Our Experts

Meet our game changers

Our ecosystem of leadership experts are galvanised by one purpose; to move minds and transform businesses and leave a legacy of proven value. As a team that is drawn from different backgrounds, including psychologists, strategy and commercial advisors, culture specialists and performance experts, we turn beliefs into a movement, transforming organisations and the leaders within.

Vanessa Gavan

FOUNDER AND JOINT MANAGING DIRECTOR
FOUNDER. ADVISOR. VISIONARY.

Vanessa is the founder of Maximus and has spent over two decades transforming organisations and the leaders within them seeking progressive change. Vanessa is known for working with an extensive range of C-Suites, Executives and Boards to make an exponential impact. Vanessa is the custodian of the Firm's strategy, innovation and global partnerships which collectively position Maximus as one of Australia's leading performance impact organisations.

Brent Duffy

JOINT MANAGING DIRECTOR
TRUSTED ADVISOR. STRATEGIC PARTNER.​ EXECUTIVE LEADER.

As Joint Managing Director, Brent oversees our national portfolio of clients delivering innovative solutions globally. Brent applies a strategic and pragmatic approach to business performance with his ability to consistently deliver proven value and lasting business results. Brent has worked across a diverse range of sectors with an impressive roster of ASX listed corporate and fast growing organisations.

We are
  • Curious
  • Ambitious
  • Maximus
  • Curious

EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP EXPERTS

James Keeler

PORTFOLIO DIRECTOR
ENTERPRISE ADVISOR. EXECUTIVE COACH.​ CHANGE MAKER.​

James manages and advises a portfolio of diverse domestic and international clients. From Australian blue-chip brands to organisations which are at the vanguard of their industry and ready for change. James is known for delivering transformational impact, making individuals and teams appreciate the power of effective leadership. James leads a dynamic portfolio of leading industry clients to drive change from executive level down through the spine of the organisation.

Vanessa Powell

PORTFOLIO DIRECTOR
PSYCHOLOGIST. ENTERPRISE ADVISOR. EXECUTIVE COACH.

Vanessa has over 20 years global consulting experience and has partnered with some of the largest companies in the Asia Pacific region. As an experienced facilitator, business leader and psychologist, Vanessa works with senior leaders to shift mindset, aligning leaders to organisational purpose and strategy. Vanessa leads an extensive portfolio of cross sector industry clients to facilitate organisational change, culture and leadership strategy.

Tracey Sandeman

STRATEGY & ADVISORY DIRECTOR
TRANSFORMATION SPECIALIST. STRATEGIST. CHALLENGER.

Tracey specialises in business transformation, strategy facilitation and operating model design including complex change initiatives. Tracey leads our strategy and advisory practice and has extensive industry experience yielding cross functional organisational efficiencies and leadership impact.

Carla Rossi-Zalmons

MARKETING DIRECTOR
MARKETING EXECUTIVE. STRATEGIST. TRUSTED ADVISOR.

Carla specialises in brand transformation and customer experience change. She has both industry and consulting experience from leading blue chip organisations. Carla leads our Marketing and brand team and is a driver for innovation and transformation.

Lani Swanton

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
ENTERPRISE DRIVER.​ PROBLEM ELIMINATOR. CONFIDANT.

Lani’s expertise span across all facets of operational performance with acute focus on delivery and execution of high impact projects. She leads our operations and projects team for Maximus.

SPECIALIST LEADERSHIP EXPERTS

James Chapman

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST.​ EXECUTIVE COACH.​ ENTERPRISE ADVISOR.

As a former Olympic medalist and high-performance coaching expert, James leads our specialised coaching practice and has extensive expertise across all facets of leadership. James’ expertise includes mindset shifts, behavioral change, focus, resilience, clarity, structured thinking and strategic leadership.

Danielle Moore

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
EXPERIENCE DESIGNER.​ PSYCHOLOGIST. UNLOCKER OF POTENTIAL.

Danielle leads our leadership experience design and specialised offerings practice which includes our psychometric assessment centre and all aspects of product innovation. In addition, Danielle facilitates transformational leadership programs across large-scaled organisations, including group coaching and mentorship.

Max Dodds

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE. OUTCOMES FACILITATOR. ENERGISER.

Max delivers breakthrough and high impact leadership experiences across a diversified sector portfolio of clients. Max is a seasoned coach and facilitator, with over a decade of management consulting experience, and brings exponential energy and lift to the leaders and teams he works with.

Julie Egonidis

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
CONNECTOR. LEADERSHIP EXPERT. TRUSTED PARTNER.

Julie is all about building deep connection and enduring relationships together with delivering growth and making a real difference in partnership with peers and clients. Julie's diverse sector expertise across senior management roles with leading academic institutions and industry bodies elevates her contributions to any solution across all levels of complexity.

Paul Drew

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
LEADERSHIP EXPERT. COMMERCIAL MINDSET. CONNECTOR.

Paul brings a holistic perspective to leadership having worked in a number of industry disruption businesses. Paul's extensive facilitation and coaching experience across a broad range of sectors, drives his passion of delivering sustainable growth, team impact and business performance.

Caspar De Carteret

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
GLOBAL MINDSET COACH. FACILITATOR.

Caspar redefines the boundaries of human potential. With a record of focusing the mindset, goals and perspectives of global leaders. Caspar is a coach and a catalyst for transformation, propelling individuals, teams and organisations towards growth.

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