Meet Our Team

Jonathan McIlroy CEO

Jonathan is an experienced senior manager and business executive with leadership experience spanning more than 20 years – all of which has been within organisations focussed on the industry, business or employee-level education, training, advice and consulting.

Jonathan is passionate about political science and studied Politics and Government at the Master’s level, attaining an MA (Hons) from The University of Edinburgh before taking up an invitation to do an internship in Washington DC.

Subsequently, his first proper career move was within equipment and business finance for one of the world’s largest financial institutions, working in the London and SE England region.
This was his first experience in working closely with small to medium-sized businesses, helping to address growth or delivery issues through the provision of business and equipment lending and finance.

For the next seven years, he held senior management or executive-level positions in national and global organisations, focusing on delivering industry-level education and training within investment management, corporate finance, financial planning, and other specialty finance or banking-related areas.

For 15 years post this, he was executive director for a national membership organisation he co-founded that delivered niche vocational education and training, consulting and career guidance for senior executive teams and their business support staff.

Jonathan is a seasoned entrepreneur and business founder, having launched several successful businesses.  But it is his passion for business education, training, coaching, and consulting that led him to Enterprise Plus, and a desire to help continue that organisation’s very rich legacy and reputation for supporting and advising regional businesses, enabling them to grow and flourish.

Shannon White

Shannon has worked for over 15 years in administration management & customer service roles.
She is proficient in using MYOB Accounting, Windows, MS Office and Salesforce platforms.
Shannon oversees the day-to-day administration of the Enterprise Plue office, maintains records, insurance, and fleet management, and provides administrative management of all staff.
She is responsible for regulatory compliance, including maintaining ISO 270001 accreditation.

Helena Newman

With a strong customer service background, Helena’s career moved to Administration Management in 2002.

Helena is the program manager for the AusIndustry Small Business Advisory Service (ASBAS) and is experienced in the financial management and reporting of government contracts. She is currently completing a Diploma in Business Administration.

Sasha Hajenko

Sasha is a talented cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of experience in the IT sector. He has provided operational support, project management and delivery, strategic advice, and consulting services to various industries across businesses of all sizes, from micro-businesses and startups, NGOs and NFPs, to SMEs and organisations with 1000+ staff across multiple sites around the globe.

His passion is combining his business acumen and technical skills to address cybersecurity with a holistic approach, ensuring that cyber risks to any business are addressed with the most appropriate measures in line with regulatory requirements and best practices.

Sasha joined the Enterprise Plus team to provide cybersecurity advice, expertise and education to SMEs on the importance of cybersecurity to their business.

Haley Tait

Haley manages the Enterprise Plus Business Hubs located in Albury, Queanbeyan, Wagga Wagga and Wodonga.

Haley also owns her own small business.

Louise James

Louise is an experienced senior leader with 30 years professional experience in strategy, marketing, business development and communications across both the corporate and not-for-profit sector.

Louise has enjoyed a successful career working for some of the most recognizable and global brands in locations from London, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia (which she made her forever home in 2001).

Louise now lives in the Southern Highlands where she founded a consultancy business over 10 years ago and continues to run a small business today. Louise believes in a holistic strengths-based approach to life and business.  She is passionate about providing leadership, education and merging her business acumen and life experiences to facilitate transformation of individuals and businesses alike.

Louise is also a best-selling author, keynote speaker and coach.

Leisa Pearce

Leisa has worked and travelled extensively nationally and internationally after completing a Bachelor of Fashion Design and Business.

Leisa has an uninhibited natural marketing style and has built her brand and business and has worked extensively with other small businesses assisting them with launching their brand.

Johanne Faint

With over 25 years’ experience in customer service roles, Johanne is competent in using MS Office suite, MailChimp and CRM databases.

Johanne is Enterprise Plus’s Coordination and Support Officer who provides day-to-day organisation and administration support to our team.

