The Social Executive

Dionne is not a geek. She is a social media historian and critic, She takes a person through the looking glass into the world a younger generation inhabits but which people over fifty need to enter. She is a delight to work with.

Dionne is an authority on the strategic use of social media for leaders and organisations. As a speaker, she brings her considerable expertise in the broader communications landscape to deliver a highly focused and relevant message about how to establish or regain trust in the digital environment. I’ve found her to be generous with her time and expertise and compelling in front of an audience, whether live or virtual.

Dionne is a compelling speaker and her incisive thinking and deep understanding of the impact of these mega-trends on business was fascinating. Dionne managed to lay out the global context, economic impacts, emerging economies and legal board and executive responsibilities clearly and by demonstrating their specific relevance to our business. She really understands the executive context. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Dionne introduced me to the world of social media, providing me with the framework that gave me the confidence to embrace a new and powerful communication medium. She is highly skilled at communicating new concepts such as the professional application of social media.

“Dionne opened our eyes … she has enormous charisma and gravity.”

“Flawless. Fantastic. Greater presenter could have listened to her all day.”

“Dionne is just breathtaking. So far ahead of everyone else without realising but in such an unassuming way.”

“Dionne and Trevor Young really are the ‘dream team’ for social media. I had the pleasure of working with them on Vision 2020 Australia’s integrated social media campaign on eye health. Dionne and Trevor delivered solid, strategic, and practical advice to achieve our business outcomes (#1 trending on Twitter and nearly 3 million impressions) but weren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves alongside our team to get things done. Their insights and experience helped take our idea above and beyond but more importantly they are an absolute joy to work with.

Undoubtedly a leader in her field, as an Executive I have found Dionne’s advice and guidance on social media platforms and strategies invaluable. Her insights into what organisations need to know in order to survive and thrive assist business leaders to identify opportunities and meet the challenges arising from the continuously emerging social media economy.

Over the five years I have had an opportunity to work with Dionne I have greatly respected and valued her ability to connect me with and make practical sense of the digital world. She is a tremendous teacher and mentor for we non technology leaders who have to make sense of and develop the knowledge and confidence to effectively operate in this dynamic space.

Dionne is an outstanding connector and communicator. Through seemingly relaxed conversation, she will crawl inside your brain, rummage around for the best bits and present you with the gift of your own thoughts now fully dressed and ready to enter polite society. She has the ability to deeply connect with your goals as if they were her own, find amazing information and people and things you wouldn’t have ever looked for yourself or perhaps didn’t think existed, and surprise you with a level of care and attention beyond expectations. She is highly professional, gifted and kind – and if you have the opportunity to team up with her, take it!

Dionne’s leadership and empathy for what we were all trying to achieve made her a fantastic member of the executive team. She could not only see over the hill but over the mountains as well.

Dionne joined VicRoads in 2006, transforming corporate affairs into an innovative and integrated function that has been recognised for a number of world-first digital initiatives. She is both creative and analytical, and has moved the organisation to digital media while continuing to deliver strategic business outcomes on a day-to-day basis through a geographically diverse team statewide. Dionne is able to influence at all levels with an understanding of government, including at Ministerial and Cabinet level. VicRoads’ digital approach was commended by the Victorian Auditor General in his 2012 report into advertising as an example of best practice. Dionne has been an active contributor to the Corporate Management Group at VicRoads and is a strong leader that is prepared to tackle difficult issues.