The Board
IABC Victoria is a registered not-for-profit association, managed by a volunteer board.
Our board members are high-achieving professionals from a cross section of communication disciplines. They generously give their time and energy to provide the best possible professional development, recognition and networking opportunities for IABC Victoria members.
The board represents IABC at a local level and works closely with other chapters across Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and internationally, to ensure we continue to deliver the best resources, research and opportunities to our members.
We are also fortunate to have a number of volunteers who work alongside the board on our many projects and events.
Meet the 2024 IABC Victoria Board
Julia Loughlin
Julia is an evidence-based marketing and communications professional with 15 years’ experience across logistics, utilities, legal, oil and gas, finance, government and small business.
Holding an MBA with a concentration in Marketing as well as a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of International Studies, Julia enjoys sitting at the nexus of business, marketing and communications.
A true strategist, she enjoys gaining a deep understanding of a client’s business and harnessing marketing and communications to drive the health of a brand and therefore long-term commercial success. Julia has a special interest in using insights from human psychology and behavioural economics to influence attitude and behaviour change.
Julia is the founder and director of Echomakers, a boutique consultancy based in Melbourne. Clients include Melbourne Water and Singapore Post subsidiary, FMH Group. She consults across corporate communications, employer branding, internal communications, external communications, brand strategy, content strategy, issues management, social media and PR.
PRESIDENT
Amanda brings 15+ years’ market, brand and client strategy experience to the fold, having worked with high growth companies in the property, private equity and professional services sectors in Australia, Europe and North America.
From listed to private, from start-ups to mature, she has worked with diverse leaders and organisations to drive growth through impactful strategic positioning, brand, marketing communications and business development strategies.
A proven and purpose led leader, she is passionate about connecting organizations, people and ideas to enable businesses to drive sustainable growth and realise their strategic aspirations.
Amanda Fong
VICE PRESIDENT
David Imber
David Imber is a passionate corporate public affairs professional and non- executive Board Director with over 25 years experience. He enjoys working with others to solve complex problems, usually those involving critical business or organisational priorities that require high level communications and stakeholder engagement. He has advised Ministers, Departmental executives, and their staff, on crisis and issues management, Government Relations, internal and external communications. He's regularly engaged as a trusted advisor by Chairs and CEOs in the corporate and not for profit sectors.
As Principal at David Imber Advisory, David seeks assignments in environments of complexity and crisis where the pressure of deadlines is high but the opportunity to succeed requires his best performance. David came to communications through policy roles, and this experience working in the public service and then NGO sector has seen him thrive in areas as diverse as Industry Superannuation, Climate Change, ESG, Transport and human services. He's communicated in various different sectors and contexts and can advise others how to successfully do so.
David never wants to stop learning, travelling and engaging in the field of communications. Recently certified as a Strategic Communication Management Professional he is a passionate believer in the importance of truth and transparency in communications. David will be speaking at IABC World Conference in Chicago in July and was also an MC and speaker at IABC's APAC Fusion conference in Bali in September 2023. David serves as Deputy Chair of the Victorian Pride Centre and is a Ministerial appointed Director on the Board of Holmesglen Institute of TAFE. He is a regular on the 774 ABC Melbourne Drive Segment Spin Doctors.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Amy is a communications professional with a career spanning several industries including education, death care, superannuation and financial services. With over a decade of experience she’s worked in small and large organisations in roles that cover the full spectrum of communications, brand and marketing.
Driven by the knowledge that communications is an essential player in the success of a business, Amy is passionate about purposeful communications that connect people. Her strengths include building engagement through internal communications and always taking a creative approach.
As a communications leader, Amy values the variety that comes with the profession and thrives on new challenges. She holds a Masters of Communication and a Bachelor of Arts.
SECRETARY
Amy Sharpe
Georgina Patterson
Georgina is a seasoned strategic communications professional with extensive experience in corporate affairs, stakeholder engagement, and crisis and risk management. She specialises in training and facilitation, having worked in Bastion Reputation’s Training & Capability practice area. There, she has designed and delivered customised training programs for a variety of clients, focusing on media appearances and interviews, public speaking, and inquiries preparation.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Georgina fosters a team-oriented environment where open communication and mutual respect are prioritised. She believes that the best outcomes are achieved through collective effort and shared expertise. Her approach encourages team members to contribute their unique perspectives and skills, ensuring effective solutions to complex challenges.
Georgina’s ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, combined with her strategic insight, makes her a valuable asset in corporate communications. Through her leadership and expertise, Georgina continues to influence the field of strategic communications and crisis management.
TREASURER
Lauren Andrews
A senior corporate affairs and marketing professional with 24 years of experience, Lauren is passionate about providing high-quality communication services and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
Lauren has worked across the retail, maritime, facility management, utilities and technology industries driving marketing and communications functions and providing advice to leadership teams.
Her diverse experience encompasses strategic planning, leadership, issues and reputation management, growth marketing, stakeholder engagement, branding, internal communication, content management, government relations, community engagement, sponsorship and sustainability programs.
Lauren gets the most fulfilment from working through the nuts and bolts of planning and strategy, mentoring colleagues and team members, collaborating with people and sharing inspiring stories.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
Susannah Goddard
A communications professional with over 20 years’ experience, she has built a career across sectors in which she is personally interested and professionally challenged, working with great people on projects which matter.
From the arts to the death care sector, she has developed and delivered successful communications campaigns for a broad range of external and internal clients.
PARTNERSHIPS CHAIR
Camille is an experienced strategic comms professional who has worked for large and small businesses in technology, health, property, tourism and retail industries for over 12 years with clients including AIA Australia, Australia Post, Healthdirect, Doherty Institute, Telstra, Flybuys, IBM, Canon and Choice Hotels.
Originally from France, Camille started her career in the UK, honing her skills in PR agencies before making the move across the world to Melbourne where she continued working agency-side.
Highly organised, Camille is a strategic project manager and clear communicator who maintains a firm line of sight on what success looks like; managing stakeholders, partners and teams to drive results.
Camille holds a Master of Communications, Public Relations and Event Management from ISCOM Paris, France, and a Bachelor of Marketing from IT Carlow, Ireland. She joined the IABC Victoria board in 2023.
Camille Hanton
BRAND CHAIR
Rachelle Bryant
Rachelle is a passionate, seasoned communications professional with expertise in employee and leadership communication, content strategy and delivery, stakeholder engagement and corporate storytelling.
Rachelle has worked across several industries including finance, professional services, FMCG, healthcare and telecommunications. A proven strategic and creative thinker, she has built and evolved employee communication functions, as well as developed and delivered strategies focused on building connection, advocacy and reputation across multiple complex corporate environments.
Rachelle loves to collaborate with others to achieve meaningful outcomes, create compelling and engaging content for audiences, and support leaders in helping them to communicate with impact. As Events Co-Chair, Rachelle hopes to support others in the communication profession to build their networks, enhance their skills and grow their career.
EVENTS CHAIR
Swan Li Chew
Swan Li is a passionate communications professional, bringing a wealth of experience across diverse sectors, working with teams both in Australia and abroad. She most enjoys collaborating with leaders and building meaningful relationships to achieve business outcomes.
Whether navigating a crisis or spearheading employee engagement initiatives, Swan Li thrives on turning complex messages into simple, meaningful stories. Her expertise includes events, strategy and change communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement and crisis management.
A critical and strategic thinker, Swan Li is keen to learn, share her knowledge and support the growth and development of those around her.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR