, Glencore, Anglo American, British Gas, AMP, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Suncorp, News Corp, Lend Lease, Brookfield, Leighton, Vodafone, McDonalds, Morgan Stanley, Morgans Stockbroking, Queensland Investment Corporation, Port of Brisbane, Gladstone Ports Corporation, Brisbane Airport Corporation, IBM, City of Daejeon, and a range of departments and agencies across the three tiers of government.

Geoff was awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday 2016 Honours List. He also received a Special Acknowledgment Award from the National Trust in 2017, was named “Business Person of the Year” at the 2012 Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards, and in 2000, received recognition from the Public Relations Institute of Australia for having made a “significant contribution to the industry”.

He is also currently Chairman of Integrated Development Strategies Pty Ltd and Newsreel.com.au, and President of Brothers Rugby Club. He has held a number of other Board and committee positions over the years, as well as several key industry positions, including Chair of City of Brisbane Investment Corporation, Vice President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (Qld), Chairman of the Registered Consultancies Group, and Executive Councillor of the Australian Marketing Institute.

Geoff has provided voluntary strategic communication support to a broad range of charity and not-for-profit groups, and has been involved in a number of significant civic projects and bodies including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, National Trust Brisbane City Hall Appeal (Chairman), Major Brisbane Festivals (Director), General Douglas McArthur Brisbane Memorial (Deputy Chairman of Steering Committee and Trustee), Tattersall’s Club (Vice President), St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace (Deputy Chairman), Edmund Rice Foundation (Committee Member), CEDA (State Advisory Committee Member), St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout (fundraiser and Ambassador), and was a member of Queensland Fundraising Committee for the Australian Olympic Committee (Rio 2016).

Industry experience

• Mining, energy, and resources
• Infrastructure
• Finance and investment
• Property and real estate
• Sport, leisure, tourism, and hospitality
• Transport
• Agribusiness
• Information technology
• Government

Qualifications and professional affiliations

• Bachelor of Business – Communication, Queensland University of Technology
• Diploma in Marketing, Australian School of Business and Law
• Diploma, Company Directors Course – Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Fellow, Public Relations Institute of Australia
• Member, International Public Relations Association

With more than 30 years’ communication experience in Australia and internationally, Alasdair has managed corporate and investor communication and public affairs programs for a broad range of organisations in diverse markets.

As Managing Director of Rowland, Alasdair is responsible for leading our client offering and internal operations, including the management and growth of the full breadth of our services.

Alasdair is an expert in the field of strategic corporate communication, and reputation management. He specialises in strategic issues management advice with an emphasis on listed companies and financial transactions. His knowledge of capital markets has allowed Alasdair to work on a number of significant issues and transactions in Australia and internationally.

Prior to joining Rowland, Alasdair was a public affairs advisor to a number of major Queensland corporations. He also worked in London as Executive Vice-President of Investor Relations for a global telecommunications equipment company listed in the FTSE-100 and on NASDAQ.

Alasdair holds an MBA from London Business School and is a Director of Independent Schools Queensland and St Peters Lutheran College.

Industry experience

• Mining and resources
• Education
• Agribusiness
• Energy

Qualifications and professional affiliations

• Master of Business Administration, London Business School
• Bachelor of Business, Queensland University of Technology
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland

With responsibility for all company financial actions, Matt is Rowland’s Chief Financial Officer.

In addition to managing Rowland’s finances, Matt is also responsible for ensuring Rowland upholds good corporate governance, and provides strategic financial input to the other partners and senior management.

In this role, Matt provides essential business insights that improve profitability and create incremental value. His particular passion is creating high performing teams through genuine leadership interactions and mentoring, to enable individuals to simultaneously contribute to both organisational and personal success.

As a key member of Rowland’s senior leadership team, he helps drive business performance improvements through developing our people.

Prior to joining Rowland in early 2022, Matt held senior executive finance roles with major organisations across the world, including Hilton Worldwide, where he worked for over a decade. His experience living and working in four countries, and with responsibilities for businesses across 22 countries, has provided him with a global big-picture perspective; the benefits of which he brings with him each day to Rowland.

