Beginning his career at Urban Strategies in South Brisbane, he focussed on low density residential subdivision, medium impact industry and high impact industry projects.

Initially working on projects in Brisbane, Josh expanded to the greater Southeast region of QLD and eventually further north to Mackay, to assist in the completion of a High Impact Industry project for Mackay’s largest Metal Recycling site.

In 2021, Josh was invited to become the town planning representative for the PDA Developers Course on the Gold Coast. This course instructs future developers on the importance of town planning consultants and instructs them on how to best utilise their advice.

Since joining Urbis’ Gold Coast team in March 2022, he has assisted in the lodgement on multiple High Density Residential projects in Surfers Paradise and become a valued member of the YP Gold Coast committee.

Josh studied Regional and Town Planning at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.

Kate is the Marketing and Operations Manager at Pezet Matheson – one of the Gold Coasts leading project marketing firms.

With over nine years experience in marketing, Kate has previously delivered successful regional and national campaigns across the intrastate, interstate and international tourism sector.

Renowned for getting things done and finding a solution to any problem, Kate’s skills and credentials have positioned her as the “go to” person within the marketing industry.

Kate moved to Broadbeach from Sydney in 2010, and is passionate about fostering the career growth of young professionals across the Gold Coast.

Grant is Director, Business Growth & Development at HOTA, Home of the Arts, and moved to the Gold Coast from the UK in January 2020; a move at the cusp of the global pandemic.

With a career spanning 20 years in arts and culture, Grant is a strong advocate for the cultural, social, and civic role of the arts and has a deep commitment to communities and their role in placemaking and city growth.

He brings these insights to YP along with a strategic mindset to position the voices of young professionals as a critical part of the conversation.

Lauren is the Leisure & Entertainment Marketing Executive for The Star Entertainment Group. Aspiring to be Australia’s leading integrated resort and entertainment company, Lauren’s role is to strategise & execute a range of events, promotions and other marketing initiatives designed to drive revenue growth for the group, as well as provide a meaningful experience for guests across the Gold Coast property.

With a passion for scaling Gold Coast businesses, whether SME or enterprise, through advanced marketing, communications & public relations strategies. Lauren holds a double degree in Business [Marketing] and Public Relations & Communications, although her diverse skills portfolio includes copy writing, content creation, event management, CRM & Automation management, SEO optimisation, graphic & website design, stakeholder and brand relationship management, public relations and crisis management.

Owner and agency director of Lucky Boy Agency, Karleigh Pearson is a digital marketing and brand strategy expert, with a killer-knack for copywriting and content creation.

Understanding the importance of brand integrity, she works in partnership with her clients to deliver over-and-above results, and develop long-lasting relationships that are mutually respectful.

A conversationalist by nature, she’s fuelled by the energy of constantly evolving, learning and meeting new people. On the YP Gold Coast committee, Karleigh is a major advocate for business growth and talent retention on the Gold Coast.

Lucky Boy Agency is a fully independent, creative marketing agency that specialises in brand strategy, videography, website design and digital marketing.

Cleopatra is a solicitor at Cronin Miller Litigation, a boutique law firm in the heart of the Gold Coast specializing in commercial litigation. She works closely with business owners and corporations to achieve efficient and practical outcomes for their individual commercial needs.

As a young professional on the Gold Coast, she enjoys having a corporate career and a coastal lifestyle. Cleopatra moved to the Gold Coast to study a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws at Bond University and has called the Gold Coast home ever since.

At the height of the pandemic, Cleopatra worked closely with local business owners and assisted them in navigating through the sudden demand to pivot and adapt to minimise any adverse impact resulting from the pandemic. She provided strategic advice regarding the ever changing legislative and regulatory framework in order to keep local businesses operational during the pandemic. Assisting businesses during that uncertain time was essential to her practice and she has since seen those same businesses innovate and grow into new markets.

Cleopatra is impassioned about supporting local businesses and advocating for growth and development on the Gold Coast. She is always looking at ways to drive the YP Gold Coast committee’s commitment to the Gold Coast forward and effect positive change in the lives of the people who call this great city home.

Gaby has always had a huge interest in the digital space. Growing up in the times of social media and digital marketing means her understanding of these tools are second to none. Completing a Bachelor of Communications (majoring in Advertising) at Bond University only expanded her passion for the digital world.

As the marketing manager at Australia’s highest-rated web design agency, Five by Five, Gaby is responsible for the company growth, brand awareness, and digital marketing as well as team happiness.

Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Gaby has seen the shift in the way the city is now viewed, once just a coastal beach town to a thriving metropolis, she is excited to be a part of growing this new direction.

Martin Garred is a town planner and Director of Civity; a company that delivers progressive city advisory and planning strategy services. The firm utilises its millennial edge, assisted by creativity and innovation in all facets of urban and regional planning policy, to offer clients a fresh approach to strategic and statutory town planning.

Through his work at Civity, Martin encourages and supports lateral and progressive thinking – inspiring creative solutions to urban growth challenges and producing evidence-based policy.

Originally from Brisbane, Martin moved to the Gold Coast over ten years ago, after graduating from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Urban Development (Urban and Regional Planning).

Carla Tooma is a Presenter, MC, Journalist and Radio Announcer. Seen and heard by thousands daily, Carla delivers the latest scoop on myGC.com.au and 1029 Hot Tomato. The multi-skilled media personality covers everything from current affairs and public interest stories, through to lifestyle and A-list red carpet events.

She is also one of the most sought after MC’s in South East Queensland, regularly hosting major events across the region. With an approachable style and natural ability to connect with audiences, Carla is adept at hosting panel discussions with city leaders at business functions, as she is chatting beauty tips with influencers in front of thousands of screaming fans.

As a born and bred Gold Coaster, Carla is driven by creating more job opportunities for locals and growing and strengthening the Coast’s cultural amenities and offerings.

Mary Grant is a co-director and founder of McTaggart Grant Lawyers, an agile and boutique law firm providing premium corporate and commercial legal services on the Gold Coast.  Mary is an accomplished corporate and business lawyer and a key legal advisor to a range of local and national businesses.

Mary is passionate about and enjoys guiding early-stage and high-growth businesses from inception to maturity, having acted for start-ups, investors, founders and family businesses as well as SMEs, shareholders, directors, partnerships and listed companies.

Originally a country girl from Toowoomba, Mary moved to the Gold Coast over 10 years ago to study at Bond University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and International Relations (Business).

Mary believes given the rapid growth and transformation of our City, it is integral to our business community to maintain a platform like the YP to bring together like-minded individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of our City and to connect the City leaders of today with the aspiring leaders of tomorrow.