Providing clients with unparalleled experience and expertise.
Partners
Orizontas is your partner to solve the most demanding business challenges through deep expertise and hands-on counsel.
Our team commits to working with clients to deliver the highest-calibre counsel, outstanding service and tangible outcomes.
Orizontas works for you. Our reputation is built on the quality and service you receive and the outcomes we deliver.
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The Hon. Philip Dalidakis, Managing Partner
Philip is a political, business and industry leader with experience in Federal and State government and significant corporate roles. He is the former Victorian Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, Trade and Investment and Small Business; former Executive General Manager, Corporate Services at Australia Post and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Federal…
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Vanessa Liell, Partner
Vanessa is a strategic communications professional with over 25 years experience in corporate affairs, agency leadership and entrepreneurship. She is a former Chief Executive and a current Non-Executive Director. As co-founder and former CEO of Herd MSL, Vanessa and her partners led the growth and performance for more than a decade of one of Australia’s…
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Patrick Gibbons, Partner
Patrick is a former diplomat, policy advisor and business consultant with specialist expertise in climate change, energy, resources, environmental, investment and public policy issues. He understands the connections between these real-world commercial issues and politics. For almost 20 years he has been at the forefront of Australian climate policy development, advising both sides of politics…
Advisory Board
The Orizontas Advisory Board have excelled in their professional careers, been captains of industry and demonstrated leadership in public life.
Providing a depth of experience, a wealth of achievements and an unrivalled network to assist in solving your problems, the Advisory Board remains focused on utilising their experience and imparting their knowledge in support of finding solutions with one goal in mind; achieving success for our clients.
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The Hon Ted Baillieu AO
The Hon Ted Baillieu AO served as Premier of Victoria and Minister for the Arts from 2010 to 2013. He was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2014, representing the electorate of Hawthorn, and in 2006 was elected leader of the Victorian Liberal Party. Since 2013 Mr Baillieu has been Adjunct…
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Annette Carey
Annette is a strategic and creative thinker who is able to devise and successfully execute on strategy by developing a clear vision and direction and by bringing together high performing and engaged teams. Annette has demonstrated her leadership and her ability to influence stakeholders at all levels to achieve outcomes through a humanistic, clear and logical approach. After a career…
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Sally Loane
Sally Loane is a Non-Executive Director and advisor whose diverse background – from ABC broadcaster to CEO of an influential financial services industry organisation – developed her practical experience in reputation management, policy development and advocacy, and the value of engagement between business and politics. She has strong media and communication skills and a broad…
Associates
Orizontas’s extensive network of Associates all have one thing in common, professional excellence with a deep commitment to giving clients the right advice, at the right time to ensure the right outcome.
What differentiates our Associates from the many is their practical and pragmatic professional experience. They haven’t just given advice, they have lived it. And when Boards and Executive Management teams find themselves needing external validation or guidance, it is our network of Associates that allow us to deliver that advice and support in a timely and targeted way.
Specialising in areas as diversified as government affairs, public relations and crisis management to better understanding the drivers behind your customer decision making and how they see your brand, Orizontas’s team can give you the edge.
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Dean Sherr
Dean is a political and communications professional with over a decade’s experience in government, politics and community activism. Most recently, Dean worked as a Media Adviser to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in the first year of the Albanese Government. Prior to joining the PM’s office, he worked in the offices of former Victorian Minister Philip…
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Ella Eberhardt
Ella Eberhardt is an Associate at Orizontas, supporting strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and issues management across government, community and industry. She brings a clear, structured and pragmatic approach to distilling complexity and helping teams move work forward with confidence. Her background in communications strategy and and innovation consulting informs a future-focused mindset, combining analytical thinking…
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Unjela Kaleem
Unjela Kaleem is an accomplished global leader with extensive expertise in strategic and ESG communications, public affairs, and partnership development across sectors such as global health, disaster risk reduction, aviation, technology, and international business. With a career marked by transformational leadership, she became the first female CEO of an international chamber of commerce in Asia…
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Mike McNess
Mike McNess is a determined and pragmatic problem solver, and an experienced campaigner. Mike has the proven ability to identify and empathise with primary concerns or issues, engage with stakeholders, employers, and governments, resulting in agreed and desired outcomes, as well as affecting change. Finishing a career as a representative, Senior Official, and Branch Secretary…
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Georgina McGuinness
Georgina is an award-winning journalist, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement executive, who has forged a career of more than 30 years in communications. During a 25 year career at the Nine Network, Georgina was a senior journalist, news and documentary presenter, sub-editor, producer and chief of staff. Upon conclusion of her broadcast career, Georgina was a political…
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Crispin Hawes, Political, Economic & Security Specialist, Middle East & North Africa
Crispin has been working on political, economic and security risks in the Middle East and North Africa since 1990. Over those 30 years he has advised companies, finance houses and governments on risks to investment, operations and policy in countries from Algeria to Iran and Egypt to Tanzania. In addition to the traditional energy sector,…
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Michael Carey, News Media Advisor
Michael is an award-winning journalist and foreign correspondent. His career at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation included postings in the US (Washington) and Russia (Moscow). Back home, he was Executive Producer of flagship current affairs programs PM, AM, (ABC Radio) and 7:30 (TV). He was the ABC’s international editor for most of the last decade. He…
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Samantha Litinsky, Qualitative and Quantitative Research & Reporting
Sam loves talking to people and understanding why they behave as they do; her niche is bringing the customer lens to the table. She is a qualified creative qualitative specialist with 15+ years experience having graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts (Behavioural Studies). Sam can apply qualitative…
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Janie Jordan, Communication Leadership Coach
Janie is an exceptional leadership communication coach with over twenty-five years’ experience working with high-level executives across a broad range of industries including agri-business, critical infrastructure, government entities, professional services and tertiary institutions, both in Australia and globally. With an impressive array of credentials including a Masters in communication and modern, adult learning methodology, Janie…
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Julie Dormand, Customer Experience Strategist
Julie is a senior business advisor and non-executive director with specialist experience in customer relationship strategy. She was previously CEO of customer experience agency MercerBell and integral to the growth and success of the agency over 19 years. She has consulted to CMOs cross sector in financial services, travel, FMCG, automotive, alcohol and entertainment. She…