Our team

Our family of PR and marketing specialists operates across different industries, yet we work together, sharing knowledge and insights to build the most effective campaigns for our clients.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Liz Benson
Executive chairman

Liz is passionate about reading and self-improvement and she can often be found switching between business books, motivational writers, and fiction. Liz herself is an open book and, if you want to know something, just ask her. Liz can’t see 3D images. Don’t mention it, it’s a sore spot and she doesn’t like to talk about it.

One of the fastest ways to Liz’s heart is to offer her a cup of tea in a beautiful cup and saucer. As our Executive chairman, Liz is often in the spotlight, but she doesn’t love bright lights—metaphorically or physically—so you’ll often find her with sunglasses on outside and candles burning inside. If there was one thing Liz could change about the world, it would be to add more empathy.

 
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Adam Benson
Chief executive officer

Adam is our strategist and big ideas generator, supporting our PR and marketing teams. Based on the beautiful Northern Rivers of New South Wales, Adam is a cattle farmer in his spare time - really, ask him about cows any time!

He loves a challenge and has run the Gold Coast Kokoda 50km Challenge four times, completed the Wild Endurance 100km enduro, walked the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and served in the Australian Army Reserves (Infantry), celebrating his 40th birthday at boot camp.

There aren't many adventures Adam hasn't done or is dreaming of doing. Adam never sits still! He has a wicked sense of humour and when he's not working hard in our group, mending fences on his farm or working cattle, he spends time amusing his family.

 
 
 
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Sam Lenton
Head of operations

When she’s not working, you’ll find Sam in the karate dojo. Some people call it an obsession; she prefers the term dedicated. Sam loves tattoos but she’s not great with piercings because she thinks they’re too painful.

If she could only eat one cuisine for the rest of her life, Sam would choose Japanese food, but she also loves Indian food, Italian food, Mexican food, all Asian food, Middle Eastern food, French food, and even American food. Come to think of it, Sam just loves food; buy her a meal and you’ll have her loyalty forever.

 
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Glenn Badke
Head of finance

Glenn is ambidextrous which has, on many occasions, put many a sportsman off their game. He’s all about balance, as an accountant who prefers not to work in an accounting firm, a coffee lover who thinks a short black is done too quickly and a long black is way too watery, and a family man who is passionate about his work and loves spending time with his family.

Glenn loves live music but his true passion is sport, specifically rugby union. Don’t get him started on the All Blacks...

 

Talitha Isnard
HR manager

Talitha’s former life as a Girl Guides leader means she is prepared for anything. Administration and analytics extraordinaire, Talitha joins the Recognition Group with more than 10 years of varied experience.

An accomplished pianist, Talitha finds fulfilment in helping her team achieve their goals. When she isn’t out enjoying the beauty of the Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane with her mini dachshund and young family, Talitha can be found enjoying a ripe mango or a Mexican feast—with a margarita of course!

 
 

Michelle Taylor
Head of client service

Michelle has long been a trendsetter; she was our first freeworking employee more than a decade ago. Michelle is patient and listens to her gut, which is right more often than not.

Fiercely loyal and protective of those she loves, Michelle goes above and beyond to meet commitments. She’s lobbying for chocolate to be counted a genuine food so she can eat it for every meal. We’re right behind her on that one!

 
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Kim Viney
Senior account director

Kim’s a sucker for a good cause, a great meal, and milk chocolates from Belle Fleur. She makes amazing 3D cakes and they’re not just for kids. Kim’s a keen renovator and likes to get up super early to make the most of the day.

When things get hectic, she’s great at putting things in perspective and making sure everything gets done. Her two mottos in life are “Don’t ask, don’t get” and “No question is a stupid question”. Kim is a go-getter who loves thinking creatively and strategically.

 

Sinead Hickey
Account director

Sinead likes to keep busy. She competed in Irish Dancing for 13 years, has competed in track and field events, and is back at uni to study for her masters degree. Sinead hates talking about herself almost as much as she dislikes creepy crawly things, which is to say, a lot.

Analytical, organised, and fascinated by why people behave the ways they do, Sinead finds motivation from within and loves a good sunset or sunrise.

 
 

Monica Neves
Senior account manager

Monica is a morning person who loves to start the day with any form of exercise from swimming, cycling, and running to Pilates or anything that gets the blood flowing. A sucker for a stunning view and the sound of crashing waves, Monica would much rather be in the company of a cute dog than frogs or snakes.

Monica’s bucket list includes skydiving, participating in a triathlon and attending Tomorrowland. The most valuable lesson she has learnt in life stems from when she emigrated from overseas: appreciate the ones you love the most and be grateful every day.

 

Adam Soper
Senior account manager

Adam has returned to The Recognition Group as a senior account manager, equipped with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in the B2B technology industry.

