Meet the Team

MEET THE TEAM

Jane Brownbill

CWB President

Coach and Founder - Seeyourself

Three words to describe you:

Loyal | Curious | Flexible

What do you love about CWB:

After 20 years in senior roles across industry, not-for profits, and profit organisations I am finally working on my own social enterprise. As a small business founder, I am delighted to be the President of CWB so I can work with a wonderful community of women who are also pursuing their success.

About:

Success Coaching • Small Business Coaching • Young adults Coaching • Non-profit Consulting
A leader with 20 plus years senior experience. I work with people who have success goals. I am here to share my leadership, people & teams, governance, strategy & emotional intelligence expertise.

Sharelle Mathias-Carman
CWB Vice President and Sponsorship
Founder and Managing Director, TriComm Consulting

Three words to describe you:

Strategic | Trusted | Passionate

What do you love about CWB:

The community. CWB brings together talented, driven women from business, government and the private sector. There’s something special about being part of a network where women help each other succeed.

About:

I’m passionate about helping leaders and organisations communicate with clarity and impact. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked in senior roles across communications, media, stakeholder engagement and government relations.
I founded TriComm Consulting to help organisations communicate more effectively. We partner with government and private-sector teams to understand their communication challenges, build capability, provide practical advice, and develop strategies that deliver real outcomes.
We specialise in building people’s skills, knowledge and confidence through customised training, coaching and expert advice.

Minky Kim
CWB Treasurer
Senior Consultant at BellchambersBarrett

Three words to describe you:

Authentic | Practical | Responsible

What do you love about CWB:

I love the idea of being in a community where we can support each other.

It does not have to be necessarily female only support, but I hope to contribute supporting women in a society where men have traditionally dominated leadership positions.

I wish to see more women succeed and provide more gender-equal society.

About:

My name is Minky Kim (short for Minkyoung).

I am a Chartered Accountant working at BellchambersBarrett.
At BellchambersBarrett, I specialise in financial tasks, preparing tax returns and financial statements while ensuring compliance with evolving tax laws.
Amidst COVID-19 challenges, I analysed business performance for government grants and maintained effective client and ATO communication.
Proficient in Excel, I developed tools like leave calculators and aided clients in budget planning and operations.
Noteworthy was my secondment to assist non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Prior to this role, I served as a Senior Bookkeeper at Ookkee from July 2018 to June 2020, enhancing my professional portfolio.

On a personal note, I was born in South Korea, grew up in Malaysia, and I arrived in Canberra in 2014 and have been charmed by beautiful pristine city that I call home now.

Dr Ellen McKenzie

CWB Secretary

Director, Canberra Psychology Services

Three words to describe you:

Creative | Driven | Empathic

What do you love about CWB:

The diversity in women and their businesses that CWB supports. It’s amazing to have a network of women across so many sectors of Canberra business.

About:

Dr Ellen McKenzie is the Director of Canberra Psychology Services (CPS) in Belconnen. CPS is a multidisciplinary health hub providing therapeutic services of psychology, social work, speech pathology, and biodynamic craniosacral therapy. Dr McKenzie is also a clinical psychologist and sees a small caseload of clients, typically adult women who are also survivors of childhood trauma.

Laura Dowling

CWB Strategic Communications

Three words to describe you:

What do I love about CWB:

About:

Dr Joyce Das

CWB Web Engagement

Executive Director and Founder, Go Equal

Three words to describe you:

Visionary | Inclusive | Transformative

What do you love about CWB:

I deeply value CWB’s commitment to creating a supportive ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can connect, grow, and thrive together. The organisation’s dedication to fostering meaningful collaborations while providing practical resources for women at all stages of their business journey resonates strongly with my own values and vision.

About:

I champion gender equality through transformational leadership approaches that challenge systemic barriers. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Go Equal, a gender equity consulting firm, and a Director and Co-Founder of Crafting My Story, a social enterprise for multicultural women artisans. My unique perspective combines cross-cultural insights gained from leading one of Bangladesh’s largest women’s movements with rigorous academic analysis from my doctoral research at the Australian National University on gender and religious minority women.

My passion for empowering women entrepreneurs stems from my firsthand understanding of the challenges they face across different cultural contexts. As an experienced Gender and Development practitioner and educator, I bring both practical wisdom and strategic vision to my advocacy work. I am dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where diverse women’s voices are amplified and where collaborative solutions can flourish to advance women’s economic and social empowerment in the Canberra region and beyond.

Vanessa Schimizzi

CWB Media and Graphic Design

Director & Designer - Branded Graphics

Three words to describe you:

Driven | Fun | Open Minded

What do I love about CWB:

I love Canberra Women in Business as it is such a welcoming community of amazing, like-minded women. It is about coming together to share ideas, support each other and inspire each other to grow in their businesses and succeed. Being part of this group inspires me to grow, strive for more and continually push myself to build my business more.