Johanne supports the Business Connect program in developing, editing and uploading webinars, as well as client and event coordination and provides administration and event coordination support to our Education programs.

Court Sayer-Roberts

Industry Specialties – Accommodation & Food Services, Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Retail Trade, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Arts and Recreation Services, Financial and Insurance Services, Transport, Postal and Warehousing.

Business Issue Specialties – Business planning, Budgeting, Start up, Business Disruption, Bookkeeping, Banking and finance, Strategic Planning, Pricing & Costing, Taxation Issues, Crisis Management.

Court is a qualified small business financial counsellor who has over 20 years management experience including 9 years at senior management level within the food manufacturing industry within New Zealand and Australia overseeing the production and launch of major food brands and products.

Court has experienced firsthand the challenges that rural businesses face, having been through drought periods himself with both SunRice and his own businesses in Leeton, which includes small business consulting, and owner/operator of a café and catering business.  Court also codeveloped a federally funded small business support program for small businesses experiencing financial hardship.

Court works closely with small businesses in building and coaching high-performing teams and individuals to meet their goals, as well as help develop business relationships with their key stakeholders through changing environments. This means helping simplify business processes and understanding finances to make informed decisions.

Court provides small business advice in the local government areas of Leeton, Griffith, Narrandera, Hay, Edward River, Murray River. He can also assist with navigating the extensive range of government assistance packages presently available.

Qualifications

Diploma of Financial Counselling

Diploma of Hospitality Management

Small business experience

Business Connect 2022- present

Regional Small Business Support Program – 2020-2022

Greg Bowers

Industry Specialties – Leadership, team building and mentoring. Strategic planning and implementation. Business planning. Business development and sales. Business restructuring and continuous improvement.

Greg’s Business experience extends over 30 years across small businesses, not-for-profit, national and Multinational Companies. This experience includes being on several boards of directors, including NFP, thus ensuring capability through all levels of business.

Greg has specialised in business-to-business (B2B) supply chains, manufacturing, sales, marketing, financial management and continual improvement.

Greg has significant experience living and working in regional Australia and understands the local business environment, its challenges and opportunities.

Greg has successfully worked with loss-making and turn-around businesses during the recent COVID situation. Within these regional areas, Greg has led capital-raising ventures and business acquisitions, supporting local Councils/LGAs and Chambers of Business. Strategic and business planning, and importantly ensuring implementation and outcomes from those strategies, is a skill Greg is passionate about. Coaching and development for business owners and managers is a passion of Greg’s that is strongly supported by his background working with a wide range of business sectors.

Peita Charman

Industry Specialties – Sales & Marketing. Wholesale & Retail Distribution. Financials, MYOB & Xero. Information Technology. Process Improvement & Operations.

Peita is a Sales and Marketing specialist with over 25 years of experience in Australia and SE Asia.
She has assisted and motivated hundreds of small businesses and large organisations to grow, adapt and innovate in sales, communications, marketing, operational efficiency, and process improvement.

With a keen ability to deeply understand each unique business or organisation, and its’ challenges, she has provided advice and support across industries in banking and finance, retail and wholesale, government, and not-for-profit organisations.

Her background spans working for large consulting firms, global technology companies and customer relationship management providers.
She has extensive knowledge of Information Technology, Consulting, Strategy, Operations and Business Strategy.
Peita has a focus on people and building long-term relationships and is a subject matter expert who actively helps to lead, plan, conduct workshops, provide coaching and advice on specific areas of need or align different capabilities across small and large organisations.

With relevant and real-world experience, Peita is also a General Manager across multiple business functions in her own successful national business she started 15 years ago.
With a collaborative and engaging communication style, she enjoys helping people and businesses to succeed and is valued by her clients as a trusted advisor.

Karen Dempster

Industry Specialties – Tourism Product development and Training. Tourism Marketing and distribution assistance. Marketing and sale strategies – general. Communication strategy – general. Business development and diversification.

