Strategy and workshop facilitation for boards and leadership teams
Independent, energetic facilitation that turns a room full of opinions into clear priorities, a practical plan and a story you can share.
“We just need some help getting clarity.”
Your team broadly knows what it wants to achieve. But everyone brings their own ideas and experience, and the conversation goes in circles. Often the person running the meeting also needs to contribute, which makes it hard to do either job well.
An independent facilitator frees the whole team to take part. I'll guide you from where you want to end up back to a clear plan, cutting through the noise along the way.
Sessions I Run
Strategy and planning days. Agree your priorities, then build the plan to deliver them.
Strategic storytelling. Shape a clear, compelling narrative for your strategy, change or organisation.
Value proposition workshops. Get clear on what you offer, who it's for and why it matters.
Business continuity and scenario exercises. Test your plans against realistic scenarios before you need them.
Change workshops. Help leaders and change managers plan how they'll bring people with them.
Conference workshops, panels and webinars. Interactive sessions that keep a room, or a screen, engaged.
New team alignment. After a merger, acquisition or restructure, help a new team agree what great looks like and how they'll get there. Read more here.
Clear thinking you can see
Visual from start to finish. I capture ideas live with sketchnotes and hand-drawn frameworks, so everyone can see the thinking take shape.
Independent. I have no stake in the outcome, so every voice gets heard.
Thoroughly prepared. A detailed brief and a reverse brief mean we agree the outcomes before anyone walks in the room.
You leave with more than notes. Every session ends with an outcomes package and materials to share the story with your stakeholders.
Who I’ve worked with
2026: Five-Star Team Workshop for newly combined technical and commercial teams at an Australian agribusiness
2026: horizon scanning and strategic storytelling workshop for change managers at an Australian superannuation fund
2026: storytelling for change workshop, Rethink Change conference
2026: change communication workshop, LG Professionals WA South West Forum, Busselton
2026: business continuity scenario exercise for Hand Heart Pocket, covering cyber attack and fraud scenarios
2023: strategy, plan and governance framework with Inala community and agency members, supporting young people at risk
2023: three-year business strategy for Astute Early Years Specialists
2022: narrative and key initiatives with the Board of The John Villiers Trust
2022: measurement framework for Hand Heart Pocket's philanthropic partnerships
From first call to debrief
Discovery call. We talk about your goals and whether I'm the right fit.
Proposal. You'll get a clear proposal. Once it's approved, we lock in the date.
Brief and reverse brief. I take a detailed brief over Zoom, then send it back in writing so we're on the same page.
Session design. I share a session outline for you to review, so it suits how your team works.
The session. I arrive prepared and keep the day on track.
Debrief. I pull the outcomes into a package and take you through it, along with next steps.
Read the terms and conditions.
Facilitation requirements
Flip charts and markers – if you don’t have these available, a whiteboard will work. Alternatively I can source these for you and add the cost as a reimbursement to your invoice.
Room – the room should have natural light and space to move, and tables set up in a way that encourages group discussion.
Parking – depending on location, I may require parking at your premises.
Credentials & experience
More than 20 years in corporate communication, including leading teams
Facilitator for the IABC APAC Academy and the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence
Post-Graduate Certificate in Behavioural Insights; Diploma of Organisational Change Management; Post-Graduate Certificate in Professional Communication; Bachelor of Journalism / Bachelor of Arts (Politics and English)
Certification: Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP)
Founder of Cuttlefish, a communication agency
Frequently Asked Questions
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A facilitator designs and runs your session so your team can focus on the conversation. Mel keeps discussion on track, makes sure every voice is heard and captures the outcomes.
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Yes. Mel facilitates in person and online, however in-person is preferred for team days and strategy development.
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Mel is based in Brisbane, Australia, and facilitates across Australia and internationally.
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Ideally four to six weeks, to allow time for briefing and session design. Get in touch if your timeline is shorter.
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An outcomes package that captures the decisions, priorities and next steps, plus a debrief call to walk you through it.
Planning a strategy day or workshop?
Click the button to book in a free call, or fill out the form, and I’ll be in touch soon.