WNA Trailblazers

Podcast

Amplifying the voices of women in business

Listen to the trailer:

About the show:

Welcome Change Media is the proud media partner for Women’s Network Australia and is collaborating with them to bring you this weekly podcast series to support the values and purpose of WNA: amplifying the voices of women in business.

We’ve all seen those people who walk into a networking event and deal their business cards out like they’re in a poker match. While they may understand the benefits of networking, their method indicates their skills are underdeveloped. Networking is about connecting with people, which for one reason or another, we’re often too shy to do.

Women’s Network Australia set out to do networking differently from the start, providing women with a safe space to gain the confidence to speak at the professional level, regardless of the context.

Whether you’re just starting out or have already been building your own business network, the contacts you make need to be genuine. There’s nothing worse than being on the receiving end of just another sales pitch, right?

Listen now to find out exactly what lies behind the success of Women’s Network Australia, and listen to the voices from within the network itself as they share their own wisdom and tips for success.

Meet the hosts:

Cheryl Gray

CEO Women's Network Australia

Cheryl Gray has spent the best part of three decades promoting women and helping them to succeed. Throughout her career as a journalist, in public affairs and running her own communication consultancy, Cheryl has developed a diverse network of contacts and is excited by the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience so that others can shine.

Cheryl has a Bachelor of Business (Communication), along with international qualifications in communication measurement and evaluation. She is Board Chair of not-for-profit disability services organisation, MyHorizon, and is a former Treasurer and Management Committee member of Women’s Legal Service Queensland. She has previously held Board roles with the Queensland Paralympic Committee and the Moreton Bay Colleges Foundation.

Cheryl provides a voice for women in small business as a representative to the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Small Business Roundtable, and the Queensland Government’s Industry Skills Advisor Small Business Industry Reference Group. She is also the Australian representative for WEConnect International, a global organisation driving more money into the hands of women in business.

As a mother of two sons, Cheryl knows what it takes to balance work and family life. She is a passionate lifelong learner, speaker and advocate for gender equality.

Louise Poole

Co-founder, Welcome Change Media

Award winning host, podcast producer, content creator, radio programmer, and Brisbane media personality, Louise Poole, joins Cheryl Gray as co-host of WNA Trailblazers.

Louise co-founded her business Welcome Change Media in 2021 with the goal of producing diverse and inclusive content and is proud to partner with Women’s Network Australia to amplify the stories of women in business. The trailblazers that paved the way, (and are still paving it) for our collective success.

Louise has been working with and managing brands for over twenty years as a Content Director, Radio Announcer, Audio Producer and Editor. For over eight years the radio personality maintained the top rating spots with her morning show on 973fm Brisbane. She has worked within regional and metropolitan markets, helped to establish radio stations, and trained new entrants to the broadcasting sector.

With strong brand management experience, Louise innovated commercial radio content, creating a synergy between on air content and the online media that underpin it. She now brings this wealth of experience to podcasting, digital storytelling, content strategy and social media.

Louise also co-hosts podcast Reframe of Mind alongside her business partner Andy Le Roy. Reframe of Mind is a deep dive into discussions about mental health, joined by some of Australia’s leading minds, to expand our understanding of the world and ourselves. It is frequently top 10 in the Mental Health category on Apple Podcasts.

A passionate advocate for good mental health, Louise is also on the board of charity Mind Your Fashion – which raises awareness for mental health in the fashion and creative industries; and she is the creator of Any Excuse For Fashion – a project aimed at promoting body neutrality, diversity & inclusion, intersectional feminism, and self love.

Credentials include BA Television Production (CSU) Grad Cert. Commercial Radio Programming (AFTRS) Cert IV Radio Broadcasting (CIT) Two-time ACRA winner and five-time nominee. Louise also sat on the judging panel for the Australian Commercial Radio Awards, Australian Podcast Awards, has also been a member of the ARIA awards judging academy and is an accredited MEAA journalist.