Karen is a highly skilled tourism and marketing professional with over 25 years of experience. She has worked in the public and private sectors across accommodation, transport, tour operators and attractions, including many years of private business ownership.

Equipping her with the knowledge and experience to provide one-on-one advice and assistance to businesses in the tourism sector. Karen is a strategic thinker that targets all facets of managing a business to grow destination, brand awareness, revenue and customer engagement. With many years of business management experience and delivery of training programs relating to this sector, Karen is an asset to any business requiring advice and assistance in the tourism field.

Fiona Latham-Cannon

Industry Specialties – Retail Trade. Tourism. Information Media and Telecommunication. Accommodation and Food Services. Administration and Support Services. Arts and Recreation Services. Other Services. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services. Transport, Postal and Warehousing. Wholesale Trade.

Business Issue Specialties – Social Media. Marketing. Digital Presence. Sales. Info Technology. Technology. Wellbeing / Mental Health. Seeking Grants. Business Planning. Start Up

Fiona Latham-Cannon holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) with more than 40 years of business experience spanning 5 different industries. Over 30 years, she has operated a 3rd generation family retail business operating multiple outlets in major shopping centres.

Fiona is also well-positioned to advise Restaurateurs, having been one herself for around 5 years. She has driven 2 business-to-business operations in the wholesale industry and holds office-bearing positions on two Not-For-Profit Organisations’ Committees. Her most recent business activity centres around her multiple-award-winning marketing agency.

Fiona specialises in making businesses look great and perform well online while ensuring business owners have the tools they need to become consistent digital advocates for their businesses. She creates and ensures business branding and marketing strategies can be seamlessly implemented and that digital communication between business and customers/clients is simplified, on point and brand.

Fiona offers knowledge and training with a toolbox full of helpful business resources, making daily digital marketing implementation easy. She possesses expert knowledge of Social Media Creation using channels such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. She teaches simple through to advanced Graphic Design techniques maximising business advertising effectiveness using Canva. She helps create effective Online Advertising strategies using Facebook and Instagram to reach the preferred audiences. Fiona has useful iPhone Photography experience with teachable editing skills.

Small business experience

NSW Business Connect 2023 – Current

Digital Business Solutions, Australian Small Business Advisory Service 2021-2023

Executive Committee Member – Several Not-for-Profit Organisations 2018-Current

Tall Red Poppy Marketing – Founder 2014 – Current

Marketing Coordinator and Sales Support (Wholesale & Professional Services) 2012-2013

Managing Director (Retail) 1999-2012

Restauranteur (Hospitality) 1992-1997

Marketing and Operations Manager (Retail & Wholesale)1989-1998

Lisa LaMaitre

Industry Specialties – Healthcare and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, Education and Training.

Business Issue Specialties – Market research, Start Up, Strategic Planning.

Lisa has 30 years of business expertise from developing, building, and operating four businesses across the sectors of IT, healthcare, retail/rental, and events. Additionally, she has 35+ years of retail experience, 30+ years of staff management and training, and has operated a business as a franchisee. Lisa has competed in and won business innovation ‘hackathon’ competitions.

Lisa founded a multi-award winning complementary health practice in Canberra in 1997. She is a qualified Remedial Massage Practitioner and Sports Trainer. Lisa has been Massage teaching staff at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), has been part of CIT’s Massage Industry Panel, and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) updating the nationally accredited Massage training package.

Lisa prides herself on being a clear and inclusive communicator. Lisa is a consummate networker, collaborator, and community builder. She is an experienced business mentor, teacher, and lecturer who meets clients ‘where they’re at.’

Lisa has taught business, innovation, and entrepreneurship locally, nationally, and internationally. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Psychology, Neuroscience and Biology), an Advanced Diploma Applied Science (Remedial Massage), and Certificates in Training and Assessment, Retail Management, and Retail Operations.