Qualifications and professional affiliations

• Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
• CPA (Aust.), Accounting
• Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting, Griffith University

Helen Besly is widely regarded as one of the leading minds in Australia’s communication industry.

Renowned for her strategic counsel and business insight, she is not only a highly sought-after specialist client advisor but has also been instrumental in Rowland’s exponential growth and success over the past three decades.

Joining Rowland in 1996 and becoming both a Shareholder and Managing Director in 2002, Helen has led Rowland’s Executive Leadership Team and overseen the company’s growth into one of Australia’s leading strategic communication consultancies.

She is noted by clients and the wider Australian business community for her insightful and candid approach to corporate and communication challenges and is a facilitator and corporate coach to many of Australia’s senior business and community leaders.

Helen believes business is all about people, relationships and conversations, and that respecting and valuing individuals is critical to gaining their support and trust. Her extensive experience spans the public, government and private sectors including utilities, energy, resources and education sectors, as well as healthcare, infrastructure and transport.

An active member of the business community, among her many accolades Helen has won a Telstra Business Women’s Award and a Centenary Medal for her services to Australian business leadership. She is currently a member of Chief Executive Women and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) Board of Directors.

Having stepped down as Rowland’s Managing Director in 2021, Helen’s focus remains on providing specialist advisory services to key clients, and invaluable mentoring to Rowland’s team of communication professionals.

Helen was previously Vice President and Deputy Managing Director of Burson-Marsteller, Hong Kong.

Industry experience

• Public companies
• Local and state government agencies
• Industrial and technology
• Utilities
• Pharmaceutical and Health Care
• Education
• Energy and Resources

Qualifications & professional affiliations

• Bachelor of Business – Communication, Queensland University of Technology
• Fellow Public Relations Institute of Australia (FPRIA)
• Fellow Australian Institute of Management (FAIM)
• Member of Chief Executive Women
• Board member, BEDA

As a senior leader with Rowland for several years, Fiona combines the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Director of Training & Development.

Fiona is a natural trainer who translates her rich communication and leadership experience into engaging, practical tools and techniques to help program participants communicate with greater influence. She is highly sought by clients for her positive energy, authentic delivery, and incisive feedback. She is also an expert facilitator, able to cut through complex matters and communicate clearly with a broad range of stakeholders in corporate, government and community settings.

In her role as leader of Rowland’s Training & Development team, Fiona has developed and implemented tailored training programs for a wide variety of private and public sector organisations. She is a highly experienced trainer and coach, specialising in executive strategy and leadership workshops, how to communicate with greater influence, media training, issues and crisis readiness, and presentation skills. Fiona also specialises in facilitation of focus groups, stakeholder reference groups and executive leadership/management strategy and team off-sites.

Fiona is heavily involved in shaping new communication training offerings and recently developed a program to help aspiring female leaders be more intentional about positioning themselves for success as organisations strive for stronger gender balance within their senior leadership.

Since joining Rowland in 2000, Fiona has also provided community engagement, media and reputation management, marketing, and issues and crisis management support to a broad cross-section of local, national and international organisations, as well as all levels of government.

Her work in this area is complemented by specialist skills in the areas of corporate positioning and strategy, and internal/change communication.

Fiona’s considerable experience lies within the mining, energy and resources sector where she worked on large-scale infrastructure projects across numerous commodity groups including copper, gold, zinc, coal and aluminium. She has provided comprehensive issues management and consultation for a major Queensland coal terminal, and reputation management and strategic advice for numerous international resource companies. Fiona has also provided communication advice to some of Australia’s largest port operators.

Fiona is also a specialist in issues and crisis management, and for more than 20 years has been involved in communication and operational responses to on-site fatalities and injuries, environmental disasters, structural damage, plant closures, product tampering and recalls, industrial action and espionage, questionable commercial practices, and sexual misconduct.

