Yvonne Keane - CV (March 2016)

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CAREER PROFILE
Highly versatile, inspirational and delivery-focused leader, advocate, and visionary with more than 20 years’ experience in
disability services, corporate governance, executive and board management, strategic planning, broadcasting and media,
brand development, marketing and communications, consumer engagement, government relations, and the not-for-profit
sector. Idea-led and results-driven to consistently deliver exceptional value via a core focus on strategy, innovation, social
equity, team strengths and exceptional delivery. An innate ability to achieve the extraordinary, time and again, leading to
a plethora of accolades including being awarded the 2012 NSW Woman of the Year, as voted by the public. Brings
valuable influencing skills underpinned by extensive business expertise, high personal drive and proven integrity.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
ü Awarded the inaugural NSW Woman of the Year (People’s Choice).
ü Winner of the prestigious University of Western Sydney’s Women of the West Award.
ü Recipient of National United Nations International Year of the Volunteer +10 “Volunteer of the Year
Award for Education” - Federal Government.
ü Appointed Director, Endeavour Foundation Board, one of Australia’s largest national disabilities organisations.
ü Established and led the Hear the Children Early Intervention Centre which provides hearing impaired babies
and preschoolers the opportunity to develop spoken language on par with hearing children and successfully enter
mainstream schools at age 6.
ü Appointed inaugural Chair of the Board to launch The Sanctuary – The Hills Women’s Shelter (a joint
initiative of Women’s Community Shelters and QIC). The Sanctuary is the first shelter in Sydney’s North-West to
cater to women and children, and the first in NSW to cater for women and children with a disability.
ü Negotiated groundbreaking recurrent funding for Hear the Children with the NSW Government, setting a new
benchmark for early intervention funding, changing the futures of countless babies and preschoolers with a disability in NSW.
ü Successfully expanded Hear the Children’s service capacity by 40% year-on-year and proudly never turned a child away.
ü Swiftly earned a reputation as a media spokesperson and authority for the broader Early Intervention sector.
ü Oversaw the successful transition of Hear the Children to the Royal Institute of Deaf & Blind Children.
ü Elected as a Councillor & Deputy Mayor to The Hills Shire Council.
ü Founded and launched the Run for the Hills Charity Fun-Run and Festival, which quickly grew to become
the largest annual event in the Hills Shire attended by over 35,000 people, aimed at raising awareness and funds to
support early intervention services for children with a disability.
ü Founded and created SugarBaby Cosmetics, a brand specialising in teenage bath and beauty with additional
skincare and cosmetic products subsequently launched around the globe.
ü Created two series proposals piloted by ABC TV – Hands On and s’Cool Sport (which was green-lit to series
and became the highest rating weekly program for ABC TV Sport).
ü Producer of the award winning Little Sumo’s story – Australasian Broadcasting Union Award (Sport)
ü Co-host Channel 7’s hit program Hot Property with living icon, Michael Caton. Presenter for Today Tonight and
Sydney Weekender (Seven Network), 9am with David & Kim (Network Ten) and The Catch Up (Nine
Network).
ü Author of Home with Yvonne Keane, a weekly column in New Idea magazine and She.I.Y, a monthly feature
section for Handyman magazine.
STRENGTHS
• Agile
• Dynamic Communicator
• Critical thinker
• Energetic
• Proven Integrity
• Influencer
• High personal drive
• Innovative
• Collaborative
• Resilient
• Results Focus
• Solution Driven
YVONNE KEANE
M: 0419 553 495
E: yvonne@yvonnekeane.com
LinkedIn profile: au.linkedin.com/pub/yvonne-keane/23/979/349

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AWARDS and INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
● NSW Local Government Woman of the Year (2016)
● Woman of the West Award - University of Western Sydney (2013)
● Australian of the Year Nominee - Federal Government (2012 and 2011)
● NSW Women of the Year Award (People’s Choice Community Hero) - NSW Government (2012)
● Citizen of the Year - Hills Shire Council Australia Day Award - Hills Shire Council (2012)
● Business Woman of the Year Nominee (Community & Government) - Telstra (2011 & 2012)
● National United Nations IYV+10 Volunteer of the Year Award (Education) - Federal Government (2011)
● Finalist: CLEO Beauty Awards (SugarBaby Cosmetics) - ACP Magazines (2000)
● Australasian Broadcast Union Award (Sport) - ‘Little Sumo’s’, ABC TV Sport (1998)
● Member – NSW Council for Women’s Economic Opportunity (NSW CWEO)
● Member – Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Member – NSW Council Women’s Economic Opportunity September 2015 – current
Appointed by NSW Minister for Women, the Hon Pru Goward MP in September 2015. The NSW Council for Women's
Economic Opportunity (NSW CWEO) provides specialist advice to the NSW Government on strategies aimed at
providing women with greater economic opportunities. Launched by the Hon Pru Goward MP in April 2012, the NSW
CWEO examines why women continue to be under-represented in large sectors of the workforce. It champions
solutions to increasing participation of women in non-traditional roles. The NSW CWEO brings together experts from
the engineering, construction, manufacturing, community and education and training industries.
