Our team, network & people.
Our team of highly experienced advisors and operations staff have the hands-on business skills and knowledge to help your business overcome obstacles and achieve success.
THE TEAM
Our in-house team are experienced and professional who are here to help position and grow your business in whatever industry you’re in.
Chief Executive Officer
Martin Rogers
Martin holds an extensive background and certification in Business, Marketing, and Strategy with over 20 years’ experience specialising in Strategic Thinking, Business Growth, Leadership and Team Development, across a number of industries. Martin utilises a collaborative leadership style and has a thirst for problem solving, understanding the latest trends and identifying the uniqueness that gives businesses their edge.
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Chief Operations Officer
Mark McCrea
Mark McCrea stands out as a highly efficient Operations professional, known for his strategic oversight and management prowess within the corporate landscape. With years of experience under his belt, Mark has become synonymous with operational excellence, streamlining processes to enhance productivity and drive sustainable growth. Mark's forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have solidified his reputation as a cornerstone of operational success.
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Chief Marketing Officer & Advisor
Debbie Hatumale-Uy
Debbie Hatumale-Uy is a seasoned marketing strategist and business advisor, specialising in digital growth and community-driven strategies. She built and scaled a six-figure eCommerce store, gaining firsthand insight into online business success.
Previously, Debbie was the Social Media Manager at McDonald's and a Digital Communications Specialist at Canon, crafting high-impact digital campaigns. Passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, she delivers results-driven strategies that boost engagement, sales, and growth.
Director of Product Development
Lindsay Munns
As a long term member of the Realise Business Board, Lindsay has temporarily stepped into this key role to facilitate the changeover of Chief Executive as part of our CEO succession strategy. Additionally he is busy leading the roll out of a major new Government contract that will take Realise Business up to the next level of its vital place in the NSW Small Business Advisory scene.
Client and Marketing Coordinator
Marisa Barresi
Marisa is a dedicated Client and Marketing Coordinator at Realise Business, connecting small business owners with the right advisors and resources. She drives growth through client engagement, internal collaboration, and creative marketing that highlights the organization’s impact and support for small businesses.
Event Coordinator
Mona Bucog
Mona specialises in operations and service delivery, bringing a strong focus on process improvement to her role as an Event Coordinator. With a strong background in engineering, customer service, and marketing, she combines analytical thinking with creativity to execute seamless events. Her goal is to help organisations run efficiently behind the scenes so they can focus on what they do best while she handles the rest!
IT Process Analyst
Sarah Sandas
Sarah Sandas brings over a decade of experience in executive support, customer relations, and business process outsourcing. With a Bachelor of Business (Distinction), she has worked across both corporate and community settings.​ In her current role, she supports advisors, partners, and clients with CRM systems and digital tools, focusing on process improvement and tech alignment.
Client Concierge
Julia Withey
Julia is the Client Concierge for the Digital Solutions program at Realise Business, guiding new clients through key digital areas. With a background in recruitment and HR, she brings a people-first approach, helping small businesses gain confidence and control over their digital journey.
EXPERT ADVISORS
Our team of highly experienced advisors have the hands-on business skills and knowledge to help your business overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Digital Expert
Adrienne McLean
Adrianne is the Founder of The Speakers Practice , established in 2009. They specialise in helping business owners & professionals with marketing skills , personal selling and getting the sale across the line. They also assist with promotional tools eg business presentations, video, writing, podcasts and social media, any tool that helps with increasing visibility. They are the first company in Australasia to present the top-rating programs - BookYourselfSolid® and the SpeakersTrainingCamp® program.
Business Advisor
Adam Hetherington
Adam has a wealth of experience buying and selling businesses nationally and internationally and has a passion for advising. Begining his career in sales, marketing and multi-site management, he moved into small business as a Franchisee and Franchisor in Australia, New Zealand and China. During that time he built expertise in start up planning, franchising, commercial leasing, P&L Management and exit planning.
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Business Advisor
Amanda Warrington
Amanda has owned and sold a variety of businesses over the last 20 years, and recognises from a business owner’s perspective, the value of tailored business advice and support. Amanda is incredibly passionate about working with entrepreneurs and business owners to help them achieve their goals and develop plans to take their business to the next level.
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Business Advisor
Anastasia Karakominakis
​Currently owns and operates her own business in the finance sector and has built a portfolio in which she has thousands of clients, offering over 15 years of experience and well developed industry knowledge with expertise in negotiation and financial data analysis. She has access to a wide range of financial products and services and an understanding of policies providing her with the ability to find a solution and systems.
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Digital Expert
Angela Verghios
​Angela is a seasoned Digital Advisor with over 20 years of experience working across all verticals in leading agencies in Sydney and New York. Having worked with some of the world’s largest agencies and successfully running her own digital marketing agency for over 12 years, Angela offers a unique blend of creative, strategic, and operational expertise. This hands-on experience gives her a deep understanding of what it takes to build and grow a business—from start-ups to small enterprises and large-scale organisations.
Digital Expert
Babette Bottin
Babette is an expert in cyber risk management and data protection. A highly sought-after advisor, trainer and presenter in the world of cybersecurity, Babette has advised over 650 small businesses.
Living by the mantra ‘lost data means lost trust’, Babette is passionate about helping businesses and organisations of all sizes to protect their data, their clients’ data and ultimately their reputation.
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Business Advisor
Chris Cassar
Chris has a wealth of business management experience in both the corporate and small business markets, and has run his own business and marketing consulting practice specialising in small business. Over the last 15 years Chris has helped small businesses in a wide range of industries including IT, Medical Services, Legal service, Tourism, Building and Construction, Allied Health Services, Retail, Fashion and Entertainment.
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Business Advisor I Digital Expert
Christopher Wilborn
Chris is a results-driven leader with a wealth of knowledge derived from his more than two decades in the NGO, corporate and government sectors. As a current business owner, from his prior work as a growth-minded CEO and a background working with disability organisations, Chris is deeply passionate about the NDIS, small business community and the central role they play in the fabric of our society.
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Digital Expert
Debbie Hatumale-Uy
Debbie was the social media manager at McDonald's and the Digital Communications Manager at Canon. She is also a e-commerce business owner, having grown her crafting business from scratch, starting Only the Sweet Stuff while pregnant with her second son. She has now grown her crafting community to over 25,000 followers across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, her Website and her email database. Her website has over 25,000 organic page views monthly and is growing!​​​
Business Advisor
Densie Archie
Denise Archie is a Sydney-based executive coach, speaker, educator, and business advisor with a deep passion for lifelong learning and empowering human potential. With roots in education, she pioneered School-Based Traineeships and went on to lead initiatives across vocational training, corporate leadership, and small business strategy. As founder of Coaching College and Australasian Centre for Work Education, she has built and sold multiple RTOs, driven by a commitment to inclusive communities and the NDIS. Denise blends practical business insight with heart-led leadership to help others thrive.
Video Expert
Ed Bodkin
A seasoned video producer with over 20 years of commercial experience, Edward Bodkin has worked with leading brands and NGOs, including the BBC, Fairfax Media, Bloomberg, Canon, AMP, Amnesty International, and the Australian Red Cross. He specializes in all aspects of production, from filming and editing to 360 VR, scripting, and graphics. In addition to his production work, Edward established Video Skills Training to help businesses create professional video content more efficiently.
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Digital Expert
Elena Moskofian
Elena Moskofian is Passionate, results-oriented senior Digital Marketer with extensive experience across a range of industries namely FMCG Corporate and Agency) covering all Marketing Operational functions. Head Strategist for Elite Digital Sydney, a boutique digital and design marketing agency specialising in lead generation strategies; website design, AI SEO and PPC Google and Facebook Ads.
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Digital Expert
Geoff Silk
Geoff is a businessman and coach who provides business advice based on many years of experience working with new, developing and established businesses. He interacts diligently with business owners selling products and/or services, to achieve their aspirations and goals. His pragmatic approach has helped hundreds of businesses to flourish and perform successfully. Geoff is also a faciliator of a Realise Business Mastermind group.
Digital Expert
Jen Donovan
Jenn Donovan is a marketing strategist, Best Selling Author and sought after speaker and media commentator on all things marketing. She’s the founder of Social Media and Marketing Australia, viral Facebook groups like Buy From a Bush Business, co-founder of a marketplace that saved lives, livelihoods and towns Spend With Us Marketplace and has a podcast, Small Business Made Simple, ranked in the top 1% of podcasts globally.
Digital Expert
Jenny Power
Jenny have been running my own business, Webtree, as a web designer and developer for over 15 years. She is passionate about helping businesses succeed by offering expert digital advice that focuses on bridging the digital divide. Her extensive experience in web design and development allows me to provide tailored digital guidance to enhance your online presence and drive business growth.
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Business Advisor
Jerry Yessaeian
Jerry is the hands-on Managing Director and co-founder of DC Encompass. He enjoys harness the power of technology to improve business performance. IT career spanning more than 20 years, Jerry has worked for many high-profile organisations, including Unisys, Fairfax Media, Hewlett Packard and the NSW Department of Finance, Services & Innovation.
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Business Expert
Judy Hendricks
In her 21 years of business banking and retail banking experience, Judy has managed relationship portfolios with tens of thousands of customers across a range of industries such as import and export, wholesale and retail, aged care and health care, professional services, tourism, transportation, manufacture, pharmaceuticals, property construction, development and investment.
Business Advisor
Julia Withey
Julia is the Client Concierge for the Digital Solutions program at Realise Business, guiding new clients through key digital areas. With a background in recruitment and HR, she brings a people-first approach, helping small businesses gain confidence and control over their digital journey.
Specialist Digital Solutions Advisor
Liza Taylor
Liza is a marketing specialist and has spent her career working for some of Australia’s most loved brands – 3M, George Weston Foods, Pacific Brands and Sheridan Australia, Hunter Douglas, Luxaflex and ActronAir. With a unique blend of technical acumen and a solid business foundation, Liza brings together these elements to offer creative solutions for her clients.
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Digital Expert
Megan Hauptfleisch
Highly strategic, commercially savvy, and results-focused, Megan has 30 years of marketing management and business experience. As a business advisor and consultant Megan has helped hundreds of businesses from across a diverse range of industry sectors.
Megan is known for turning “vision into action” with innovative plans and tactics that drive sustainable commercial results.
Business Advisor
Mike Hillsdon
Mike is a seasoned professional in online marketing and AI software for corporates and Small Businesses since 1996 and in Facebook marketing since 2008. He is recognised as a Meta Marketing Partner and proficient in setting up business pages, keeping accounts secure, owning, and managing meta-assets, creating content, and acquiring new customers.
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Digital Expert I Solutions Advisor
Milind Kulkarni
Experienced Business consultant guiding SME businesses to effectively use technology to increase market share. Highly experienced in providing digital solutions to the services industry. Design thinking, Agile practitioner, Skilled in Business Process, Business Planning, Analytical Skills, Operations Management, and IT Service Management.
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Business Advisor
Patch Clunes
Patch is a Coach and Consultant, passionate about educating and empowering business owners and leaders to build successful businesses as she believes that great businesses have a positive impact on our communities and society. As a coach, Patch spends all of her time helping business owners learn how to run their businesses, build healthy teams, drive growth, and most importantly – live a balanced life.
Business Advisor I Digital Expert
Pulkit Agrawal
Pulkit has built a solid foundation in the field of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for over 15 years. Recognised as one of the Top 20 Australian Digital Marketers in 2022 by The Australian Business Journal, he has demonstrated consistent success in his field. Throughout his professional journey, Pulkit has collaborated with a wide range of brands across diverse industries, strengthening his reputation as a reliable SEO advisor.
Marketing Expert I Business Advisor
Razz Khan
Razz helps organisations develop actionable plans for growing their customer base using innovative strategies such as email marketing, video content, and tailored sales pipelines. He also utilises AI to personalise these strategies, ensuring they align with each business’s unique needs.
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Business Advisor I Digital Expert
Russell Pearson
With 25 years experience in Brand Strategy, Marketing and Sales, Russell has worked across just about every industry there is. His first professional promotional work began in 1995 which gave him experience in direct mail marketing, creative design and he was on the forefront of the growth of the internet working in a number of agencies before starting his own in 2005.
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Business Advisor I Digital Expert
Sara Berry
Sara is a creative marketing and advertising professional with over 20 years of experience. She is passionate about helping businesses connect with their customers through meaningful and impactful marketing campaigns.
Sara began her career in London, where she was mentored by some of the original admen. She quickly learned the importance of creativity, strategy, and execution in marketing.
Digital Expert
Stephanie Gobraiel
As your Online Business Manager, Steph underpins your business with professional and dedicated virtual support so you can develop, grow and succeed. Steph has a passion for helping people - either it being her clients directly or their clientele. Making a difference in people’s lives is very rewarding for Steph and that’s one part of her motivation.
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Digital Expert I Business Advisor
Sue Walsh
Sue is an experienced marketer with over 20 years of experience across marketing strategy and execution, agency leadership and business development.
She started out working with marketing agencies in the UK, delivering strong consumer and business campaigns across multiple channels before she made the move to Sydney.
Sue enjoys working on tailored solutions for individual businesses and making a difference to long term goals.
Digital Expert I Business Advisor
Syane Macedo
Syane brings more than 16 years’ experience in retail management and business administration. In the last few years, Syane has focussed on building her expertise in marketing strategy, graphic design and social media management; utilising these as powerful sales and business expansion tools. Syane is a versatile professional with well-developed planning, organisational, multi-tasking and leadership skills.
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Business Advisor I Digital Expert
Therese Tarlinton
Therese Tarlinton is so passionate about small business owners collaborating on marketing, that she wrote the book on how to do it. SWAP! Marketing without Money flew into the Amazon #1 Best Seller in Small Business spot and has ignited a movement where brands are gaining visibility, industry credibility, and improved profitability by working together. Therese knows what it feels like to be a small business owner and has advised many over the last 15 years.