Industry experience

• Mining, energy and resources
• Infrastructure
• Government
• Professional services

Qualifications and professional affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts – Double Major Journalism, The University of Queensland
• Former State Councillor of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (Queensland)

Helen Lucas has more than 30 years’ experience in strategic corporate communication including change and issues management and stakeholder engagement.

Her role is to lead the Rowland Consulting team in delivering exceptional client service, including the integration of best practice communication methodologies, and the application of emerging technologies which enhance communication and engagement outcomes.

Helen’s professional career includes in-house and consulting work across a range of industries including energy, property development, health, defence and agribusiness.

Helen’s broad experience underpins her ability to create communication campaigns which deliver exceptional results.

Combined with her extensive project management expertise, Helen’s focus on understanding and mapping user experience brings a strategic resource to the Rowland Consulting team.

A career-focus on issues planning and crisis management supports Helen’s ability to identify, mitigate and manage communication and reputational risks.

Most recently, she implemented a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan as the Community Engagement and Sustainability Manager for a $1.2 billion multi-stage residential and retail development in Brisbane’s West End.

Her career includes management of a communication campaign to support a significant change project across a hospital and health service.

She was Acting Director of Communication and Engagement for a major hospital and health service, where she led a large, multi-disciplinary team, and worked closely with Ministerial offices to manage a major operational change and reputational risk.

For several years Helen was the Property Projects Manager for a Brisbane-based resource company, responsible for the management of several construction projects, corporate office leasing and fit outs.

 Industry experience

• Energy infrastructure projects
• Healthcare change management
• Property development
• Health services
• Defence industry
• Government

 Qualifications and professional affiliations

• Bachelor of Business – Communication, Queensland University of Technology

An innovative and results driven senior marketer and strategist, Suzanne has over 30 years’ experience working with leading companies across a wide range of brands and industries.

Shane uses his 30 years of experience in business leadership, managing media organisations and leading marketing, communications and digital divisions of major organisations to help companies to embrace opportunities and navigate challenges.

Shane has a rare mix of senior level experience across business, strategy, media, brand, marketing, communication and digital platforms. He is a highly experienced business strategy and brand facilitator, bringing together the skill of a business leader with the communication discipline of a journalist.

Shane started his career as a reporter covering economics, industrial relations, politics, business and social and demographic change. This included five years in the Canberra Press Gallery.

His media management roles have included National Chief of Staff of News Corporation, Chief-of-Staff, News Editor and Deputy Editor of The Courier-Mail, Editor-in-Chief of Quest Newspapers, National Editorial Director of APN Regional Media, Queensland Editor of The Australian and General Manager of News Corp Queensland.

He has been Marketing and Communication Director of The University of Queensland, Goodstart Early Learning, and Brisbane Marketing (now Brisbane Economic Development Agency).

His business experience includes being Queensland Head and national COO of peak employer body The Australian Industry Group.

Shane brings deep experience and pragmatic insights to business challenges. His background is across commercial business and industry, media, education, member organisations and not-for-profit.

Industry experience

• Media
• Economic Development
• Manufacturing
• University
• Early Learning & Childcare
• Schools
• Not-for-profit

Qualification and professional affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts (Economics) The University of Queensland
• Australian Graduate School of Management — Strategy, Leading for the Long Term, Leading for Change and Innovation

Scott is a seasoned sales, growth & marketing practitioner with a diverse professional background across a variety of disciplines, industries, major events and organisations. His career has traversed agency roles, sales and marketing within multi-national corporates and as a business owner. Above all, he is an exemplary relationship builder and leverages the power of trust, integrity and optimism to deliver commercial outcomes.

Scott’s experience as a founder, sales leader and business consultant positions him to take a ‘generalist’ view of an organisation and apply that breadth of understanding to the commercial remit. With a strong set of core values, Scott has a proven capability in delivering sustainable commercial growth through product, partnerships and people. In his role at Rowland, Scott supports the business with the creation of products and services designed to meet the evolving needs and opportunities of our clients. In turn, he helps clients drive commercial outcomes through their own products, people and partners.