Inaugural Chair – The Sanctuary (The Hills Women’s Shelter) Board August 2015 – current
The Sanctuary is a joint initiative of Women’s Community Services (WCS) and Queensland Investment Company (QIC). The
Sanctuary will open its doors in the Sydney Hills in March 2016. The Centre will provide world-class accommodation and
services for over 40 at-risk women, and their children, per annum. The service will focus on helping women access vital
support and programs to establish a safe and secure pathway to success for vulnerable women.
Director - Endeavour Foundation Board May 2014 – current
Endeavour Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organisation supporting more than 3,300 people with a disability
from more than 230 locations in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. One of our largest
national disabilities organisations, Endeavour Foundation is a diverse community organisation providing person-centric
support for people with a disability as part of the everyday community through education, training and life skill
development, employment, accommodation support, respite and recreation.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Establish and deliver on the strategic plan, which has contributed to business expansion, growing annual turnover
to $300M through existing service growth, and careful merger and acquisition.
● Maintained the Board’s strategic focus to ensure organisational readiness for the National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout
by 2018.

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● Advocate for people with disabilities, in particular people with an intellectual disability, and ensure the Foundation is able to maintain
its position as a leading service provider and advocate within the community, by focusing on meeting the individual needs of
vulnerable people, particularly those with an intellectual disability.
● Applied governance experience, with a particular focus to replenish and focus on service expansion strategy across
NSW, and to enhance global opportunities within the business for people with a disability to participate in everyday
life in the community.
● Establish trusted relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and service providers, both in NSW and across Australia,
including personal relationships with the Minister for Disability and the Premier.
● Continue to grow the funding base of the Endeavour Foundation Endowment Challenge Fund, established to provide grants for
researchers or postgraduate students to undertake research into issues of key importance for the Australian disability sector.
Director – Local Government NSW Board Oct 2015 – current
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) is the peak industry association that represents the interests of all 152 NSW
general purpose councils, 12 special purpose councils and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. LGNSW’s objective is to
strengthen and protect an effective, democratic system of Local Government across NSW by supporting and
advocating on behalf of member councils and delivering a range of relevant, quality services.
Responsibilities:
● Actively and persuasively representing the views of Local Government to the NSW and Australian Governments
● Provide effective, responsive and accountable leadership to member councils
● Provide a comprehensive range of high-quality services and policy advice to our members
● Increase the capacity of Local Government to deliver quality services & meet the needs of local communities across NSW
● Enhance the profile and building community trust in and awareness of Local Government.
Deputy Mayor - The Hills Shire Council, NSW Sept 2012 – current
With an annual budget of $200 million and assets of over $4 billion, the Hills Shire Council services a population of
180,000, which, as one of Sydney’s top 5 population growth centres, will expand to 250,000 by 2031. Currently rated
the Number One council for financial performance in NSW, The Hills Shire Council returned an operating surplus of
$240M for FY14/15.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Directed and controlled the affairs of the Council in accordance with relevant legislation such as the Local
Government Act whilst developing policy frameworks and participating in the optimum allocation of council’s
resources to best benefit local areas and the community.
● Oversaw the Council’s record 16th consecutive budget surplus via making sound financial decisions regarding the
funding of services and functions whilst ensuring the council fulfilled its regulatory obligations and ensuring that all
operations were carried out in line with council’s policies, plans and strategies.
● Increased community engagement by encouraging participation in planning processes including plan development,
approval and implementation as well as rejuvenating volunteering structures across various events, media and
public relations campaigns and community grant schemes.
● Reviewed the performance of the council and its delivery of services whilst monitoring the implementation of the
council’s Delivery Program and revenue policies.
● Played a key role in the creation and review of the council’s policies, objectives and criteria relating to the exercise
of the council’s regulatory functions.
● Facilitate a healthy relationship between the community and the council, which involves working as part of a team of
Councillors to make decisions and policies that appropriately guided the activities of the council.
● Play a leadership role creating and delivering The Hills Shire Plan (strategic plan), including key precinct planning in
and around the NWRL, including planning for major infrastructure, road infrastructure, social collateral and
community facilities.