Qualifications

B.Sc. Adv.Dip.App.Sc. (Rem.Mass)

Cert. IV TAE

Cert. IV Retail Management

Cert. III Retail Operations

Small business experience

Technology Masters 1993-present

Therapy Masters 1997-present

LaMaitre Enterprises 2006-2010

Canberra Wise Women 2015-present

Alan Pomering

Industry Specialties – Marketing strategy and management, Education and training, Branding and brand positioning, Tourism marketing, Sustainability

Alan’s experience in small business has involved running a media firm for over two decades, providing freelance editorial copy and photography content to a wide range of consumer and trade publications, locally and internationally, providing public relations support for small tourism businesses, producing a regional restaurant guide and a travel newsletter that travel agencies distributed throughout Australia, and providing corporate training in customer service.

Alan offers management, consulting, and business advisory experience, having worked at a senior level in adult education and advising a range of companies, including accounting and legal practices, golf clubs, and wineries on topics from marketing to sustainability.

Formal qualifications in business include a bachelor’s degree in economics, an MBA with a specialisation in marketing, and a doctorate in marketing.
Also, qualified in education, teaching English to non-English speakers, and webpage design (Certified Internet Webmaster).

Edwin Smith

Industry Specialties – Social Media Marketing. Social Media Best Practice. Content Creation. Instagram Reels. Tiktok.

Edwin’s spent the last 10 years working in social media, where he ran the Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok accounts for some of the biggest shows on TV, including Survivor, The Voice, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Love Island, 10 Sport and many more. During that time, Edwin also worked directly with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Off the back of this, Edwin has an intricate knowledge of what makes each platform tick.

These days, Edwin specialises in organic social media for businesses, having worked with over 300 people in the last 3 years under his small business The Social Sandwich.

Edwin’s claim to fame is that B-grade Aussie celebrities sometimes like his Instagram photos. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, has a huge collection of fun shirts and will try to make you laugh at least 2 (two) times when you speak with him.

Colin Taggart

Industry Specialties – Accommodation & Food Services, Information Media, Telecommunications.

Colin is an online media specialist and a marketing and communications professional who has started, managed and successfully sold advertising agencies and technology companies in Europe.
He has extensive public relations experience liaising with local and national media on behalf of clients.

Colin has proven expertise in launching new businesses and developing branding, marketing plans, websites, social media, and e-commerce strategies. For many years he was the publisher of the Wagga Wagga City Council Official Visitors Guide and worked with Riverina Regional Tourism, publishing The Riverina Holiday Guide. He has also delivered services to businesses as a digital advisor for the ASBAS Digital Solutions program.

Colin has a profound understanding of the hospitality and tourism sector. He has strong links within the Wagga business community as a former board member of the Wagga Business Chamber, the Business Enterprise Centre, and the Riverine Club. He has extensive public relations experience liaising with local and national media on behalf of clients. He publishes magazines and websites for RAAF Base Wagga and Army Recruit Training Centre, Kapooka, to welcome families and personnel to Wagga.

Darryl Tonks

Industry Specialties – Retail Trade. Wholesale Trade. Education and Training.

Business Issue Specialties – Disability Sector. Business Planning. Budgeting. Marketing. Pricing & Costing. Commercialisation and Innovation. Strategic Planning. Time Management. Sales. Business Disruption. NDIS Audit Verification.

Darryl is an experienced small business owner, certified results coach and digital marketer. He has a proven ability to lead business transformations that increase profitability, streamline operations and create sustainable frameworks that free business owners up to focus on the aspects of the business they love and spend time with their family.

With over 25 years of business management experience, he has the ability to work with people to understand their business and personal goals and to develop sustainable business systems to provide the financial and lifestyle rewards they are looking for.

Darryl has extensive experience in agriculture, service-based business operations and aviation.
He is approachable, diplomatic and humble in his approach to serving others to gain clarity of their business vision and set and achieve their goals.
Darryl has owned and developed two small businesses including farming small land holdings and a brick-and-mortar service-based business which is a register NDIS provider.

