In late 2024, the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) commenced significant organisational structure changes, including the transition of corporate functions from its project offices (PO) to a centralised support division.

Working within the VIDA Central Transition Support team, Samantha was engaged to work with VIDA and PO executive to support the transition of six identified corporate functions to the central division. To date, Samantha has led the program's change and communication strategy and planning, including the production of communication assets. In addition, Sam has worked with the Transition Lead to design and execute the program's organisational design activities, including current state analysis exercises and outputs (scope definition, stakeholder engagement, capacity forecasting) and future state design methodogolgy and inputs (the development of program change principles and design criteria and production of proposed future state organisational charts). 

VicGrid is the Victorian Government agency responsible for planning and developing Victoria's new energy and transmission infrastructure.

While at VicGrid, Samantha event managed VicGrid's participation at the 2024 All Energy Australia Conference, including the design and faciliation of the Victorian Government Seminar Series - Unlocking Transmission Investment in Victoria panel discussion, chaired by VicGrid's Executive Director, Delivery. Samantha also undertook the role of event manager of VicGrid's Traditional Owner: Walking together through Victoria's Energy Transition forum, which saw 75+ Registered Aboriginal Party and Government representatives convene in Melbourne to discuss renewable energy transition planning and community benefits.

Samantha was also responsible for providing communication and engagement expertise to support VicGrid project transaction activity.

As part of the Queensland Disaster and Emergency Services Reforms, Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) was established to bring together Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue as Queensland's single entity dedicated to marine rescue services.

Working in the MRQ change and communication stream, Samantha provided strategic change and communications guidance and expertise to program executives and operational teams to support Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland volunteers to transition to MRQ.

Samantha led the design and operationalisation of the MRQ Change and Communication Program Stream scope of work, underpinned by agile methodology. Key deliverables included the implementation of MRQ’s stakeholder communication and engagement strategy and production of related change and communication products and content. Sam also held the role as the MRQ Change and Communication Scrum Master. 

With a reputation for being a best-practice operator, Samantha was approached by one of MRQ's external management consultancies to undertake a role at their firm.

While at Everyday Massive, Samantha led the development of various safety communication and training programs for external clients, with responsibility for strategy development, project management, client management, and production. Samantha's clients included Pact Group, Aurizon, Rio Tinto, Nine, nbn, and Coles. 

Samantha's key achievements in this role were the production of NBN’s Due Diligence training (online module, two narrative videos, and a job aid), with the NBN’s CEO and Board reporting it was ‘the best’ online training they had completed; and the production of Aurizon’s Event Learning Framework and training (framework artefact, online module, two narrative videos, and workbook), with the client reporting the final product exceeded expectations.

The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) was established to remove 110 congested level crossings and deliver and range of rail upgrade works across metropolitan Melbourne, including upgrading or constructing more than 20 train stations, laying many kilometres of new track and making associated rail systems and infrastructure improvements.

Originally working in the LXRP Corporate Communications Division and then in the People and Culture Division, Samantha led the design and delivery of numerous LXRP people, change and communication programs and strategies. Key programs and campaigns Samantha played a pivotal role in coordinating and delivering included LXRP's COVID-19 Pandemic response, Workforce Back to Office Campaign, the development and launch of LXRP's KIT strategic program, and the refresh of the LXRP's Strategic Blueprint in 2022.

Samantha also led the multi-disciplinary LXRP Corporate Communication Division’s Great Ways of Working Group, responsible for the division’s continuous improvement program. Key deliverables included program establishment, governance, and management, and the design and roll-out of a new LXRP corporate communication service delivery model.

Further, in her role in the People and Culture Division, Samantha managed LXRP's employee experience and cultural programs, including the design of LXRP's inaugural rewards and recognition program and management of LXRP's business-as-usual onboarding program and employee listening channels.

While at LXRP, Samantha successfully engaged and consulted with a wide range of LXRP stakeholders (Major Infrastructure Transport Authority stakeholders, executives, senior leaders, and employees) through various channels, including representation at senior leader and divisional meetings and facilitation of numerous workshops.

Samantha was engaged by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF), the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and Male Champions of Change (MCC) to support the delivery of various corporate programs and initiatives. Key outputs and activities which Samantha delivered and managed included:

• The co-design and delivery of the VRGF Stakeholder Engagement Framework Review, including evaluation methodology, project recommendations, and creation of VRGF’s dynamic stakeholder feedback map and analysis tool.
• The co-design and delivery of the VRGF Organisational Values and Culture Project, including mapping and analysis of stakeholder and employee feedback data (three employee surveys, VRGF Board feedback and external stakeholder consultation) and drafting the project findings and recommendation report.
• The co-design and delivery of the NDIA Provider Communications and Engagement Program, including a review and refresh of the NDIS Provider e-Newsletter, the development of a Provider Finder Enhancements Communication Plan, and design and development of the NDIS Provider Stakeholder Engagement Approach.
• Program management and secretariat support to the MCC Elite Sport and MCC Fire and Emergency CEO working groups. The tools and processes which Samantha implemented ensured real-time, consistent, and transparent monitoring and tracking off program initiatives, actions, and outcomes to support implementation, governance, and reporting requirements.
• The drafting of client recommendation reports and supporting documentation, including business cases and executive briefs such as the MCC Sport Pathway to Pay Equity business case and the MCC Fire and Emergency Workforce Reporting business case, both of which were subsequently approved and implemented.
• Client and stakeholder relationship management and engagement, including strategic advice to organisational executive and leaders, and stakeholder consultation through workshops and interviews.