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Chair - Run for the Hills Jan 2012 - March 2015
Run for the Hills is a significant scale event held in Castle Hill, comprising of an 8km Fun Run and Family Festival.
Attended by 35,000 people in 2013 it was the Hills Shires largest event.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Led a small, yet effective team to deliver the event from ideation, which incorporated a fun-run, followed by major
street festival complete with main stage entertainment and a designer market.
● Management of entire event including creation of website, design and implementation of all creative, sourcing all
products and suppliers, securing all licenses and permissions, liaising with all stakeholders, as well as procuring
talent entertainment and event sponsorship within tight timeframes and budgets.
● Designed and managed the execution of the creative campaign including advertising and marketing via digital
media, print media, radio and outdoor advertising (bus and bus shelters).
● Provide strategic direction, managed relationships with high profile sponsors and partners such as Transurban,
Fairfax Community Newspapers, CBC HillsBus, NSW Health, Castle Towers, ResMed, Smooth FM and The Hills
● Worked with RMS, Police, Emergency Services, Council and other local stakeholders to design a safe event course
and management plan which ensured minimal disruption for residents and business whilst maximising patron and
participant safety.
President - Hear the Children Early Intervention Centre Oct 2009 – Jan 2012
Hear the Children provides vital life-changing early intervention services to hearing impaired babies and preschoolers,
giving them the gift of clear natural speech on par with hearing children and allowing them the opportunity to attend
mainstream schools at the age of six using spoken language that is on par with that of their hearing peers.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Combined personal experience raising a hearing impaired child with extensive business acumen to successfully lobby
stakeholders such as the NSW Disabilities Minister and his shadow counterpart, the Office of Premier and Cabinet and the
Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) to establish a secure platform for the future of the service.
● Combined personal experience raising a hearing impaired child with a broad range of personal skills and experience to
manage staff, oversee daily operations, lobby stakeholders including government, raise funding, and create marketing and
media campaigns
● Provided strategic business management including staff recruitment, development and performance reviews.
● Created a stellar event calendar, supplemented by funding and grants, to generate over $500k to fund the ‘start-up’ service.
● Swiftly emerged as Media Spokesperson for the service - and authority for the broader Early Intervention sector.
● Designed an integrated marketing and PR campaign based around compelling real life stories of hearing impaired
children that delivered consistent and engaging key messaging to market across all platforms and touch points.
● Negotiated an exclusive (pro-bono) media partnership with Fairfax Community Newspapers, which provided
unprecedented media support, and audience reach for the service.
● Successfully expanded service capacity by 40% over 24 months and proudly never turned a child away.
● Influenced government policy and secured landmark recurrent funding from NSW Disabilities which set a new
benchmark for early intervention funding sector wide and led to formal industry recognition.
● Oversaw the successful transition of Hear the Children to the Royal Institute of Deaf & Blind Children in Jan 2012.
Agency Director - Mark Communications (Photon Group) Aug 2007 – Aug 2008
Mark Communications specialised in media management, communications and relationship management across a
broad range of sectors including media, recruitment, weight loss, consumer packaged goods and services companies.
Mark Communications worked closely with its clients to design and implement publicity strategies, build media
relationships, provide media training, launch products and create stellar events.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Worked directly with the CEO in specifically created role.
● Drove rapid business growth (40% year on year).
● Played a leadership role in reversing poor organization culture to establish and maintain a stable, positive work
environment with increased staff retention.
● Provided expertise in brand strategy and consumer engagement expertise for major global brands and clients such
as Fonterra, Jenny Craig, Herron Pharmaceuticals, Max Factor, Sky News and Channel E (Foxtel).
● Managed a team of 10 publicists in a dynamic environment with a core focus on delivering extraordinary outcomes and excellent ROI.

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Consultant (Brand Development) - The Heat Group Jan 2007 – July 2007
Heat started out in 2000 with five employees working out of a coffee shop and has grown to become a well-resourced company of
150 employees distributing some of the world’s leading cosmetic brands including Max Factor, Covergirl and Bourjois Cosmetics.
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Worked directly with the Heat CEO (Telstra Business Woman of the Year 2000, Gillian Franklin) to research and
develop a comprehensive business plan to launch She.I.Y, a female-focused brand giving women the tools to play,
compete and succeed in traditionally male-dominated domains.
● Engaged with leading retailers and manufacturers to gather intelligence for the Phase 1 brand launch into the DIY
and hardware sector - a range of power tools specifically designed for women to be launched with a national retail
partner and supported by internet and social media projects including a She.I.Y magazine and TV programming.