Darryl has qualifications in bookkeeping, business, real estate and marketing. He is also the NDIS specialist advisor for Enterprise Plus.

Qualifications

Certificate IV Accounting & Bookkeeping

Small business experience

Mum and Dad’s Laundry and Car Spa 2019 – Current

Majestick Alpacas 2011 – 2019

Andrew Wales

Industry Specialties – Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services; Retail Trade.

Business Issue Specialties – Start up; Marketing; Sales.

Andrew has been the founder of several successful businesses since 2001, including Planet Footprint (International environmental reporting firm), Australia’s Oyster Coast (leading Australian oyster brand) and Outcomes Corp (economic development firm delivering labour market programs on behalf of the Australian government).

Andrew has significant experience across all areas of business including planning, marketing, sales, financial management and internal management systems development. His expertise is in the startup and early growth phase of business – taking an idea and progressing it through to the formation and operation of a successful, profitable enterprise.

Andrew has worked across Australia, as well as in the United States and Asia. Aside from his work with Business Connect and Outcomes Corp, Andrew’s current focus is on development of a broad-reaching initiative that will deliver operational supports to grass roots sporting clubs and leagues to improve their viability and social impact.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons)

Small business experience 

2001-2006: Managing Director – Omega Environmental Pty Limited

2006 – 2012: Managing Director – Planet Footprint Pty Limited (Australia)

2009 – 2012: Director – Planet Footprint LLC (USA)

2012 – 2019: Director – Andrew Wales & Associates

2019 – Present: Managing Director – Outcomes Corp Pty Limited

2022 – Present: Managing Director – Hiring Innovations Pty Limited

Dales Whyte

Industry Specialties – Traditional and social media. Creating Sales & Sales Techniques. Starting a Business and planning for success.

Business Issue Specialties – Identifying the ideal client for business success. Starting a Business and planning for success. Creation of audio visual / multimedia and image content for Business.

Dales Whyte’s career and success are achieved by utilizing the many skills gained in a diversity of business ownership and management roles, along with his successful ability to interact with people from all levels.

Dales’ empathy allows him to work alongside business owners, allowing them to become the process necessary for success.

Dales’ ability to ask quality questions, drill down & understand the needs of small business has enabled him to provide advice and assistance to thousands of small businesses across a diversity of industries.

His ability to communicate to clients is beyond question with many years in radio, sales & marketing, management, creating business, startups in an International Print Media, a Luxury Tour Business, and a Not-for-Profit organisation, making him a skilled & valuable advisor to regional businesses.

Dales is an accredited mental health first aider.

Qualifications

Accredited Business Advisor

Accredited Mental Health First Aider

Certificate II & III in Public Safety

Certificate IV in training Completion of training modules laid down by ABR 5127 -Training Manual Volume III (Navy)

Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice, Diploma of Property (Agency Management)

Behavioural Science – Padua College

Small business experience  

Whyte & Associates: 2020 – Current

The Whyte House: Jun 2015 – Oct 2018

Whyte Media: Sep 2010 – Dec 2014

Nares County Sheriff: Not-for-Profit organisation: Apr 2003 – Jun 2014

Real estate Agent & Auctioneer: 2004 – 2011

Australian Military News: 1995 – 1997

Jessica Vlaskic

Qualifications

Cert III Business Administration
Dip Team Leadership & Management

Small business experience

Moose & Co Plastering Pty Ltd, since 2010 – present

Mindi Smart

Mindi Smart is a strong community and social services professional, an experienced manager who has a broad knowledge of businesses employment needs and management.

After spending close to 2 very successful years with Enterprise Plus as a Program Coordinator for our program “Get Back in the Game” Mindi has now returned as our Work Placement Program Lead. As well as leading the program, she will continue to have her boots on the ground and will also be looking after the work placements in the Snowy region including Cooma, Jindabyne and Bombala.