In addition to his passion for people-led deal making, Scott takes an active interest the health, wellbeing and prosperity of our future generations – demonstrated by his personal commitments and areas of professional focus.

As a member of Rowland’s Executive Leadership Team, Rhys oversees the internal operations of Rowland, including administration and IT. He also plays a key role in Rowland’s Training and Development business, providing advice to clients across a range of sectors and industries.

Midja has over 20+ years’ experience in the corporate world as a legal partner of an ASX listed national law firm and a learning and development specialist. Her passion is helping leaders build trust and commitment to create high performing teams.

During her career, Midja has mentored and coached leaders and facilitated hundreds of corporate workshops, from webinar series and induction programs to 6-day residential leadership programs. She is the author of three leadership books ‘Great Lawyer to Great Leader’, ‘Unshakeable Confidence’ and ‘Take Off the Cape’.

Alex is an experienced communication professional with years of experience working in the Aotearoa–New Zealand market, in both the government and heavy transport sectors. Alex has a passion for developing business efficiencies through organisational communication solutions, but also has a range of experience across multiple communication disciplines.

Amanda has 23 years’ experience leading complex local, state and national communication projects, with demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, corporate strategy development and implementation, and communication training.

Andrea specialises in stakeholder engagement across private and public sectors. She is known for her excellent relationship management, problem solving skills and her passion for delivering positive impacts for local communities.

As part of Rowland’s consulting team, Carla is a communication and marketing professional with experience working in social media and media relations. She brings a solid understanding of the social media landscape, and a keen sense for creating tailored and compelling content for both digital and social platforms. Carla has also worked with multiple organisations to increase their online presence, improve engagement, and develop key messages that align with their strategic objectives. As a motivated, results-driven and proactive member of the Rowland team, Carla approaches all challenges with the utmost professionalism and commitment.

Caroline’s corporate communication career spans more than 30 years working with a range of industries including accounting, law, financial services, insurance, member associations, education, agriculture, real estate and health. She has excellent writing and editing skills, tender writing and management skills and corporate communication skills. She is also a stakeholder engagement expert accredited by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) — the industry-recognised gold standard in stakeholder engagement.

Dolan combines a deep knowledge of the North Queensland region with extensive professional experience across government and private industry. He formerly served the Queensland Australian Labor Party Government as a media and policy advisor in portfolios such as Premiers, Transport, and Economic Development. Additionally, Dolan developed specialist consultancy skills during a decade of work with leading public relations firms in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Emily is a Group Account Director in Rowland’s Organisational and Change Communication team, with an impressive track-record of career and academic achievements.

As a skilled communication strategist with the ability to break through complexity, she helps clients articulate and achieve business and communication objectives, design fit-for-purpose communication strategies and materials, and identify and manage risks.

Emma brings more than 20 years’ corporate communication experience across a variety of industry sectors. She is a highly skilled practitioner with specialist experience in (and passion for) issues and crisis communication, employee communication, project management, brand management, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Rowland in 2020, Emma spent almost 10 years managing internal communications for a division of one of the world’s largest mining and resources companies.

Emma is a highly skilled corporate communication practitioner, with 25 years’ experience in consultancy and in-house communication roles in Australia and Europe. With expertise in corporate strategy and positioning, issues and reputation management, internal communication, writing and editing, and communication training and development – Emma has worked with some of Australia’s leading and largest organisations.

As a recent graduate, Ila is a communication and journalism professional with diverse experience spanning media relations, community relations, and internal communication. With a passion for networking and exchanging ideas, Ila enjoys engaging with a wide range of clients to effectively convey compelling narratives. Her insights into the mining and resources sector, acquired both onsite and through the larger community, bring valuable perspective to the Rowland team. With a keen focus on community and stakeholder engagement, Ila is well-equipped to contribute effectively to various projects and initiatives.

One of Australia’s leading sports marketing and communications professionals, Jason has more than 30 years’ experience in sports management, media and PR, events and sponsorship.