Despite being six foot five, Adam’s Achilles heel is his fear of heights, which makes him avoid high balconies and lookouts at all costs. As a morning person, Adam’s favourite way to start the day is with a latte from one of his go-to cafes on the Sunshine Coast.

When he's not working, Adam can be found coaching football (soccer to the rest of us), camping, or tending to his expansive 37-acre property with his partner, their four-year-old son, and their two dogs and 17 chickens.

 

Amy Silver
Account manager

As maybe one of the most well-travelled account managers there is, having visited 31 (and a half) countries so far, Amy brings a wealth of worldly experience to The Recognition Group.

With a background in event management and creative agency work, Amy embraces digital marketing with the same curiosity and excitement as her travel adventures, constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities within the group and for her clients.

Amy values honesty and openness in the workplace, but is put off by apathy and also apples. When she's offline, you’ll find Amy enjoying the sunshine, preferably by the ocean with a wine in hand and accompanied by her one-year-old toy poodle, Henry.

 
 
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Jayne Livingston
Account manager

Jayne loves her AFL and has attended 19 Grand Finals, including the last 18. She also loves coffee, health and fitness, sport, and travelling. Someone with an amazing skill will stop Jayne in her tracks, along with her Gran’s homemade tomato relish, which she has been accused of drinking.

Jayne was Dux of her high school and she’s not just book-smart; her common sense and steady capability are key reasons we love her, and her clients do too.

 

Cassidy Macmillan
Account manager

Cass did military cadets for two years in high school, which explains why she’s so organised and capable. She lived and studied in the US for a semester and loves to travel and learn more about the world.

The more she travels, the more grateful she is to call Australia home. Cass will never hold back on the compliments, especially if you’re wearing something shiny. She’s motivated by her shopping addiction and she loves to talk about travel. Cass likes her coffee sweet but she loves McDonald’s pickles. Yeah, we don’t understand it either.

 

Clara Hickey
Account manager

Clara took a leap of faith and moved to Australia with her partner from Ireland in 2022, joining us as a public relations (PR) account manager at The Recognition Group. She brings experience in business-to-business (B2B) PR, having worked with Teneo Ireland, Citibank, and Dublin City University, where she developed expertise in crisis communications and strategic planning.

Clara loves dark chocolate and enjoys engaging in conversations, often being the go-to person for advice among her friends. Despite her dislike for slow walkers and her fear of heights, Clara is passionate about nature, avocados, and exploring countries on her bucket list.

 
 

Nadine von Moltke
Senior content writer

After a lifetime spent in the rolling grasslands of South Africa, Nadine, along with her two gorgeous children, has decided to call Australia home.

Nadine joins The Recognition Group as our senior content writer, bringing a wealth of experience in B2B publishing and, most recently, content design (although that was by accident).

Nadine is a total fantasy nerd, a history enthusiast, and a lover of pasta who thrives in a collaborative environment and adapts to change effortlessly. When she isn’t drinking Rooibos tea and ordering Uber Eats, Nadine can be found daydreaming about travelling to Broome to see the Staircase to the Moon!

 

Lucy White
Content writer

If you want to get Lucy’s attention, just tell her your favourite dinosaur, preferably in French. With a focus on popular music in her degree, Lucy has a special knack for identifying songs and musicians, as long as it’s not a bird singing (it’s a bird phobia, don’t ask!).

She loves to buy thoughtful gifts and talk about serial killers (the two aren’t related); really, she’s just a storyteller with a dark sense of humour who would prefer people to use proper grammar and spelling. We can all relate to that.

 

Katelyn Ludewigs
Content writer

Katelyn joins the Recognition Group from the beautiful Adelaide Hills, where the grapes are as big as your head. As one of our writers, Katelyn has a passion for the written word and old dogs; the older, the better. While she can’t bake, Katelyn still loves cooking for her family and friends regardless of whether they like it.

As a morning person, Katelyn enjoys nothing more than an early run followed by a snuggle with her two crazy Labradors. Katelyn describes herself as an introvert with extroverted tendencies who was once bitten by a ferret and dreams of gazing up at the northern lights in Alaska.

 
 

Frank Sinclair
IT manager

Learning how to beg so he could pay the departure tax in an overseas country taught Frank a valuable lesson. His poker face is now so good he was once on TV in a charity poker tournament.

His dry sense of humour keeps us laughing and he has no time for frivolity. Spiderman really annoys him. Best to call Frank for IT help after he’s had his black coffee, no sugar.

 

John Lenton
Business engagement manager

A skilled seaman with a knack for navigating treacherous waters, John is also an experienced business engagement lead with a proven track record in team leadership and a passion for sales and marketing. John prides himself on having never missed a budget, as well as having represented Australia in sailing.

