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The Proteus Educator Team
Des Penny
Proteus Founder & Leading Executive Officer (LEO), Des Penny had a vision to create an organisation that would assist leaders around the globe to create more personal and positive workplace cultures. As a result, in 1993 he founded The Proteus Leadership Centres. His skills and experience span across a range of industries from manufacturing to government to private enterprise. Des brings new life to education with his wild sense of humour and incredible commitment to creating great leaders across Australia and beyond. His underlying passion is to help individuals and organisations to move from Mediocrity to Magic. In 2008 Des was awarded the South Australian Champion small Business Entrepreneur of the year. He is a master presenter and understands the life of a leader.
Richard Dore
Richard’s area of expertise is in assisting organisations to create a more positive workplace culture and use their time more effectively. Richard’s interactive presentation style promotes thought and prompts action! His workshops are always packed with practical solutions that if implemented produce immediate results. Considered one of Australia’s best motivational speakers, he commits himself to the cause of turning organisations around and helping them find their purpose. Richard is a director at Proteus and a member of the executive.
Tim Browne
Tim first joined Proteus in 2001 where, amongst other roles, he established and ran a suite of computer software training programs. After a sabbatical of sorts and completing university study, Tim rejoined Proteus in 2006 and now holds the position of Managing Leader of Proteus Canvas and is a member of the Executive. Tim’s energy, enthusiasm, and conviction to achieve the Proteus vision of creating great leaders across Australia, is evident in both his leadership style and his attitude to life.
Steve Fearns
Steve has been working in learning and development for many years and has trained and coached 100’s of senior and executive leaders across Australia. As part of our national facilitation team, Steve brings with him a high level of energy, passion and enthusiasm. His presentation style will leave you inspired and equipped with the knowledge and skills to be the best you can be, in your professional and personal life. Steve’s mantra is a quote by J.F.K which says that “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
Rachel Colla
Rachel joined the Proteus team as Victorian State Leader in June, 2009. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from a variety of training and development roles. Prior to her appointment at Proteus, she ran her own business, managing a team of 50, and therefore understands the intricacies of being a business owner and leader! Rachel is energetic and passionate about equipping individuals and organisations with the skills and motivation to develop their leadership capacity. Her mantra in life is to be the best version of herself and to assist others to become the best they can be, in both their personal and professional life.
Tony Peterson
Tony is a Senior Educator based in Brisbane. He has a very strong desire to train and empower others in their professional and personal journey, and lives wholeheartedly by the principles he teaches. Tony has established and managed his own learning and development business and is able to connect with his audience through his likable and personal style. Apart from training others, Tony is passionate about family, community service and playing golf.
Simon Fallon
Simon is the Leading Educator for Queensland and works from our centre in Brisbane, with a wealth of training and leadership experience, having worked in various industries including; Training Manager in a major Bank, and interestingly as a Quarantine Inspector and an Airport Training Manager. Among other things, Simon is a mad trivia nut who lives by Stephen Covey’s 5 “L”s” Live, Love, Learn and Leave a Legacy.
Brett Hutchinson
Brett has taken on the role of Senior Educator with our team in South Australia. Having a passion for leadership has seen Brett manage & inspire teams in all areas of finance, banking and administration. With a specialty in recruitment, he enjoys watching individuals and their companies grow as a result of his training and mentorship. Brett brings his ‘magic’ to the team and believes that you create your own luck – the smarter you work, the luckier you get!
Jenn Turnham
Jenn has taken on the role of Leading Educator in the Perth Proteus Leadership Centre. With a background in Psychology, she brings with her a wealth of facilitation experience, facilitating in government departments, as well as many clients in the mining and natural resources sector. Jenn has worked with senior leaders in a number of different organisations around Australia and internationally, providing them with an understanding of human behaviour and effective strategies to use to influence their people in a helpful way.
Jenn has also had experience running her own business and training sales representatives on her team.
Her passion is providing knowledge, tools and skills, through facilitation and coaching, to help individuals improve themselves and achieve more in life as well as in the workplace.
