Dr Samantha Smith: Strategy, Search & Solutions
Dr Samantha Smith, Founder of Pinnacle Collective, is an experienced strategist, executive search and board adviser.
With over two decades of experience within the private, government and non-for-profit sectors, she is also a recognised thought leader in strategic marketing, communications and consumer research.
Samantha’s broad experience has given her an intimate understanding and appreciation for the mechanics of developing good strategy and the tools to align and perform engaging and effective search.
Samantha applies her behavioural science expertise and strategic insights to develop a bespoke response for each brief. Samantha is an Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL) Certified Organisational Coach and obtained her Doctorate from Monash University for her behaviour change research. She also has extensive qualifications in corporate governance, risk management, strategy design, marketing, communications and media.
A Fellow of the global Chartered Governance Institute (FCG), Samantha is a Non Executive Director of the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), an Australian Institute of Company Director’s Victorian Division Councillor and Chair of Swinburne University’s Master of Marketing Course Advisory Committee. She has also previously served as a Non Executive Director of WorkSafe and of the Australian Communities Foundation.
Samantha assists in judging the Telstra Australian Business Awards and Business Women’s Awards and is a published author on the topics of Generation Y and social media. For more details on Samantha’s experience, qualifications and publications, visit her LinkedIn profile.
Dr Nives Zubcevic-Basic: Search & Strategy
As Pinnacle Collective’s resident researcher, Nives’ areas of research expertise includes human behaviour, culture and psychology.
Supporting the search practice, Nives advises on talent assessment and selection, including behavioural profiling, psychometric assessments and insights.
A Senior Lecturer and Director of the Master of Marketing at Swinburne University, Nives is at the forefront of innovative strategy, marketing and commercial research approaches and also works across the strategy and solutions side of Pinnacle.
Nives’ appreciation for solid strategic research outcomes has resulted in her publishing in a range of Tier 1 academic journals and partnering with prominent global brands – including L’Oreal, Arsenal Football Club, Zara and Google.
Simon Meredith: Search & Solutions
With a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in IT Systems, Simon has a wealth of experience in business intelligence and database management – and the secrets to powering targeted and effective searches.
Simon also blends his in-depth user experience (UX) knowledge with responsive web design/development best practice approaches to generate outstanding online solutions.
When he’s not data mining, coding and bringing IT solutions to life, Simon can be found out on the football field umpiring (and has umpired 400 + games and 7 AFL Grand Finals!).
Cathy Bryceland: Solutions
Cathy is an experienced digital professional with a background spanning the likes of Lonely Planet, Vodafone, Telstra Bigpond, SBS, SKY and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.
As Pinnacle Collective’s digital solutions lead, Cathy specialises in the planning, initiating and delivery of medium to large scale digital projects.
She also has a broad knowledge of marketing technology ecosystems, digital design, e-learning and content management.
Fixed on creating a digital presence to meet business goals, Cathy is skilled at driving traffic, fostering communities and maximising conversions on all manner of digital platforms.