Advisor · Strategist · Connector of Dots

Seeing what's
possible. Clearly.

People, businesses and communities come to me when they need help making sense of what to do next.

I listen. I ask questions. I look for patterns. I help cut through the noise and create a clear path forward.

Work With Me About Michelle

Business Advisor · Strategist · Queensland · Working with clients across Australia and internationally

Michelle Peden - Business Advisor and Strategist based in Queensland Australia

"The answer is often already there. It just needs a different perspective."

The common thread

Different clients.
The same work.

Michelle's background spans CEO, COO, strategist, sustainability leader, business advisor, marketing, branding and transformation specialist. On paper those roles look very different. In reality they all drew on the same skill.

Seeing what's really happening. Connecting what others miss. Creating a clear path forward. That's the work — whoever the client.

About Michelle Book a Conversation
Brigitte Schwartz · Strategy & Leadership · Rogz Australia

"Michelle leads with integrity, courage, wisdom and authenticity. She is a visionary in her industry — strategic by nature with a strong will to execute on plans."

Sharon Campbell · Desert Star Counseling · Dubai

"I would never have got started without her mentoring or her robust and unwavering belief in me and my ability. She won't disappoint you. I promise."

Brendan Penwarden · Founder, Health Masters LIVE

"She is one of those people who will naturally succeed in every venture she undertakes. Her combination of innovation and creativity make her a valuable asset to any business."

Alisa Preston, P.Eng · Monoceros Strategies · Vancouver, Canada

"Michelle brings a unique combination of strategic thinking, clear communication, and heartfelt dedication. Her ability to synthesize complex information and offer pragmatic, forward-thinking solutions has been invaluable. She approaches every challenge with integrity, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact — qualities that are all too rare and deeply appreciated."

How can Michelle help you?

Where are you right now?

Every situation is different. Find the one that sounds closest to yours.

For you personally

At a crossroads and ready for your next chapter

Leaving corporate, returning to work, starting a business, or standing at the edge of something new. You have more to offer than you can currently see — and you need someone to help you find the clear path.

This sounds like me
For your business

Navigating strategy, growth or decisions that matter

You're a founder, business owner or leader who needs clear thinking and someone experienced in your corner. Strategy, positioning, sustainability, operations — or all of the above.

This sounds like me
For your community or region

Building something meaningful where you are

You're working on a regional, community or local opportunity. You can see what's possible — you need someone who understands the landscape and can help build the practical pathway.

This sounds like me
Start here

A conversation costs nothing.
Let's see what becomes clear.

No agenda, no pitch, no pressure. Just a real conversation about where you are and whether this might help.

Book a Conversation
About Michelle

My reputation
is everything.
Every time.

Reputation is everything to me. Every time I work with someone — whether through a program, a project or an ongoing advisory relationship — I show up personally. My name is on everything I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way. What I bring to every client is the same thing: genuine commitment, honest perspective and the kind of care that only comes when someone's reputation is genuinely on the line. That's not a value on a website. That's just how I work.

Michelle Peden - Australian Business Advisor and Strategist
The story

Helping people see the
bigger picture

I listen. I ask questions. I look for patterns. I connect things that may not appear connected. I help simplify complexity and uncover what matters most.

Whether I'm working with a founder, a business owner, a leadership team, a regional community or someone exploring what comes next in their own life — my role is often the same. To help make sense of where they are, identify what's genuinely possible, and create a practical path forward.

My background spans CEO, COO, strategy, sustainability, business transformation, marketing, branding and coaching. Those chapters look different on paper. They weren't. Every one required the same thing — the ability to step back, see the full picture, find what others have missed, and help people move forward with clarity and confidence.

I've worked with individuals navigating major life transitions, businesses in growth and under pressure, regional communities building sustainable futures, and organisations finding their way through complexity. My clients span Australia and internationally — from the Scenic Rim to Vancouver, from Dubai to Brisbane.

I'm based in regional Queensland. I understand both city and country. I know what it is to want something different — and to not quite know how to close that gap.

I am not a coach. I am not a traditional consultant. I'm an experienced advisor, strategist and connector of dots — and I'll tell you honestly what I see.

