Conference Team

The IAF is a volunteer organization and conferences like this don’t work without the hard work of a dedicated team who give up their time to help pull everything together

The organizing committee for Adelaide 2013 represents a diverse range of facilitation experience and a shared passion for increasing the profile and professionalism of facilitation. The committee members who are working to bring the World of Facilitation to Adelaide are:

Dr. Stephen Carthew

As the co-founder of a countercultural, alternative, back-to-the-land ‘New Age’ Community  and New Religious Movement, Stephen was a learn-on-the-job facilitator for nearly 20 years (1970s-80)—making all the mistakes. He then was a small business owner and then a Financial Advisor. Stephen has just completed 11 years of study in Communications-Writing and Cultural Studies at the University of South Australia. His doctoral thesis explores (amongst other issues) the way founders of organisations imprint their life experiences and personalities on corporate cultures. Having contracted LOA (late onset academia), Stephen plans to lecture, write and comment publicly on his subject; and speak and facilitate to organisations. His facilitation work focuses on what can be called ‘Dialogue in the Round Effective Communication Training’ (DIRECT). After attending a Circle Training workshop in Canada (June 2012), he became convinced of the power and value of the process. Stephen is in the early days of this work. When he is not researching and writing, he swims competitively in pools and oceans.

Heather Felix, CPF

Heather Felix is a Performance Facilitator for Abigroup Contractors.  Working internally for Industry in facilitative people and process focused rolls for over 15 years, she is an advocate for bringing “soft” skills to “hard” environments. Having the luxury of working internally, she works to make a difference from the inside. Hoping to pursue a PhD in Oganisational Behaviour at some point, she is fascinated by why people do what they do.  When not working to get engineers and construction workers to communicate effectively she runs after a willful 2 year old and pretends she is not too old to play competitive level soccer.

Nelli Noakes, CPF

Conference convener Nelli Noakes was inspired to take on the job of organizing Adelaide 2013 after attending the IAF’s Melbourne conference in March this year, where she also received her accreditation as a Certified Professional Facilitator. Nelli is the managing director of boutique consultancy Gestalt Enterprises Pty Ltd and brings with her more than 20 years experience in a range of fields including organizational communication, management, organizational development and mediation. These days, most of her work is in consultative facilitation and facilitative consultation, working with clients across multiple sectors and throughout Australia. She is passionate about raising the profile and professionalism of facilitation through bringing people together to learn from each other, and helping organisations better understand how facilitation can help them achieve their objectives. When not facilitating or organising facilitation conferences, Nelli is an averagely competitive masters cyclist and also enjoys zipping around the streets of Adelaide on her red Vespa.

Susan Raphael

Susan Raphael brings extensive experience in management, training, facilitation, program and organisational reviews, writing and cultural competence. Having recently returned from living and working in Seoul, South Korea and previously in Singapore, Susan has an additional appreciation of the challenges of readjustment, change and transition.

Susan assists individuals, teams, organisations and communities with solutions and strategies related to all aspects of people and relationships in workspaces. Susan’s expertise includes the development and streamlining of systems and processes, leading and implementing training, facilitation, planning and review processes within the not for profit, government and private sectors.

Having accumulated skills and knowledge from over 20 years practice in management, education, health, community and human services, Susan contributes in ways that add value, opens space in safe environments and bolsters productivity. She has recently completed a Master’s degree specialising in organisational development and also holds an International Diploma in Narrative Practice. Her practice is informed by a position of respect, collaboration and inclusivity with a focus on sustainable and workable solutions. Susan’s capacity and flexibility in engaging with all levels of organisations is seen as a key strength as well as her capacity to deliver solutions that are beyond what was initially foreseen.

Susan is passionate about promoting creative and outcome focused learning opportunities that enable staff, teams and managers to flourish as they continue to apply new systems, skills and knowledge to accomplish goals and move towards new possibilities for the future.

Marie Sloan

Marie Sloan is a development consultant who works collaboratively with individuals and organisations who are interested in moving respectfully towards a preferred culture and identity which values difference.  Marie believes that everyone is the ‘expert in their own life’ and for her facilitation is the means to bring people’s own knowledge to the fore. She is an accredited mediator and coach and brings to her consultancy over 30 years international and state experience as a practitioner and senior manager in health, education and the human services.  Marie is recognised for her innovative use of the concept of ‘Outsider Witnessing’ [based on Michael White’s work, Dulwich Centre, Adelaide] as a tool when facilitating groups where conflict is present.

She is informed by principles of personal accountability, transparency and integrity, which values individual’s experiences, skills and knowledges

Rhonda Tranks, CPF

Rhonda Tranks, CPF has been a member of the IAF since 2006 and attained CPF status in 2007. She has been on the IAF global Board as Regional Director Oceania since 2010 and she was the convener of the IAF Melbourne Conference in March 2012.

Rhonda’s global career includes more than 30 years experience in Australia, Mexico, USA, Europe and Asia. She has worked in training, education, human resources, management, executive search, coaching and consulting. As a consultant and facilitator she works across the government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors with a broad range of clients and groups. Rhonda formed Illuma Consulting in February 2009. Prior to this she was a partner in a boutique international consulting firm. She previously owned a successful training company. In between she  ran a B&B / cooking school and cultural tours business in Mexico and also managed a small luxury hotel (a break away from consulting for a few years and a wonderful adventure)

Rhonda has presented at IAF conferences in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Korea and India. She will also run a workshop at the IAF Geneva Conference in October 2012.

Maree Upton

Maree has been working as a facilitator, coach, HR support and independent consultant for 15 years. With clients across Australia in the not for profit, private and public sectors  she brings her background in psychology  to areas  of change management, customer service, career planning and leadership development and uses facilitation to enable groups to have fun whilst learning from each other to achieve their objectives.  She was inspired to join the energetic committee to advance the value of facilitation as a professional skill and to entice others to come to Adelaide for a fantastic learning experience whilst enjoying fine South Australia food and wine.  When not working Maree loves swimming and attacking an overgrown garden.