Dr Gael Jennings
CEO

Dr Gael Jennings is Chief Executive Officer of Greatconnections, and a strategic advisor to government, specialising in media, communications, education, health, medicine, science, engineering and maths. Gael is a former broadcaster in current affairs, and executive in science and factual TV, and currently also heads a media consultancy which specialises in executive media training, media management, public speaking, facilitation and hosting.

Gael holds a First Class Honours degree in Science from the University of Melbourne, and PhD in Immunology from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
Gael is on the Board of Museums Victoria (Chair Research and Collection Committee), and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Science and Mathematics (Victoria).  Past Boards include The Academic Board of the Australian Institute of Management, The Old Treasury Building and Gold Museum, and The Cancer Council Australia.

Her 20+ years of media experience includes as the inaugural  national science and medical reporter for ABC TV news, current affairs (7.30 Report) and features (Quantum, Catalyst), as host of the mid-morning and afternoon programs on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne and Victoria, anchor of SBS TV’s weekly current affairs programme  “Insight”, and Development Executive of Documentary at ABC TV.

Gael is a regular on ABC TV’s “News Breakfast”, MTR’s radio Vizard show, and occasional co-host of 774 ABC Radio’s “Conversation Hour.” She is the author of the award-winning children’s book “Sick As…Bloody Moments in the History of Medicine”.

Jenny Varcoe-Cocks
Client Manager

Jenny specialised in Board and Director Effectiveness in the public, private, government and not-for-profit sectors.  Since leaving the executive search profession as a partner of an international firm, Jenny has provided Board governance advice to organisations in a wide range of industries and government entities throughout Australia.  Her experience in working with Boards to achieve best practice includes Performance Reviews and Evaluation, Board and Strategic Planning, Board Charter/Governance Policies, Dynamics and Peer Assessment, Director training in International Forums and Executive Leadership Assessment.

Jenny is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a qualified Chartered Management Consultant.

Fay Gilbert
Client Manager

Fay held General Management roles in Human Resources for two major listed Australian Companies and is and experienced HR Generalist. For the past ten years she has operated her own consulting business specialising in Human Resources and Executive Coaching with a broad range of clients in finance, retail and other sectors, as well as extensive involvement in the not-for-profit sector.

Fay is qualified and licensed to administer highly specialised tools in working with her clients.  

Anne Strong
Client Manager

Anne who is qualified in Social Work and Family Therapy and has twenty years experience as a counsellor to employees, providing assistance with work related /personal problems, including mediation, conflict resolution, facilitating meetings, career transition, coaching. She also counsels individuals, couples and families.

Sharon Coates
Client Manager

is a former CEO of a not-for-profit company charged with developing advice to and from industry to government on skills development and planning. Prior senior executive positions include a national statutory policy and funding authority as well as state, regional and local level management in vocational education and training and adult community education.

Patricia Boyles
Client Manager

Patricia is an experienced leader in development, raising funds and managing change as chairman of a Foundation, chairman of various donor appeals, and as an active not-for-profit Board Director.  She is a Human Resources generalist with 20 years experience in the US banking and finance sector and small to medium enterprises in Australia.

Pat is adept at strategising and planning appeals and managing stakeholder groups.  A ‘people person’ with skills and experience in relationship management who can create and implement structures and processes that enable organisations to improve staff performance, including well developed skills in policy development and problem solving.

Glenda Morrison
Executive Assistant to the CEO of Greatconnections

Glenda has held EA/PA & Secretarial roles since graduating and has a demonstrated history of identifying and implementing business process and procedure improvements. Having worked for large multinational organisation as well as smaller niche companies she has gained exposure to and experience in most aspects of HR. 

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