Catherine DeVrye

Combining the energy of Gen Y with the experience of a Baby Boomer, Catherine has the 'street cred' to deliver the results you're after. Before becoming a best-selling author of 7 non-fiction books and past winner of the Australian Executive Woman of the Year Award. she used to be in your shoes-signing cheques for IBM incentive events. She vowed not only to deliver an entertaining and educational message from stage but to be easy to work with off the platform. And, you can see from her impressive client testimonials that she's been able to achieve that!

She is an outstanding communicator with proven international management experience in the private and public sectors-speaking globally on customer service, change and turning obstacles to opportunities in our professional and personal lives.

Her autobiography, Who Says I Can't?, was released by Random House and nominated for the National Biography Award. On the cover, Bryce Courtenay says: 'story of hope and perseverance-when's the movie?'

Other best sellers, translated into over a dozen languages, include Hope Happens!...Words of Encouragement for Tough Times, Hot Lemon & Honey...Reflections For Success in Times of Change, The Customer Service Zoo and Good Service is Good Business, which was a # 1 best seller in Australia and Taiwan.

A former IBM executive, Catherine held roles in sales, marketing, communication and management development; and spent 2 years in Tokyo as Asia Pacific Headquarters Human Resource Manager. An Australia Day ambassador, she was a former board member of the 3rd largest police service in the world, past CEO of Young Achievement Australia and worked for Ministers of Consumer Affairs, Education and Sport, where she was involved in the establishment of the Life. Be In It fitness campaign.

One of the most sought after speakers in Australia today-and always in search of new material-Catherine has just returned in 2007 from a trek to Timbuktu! She's also cycled over the Andes, climbed 20,000 to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro...and was given the honour to carry the Olympic Torch on the day of the opening ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympics-plus has a heart warming story of her personal journey from an orphanage in Canada, which she sometimes shares depending on your brief. Catherine holds a Master of Science degree and has attended short courses at Harvard and the Mt Eliza Business School-but believes the best education is common sense!

Some of her most frequently requested presentations include: Good Service is Good Business Success...Turning Obstacles to Opportunities-as you keep hope happening Conquering the Challenge of Change She always customizes material to your theme and her delightfully humorous approach to presenting serious content has earned her repeat business on 5 continents amongst clients such as American Express, AT&T, Australian Tourism, Coca-Cola, Ernst & Young, 3M, Mercedes, Qantas, Red Cross, Royal Australian Airforce, World Triathlon Championships

Client Ovations: Please accept our sincere thanks for your fantastic presentation and for the great effort you obviously put into preparing it. The comments we have received from our Franchisees have been extremely complimentary and they certainly enjoyed discussing with you the successes you have created.

Amber Group Australia Limited

Cathy was a delight! She held the audience in her hands with her upbeat presentation, which is great and her message so true. Something to think about and practice.

State Operations Coordinator, Amcal Chemists

Participants enjoyed the session. But even better, they felt what they learned would be useful in their own job situations.

Australian Institute Of Management

Both informative and entertaining. Feedback from members and sponsors was all favourable - AGM was lifted to a higher perspective.

Cheers Liquor Group

Excellent.... it was obvious she had researched our company...would use her again.

Coca Cola South Pacific

I didn't realise learning could be so much fun. Best presentation I've ever seen at.

IBM

Mercedes had an all time record year and I am confident you contributed to attaining this fine achievement

Mercedes Benz

I felt such a burst of energy after your session...I've already put some of the ideas you talked about yesterday into practice.

New Zealand Olympic Federation

Motivational, uplifting and fun! We could not have had a more inspiring keynote speaker!

3M

All of the feedback I have received of your presentation- first or second hand has been absolutely positive. Your mix of humour and message was perfect and people really responded. Thank you for your efforts and your contribution to our conference - the best ever!

Sanofi-aventis Group

'You were a pleasure to work with and the reviews of our first Women in Business breakfasts were a raging success because of you. You have a wonderful outlook on life and on business and I'm glad I was able to be there to share in the stories of your experiences. I have attached the information gathered through our evaluation form from the event for your interest. If you remember what my only request for your presentation was - "I want it to be something that the attendees feel was worth getting out of bed for!" - Reading the comments on your presentation, I think you certainly achieved it!'

CPA Australia

'You connected with individuals through your unique ability to make the presentation real to each person. You were able to touch their senses, keeping the audiences attention while motivating them to reach deep within themselves. The real life examples you used, and experiences you have lived through, brought life to the presentation. The emotions ranged from tears to laughter. It was very motivating and inspiring.'

Hewlett Packard Colorado Women's Network

You made my job (as an organiser) so much easier. Delegates loved you. You have a warm inner glow, and it's passing your messages onto the delegates, handing them a 'key' then it's up to them if they take the initiative and start to change!'

Women in Local Government, Queensland

Your closing session was absolutely perfect. It fully captured the mood in the room and essence of what people had been learning over the two days about the need to get on with living the lives they want.

Executive Assistant's Network