Mark Paddenburg
CEO
Mark has a demonstrated track record in creating value by connecting ideas, people, programs and capital. His focus is on entrepreneurship, business development and improving innovation capability for startup and high growth companies.
As CEO, Mark and his team are currently assisting over 45 startup and high growth companies. In previous roles, Mark assisted in the establishment of a range of new ventures including Dascom (now owned by IBM), QuickBeds (now owned by Flight Centre), FireWire, Tracknology, Venture Commander, Storey Bridge Climb and Stella Gems. Mark has also assisted a range of larger companies such as Unisys, Lockheed Martin, Digicel Pacific, Youi, Virgin, Sandvik, Talisman Energy whilst Manager at Invest Queensland. Mark helped introduce the Pitch for Investment Competition, DemoDays, Startup Weekend, Boardroom Briefings and new networking groups on the Sunshine Coast. Mark has also worked in a range of business development roles in Australia, the UK and China with Shell, Peregrine Capital, The Office of Economic Development for the City of Brisbane Ltd and he also played a key part in establishing Australia TradeCoast (1992-98), Brisbane Airport Corporation Ltd (1996-97), the ourBrisbane portal (1997-98), the Smart State Strategy (2000-2003) and the Cities of Asia Pacific Conference (1992 – 1999).
Mark Chairs the Sunshine Coast Health Panel, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the local Business Council and was President of the Brisbane Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1995. Mark completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Griffith University and Graduate Certificate in Management at University of Queensland.
Mel Messina
Operations & Service Manager
Having come from a family business environment from start up to exit, Mel understands the entrepreneurial journey and what it takes to run successful, growing businesses in a highly competitive environment. Mel has worked in a variety of organisations (i.e. A.L.M. Industries, Iplex Pipelines, Fletcher Building, Sodexo, Rio Tinto and the Australian Cyber Security Networks). Tact, diplomacy and successful stakeholder engagement have been Mel’s core competencies across his professional career involving anything from working with national energy authorities and standards bodies, to national retail/commercial stores, to international miners and more recently with direct experience in cyber security awareness and translation for directors, executives and communities.
Mel was fortunate to start his career in positions of responsibility and quickly honed his management and operational skills, including innovation, design, manufacturing, automation, robotics and cyber security. Mel’s technical know-how is enhanced by his business acumen and experience in international supply chain management, customer service, contract negotiation, new product branding, marketing and major account experience.
Debbie Marshall
Events and Marketing
A passion for people, collaboration and exceeding client expectations is what drives Debbie. She has a well established reputation as an experienced sales and marketing professional with more than 20 years’ experience. Debbie rose to the executive ranks of Hyatt Hotels International as Director of Marketing at a very young age and represented Hyatt Hotels at all major national and international trade shows and sales missions. Apart from exceeding revenue and event management KPIs, Debbie was selected to represent the hotel industry on the Perth Convention and Exhibition Board and the Western Australian Tourism Board. She was an integral part of the bidding team and won major events for WA such as the World Triathlon, Johnny Walker Golf Classic, Australian Tourism Exchange, Rally Australia and major Oil and Gas Industry international conventions and delegations.
It was raising a family that changed the course of Debbie’s career. During this period she engaged in several entrepreneurial activities concurrently i.e. owning and managing a commercial fishing fleet, trade marking and building a franchise brand of seafood retail stores in various shopping centres, development of a number of medium density apartment complexes and commercial refurbishments throughout the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Debbie is renowned for finding creative solutions to achieve successful business outcomes, a strategic thinker and possesses good planning skills. Debbie believes you should not be restricted by what is considered normal or traditional, pay attention to your gut instinct, be innovative and always look at the big picture.
Lynn Graham
Client Services Coordinator
Educated in Northern Ireland, Lynn gained a National Diploma in Business & Finance, Travel & Tourism after which she commenced employment in the public sector, working in the Department of Training & Employment. She later took a career break and moved to America where she worked for a major printing company. Upon her return to Northern Ireland Lynn helped manage the local Job Centre until she had the smart idea of immigrating to Australia with her husband Paul and two children in 2008. In Australia, Lynn took on challenging roles in the wine / logistics industry before joining the IC team. Lynn brings a fresh, happy approach to IC client services and reception duties.
In her free time Lynn likes to experience live theatre and concerts, and isn’t afraid to travel for the right show.
Tara Mei
Founder of Kitchen Table Projects
Grow Coastal will be delivered by Tara Mei, Founder of Kitchen Table Projects. Tara has international experience in launching and scaling innovative food businesses.
As a foodpreneur herself, Tara is passionate about turning ideas into a reality. Since launching London’s first retail incubator in June 2015, Tara has supported over 500 food and drink brands from startup to scale up through ground-breaking business bootcamps, incubator and accelerator programmes and building retail pathways for emerging producers to access national retailers. Tara has also developed an unrivalled international network of industry experts, food producers, distributors and buyers, with events attended by hundreds of food community members.
Want to find out more about Tara or about the Grow Coastal program? Email her tara@innovationcentre.com.au