“A new committee is at the helm of leading advocacy group YP Gold Coast. 

The group, which aims to grow the city’s corporate culture by connecting driven professionals, will be responsible for delivering a calendar of YP events and advocating for the interests of its thousands-strong membership base.

Former YP Secretary and MinterEllison Lawyer Mary Grant has assumed the role of President, following the departure of long-serving committee member Flynn McFarlane.

James Gough, from Queensland Airports Limited, and strategic advisor Martin Garred from Urbis have stepped up to the role of Co-Vice President, previously occupied by Jessica Thomas.

Matthew Dodds, Head of Intelligence and Analytics at PKF Australia, replaces Kiel Sinclair as the organisation’s Treasurer and Ania Salehirad of IP Partnership has stepped into the role of Secretary.

Giulia Badalotti (Puzzle PR) and Carla Tooma (Hot Tomato and myGC) have been reappointed to the committee and are joined by Jacqueline Bojanowski (Ruby Communications) who replaces Georgia Linton.

Morgan Summers-Smith (Study Queensland) and James Fulton-Kennedy (Morgans) round out the group of 10.

YP Gold Coast President Mary Grant said she was proud to lead a team of driven Gold Coast professionals who are passionate about the city’s growth, and is excited to see the fresh perspectives the committee will bring.

“Everyone on the committee is here because they have an interest in the future success of the city,” she said.

“We are fortunate to have a strong and engaged membership base of local professionals and business owners who attend our regularly sold-out events.

“We will continue to deliver high-quality events as a forum to connect driven professionals.

“Advocacy will be another major focus of our committee – the Gold Coast is in a phase of rapid maturation and we are keen to back opportunities that support our bold aspiration to be the world’s best subtropical city.

“We will continue to engage with government and business leaders to do our bit in shaping a city that supports opportunities for current and future professionals.”

YP Gold Coast will again deliver the City Leaders Forum in 2019 – the organisation’s hallmark event that brings together industry heavy hitters for an afternoon of discussion and debate.

The theme of the 2019 City Leaders forum is ‘a highly skilled Gold Coast’ and will see a panel of experts take to the stage in front of several hundred guests, including:

  • Kate Jones MP, Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
  • Mayor Tom Tate, City of Gold Coast
  • Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice Chancellor and President, Griffith University
  • Paul Jaffar, Partner, Chempro

The event will be staged at The Star Gold Coast on September 27. For information and to book, please visit our events page here.

YP Gold Coast is supported by Griffith University, Cronin Miller Litigation, Gold Coast Suns, GT Advisory, PKF, 102.9 Hot Tomato and myGC.com.au.