Jennifer is a specialist in communication strategy, reputation management, corporate positioning, facilitation, coaching and training. With more than 25 years’ experience in corporate communication, Jennifer has worked at a senior level in a range of industries.

John is a former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Minister for multiple portfolios under ALP Governments in Queensland. Prior to being elected, John worked as a senior policy advisor to the Goss Government and to then-Opposition Leader Peter Beattie.

Jo has worked with Rowland for more than 17 years, providing corporate communication, stakeholder engagement, issues and crisis management, and research support to public and private sector clients.

Justin is a highly experienced marketing and communication professional with more than a decade of experience in a variety of communication disciplines.

Kathy Mac Dermott has nearly 40 years’ experience in property and communication, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer of the Property Council of Australia. In this role Kathy was responsible for leading the commercial operations of the Property Council and driving its diversity and inclusion initiatives. In August 2021, Kathy established her consultancy and is an independent advisor to Rowland. She has a long-term affiliation with Rowland having worked with the organisation in 1996-98 and 2005-10. Kathy is delighted to be working with the Rowland team and its clients on projects where she can bring her specialist experience and skills set to add value.

Kim has extensive experience in corporate communication, reputation, government relations and advocacy, stakeholder engagement, public relations, marketing, issues and crisis management. She is an expert at navigating complex organisations to successfully engage and communicate with their stakeholders. Kim has particular experience in the health and social services sector, and is also a former Registered Nurse.

Madeleine is a recent Communications Graduate with practical experience in public relations, creative strategy, project management, and writing and editing for both digital and social platforms.

A senior brand and communication strategist, Marci specialises in shaping and enhancing brands for success. Bringing a unique blend of strategic thinking, creative ideas and commercial nous to every project, Marci is passionate about getting to the heart of what sets brands apart.

Following her successful sporting career in beach volleyball, winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Nat has gathered a wealth of knowledge in the sporting world.

Her experience as an athlete has underpinned the growth of her business ventures. She is able to apply her wisdom and discipline to the business environment, with a focus on the power of goal setting, teamwork and resilience as critical tools for success.

Nicola has proven skills in corporate communication, stakeholder engagement, community consultation, media relations and issues and crisis management, and works across government, utilities, infrastructure, mining, energy and resources and community sectors.

Nicole has more than 20 years’ experience managing stakeholders, brands, reputations, change management projects and engagement programs for numerous high-profile organisations. Nicole works collaboratively and effectively with senior leaders to identify, mitigate and manage communication and reputational risks, and to disperse highly complex technical information to broad stakeholder audiences. Her diverse communications career includes management roles in government and private sector media and marketing, communications and public relations in sectors such as transport, aged care, disability services, education, property, development and infrastructure planning and delivery.

A Kamilaroi and Dharug man, Noel has dedicated much of his 30-year professional life to improving the lives of First Australians. Noel is Managing Director of Winangali – a Supply Nation-certified and registered Indigenous business. Rowland and Winangali’s business relationship spans more than 15 years. Throughout this time, Winangali and Rowland have worked together on numerous projects across a variety of sectors including government, social and transport infrastructure, entertainment, health, destination marketing, and construction.

Rebecca is a journalist and communications specialist with a background in media, marketing, corporate communication and stakeholder engagement. She has extensive skills and experience in issues and crisis management, brand and reputation management, communications and engagement planning, strategy development and writing corporate publications.

Remi is a communication and marketing professional who joined Rowland as an Account Executive. She brings experience in the public affairs and administration sectors, having worked as an assistant to Public Affairs Officers in the Australian Army. Her communication and marketing experience spans a range of disciplines including media relations, creative strategy, internal communications, stakeholder engagement, and writing and editing for both digital and social platforms.

Rob’s experience in the Australian media landscape has transcended both traditional print and broadcast to online and digital mediums. As a result, Rob takes a proactive approach to integrating traditional media and marketing campaigns with innovative advertising and digital solutions.

Roxane is a communication professional with extensive experience across the public and private sectors. She is accomplished in developing and delivering meticulously researched and written communication and engagement strategies for a range of projects and stakeholders.