In 2016, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac) relocated from East Melbourne to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) located in Parkville, Melbourne. In doing so Peter Mac joined the VCCC Alliance - a joint venture between ten leading research, academic, and clinical institutions working together to expedite and amplify leading-edge cancer research, knowledge and expertise to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.

Throughout all phases of Peter Mac's relocation and strategic alignment to the VCCC, Samantha managed Peter Mac's internal communication function and led the organisation's rebrand. Her key outputs and achievements in this role included:

• The establishment of an efficient and effective strategic communication function, including the design and implementation of new team processes, project and task management tools, and business templates to ensure business continuity and sustainability and enable evidence-based reporting and continuous improvement. 
• Critical contribution to the development and implementation of Peter Mac’s integrated external and internal communication and brand strategy. The execution of the strategy resulted in a 40% improvement in employee perceptions of communications at Peter Mac.
• Key contribution to the development and launch of the Peter Mac Strategic Directions 2016-19.
• The development, launch, and management of the application of Peter Mac’s new brand (including budget management) across corporate and consumer systems, channels, and collateral. Extensive strategic consideration and consultation were required to resolve the practical application of co-branding with the Royal Women’s and The Royal Melbourne Hospitals and the Peter Mac Foundation. 
• Partnering with the Herald Sun and local Victorian state-wide media to deliver Peter Mac's relocation public awareness print and social media campaign (including budget management) across Victoria.

In 2013, the Australian, state and territory governments established the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to administer and fund Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Following a review of NDIA's capabilities (with findings released publicly in 2014), the Independent Board of the NDIA commissioned work to support the optimal rollout of the scheme.  

Samantha played a pivotal role in the re-setting of NDIA's people strategy and governance arrangements as part of this program of work. Samantha's key outputs and achievements included:

• The co-design and development of the NDIA 2013-16 People Strategy to enable the delivery of the NDIA’s corporate strategy and business plan. The strategy aimed to build a values-led culture with an aligned, engaged, inclusive, and results-driven workforce.
• The design of the NDIA People and Culture Governance and Business Planning Framework to ensure transparency and timely delivery of the NDIA People Strategy. The framework was adopted by the NDIA as the Agency’s standard approach to business planning.
• The drafting, concept design, and art direction of a NDIA People Story. The artefact provided a simple, consistent and engaging articulation of the NDIA’s vision, purpose, values, culture, history, achievements, and goals – and was used as a practical tool to link individual contributions to the agency’s strategic goals, as well as being a tool for attracting, recruiting and inducting employees.
• Project managed the inaugural NDIA Culture Mapping Project. The project mapped the NDIA culture against its espoused values and established a baseline for continuous improvement.

In February 2014, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace relations underwent a Machinery of Government, resulting in the establishment of the Australian Government SSC.

Samantha was hand selected by the incoming Deputy CEO to undertake the role of his Executive Advisor. After demonstrating her ability to deliver, Samantha subsequently transitioned into the SSC CEO's Executive Advisor.

In this role Samantha acted as the key liaison and coordination point between the SSC CEO, Deputy CEO and board members, as well as departmental Secretaries and Senior Executives.

Samantha coordinated the drafting of corporate documents and reports on behalf of SSC Executive, including formal governance and briefing papers. She also contributed to the review and drafting of SSC workforce strategies and polices.

Furthermore, Samantha led the secretariat support for multiple SSC governance bodies, including the SSC Executive Leadership meetings.

From September 2010 through to January 2014, Samantha gained her foundational experience in change, program and team management, as well as strategy and business planning while undertaking Assistant Director roles at a range of Australian Government departments.

Samantha's key deliverables and achievements in this time included:

• The development of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations' (DEEWR) Human Resource (HR) Transformation business case and project plan. The program of work aimed to achieve strategic business alignment through HR business partnership, HR capability development, service improvement and function redesign. The project was endorsed by the DEEWR HR Executive and subsequently implemented. 
• Completing a review of DEEWR's HR Delivery Branch services and drafting of a recommendations paper and proposed action plan. Recommendations included the redevelopment and in-branch management of the DEEWR HR intranet site, which Samantha managed.
• Management of the DEEWR Evolution Taskforce project documentation and governance support. The Taskforce was responsible for overseeing the implementation of Machinery of Government changes, including the formation of two separate departments and the Australian Government SSC (as outlined above).
• Recipient of multiple individual awards and accolades, including the DEEWR HR 'Flexibility' and 'Star' Awards, for great leadership in the absence of team Director and management of the Secretary's Excellence Awards program.

Samantha commenced her professional career as a graphic designer at the Department of Education, Science, and Training (DEST). Over the following years, Samantha advanced her career, and in 2008 was appointed to the role of Design Studio and Production Manager at the Department of Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy. Samantha's responsibilities and key achievements in this time included:

• Responsible for studio production workflows, art direction, finance administration, and continuous improvement of design functions.
• Team leadership and management (up to ten team members).
• Client management, including client liaison, development of client proposals and presentations, and delivery of client pitches.
• The design and production of a wide range of print and digital materials from concept through to print and publishing, including logos, brochures, posters, promotional, and multimedia material.
• Recipient of multiple team awards and accolades, including two Secretary's Awards for Excellence for her contribution (design services) to the Investing in Our Schools Program and development of the DEST's new website in 2005, and a Secretary's Excellence Award for exceptional team effort under tight timeframes to deliver a high-quality Australian Government annual budget package in 2004.