Meet the Team: Canberra Region

The Schmooze team in the ACT is made up of a mix of enthusiastic volunteers and professionals whose job to design and run the events, host our gatherings, assist with marketing and of course, make everyone feel welcome!

Members can contact our members relations team anytime to ask about how to best to make the most of their membership, and we like to meet all our new members to bring them up to speed on all the things they do through Schmooze.

Our intern team volunteers on several projects as part of their studies, including our Schmooze@Campus program and Young Professional events.

To contact any of the team please email us at info@schmooze.net.au

Phillip Jones, Founder & Director

Phillip founded Schmooze in 2003 with the aim of creating a collaborative environment for colleagues and friends to develop their careers and businesses, and have a great time in the process. 

In addition to managing Schmooze, he is the director of Two Degrees Group, which provides a range of consulting services including professional development workshops and the strategic advice on the design, development and management of professional and social networks.

He's often invited to speak regularly or present training on networking and professional relations, as well as the uses of social media.

You can view his professional website here.

In his (spare) time he loves to read philosophy and military history and travel  He also loves to add & subtract from his wine cellar and perfecting his dry martinis!

He was profiled by the Canberra Times in 2011 and you can read the article here.

Phillip was also interviewed by the Australian Government's Business.gov.au, and you read the interview here.

You can contact Phillip via phillip@schmooze.net.au

Jo Haslam, Members Relations Manager

Jo has recently joined Schmooze as our newest Members Relations Manager. She has eclectic professional experience across a range of industries, including working up on the Hill in events for the countries leaders, to more recently as a Project Officer in Mental Health. In all her jobs she has loved the thrill of new experiences and meeting new people in their field of expertise.

Jo has traveled extensively in the past but always comes home to Canberra. She has studied at the Australian National University, the Canberra Institute of Technology and is now back at the University of Canberra completing her BA in Events Management and Literature.

Always keen to learn something new, and share her experiences she would love to catch up for a chat over a coffee, so please contact her on jo@schmooze.net.au to learn more about Schmooze and the benefits we can offer.

JOOANN TAY, Members Relations Manager

I'm known as the other Jo on the team, and perhaps also the baby! Attracted by Schmooze's personal touch, I hope that I will be able to spread my love for networking and meet like-minded people along the way. Apart from being a Membership Relationship Manager, I do aspire to become an entrepreneur one day.

When not working for Schmooze, I'm a super tutor by day, and a freelance designer by night.

You can contact me via email: jooann@schmooze.net.au

Sharon Akinyi, Members Relations Manager

Sharon is a recent proud graduate from University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Communications. With her new degree, Sharon is keen to explore the Public Relations and Communications industry and make the most of what Schmooze has to offer.

Sharon is involved with the Schmooze@Campus program, which is a tailored program of Schmooze events for tertiary students from all disciplines. When she's not working, Sharon enjoys jogging, reading and celebrity gossip.

Sharon is friendly, bubbly and ready to hit the ground running in her Member Relations Role. She's happy to answer any questions you may have about Schmooze and its benefits.

Contact her on sharon@schmooze.net.au

THEA MCGRATH, MEMBERS RELATIONS MANAGER

Thea comes to Schmooze after having worked in a diverse range of Marketing, Communications and Branding roles working for a number of Canberra largest Departments and philanthropy groups including Centrelink, The National Film and Sound Archives, the Canberra Canceriens and Alzheimer's Australia.

Thea has extensive client service experience and thrives on meeting new people, listing to your goals and then helping you reach those goals through a tailored and personal approach. Thea is now a full time student undertaking a Bachelor of Design (Photography) and running her own freelance based practice while learning what being a business owner is all about.

As a Schmooze Young Professional Member, Thea has experienced the not only unique opportunities Schmooze can offer young professionals but the thriving business community and connections that Schmooze can offer to your business.

Thea loves to meet new people and would welcome the coffee break from her study and business, so please do contact her to discuss her experiences and what Schmooze can offer you and your business.

You can contact her via email at: thea@schmooze.net.au

martin maris, staff photographer

I’m Martin, currently studying at the University of Canberra undertaking a Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing Communications. I have a passion for what I study and photography. I hope to capture moments and memories for Schmooze as their Staff Photographer.

You can view my website at www.martinmaras.com

samuel coulter, staff photographer

My name is Samuel Coulter and i have just turned 20. I have lived in Canberra for just over three years now. After completing years 11 and 12 at Narrabundah college I jumped straight into my photography degree and now am entering my second year.

I enjoy any type of photography, from macro to wedding to food to sport, any type and I'm there keen as mustard.

Opportunities with Schmooze -APPLY NOW

Interns

We are accepting applications for our next intake of interns. Read more here.