A communication professional with more than 20 years’ experience across corporate affairs disciplines, Sarah has worked for several of the world’s largest companies including BHP, Royal Dutch Shell and IBM.

Talya is an IAP2-accredited practitioner with close to 10 years’ experience in corporate communication, marketing communication, stakeholder engagement and media relations across a variety of industry sectors.

Tony’s background is as a journalist and corporate communication specialist, and he brings this first-hand experience to his training workshops.

With over 20 years’ graphic design experience, working for leading design consultancies on national and international projects, Dean’s skills extend across the spectrum of branding, naming and corporate identity, including the development and extension of corporate identity guidelines.

Sarah has over 30 years’ experience with leading design and communication consultancies in Sydney and Brisbane. Her skills extend across publication and digital assets design, with a focus on real purpose and desired outcomes.

Christine has 20 years’ experience with leading branding consultancies. Her work in identity design is very highly regarded and she has created many successful brands in her career.

Melissa specialises in unearthing, developing and articulating brand strategies for organisations, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities and direction.

Abbey is an experienced graphic designer with over five years’ experience in marketing and advertising, working across a diverse range of clients. Her skills include layout and typesetting, designing presentations and annual reports, brand development and implementation, video editing and animation.

Elke has 25 years’ experience, working with leading design and communication studios in London across a wide range of industries – from arts and culture, to finance, technology, media and entertainment. Her skills extend across branding and corporate identity, including concept creation through to brand guidelines.

Sara has more than seven years of graphic and digital design experience, with national and international clients. Her skills include extensive knowledge of marketing, digital and print design, web design, illustration and animation.

Stephanie has more than five years’ experience as a graphic designer, in both in-house and studio roles, working across a range of clients and industries. With key skills including layout and typesetting for print and digital, video editing, and developing motion graphics, Stephanie’s particular interests lie in digital design, video editing and animation, branding and 3D modelling.

Catriona has nearly 25 years’ design experience with leading design and communication consultancies in Brisbane, London and Canada. Her skills extend across UX/digital design, publication design and brand with a focus on user experience and accessibility.

With more than 15 years’ experience in digital project management and a strong background in marketing, communication, and strategy, Katarina leads Rowland’s team of digital experts. As Senior Project Manager, she works with the team to deliver innovative and high-quality products and services that meet user needs and exceed client expectations, with particular focus on engagement and brand experience.

Luke is a globally experienced digital strategist with more than 17 years of experience, specialising in digital strategy, branding, transformation, content marketing and leadership. At Rowland, he enhances our digital strategy offerings by overlaying a digital marketing perspective and providing best-practice strategic digital advice for our clients.

As a front end developer and Technical Lead, Nidhi has experience in all the aspects of Web Development. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional with the focus on Web Security and transformation.

Vinay is a senior full stack developer with more than eight years of experience in building and optimising high-impact websites, mobile applications, and custom web applications.

Virginija is a web developer and designer and has more than three years of experience in building websites from start to finish, as well as over ten years of background in Digital Marketing.

With over 20 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant, Alison is passionate about delivering exceptional administration support, assisting with business process streamlining and ensuring those she supports perform at their best.

With over 25 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant, Angela is passionate about delivering exceptional administration support, assisting with business process streamlining and ensuring those she supports perform at their best.

With more than 30 years’ experience as a finance professional, Luci provides ongoing accounting and financial support to the organisation. She prides herself on being highly organised with a keen attention to detail.

While studying a Bachelor of Business, Sarah provides excellent administrative and client support to the Rowland team.

With more than 16 years of finance and administration experience Sylvia provides high-level support to the business in all aspects of daily operation.

Trish is a highly skilled finance professional with over 25 years’ experience domestically and internationally. She is passionate about delivering exceptional financial support to the organisation.

Will has been an honorary Rowlander for the last four years coming to the office once a week to provide administration support to the whole Rowland team. He is a much loved and highly valued member of our team.