About:

I am the Director and Designer at Branded Graphics, a Canberra-based graphic design agency. I’m passionate about collaborating with clients to bring their ideas to life through purposeful, impactful design that enhances brands and tells meaningful stories. For me, design isn’t just about aesthetics; it's about creating work that truly matters and makes a difference.

A career highlight for me was winning the 2021 Canberra Women in Business, Young Business Woman of the Year award, which was an incredibly special moment in my journey.

Known for my infectious laugh and bubbly, easy-going nature, I bring energy, creativity, and enthusiasm into everything I do. When I’m not designing, you’ll find me staying active, catching up with friends, or exploring the world through travel. My goal is to keep doing what I love while making a positive impact wherever I can.

Danielle Cleary

CWB Events

Founder & Director of Danielle Cleary Events & the Canberra Fair

Three words to describe you:

Visionary | Collaborative | Purpose-Driven

What do I love about CWB:

CWB brings together ambitious, generous women who genuinely champion one another, it’s a community built on connection, collaboration and celebrating success.

About:

I am the Founder & Director of Danielle Cleary Events (dce), an experiential marketing and events agency creating strategic, story-led brand experiences across Canberra and beyond.
Through sponsorship strategy, creative direction and event delivery, dce connects brands with audiences in meaningful and measurable ways. From corporate events and major festivals to charity campaigns and high-impact launches, our team brings ideas to life through content, social media and immersive experiences.
Clients include the Canberra Raiders, AFP Legacy, COTA ACT, WWF-Australia, Porsche Canberra, Think Place Global and leading community organisations.
Known for my collaborative approach and strong industry relationships, I specialise in turning vision into momentum - building partnerships, elevating brands and creating events that leave a lasting impression.

Christy Kwong

CWB Social Media & Communications

Senior Associate, Private Wealth Management at Evans & Partners

Three words to describe you:

Focused | Resilient | High-energy

What do I love about CWB:

What I love about CWB is the sense of connection and encouragement. It brings together driven women who uplift each other, share openly and inspire confidence.

About:

I am a Senior Associate in Private Wealth Management at Evans & Partners, where I support clients across all life stages, from young professionals beginning their financial journey to retirees navigating intergenerational wealth transfer and aged care planning. With a strong background in financial strategy and client education, I am passionate about empowering people to make confident, informed decisions about their future.
As the Communications Officer for Canberra Women in Business, I oversee social media and digital engagement. I am dedicated to amplifying the voices and achievements of women in the community, strengthening connections, and creating accessible, engaging content that supports CWIB’s mission.
I am passionate about uplifting women, celebrating their successes, and helping create opportunities for growth across Canberra’s business community.

Lisa McPherson

CWB Committee Member

CEO of Nexus Human Services

Three words to describe you:

Creative | Adaptable | Resilient

What do I love about CWB:

I love the CWB network for its inspiring and empowering community of women who are passionate about supporting one another. It provides a platform to connect with like-minded professionals, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships. The network fosters collaboration, celebrates achievements, and offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. I appreciate the focus on inclusivity and innovation, as well as its role in amplifying the voices of women in leadership. Being part of CWB energizes you and aligns with my values of community, growth, and shared success.

About:

Lisa is the CEO of Nexus Human Services, an organisation that supports businesses in building diverse workplaces through Disability Employment and NDIS services. In her leadership role, she draws on a wide array of managerial skills to promote the growth and success of these services, making a meaningful impact on the community.
Lisa’s expertise lies in strategic planning, quality management, implementation, and governance. These areas allow her to apply her innovative thinking and commitment to service development. With over 25 years of experience, including extensive work in DES management, Lisa has developed a strong proficiency in cultivating productive workplace relationships. Her qualifications, including an MBA and the AICD Company Director’s course, have enhanced her skills in corporate governance, industrial relations, and change management, earning her recognition as a leader in these fields.

Kate Ahern

CWB Committee Member

Tax Partner, BellchambersBarrett

Three words to describe you:

Resilient | Authentic | Loyal

What do I love about CWB:

The support and inclusivity that is provided to Canberra women in business through networking, education and mentoring. The sharing of skills and experience is what really allows women to thrive and succeed.

About:

Kate is a tax partner at BellchambersBarrett, specialising in the provision of taxation and business services to private and family businesses. She has close to 25 years’ experience working with private clients in solving their most complex problems and helping them make their businesses succeed. Kate loves working closely with her clients and mentoring and developing the team she works with.

Kate is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ, a registered tax agent and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Vesna Flower

CWB Committee Member

Three words to describe you:

What do I love about CWB:

About: