Gold Coast advocacy group YP Gold Coast has announced a new committee ahead of this year’s City Leaders Forum, made up of a group of accomplished and driven young professionals.
The new committee will have a strong focus on growing the city’s professional culture and delivering a calendar of networking events that connect, inspire and motivate the cities future leaders and provide further opportunities for mentorship and business development.
Former YP vice president Martin Garred of Civity has assumed the role of president, following the departure of the long-serving president and committee member Mary Grant who led the group for the last four years.
Martin is joined on the group’s executive committee by The Star Entertainment Group marketing executive Lauren Thompson as co-vice president, serving alongside YP treasurer and co-vice president Matthew Dodds who works as head of intelligence and analytics at PKF Gold Coast.
Sabio integrated marketing and communications agency account director Jacqueline Bojanowski, Rose Litigation solicitor Ania Salehirad, Morgans financial planner James Fulton-Kennedy, and CEO of prmpt. R&D consulting firm Joshua Lumley has been reappointed to the committee.
Long-standing committee member and My GC presenter Carla Tooma has stepped down, while Hilton Surfers Paradise marketing and communications manager Karleigh Pearson has been newly appointed to support the committee’s ongoing marketing efforts.
Cronin Miller Litigation solicitor Cleopatra Jackson will remain as the committee’s secretary.
Incoming YP Gold Coast president Martin Garred said he was proud to lead a team of driven Gold Coast professionals, “I’m looking forward to working with our committee to continue driving events and advocacy work that supports the success of the city,” he said.
“It’s great to have a committee that are all passionate about the Gold Coast and seeing it continue to thrive, which is obvious in how many members have continued in their roles as part of YP Gold Coast.
“We have become known for consistently delivering high-quality events that connect driven professionals and look forward to continuing this in the years to come.”
The committee appointment comes before they are set to deliver the seventh annual City Leaders forum – the organisation’s hallmark event that unites industry leaders and engages them in conversation that sparks debate and drives change within the business community.
This year’s theme will explore the topic of the Gold Coast – A Growing City, focusing on the key factors the city relies on to ensure it continues to mature and establish itself as Australia’s favourite playground and one of the most exciting cities to work, live and play in.
Guests of this year’s event will hear from Gold Coast business heavyweights, Hon. Meghan Scanlon MP, Minister for the Environment of the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs; Rebecca Frizelle OAM, Chief Operating Officer of Frizelle Automotive Group and co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans; and Matthew Burke, Professor and Transport Innovation and Research Hub (TIRH) Chair at Griffith university’s Cities Research Institute.
The hallmark event will be commenced with a keynote presentation, which will be hosted by Matthew Peter, Chief Economist, Queensland Investment Corporation.
The event will be returning to entertainment icon, The Star Gold Coast, to take place on Friday, November 19.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ypgc.com.au
