The Team

In Australia, Weber Shandwick is driven by a team of spirited leaders, passionate about what they do and absolutely committed to the people they work with every single day.

Ian Rumsby

EVP, Chairman / Australia

Chairman, Chief Strategy Officer Ian began his career in public relations having completed a commission as an officer in the Royal Navy. The diversity of his client work – from Budweiser to Pfizer and Singapore Airlines to the Australian Commonwealth - has reinforced an absolute belief that the power of storytelling is applicable to a beverage company as it is a government department. And that is what he thrives on – defining, articulating and amplifying those stories. Ian joined Weber Shan...

Ava Lawler

Managing Director / Australia

Managing Director, Australia Ava has spent more than two decades consulting to companies on how to liberate their potential through effective communications in Australia and also across Asia, Europe and South Africa. She began her career in Brisbane helping organisations such as the Australian Sugar Industry, Seppelt Wines and Telecom Australia (now Telstra). Her love of adventure took her career to London and then to South Africa where she developed a strong understanding of the technology ...

Lisa Popplewell

General Manager, Vice President / Corporate

Lisa Popplewell has lived, worked and played in the communications space for more than 15 years –the majority of it within the Weber Shandwick network of businesses. With career stints in both London and Sydney, Lisa has brought her enthusiasm and red shoes to understanding her clients' business and challenges, leading reputation management, thought leadership, issues management, brand development and product launch programs, as well as on blogger and digital campaigns. As Head of Corpo...

Jacquelynne Willcox

Head of Public Affairs / Public Affairs

Jacquelynne Willcox is an experienced public affairs and crisis & issues management practitioner,with considerable experience in litigation support. She has worked across a range of issues from maritime disasters, intellectual property and contractual disputes and developing strategies to influence legislation and regulation. Jacquelynne is an experienced journalist, having worked in print, television and radio as a reporter, producer and presenter. She also writes opinion columns for...

Heidi J. Noble

Vice President / Consumer and Lifestyle

After earning a Master’s degree specialising in International Public Relations, Heidi’s career immediately began crossing borders. A consumer PR specialist and true media mind, Heidi has proven expertise in innovative program development for major brands ranging from commodities to cooking schools. Over time, her personal passion points and professional focus have merged to create a hub for adventures across food, beverage and culinary arts. In fact, after work you’re most likely to fi...

Rose Kelly

Vice President / Technology

Harbouring a passion for communications from a young age, Rose studied journalism and commenced her career in publishing in Ireland. However the lure of warmer climates proved too enticing and so too was the move into public relations. As head of Weber Shandwick’s technology practice in Australia, Rose is passionate about intelligent engagement and story telling that drives an audience to have a conversation with and about her clients. With over nine years experience working with a ...

Jye Smith

Vice President - Digital, Asia Pacific / Digital

Digital Strategist, Asia-Pacific Jye's passion for marketing, music and media found a common thread through the online production of live gigs across South Sydney. Those combined passions became the catalyst for a career in digital communications and a reputation as one of the brightest digital strategists in the country. As a national events manager at an interactive media association, Jye's experience in big brand digital marketing helped him produce events and seminars for Google and Intel w...