Work With Michelle Book a Conversation
Background spans
  • CEO & COO
  • Strategy & Transformation
  • Marketing & Branding
  • Sustainability & ESG
  • Regional Development
  • Business Growth & Advisory
  • Community Projects
  • Leadership Advisory
Works with
  • Women at turning points
  • Founders & business owners
  • Leadership teams
  • Regional communities
  • Organisations in growth
  • International clients
Based
  • Scenic Rim, Queensland
  • Clients across Australia
  • Clients internationally
What she brings
  • Clear thinking
  • Honest perspective
  • Practical pathways
  • Someone in your corner
What people say

In their own words

"Working the SheQi program has to be the best decision I've ever made for taking my business dream to reality — with professional clarity, wisdom and sensitivity. I asked the Universe for the best business mentor and synchronistically Michelle just appeared. A perfect match beyond my wildest dreams."
Satisha Young · The Shire Seamstress · Murwillumbah — Personal transition
"I can honestly say I would never have got started without her mentoring or her robust and unwavering belief in me and my ability to start my practice. Her unique process was very healing — it challenged limiting beliefs that had been holding me back while confirming I was on the right vocational path. She won't disappoint you. I promise."
Sharon Campbell · Desert Star Counseling · Dubai — Business launch
"Michelle has been a trusted advisor during critical phases of our business development, assisting with the development and refinement of strategies, preparation of grant applications and investor presentations, and improvements to our social media and public engagement efforts. Her ability to synthesize complex information and offer pragmatic, forward-thinking solutions has been invaluable. She approaches every challenge with integrity, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact."
Alisa Preston, P.Eng · Monoceros Strategies · Vancouver, Canada — International strategic advisory
"I've had the delight of studying and working with Michelle, a standout business strategist. Her sharp insight and forward-thinking ability enables her to align long-term vision with practical, sustainable solutions. She is deeply committed to environmental and social responsibility, making her an invaluable asset to any organisation aiming to grow with purpose."
Gretel Breytenbach · People and Culture Manager · O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat · Gold Coast — ESG & sustainability
"Michelle leads with integrity, courage, wisdom and authenticity. She is a visionary in her industry — highly accessible, strategic by nature, with a strong will to execute. Michelle would listen to all ideas and use her experience to formulate successful strategies that added to our momentum and market share."
Brigitte Schwartz · Strategy and Leadership · Rogz Australia — Executive advisory
"I've had the pleasure of working with Michelle through her mentorship programme, and it has been an incredibly valuable experience. Her guidance has provided me with clear direction, practical support, and renewed confidence in my professional path. Michelle brings a rare combination of compassion, insight, and genuine dedication. I would highly recommend Michelle to anyone seeking clarity, growth, and direction."
Mary Carlyon · Programme Facilitator, Central Remedial Clinic · Ireland — Career & professional development

More from people Michelle has worked with

For those who know someone

When to refer Michelle

If someone in your world sounds like this, send them my way.

They're carrying too many ideas and need to see the clear path

They're repositioning their business, offer or next chapter

They're trying to turn lived experience into a meaningful business or project

They're working on a regional, community or sustainability opportunity

They need an advisor who can connect strategy, positioning, people and practical action

They're not looking for a formula — they want someone who can see what others miss

Make an Introduction
How Michelle works

What you can expect

Honestly

She'll tell you what she actually sees

Not what you want to hear. A clear-eyed perspective from someone who isn't too close to the problem — and has no reason to sugarcoat it.

Practically

No theory that doesn't go anywhere

Everything leads to something real — a decision, a direction, a next step. Good thinking only counts when it translates into actual movement.

Personally

Built around you, not a template

Every engagement is different because every person and situation is different. There is no formula — just careful thinking applied to your specific situation.

Ready to talk?

A first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

Book a Conversation
Work With Me

Three ways to
work together

Every engagement is built around your situation. What they all have in common: a clear-headed advisor who listens properly, asks the right questions and helps you see what's possible.

Your Next Chapter Strategic Advisory Regions & Communities Common Questions
For individuals · Personal transition & clarity

Your Next Chapter

For people who are ready for a change — but aren't sure what comes next. Whether you're leaving a career, returning to work, starting a business, stepping into a more visible leadership role or simply standing at a crossroads, this is where we start. Different situations. Same starting point: clarity, first.

We make sense of where you are, identify what's genuinely possible, and build a practical roadmap that fits your life, your strengths and what you actually want. Not a formula. Built around you.

Draws on: Clear Potential™ · Next Chapter Blueprint™ · Leadership Legitimacy

Ideal for
  • ·Leaving a career, or ready for what's next
  • ·Returning to work after time away
  • ·Starting a business for the first time
  • ·Stepping into a more visible leadership role
  • ·Standing at a crossroads and needing clarity
What you leave with
Clarity on where you are and what's genuinely possible
A practical roadmap built around you
Confidence in your next step
Start the Conversation
For founders, leaders & organisations · Strategy & advisory

Strategic Advisory

For business owners, founders and leadership teams seeking clarity and a path forward — whatever that looks like for you. That might mean strategy, risk assessment, transforming or growing the business, sharpening your branding and marketing, building a genuine sustainability approach through Sustainabull™, or simply knowing where you want to get to without being sure how.

