Amanda Cole

Amanda Cole

Queensland
TEC Chair: Small Business Program
TEC Chair: Key Executive Program

I started Spark Consultants, a commercial strategic design consultancy in 1998 after working for 8 years in both public and private sectors. Spark Consultants was one of the first specialist interiors practices in Brisbane and in 2001, I won the Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year Award (QLD).

For 7 years, I sat on the board of the Design Institute of Australia, was State President and then national Vice President of the Institute. In recognition of my service to the design industry I was awarded Fellow of the Institute. During my time as a designer I judged numerous awards programs, and was a grants panelist for Arts Queensland for 3 years.

I joined Executive Roundtable (ER) in 2000 (a Queensland based peer mentoring organisation) and was a member for 3 years, before assisting my husband Brian Cole to manage the business. In 2005 I took over as Managing Director of the company and facilitated 7 groups of CEOs and business owners, and negotiated the merger of ER with TEC in 2006.

In 2001, I won the Centenary Medal for service to business, am a member of AICD and sit on numerous advisory boards for entrepreneurial businesses. I’m an experienced speaker and MC with a passion for supporting women in business.

Specialities:

• Creative industry consulting
• Strategic conversations
• Goal setting