I’ve spent my whole career working alongside people – inside organisations, with leaders and in my own business – watching what helps people grow and what keeps them stuck. When self-awareness, courage and responsibility are present, people evolve. They show up differently, make better choices, and relate to others with more confidence and maturity. When they’re missing, people repeat patterns and wait for change to come from somewhere else.

My work is about helping people recognise their agency and choose to evolve, one decision, one conversation, one action at a time.

MY STORY

Early in my career, I worked for a boss who was technically capable but poor with people. The impact was immediate and lasting – confidence dropped, energy drained, and good people spent more time managing moods and tension than doing their best work. That experience was pivotal. showed me, first-hand, that how one person shows up affects everyone around them. It made me deeply conscious of the impact each of us has, regardless of role or title, and it sits underneath everything I do today. Over time, that understanding became the basis for Better Humans, Better Business.

CAREER HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE

I’ve spent more than 25 years working closely with humans at work – inside organisations, alongside leaders, and through my own business – building deep expertise in how people think, behave and show up. My background spans human resources, learning and organisational development, where my focus has always been on the human dynamics that sit underneath performance, culture and change.

Over my career, I’ve worked in large organisations including KPMG and Arnott’s, gaining exposure to different industries, operating models and human behavioural styles. Alongside this, I spent six months living and working in Greece, where I set up a learning and development function from the ground up – a formative chapter that strengthened my independence, judgement and perspective.

In 2009, I founded The Learning Circle, bringing together everything I had learned about human behaviour, adult learning and organisational life. Since then, I’ve continued to deepen my work as a practitioner, partner and advisor, helping individuals and organisations navigate complexity, raise standards and evolve how people show up in everyday moments that matter.

QUALIFICATIONS

I hold a Master of Adult Education and an Economics degree with majors in Economics, Government and Industrial Relations. I’m also an accredited coach. My work is informed by formal study, and shaped by more than 25 years of lived experience working with people inside organisations and businesses. I value theory, but I only keep what holds up in the real world.

A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS

Over the years, I’ve partnered with major organisations across construction, property, insurance, financial services, healthcare, education, fintech, publishing, media, technology, manufacturing, retail and warehousing. Clients trust me because I understand the realities they operate in – from boardrooms to sites – and because I don’t overcomplicate the work. I bring clarity, credibility and calm to complex conversations.

NOWADAYS

Today, I work as a keynote speaker, facilitator and author, partnering with organisations and individuals who want more than surface-level change. My work spans leadership, respect and inclusion, agency, confidence and human behaviour – always with a focus on how people think, choose and act in moments that matter. I don’t believe in fads or quick fixes. I believe in deliberate evolution.

HOW I OPERATE

I’m direct, human and respectful. I don’t sugar-coat issues, and I don’t sit on the sidelines. I work best with people who are willing to be honest, reflect on their impact, and do the work that change requires. I bring warmth and challenge in equal measure, and I hold a clear line around behaviour, standards and responsibility.

Today, I work as a keynote speaker, facilitator and author, partnering with organisations and individuals who want more than surface-level change. My work spans leadership, respect and inclusion, agency, confidence and human behaviour – always with a focus on how people think, choose and act in moments that matter. I don’t believe in fads or quick fixes. I believe in deliberate evolution.

I’m direct, human and respectful. I don’t sugar-coat issues, and I don’t sit on the sidelines. I work best with people who are willing to be honest, reflect on their impact, and do the work that change requires. I bring warmth and challenge in equal measure, and I hold a clear line around behaviour, standards and responsibility.

WHAT MAKES MY WORK DIFFERENT

What sets my work apart is a deep understanding of human behaviour, not just leadership theory. It’s grounded in credibility built across corporate environments, construction and business ownership, and delivered in a straight-talking way that cuts through noise. The focus is on agency and responsibility, rather than blame, excuses or avoidance, with the ability to work effectively at every level – from site to boardroom.

What people say

"Vanessa brings a rare combination of insight, humility and conviction. She creates space for honest conversation while maintaining clear standards and accountability. Her work has had a meaningful and lasting impact on how our people show up and lead."
- Nicholas Arcaro

Human Performance and Wellbeing Leader,

Laing O’Rourke

"Vanessa has a unique ability to engage participants across an organisation. Her work moves beyond insight to real behavioural change, helping leaders build confidence, clarity and self-sufficiency in how they lead."
- Ruth Trewhella

Chief Operating Officer, L J Hooker

"Vanessa facilitated an executive workshop that struck the perfect balance between challenge and safety. The conversations she created helped our team move beyond surface issues and address what really needed attention to strengthen performance."

- Beata Lipman

Chief Executive Officer, Rail First

Vanessa quickly built trust with our leaders and created a space for honest reflection and learning. Her ability to connect behaviour, accountability and leadership impact made the work immediately relevant and actionable.
- Vanessa Murphy

Chief People Officer, RayGen