We make sense of where your business is, get clear on what's genuinely possible, and build a practical path to get there — then walk beside you as you navigate what you're trying to achieve.

Includes: Strategy · Risk assessment · Business transformation · Growth · Branding & marketing · Sustainability (Sustainabull™) · Governance

Ideal for
  • ·Founders & business owners
  • ·Leadership teams
  • ·Organisations navigating growth, change or transformation
  • ·Businesses needing ESG or sustainability strategy
What this looks like
Ongoing advisory retainer
Project-based engagements
Strategic reviews & facilitation
Board & leadership support
Start the Conversation
For regional communities & local business · Growth & development

Regions & Communities

Regional communities and rural entrepreneurs are seeking the same thing as anyone else — clarity and a path forward — just applied to projects and places rather than individual businesses.

That might mean helping a community see what's genuinely possible, building the roadmap behind a project, carrying out a risk assessment, working out which projects are actually viable, helping market a project once it's ready to go, or growing local business capability through programs like Launch Locally™.

Includes: Launch Locally™ · Project viability & risk assessment · Project roadmaps · Project marketing · Regional enterprise · Tourism · Economic development · Community projects

Ideal for
  • ·Regional communities & local councils
  • ·Rural entrepreneurs
  • ·Tourism operators
  • ·Women in business programs
  • ·Community groups or organisations with projects to plan, assess or deliver
What this creates
A clear picture of what's possible
A practical local growth pathway
A viability and risk assessment for proposed projects
Support through to actual delivery, not just planning
Community confidence and momentum
Start the Conversation
Real work. Real outcomes.

Projects &
Community Work

A selection of projects, programs and initiatives delivered across People, Planet and Purpose — spanning regional Queensland, Australia and internationally.

People — Mentoring, Leadership & Wellbeing

Investing in people

Community Program
Launch Locally™ — Turn Your Idea Into Income
Scenic Rim, Queensland

Helping women in regional communities turn ideas into real businesses

A practical workshop series for women in metropolitan and regional communities who have a business idea but aren't sure how to get started. The program moves participants from "I have an idea" to "I know how to start" — covering business validation, setup, registration and launch planning.

Women in Business Regional Queensland Business Launch Community Development
Health & Community
Community Health & Nutrition Programs
Rural & Regional Queensland

Food as medicine — improving nutrition literacy in rural communities

Designed and delivered health education initiatives including food-as-medicine programs and community cooking classes, improving nutrition literacy and supporting preventative health in rural and regional areas.

Community Health Nutrition Rural Communities Preventative Health
Leadership Development
Leadership & Culture Development Programs
Multiple organisations

Building values-driven leadership from the inside out

Worked with business leaders to establish values-driven leadership frameworks, build team engagement strategies, and foster cultures of accountability and innovation. Redesigned and consolidated 10+ legacy policies into a single, people-focused governance handbook promoting psychological safety, inclusivity and respect.

Leadership Culture Governance Workplace Wellbeing
Mentorship Program
Bond University Alumni Mentoring
Queensland, Australia

Supporting the next generation from study into the workforce

Mentor in the Bond University alumni program, supporting graduates from the Bond Business School and Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine through the transition into meaningful careers. Developing leadership skills, business literacy and ethical decision-making in the next generation of professionals.

Mentorship Bond University Career Transition Graduate Development
Workplace Programs
Workplace Wellbeing & Psychological Safety
Multiple organisations

Creating workplaces where people can bring their best

Introduced wellbeing strategies, mental health programs and safety-first approaches across multiple workplaces to improve staff retention, reduce burnout and boost organisational resilience. Integrated modern diversity and inclusion principles into workplace governance, ensuring equitable opportunities and representation.

Wellbeing Mental Health Diversity & Inclusion Staff Retention
Purpose (Business) — Strategy & Governance

Turning strategy into results

MedTech · IPO Strategy
IPO-Ready Business & Growth Strategy
MedTech Sector · Australia

Contributing to a successful $60M post-IPO acquisition

Designed and executed a comprehensive business and marketing strategy to position a MedTech firm for IPO readiness. The plan aligned operations, branding and go-to-market activities with investor expectations, strengthened governance and compliance systems — and directly contributed to the company's successful $60M post-IPO acquisition.

MedTech IPO Strategy $60M Acquisition Governance Marketing Strategy
Start-Up Infrastructure
Operational Infrastructure — ESG & Agri-Climate Start-Up
Australia

Building the foundation for a fast-growing start-up from the ground up

Established the foundational operational infrastructure for a fast-growing ESG and agri-climate services start-up — developing automated workflows, streamlined reporting systems and integrated digital tools to minimise manual processes, reduce overhead costs and position the business for sustainable growth and investor confidence.