An early bird with a fine arts degree and a black belt in karate, you’ll find John admiring amazing art or training in the karate dojo when he’s not at his desk.
 

Andrew Elliott
Business engagement manager

Although he’s dabbled in hypnosis, Andrew’s skill as one of our experienced business engagement leads comes from his charm and willingness to talk about almost any subject, so long as it’s interesting, there’s something he can learn, and you sweeten the deal with an extra hot, double- shot latte.

Outside of the office, Andrew can be found spending time with his family, seeking scenic adventures, or chasing the perfect plate of spag bol with grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

 
 

Monique Prommersberger
Designer

Monique moved to Australia by herself from Germany, performed on stage after only six months of learning how to dance, and jumped out of a plane (and loved it).

We think it’s safe to say Monique likes to play on the edge of her comfort zone! She does draw the line at walking into spiderwebs, though. Honest, dependable, and resilient, Monique is passionate about her career in graphic design, and she also loves painting largescale artworks.

She adores seafood and chocolate but don’t sneak coriander into her food; it really annoys her. You could potentially distract her with puppies and dolphins, or give her a juicy problem to solve. Her curiosity is endless and she’s always happy to try anything at least once.

 
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Anelise Van der Laan
Senior designer

Ane is obsessed with being eco-friendly to the point of rearranging some items in her building’s trash bins and she’s that annoying neighbour who leaves notes to educate others. An expert in worms and composting, Ane also has some mean Bollywood dance moves.

Ane loves a good bit of design and nice paper with beautiful printing choices will stop her in her tracks. She says the smell of printing is almost as good as the smell of coffee. Yeah, almost.

 

Zach Morton
Designer

Zach is an artist at heart, with a passion for sketching and a knack for whipping up a palatable meal with just a few random ingredients left in the pantry.

Joining The Recognition Group as a graphic designer, Zach brings a unique perspective and a love for harmony and positive energy. With seven tattoos and counting, Zach is a night owl who is always up for a good laugh and a new adventure.

When he's not sipping a flat white or exploring nature, Zach can be found talking about his latest favourite movie or daydreaming about his bucket list road trip across the USA.

 
 

Coreena Cole
Designer

Coreena joins the Recognition Group with a background in all things creative. She’s a generous person and shows love by seeking out the perfect gifts, even if it sends her broke. It’s not hard to get in her good books, just make sure you’re not chewing too loudly; it really annoys her.

Coreena enjoys reading anything with a great plot twist and listening to alternative music that could define her as an emo at heart. Coreena is motivated by visible self-improvement like getting to tick off her to-do list. You’ll often find her patting all the dogs while taking walks in the park.

 

Georgia Tayler
Consultant

Georgia brings tenacity, a love for all Pride and Prejudice adaptations, and her keen baking skills to The Recognition Group, along with resilience and a strong sense of etiquette.

Since graduating with distinction from QUT with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in PR and Marketing, Georgia held in-house marketing roles before moving across to agency life.

Georgia’s greatest fear is leaving earth without changing it for the better, even in a tiny way. After four years of Italian language study, a trip to Italy is number one on her bucket list, especially if it is accompanied by a huge bowl of pasta.

 

Domini Hann
Senior account executive

Domini is a creative individual currently pursuing a degree in business with a focus on marketing and professional communications. She previously interned at Queensland Parliament, where she conducted an 8,000-word research report.

Domini enjoys exploring her love for Italian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisine. She has an impressive talent for writing in a straight line without looking down at the page and strongly dislikes littering and spiders.

In her free time, Domini can be found engaging in lively discussions about books, food, and TV shows. When she isn’t busy with her academic pursuits, Domini dreams of travelling to Iceland to see the northern lights and fulfil her lifelong dream of meeting a penguin.

 
 

Zoe Leung
Account coordinator

A lover of cute cats and dogs, podcasts (particularly ‘Highbrow’ by Mina Le), and Pilates, Zoe Leung joins The Recognition Group fresh from completing her public relations (PR) degree at The University of Queensland. Not a fan of the bitter taste of coffee, Zoe prefers dark chocolate, breakfast foods (but not dragon fruit), and speaks four languages fluently. As an aspiring morning person, Zoe is keen to grow in her personal and professional life, avoid creepy crawlies, and tick off her number #1 bucket list item: experience living in another country.

 

Nicholas van Meel
Account coordinator

Motivated by satisfaction, Nick is always looking to achieve greatness and complete tasks to a high standard in both his personal and professional life. Nick prides himself on always being organised and prepared to pivot with a new angle at the ready for anything that comes his way.

While Nick’s not one to toot his own horn, he does have some experience playing the saxophone. Outside of the home office, you’ll find Nick embracing his newfound love of running or planning a trip to Italy so he can indulge in some pizza and pollo (that’s Italian for chicken).