Mindi has a long and successful history of working with businesses to create training and employment opportunities for a diverse range of young people, and she is thrilled to now be leading our work placement team to ensure students have the skills, and workplace experience, so they can complete their qualifications and transition into personalised employment pathways.

Mindi is an Accredited Mental Health First Aider, she also holds certifications in safeguarding children, management development, Mentoring Youth, Cert III Business Administration and has recently completed several Aboriginal Cultural education courses to stay up to date and ensure she is part of a culturally responsive and inclusive workforce.

Amie Baard

Amie lives on the beautiful NSW South Coast with her young family.

She has worked in the Community Sector for 15 years, with half that time spent helping young people reach their employment and education goals.

She has developed strong relationships within the sector and with the young people she supports.

Amie is passionate about supporting her local community and is experienced in facilitating groups to help young people find meaningful work.

Amie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Community Studies and is currently studying for her Master’s in Counselling.

She also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Carissa Mills

Carissa Mills joined Enterprise Plus in 2015 bringing a wealth of experience from both Hospitality and Retail backgrounds. Carissa studied Hospitality and Management and has applied these skills as both a Retail Manager for several years and owning and operating a successful local restaurant. Her extensive Industry experience and contacts have been a great benefit to local and regional VET High School students.

Carissa has also built a strong rapport and working relationship with the hosts and schools in the region. This has allowed her to undertake her role with confidence and ensure that the students are gaining exceptional industry knowledge and experience, and the hosts are able to strengthen their respective Industries. Carissa enjoys considerable job satisfaction by assisting young people on their chosen career paths.

Charne Moorby

Charne Moorby has been providing work placements for the local students of our region since 2013.

With an extensive background in sales and management, Charne has a strong customer service focus and has utilized her networking and relationship skills to foster many school and industry partnerships successfully.

As a mother, an active volunteer and a former Rotarian overseeing the Youth Exchange Program in her patch, Charne has a passion to see young people succeed.

Megan Edwards

Megan is passionately committed to achieving education, communication, and continual improvement outcomes. She is naturally creative and enjoys utilising empathy and compassion to build internal and external working relationships for a business.

Megan has more than 20 years of experience in administration and more than 4 years of experience running her own training business. Coordination of marketing materials and events has been a core part of her work across industry sectors. She has training experience, including software programs and business-based Diplomas.

Megan believes in continual self and professional development. She has completed courses including project management, adult education, business administration, software packages, and leadership.

Carrie Halpin

Carrie has worked as an Employment Consultant with DES, SLES, Early School Leavers Transition to Work and further education for the past 5 years . She has worked successfully with people with disabilities and mental health and also in youth work for over 25 years.

Carrie has a Cert IV in Disability Service. Her passion is to have people with disadvantages, disabilities and our youth treated equally in the wider community and to be given the best opportunities for employment and further education to enable them to live happy healthy lives.

Henna Watson

Henna has worked with children and young people in residential care settings, out of home care and in child protection for two years across Canberra and Yass.

Henna is passionate about mentoring and advocating for young people to see them receive the best outcomes possible for their future. She spent 10 years working in Port Moresby and helped develop several schools throughout Papua New Guinea to see children in slums and disadvantaged regions receive a basic education. Many of her students were successful in going to university and changing the trajectory of their lives.

Henna has a Bachelor’s degree in Society, Life, and Learning and a Bachelor of Theology. She is a keen property investor and buyer’s agent. Henna enjoys building belief in people and showing them the possibilities that exist from having multiple income streams and working “smarter, not harder.”

Rachael Pearce

Rachael is a dedicated and experienced individual who has been working in the Shoalhaven region for the past 14 years. In more recent years, she has been working with disengaged youth assisting them in achieving their employment and education goals. She is committed to supporting the local community, especially youth.

Rachael believes in investing in the younger generation by understating the many unique challenges they may face and empowering them to reach their full potential.

In her spare time, Rachael loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends.