Board of Directors
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Diana Abruzzi Diana Abruzzi is a pioneer and leader in the cause of free enterprise and economic development. From championing the advancement of women in business around the world to giving a stronger voice for Australia at international forums on entrepreneurial economic initiatives to business and personal development. With an educational background in Social Sciences Diana comes from a successful family line of Australian entrepreneurs having established vibrant businesses in Insurance, transportation, Mining and property development. Over her 40 year business career spanning from local council to family businesses, to serving in government forums and on company boards Diana is an exceptional contributor and inspiration. As an international speaker she has greatly assisted in the areas of small business development, international trade and the general economic advancement of women around the world. Consequently, Diana has also developed an acute insight to the issues and challenges facing businesses today and has an extensive network of local and international contacts in the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. Diana’s appointments include:
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David Apelt David Apelt has extensive experience in banking & finance, business strategy, information technology, training & equipping, philosophy, politics, life coaching, successful life principles, corporate values and ethics. David was a Senior Manager of a large Australian International Bank. David has been involved in the management of small, medium and large international businesses and has travelled extensively working on international Organisation, Culture, Strategy and Projects. |
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Ingrid Brooks Ingrid Brooks is a well respected educator and trainer with broad experience in curriculum development, innovative program design and e-learning within the highly competitive health care sector. She is co founder, and director of Macdonald Cordell Pty Ltd, a successful management consultancy and boutique executive search and selection firm specialising in providing human resource solutions across a wide cross section of professions and industry sectors. Ms Brooks is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings with her a blend of business and training acumen that complements the mix of skills within the board of the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry. |
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Melanie O'Toole Melanie O'Toole was appointed as a board member of IWFCI since February 2005 and has been assisting the organisation and its members with intergovernmental relations and export education and training. Tertiary qualified with a Masters degree in international business from The University of Melbourne, Melanie brings extensive local and international marketing strategy, brand and trade development experience with leading public, commercial and educational organisations in Asia and the Pacific. She has been a long time contributor to free trade agreement negotiations and joint ventures with some of Australia and New Zealand's largest trading nations. |
Board of Advisors
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Dr Colin Benjamin Dr Colin Benjamin has had a long and varied career in the public sector and appointments in the not-for-profit community sector, including Director of the Victorian Council of Social Service. Past Federal President of the Australian Association of Social Workers, with engagements in social research and social policy formation. and author of Roy Morgan Values Segments © and the ColourGrid ™ - strategic marketing tools. Amongst many senior positions held by Colin was to head the futures Division of Ogilvy and Mather (World Wide). Colin over the years has developed many major futures studies for Government and private enterprise, his company assisted the entry of the Bank of Cyprus into Australia and for the past fifteen years has been running his own consulting practise (www.marshallplaceassociates.com ) in various industries and detailed consumer orientated retail strategic planning with extensive global business development in the Asia Pacific. |