 

Andrea Ciotti
Digital specialist

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Andrea has called Australia home for the last decade. With over 10 years of experience in marketing, digital strategy, and entrepreneurship, Andrea is currently pursuing her MBA and working as one of our talented digital specialists at The Recognition Group.

A lover of Chick-Fil-A and anything chocolate with crunch, Andrea’s life is guided by taking calculated risks and embracing challenges. From starting her career in the PR department with the Philadelphia Eagles to demonstrating a diverse array of skills, including a background in competitive dance, she’s constantly motivated by contributing to the team and helping others. Her mornings start with Pilates or yoga, and she’s always dreaming of her next global adventure.

 
 

Kim Espera
Web developer

An avid horror fan who loves Sudoku, Kim’s only fear is heights (and maybe poisonous foods). A skilled web developer, Kim is currently transitioning from being a night owl to a morning person and is embracing the opportunity to spend more time mountain biking and being a dad.

Driven by self-discipline and racking up both personal and professional achievements, you’ll often find Kim diving into some delicious seafood, sneaking a piece of dark chocolate, or avoiding loud chewers.
 

Nioka Diko
Sales and marketing specialist

A traveller at heart, Nioka once spent almost a year being homeschooled while exploring the east coast of Australia in a camper. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide, majoring in marketing and minoring in entrepreneurship. Today, Nioka channels her expertise into digital marketing, thriving in a dynamic, collaborative, and passionate environment.

 Outside of work, Nioka is a Pilates enthusiast and enjoys walks on the beach, especially when there aren’t any submarines in sight; it's a genuine phobia. While she loves everything about dogs, she’s extremely cautious about walking her pooch during the infamous magpie swoopping season. Having never set foot outside Australia, Nioka is looking forward to her next adventure: travelling overseas.

 

Jack Ebert
Marketing consultant

The first thing you’ll notice about Jack is his energy. Which is handy, because he's a passionate, enthusiastic marketing professional during the week and a Rugby League football referee on the weekends.

He has an open mind (except when it comes to coriander) and he doesn’t even mind how his coffee comes, as long as it’s not a long black. Jack’s unique talent is coin-listening; if you drop a coin he can tell its value without even looking. Sounds like a misspent youth to us. These days, he likes talking about people doing cool things in sustainability, sports, and travel.

 
 

Elsie Lindsay
Senior marketing specialist

As a native of Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon, it’s no surprise that Elsie gravitated towards a career in communications. She describes herself as adaptable, reliable, and accepting, traits she honed after moving to Eastern Europe by herself at age 21.

From playing the drums and saxophone to weekends playing tennis fixtures and now reformer pilates, Elsie is multiskilled. She studied marketing and finance at uni, with a bit of graphic design to round out her skillset.

She loves talking to people about their life adventures and says she will happily die eating spaghetti agile olio from that one place she went to in Sorrento. We can relate!

 

Helena Kempin
Marketing specialist

Having only recently touched down on Australian soil, Helena joins The Recognition Group as a welcome (yet slightly jet-lagged) fresh face to the team.

When she isn’t out sailing the high seas, Helena can be found sipping a vanilla iced latte and eyeing her friends’ food at a lazy brunch while dreaming about caravanning around Australia and the South Island of New Zealand.

Helena’s career in marketing is only just beginning, and her determination to work hard, build new skills, and achieve goals has her already sliding into the group with ease. However, she’s not a morning person even when she’s not jet-lagged!

 

Hannah Jameson
Marketing coordinator

With a professional background in marketing and copywriting, Hannah has an impressive range of skills, including managing social media accounts, building websites, and crafting compelling content. She is currently thriving in her role as one of our talented marketing coordinators at The Recognition Group.

As an avid foodie, Hannah enjoys pizza, pasta, and sushi, but has a special place in her heart for ramen and pho, which she could happily eat for every meal. While bugs and spiders don’t concern her, you couldn’t pay Hannah enough to jump out of a plane. A morning person by nature, Hannah’s routine includes Pilates, yoga, and running, along with baking for her loved ones. !

 
 

Nathan Bradhurst
Marketing coordinator

A team player and an avid Potterhead (as in Harry), Nathan brings a unique blend of hard work and enthusiasm to The Recognition Group. With a bachelor’s degree in marketing and hands-on experience from internships, Nathan landed himself on the Dean’s Merit List and now uses his experience as one of our talented marketing consultants.

Outside of work, Nathan is a night owl who loves a good challenge, whether it’s a tight deadline or mastering the art of juggling (still a work in progress). Though he’s afraid of bears and sharks, Nathan has a keen eye for photography and eating burgers, which he could eat all day, every day.