Robert Blaze

CHAIR AND DIRECTOR, AAGE
Learning & Development Manager APAC, Clough

  CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

Based in Perth WA, Robert is the Learning and Development Manager for Clough APAC. Robert is currently responsible for a large portfolio of professional development strategies and activities for Clough including the Graduate Development Program.

Originally from a hospitality background as a restaurateur, Robert's passion for development has taken his career into various learning and development roles including hospitality, telecommunications, business management and now engineering and construction. Robert has over 20 years’ experience in the learning and development space, with 10 of those years directly engaged in graduate development.

Ann Brinkamp

Director, AAGE
Manager - Early Careers, Monadelphous Group

  CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

Ann is Manager - Early Careers for Monadelphous Group in Perth, where she leads the national vacation, graduate and apprentice development programs. Ann has extensive experience in the design and delivery of full-lifecycle talent development programs, as well as initiatives building employability and work-readiness skills. With involvement in the talent acquisition and development sector dating back to 2002, initially in Germany and then Australia, Ann brings a wealth of experience across not-for-profit and private organisations in multiple industries. Ann has been a member representative of the AAGE on behalf of multiple companies and also has prior governance experience of membership organisations having sat on the Board for Triathlon Western Australia.

Joanne Dean

Director, AAGE
Senior Manager, Early Careers, Ashurst

  CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

Jo is currently Senior Manager Early Careers based in Sydney for global law firm, Ashurst. She is responsible for leading and coordinating the national graduate program in Australia with a focus on consistency, efficiency, and quality. Jo is passionate about attracting top talent and assisting students transition from university to a career in law. Over the past 13 years Jo has specialised in graduate recruitment and development, both in her current role and prior to Ashurst for a major retailer. Jo also has experience in generalist HR, management of recognition programs and facilitation of talent development programs. Jo has been a member representative of the AAGE on behalf of a number of organisations and has further contributed to our industry through her involvement with the AAGE Committee.

Kelly Pfeffer

Director, AAGE
Graduate Talent Lead, Suncorp

  CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

Kelly is located in Brisbane and is the Graduate Talent Lead at Suncorp, specialising in early careers talent programs for 15+ years in both private and public sector organisations. This includes working in industries such as Finance, Insurance, Technology, Engineering and Consulting with programs operating across Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Prior to this, Kelly worked in a number of human resource related roles including policy, performance management, diversity and learning and development. Kelly has been an AAGE member since 2006 and has previously volunteered on the Committee and Board from 2011 to 2019.

Thomasin Schmidt

Director, AAGE
Program Lead, Early Career Talent Development, Quantium

  CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

As Program Lead, Early Career Talent Development, Thomasin is responsible for the management of Quantium’s global Graduate Academy. She leads the design of the overall program structure and development program to support the graduates as they develop their professional, personal and technical skills throughout their time in the Academy, providing a solid foundation as they start their careers. She is passionate about the experience that both the graduates and business have through their involvement with the program. Prior to Quantium Thomasin managed the Enterprise Graduate Program at AMP and held various roles in both the Learning & Development industry and the Health Sector. She has been an AAGE member since 2014, joining the AAGE committee in 2016.

Fulvio Barbuio

Co-Opted Director, AAGE

  CONNECT ON LINKEDIN

Fulvio has gained a broad and deep level of experience in senior management and professional roles in finance, treasury, strategy, planning, financial and business analysis, enterprise risk management and insurance having worked for organisations like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Energy Australia and IBM. A focus on excellence and high performance has been at the centre of his career ethos. His career spans over 40 years across a variety of industries from mining, energy, information technology, utilities, broadcasting and media, and professional associations. The combination of roles and industries has given Fulvio a strong insight into what constitutes excellence in business and how that might be achieved. Having graduates and young professionals in his various corporate teams over the years, he has developed a strong interest in supporting and mentoring their success and is keen to support new talent initiatives for Australian organisations.

Apart from his Director role on the Board of the Australian Association of Graduate Employers, he currently serves as a Director of Business Excellence Australia and was a past Director and Vice President at the Australian Corporate Treasury Association. These roles have added a governance and whole of business lens to his corporate experiences equipping him to make a strong contribution to organisational success.

Fulvio holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with Honours) majoring in Accounting and Finance and is a FCTA of the Australian Corporate Treasury Association, a FCPA of CPA Australia and a MAICD of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.