● Created a comprehensive business plan for Phase 1 of the brand launch and led focus groups to test and refine the
brand offering and product lines.
Columnist: She.I.Y® - Handyman Magazine, Readers Digest Australia 2005 – 2006
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Produced, wrote and presented a monthly She.I.Y® section (up to 10 pages) for Handyman Magazine aimed at
demystifying DIY and empowering women to undertake their own small to medium scale building projects.
● Appeared on the cover of the launch edition of She.I.Y in Handyman, which became the highest selling issue in its
history by outselling any prior best selling issue by 40%.
● Worked with the Group Publisher to secure sponsorship from blue-ribbon hardware brands British Paints and Stihl.
● Presented popular segments on the main stage of the annual Sydney Home Show expo as well as headlined
weekly She.I.Y main stage presentations at Bunnings’ Ladies Nights nationally.
● Authored two She.I.Y one-shot mini-books on paint and gardens, which were distributed as tip-ons for Handyman
Magazine.
Columnist: Home with Yvonne Keane - New Idea Magazine, Pacific Publications 2004 – 2005
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Produced, wrote and presented a weekly ‘Home with Yvonne Keane’ 1-2 page spread, for New Idea.
● Became the face of magazine promotions for valued and aligned national clients such as Tontine.
TV Presenter/Host/Producer – (multiple Networks) 2004 – 2007
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Presented twice weekly home styling and DIY segments on 9AM with David & Kim (Network 10) from the program’s
launch in January 2006 to February 2007 as well as regular weekly segments on the Catch-Up from the program’s
launch in February 2007 (Nine Network).
● Cemented celebrity presenter status and on-screen presence as a casual presenter on Sydney Weekender (2004 –
2005) in addition to presenting four feature stories on Today Tonight which proved so popular that they crashed the
Seven Network’s website on two occasions.
Co-Host / Senior Producer (The Pocket Rocket®) - Hot Property, Seven Network 2002 – 2003
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Invited to co-host the hit program ‘Hot Property’ alongside the iconic Michael Caton (The Castle) and undertook
SOS projects on camera to rectify bad work and/or deliver major surprise building works which led to ratings
peaking at 3 million viewers throughout the series.
● Worked on-camera alongside the season’s talent at pivotal times within their story-line arc as well as working
behind the camera as a senior producer to develop and deliver highly popular story arcs.

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Founder and CEO - SugarBaby Cosmetics 1997 - 2002
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Founded SugarBaby cosmetics in 1997, employing a workforce of over 60 FTE staff.
● Strategically guided the brand to global success within a short time frame, which involved growing the business
from a hobby ventur to a global teen cosmetics and body care brand that is still successful nearly two decades on.
● Secured exclusive national distribution with David Jones and Myer in Y1 & Y2.
● Commencing Y2, rolled out the brand globally to Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with preparation for US market
entry.
● Successfully sold the brand to Sax International in 2002.
Producer / Reporter / Researcher - ABC TV 1994 – 1997
Responsibilities and Key Achievements:
● Researched, Produced and Edited the ‘Little Sumo’s’ story for ABC TV’s s’Cool Sport program, winner of the 1998
Australasian Broadcast Union Award (Sport).
● Negotiated significant co-production funding with the NSW Department of Education (Sports Unit) for s’Cool Sport.
● Digital Content Producer for the ‘1996 Prime Ministerial Women and Sport Awards’
● Worked as a Segment Producer, exclusively to reporter Inga Johansen, for ABC TV’s The Investigators,
● Author of s’Cool Sport series proposal that was piloted by ABC TV. s’Cool Support was successfully green-lit to
series and became the highest rating weekly program for ABC TV Sport.
● Author of Hands On magazine-based TV series piloted by the ABC. Under a bipartisan agreement between ABC
TV (Daryl Karp) and Channel 7 (Peter Abbott) Hands On was enmeshed with a Channel 7 work-in-progress based
on Better Homes and Gardens magazine, which has since become a successful, long-running, Logie winning TV
series.
REFERENCES
Ms. Gillian Franklin
0407 328 511
Founder & Managing Director – The Heat Group
Non-Executive Director – Melbourne Grand Prix; Melbourne Theatre Company; ACCORD; CTFAA.
Mr. Tony Bellas
0412 244 385
Chairman – ERM Power; Shine Lawyers; Corporate Travel Management
Deputy Chairman – Endeavour Foundation
Mr. Adam Zarth
0404 146 829
Chief of Staff – NSW Minister for Disabilities & the Homeless