Business Advisor
Wayne Wanders
Wayne has been a fully qualified Chartered Accountant for over 35 years. The last 20 of these years has been working one on one with start-ups and other small and medium business owners as a trusted business advisor. Skilled in analysing business financial performance and cash flow. This in turn allows Wayne to help business owners to understand the real drivers of their business so they pull the right levers to profitably grow their business.
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Digital Expert I Business Advisor
Yesica Alfonso
Yesica has a mission to empower small businesses and startups to unlock their full potential so they can thrive and make the most out of the digital era. For over 6 years, she has made an impact in the industry by being the voice of truth for businesses and startups. Yesica has a background in Strategic Marketing through Google and Facebook Ads, Website Analytics, and Graphic Design and she enjoys sharing this knowledge with small businesses to help them succeed.
Digital Expert
Phil Crosskell
Based in Albury, NSW, Phil is a seasoned strategist with a background in digital and marketing. Formerly a developer and head of digital for a medium-sized agency, he now guides client projects from initial consultation through to ongoing strategic support. His expertise spans strategy, content creation, web design, and advertising - with a touch of office humour thrown in. With broad experience across industries, Phil knows how to grow a business, lend a hand at the Australian Grand Prix, or crash a good go-kart.
Digital Expert
Edwin Smith
He's spent the last 13 years working in social media, where he’s led the social media for some of the biggest shows on TV, including Survivor, The Voice, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Love Island, 10 Sport and many more.
These days, Edwin specialises in organic social media for businesses, in particular Instagram, having worked with hundreds of businesses in the last 5 years under The Social Sandwich.
He loves party shirts and will try to make you smile when you chat to him.
Digital Expert
Paul Battaglia
Paul helps businesses transform their eCommerce and customer feedback systems to create exceptional customer experiences. With 25+ years in technology and digital commerce, he blends technical know-how with practical strategy to boost sales, satisfaction, and trust through smarter automation.
As founder of Digital Junction and Gather More Reviews, Paul specialises in eCommerce and WordPress development, maintenance, hosting, and Google Workspace solutions—integrating POS, CRM, and review systems to deliver seamless customer journeys.
Digital Expert
Fiona Latham-Cannon
Fiona holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and brings 40+ years of experience across five industries. She spent over 30 years running her family’s third-generation retail business and has owned a restaurant, led two wholesale ventures, and served on Not-for-Profit committees.
As founder of an award-winning marketing agency, Fiona helps businesses build strong online brands through social media, digital marketing, and Canva design training—empowering owners to grow with confidence in the digital world.
BOARD MEMBERS
Our highly experienced team of Realise Business Board members provide invaluable advice and strategic business direction to our CEO.
Chairperson
Peter Holtmann
Peter has coached internationally in the US, Brazil, South Korea, and Australia across industries such as conformity assessment, professional service firms, and non-profits. He specializes in leadership development, strategy, and cultural change.
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Vice Chairperson
Angela Fiumara
Associate Director at Iceni Group with 30+ years of experience in private, public, and NFP sectors. She specializes in communications and corporate affairs and has held executive leadership roles at Business NSW, BHP, Transport for NSW, Inland Rail, and Essential Energy.
Company Secretary
Robert James
Robert has extensive experience in superannuation, wealth management, and IT. He has completed the Company Directors Course at AICD and holds a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from GIA.
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Director
Colin Devine
Colin is a Managing Director at Scyne Advisory, with 25 years of experience advising businesses on strategic transformation through technology. He is part of the Data and Digital consulting leadership team, working with Australian Government organizations on digital transformation.
Director
Anshika Grover
An experienced business leader specializing in Strategy, Marketing, Technology & Innovation. She has worked across B2C and B2B sectors and holds a Global Executive MBA from Monash University. She currently works at Optus in its B2B division.​​​
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Director
Adrian Brock
Adrian has held a Board role since 2014 and was formerly a partner of “CFO On-Call,” COO of The Griffin Group, and a Partner at Deloitte. He brings over 50 years of experience.​​​​
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Director
Richard Spencer
Richard brings over three decades of experience in diverse organizations across multiple continents, specializing in marketing and digital strategies. His expertise encompasses client and member experience, sales, marketing, technology integration, and revenue growth.
Director
Meg Mendham
Meg offers over 30 years of governance and management experience in the education sector, spanning rural communities to government influence on curriculum and policy. A proven leader with a Bachelor of Education and AICD qualification, she excels in strategic vision, complexity and fostering collaboration.
Director
Michelle Patel
Michelle has over 30 years’ general management and consulting experience in financial and professional services in Australia and the US. Her corporate experience has encompassed the various senior roles such as Chief Commercial Officer, and Chief People Officer within global firms. She currently leads two small businesses – she is the CEO of a membership organisation focused on mentoring and career development, and EGM of a boutique financial services firm.