Start-Up ESG Operations Agri-Climate
Digital Strategy
Strategic Business Planning Platform
Australia

A repeatable, scalable decision-making process built on global strategy frameworks

Designed and built a digital business planning and portfolio evaluation platform based on global strategy frameworks — enabling clients to assess project risk, align initiatives with organisational goals and measure outcomes across their entire portfolio.

Digital Strategy Business Planning Portfolio Evaluation Risk Assessment
Governance
Strategic Governance & Financial Oversight
Multi-site Body Corporates · Australia

Robust governance frameworks protecting stakeholder interests

Provided leadership across governance and finance committees for multi-site body corporates — delivering frameworks for operational compliance, capital investment planning and long-term financial sustainability. Strengthened risk management, improved transparency and ensured stakeholder interests were represented in all major decisions.

Governance Finance Risk Management Compliance
Brand & Partnerships
National Partnership & Sponsorship Strategy
Australia

Securing high-profile partners and national brand visibility

Developed and executed a company's first national partnership and sponsorship strategy — securing high-profile corporate partners and aligning with one of Australia's largest cycling events. The initiative increased brand visibility, strengthened stakeholder relationships and delivered significant community engagement outcomes.

Partnerships Sponsorship Brand Strategy Community Engagement
Planet — ESG & Sustainability

Building a sustainable future

ESG Framework
National ESG Evaluation Framework
Agribusiness Sector · Australia

Setting the standard for ESG across Australia's agribusiness sector

Developed a sector-wide ESG evaluation framework for agribusiness, aligned to global sustainability standards — enabling adaptive investment decisions and verified sustainability certification across regional supply chains.

ESG Agribusiness Supply Chain Certification
Banking & Finance
Inaugural ESG Strategy — Major Business Bank
Banking & Finance Sector · Australia

Transitioning one of Australia's largest business banks to sustainability-linked lending

Developed the rollout of an inaugural ESG strategy for one of Australia's largest business banking companies — transitioning them to sustainability-linked lending. Also developed a bank-wide ESG risk tool embedding transparent metrics, regulatory alignment and performance criteria.

Banking ESG Strategy Sustainability Lending Risk Framework
Emissions Reduction
Supply Chain Emissions Reduction
ASX-listed Food Processor · Australia

A scalable net-zero pathway across 50+ producers

Led a supply-chain-wide emissions reduction initiative for an ASX-listed food processor spanning 50+ producers — delivering a scalable pathway aligned with 2040 net-zero targets.

Emissions Reduction ASX-listed Net Zero Supply Chain
ESG Baseline
Emissions Baseline — Accounting Firm
Professional Services · Australia

73% and 78% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by Year 2

Provided strategic counsel to establish an ESG baseline for a professional services firm — resulting in a 73% reduction in Scope 1 emissions and 78% reduction in Scope 2 emissions by Year 2.

GHG Emissions Scope 1 & 2 Baseline Assessment Professional Services
ESG Advisory
ESG Reporting — Oil & Gas Services
Energy Sector · National

Aligning a national energy services provider with ASX disclosure requirements

Delivered ESG advisory to a national oil and gas services provider, aligning reporting systems with ASX disclosure and procurement requirements to ensure business continuity and stakeholder confidence.

Oil & Gas ASX Disclosure ESG Reporting Procurement
GHG Certification
GHG Certification Program
Agribusiness Sector · Australia

Making complex GHG accounting accessible for regional producers

Translated complex GHG accounting methodologies into a practical certification program — enabling producers to meet compliance requirements and unlock access to retail markets.

GHG Accounting Certification Agribusiness Retail Markets
International Advisory
Monoceros Strategies Inc.
Vancouver, Canada

Strategic advisory for biomimicry-based environmental remediation

Ongoing strategic advisory for the Founder of Monoceros Strategies — a biotech company developing biomimicry-based environmental remediation solutions. Work spanning business strategy development, grant applications, investor presentations and public engagement. A collaboration begun at the MIT Chief Sustainability Officer program in Boston.

International Biotech ESG Advisory MIT CSO Program

Want to work on something together?

Whether it's a business, a community project or something you're still figuring out — a conversation is the right place to start.

Book a Conversation
Get in touch

A conversation is always
the right place to start.

No agenda. No pitch. No pressure. A relaxed, open conversation to see if there's something worth exploring together.

If it makes sense to work together, we'll explore what that looks like. If it doesn't, I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Based in Queensland
Working with clients across Australia
Working with clients internationally
michellepeden.com.au

Send Michelle a message

Michelle reads every message personally and responds within two business days.

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Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

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