Building stronger leadership and more resilient organisations.
Creating the space for better leadership and stronger organisations
CPEM works with organisations navigating complexity, pressure and change by strengthening governance, leadership and organisational capability so performance is sustainable.
For over three decades, we have partnered with boards, executives and teams across Australia and internationally to support thoughtful leadership, healthy organisational cultures and meaningful organisational change.
Our Purpose
Organisations today operate at an unrelenting pace. Pressure is constant. Expectations are rising.
Under these conditions, leaders and teams often struggle to find the space to reflect, question assumptions and address the deeper dynamics shaping performance.
CPEM exists to create safe and courageous spaces where leaders, teams and individuals can pause, reflect and confront the hidden systems driving pressure, burnout and disconnection.
Through honest dialogue, evidence-based frameworks and practical organisational development, we support people to discover new ways of leading authentically within complex systems.
Our aim is not simply to solve immediate challenges — but to strengthen the leadership capability, resilience and accountability that allows organisations to evolve long after our work is complete.
What We Do
CPEM provides organisational consulting, leadership development and executive advisory services across a wide range of sectors.
Our work commonly includes:
• Corporate governance advisory and board development
• Strategic planning and organisational review
• Executive and leadership development
• Change and culture management
• Performance management systems
• Organisational diagnostics and assessments
• Mediation and conflict resolution
• Leadership and team development programs
We work with medium to large organisations, government agencies and international corporations.
Our Philosophy
Strong organisations are built through thoughtful leadership, clear accountability and healthy organisational cultures.
Our work is grounded in the belief that meaningful organisational change begins with honest dialogue and reflective leadership.
We create structured environments where leaders and teams can explore the dynamics shaping performance, strengthen collaboration and build sustainable organisational capability.
Rather than focusing on isolated training initiatives, we work with organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen governance and align systems in ways that support long-term performance.
Our Expertise
CPEM is comprised of experienced management consultants and consultant psychologists with postgraduate qualifications across disciplines including:
Business and organisational leadership
Finance and governance
Human resources and organisational development
Psychology and behavioural science
Education and adult learning
This multidisciplinary expertise allows us to approach organisational challenges from both a human and systemic perspective.
Organisations that work with CPEM often experience:
• stronger leadership capability and decision-making
• clearer alignment between strategy and execution
• improved team performance and collaboration
• healthier workplace relationships and reduced conflict
• more effective performance management systems
• greater organisational clarity and resilience
Meet the Team
-
![A woman with blonde hair smiling at a desk in an office with a large window in the background.]()
Lara Schlinker
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Lara is the Managing Director of CPEM Consulting Group and a specialist in leadership development, executive coaching, behavioural change, team development and change management. With more than 25 years’ experience, Lara is known for her practical and dynamic approach, working effectively with both boards and on-site teams. As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has a strong understanding of the pressures faced by Directors and senior executives. -
![Portrait of a woman with wavy blonde hair, wearing a white top and turquoise earrings, smiling against a plain light background.]()
Lowanna Dunn
FACILITATOR & COACH
Lowanna is an engaging facilitator and coach who designs dynamic learning experiences that spark insight, collaboration and growth. With over 25 years of experience as an academic, educator, designer and coach, she specialises in leadership, communication, cultural transformation, and personal and professional development. Grounded in the neuroscience of human behaviour and informed by over a decade living and working internationally, Lowanna brings deep insight into engagement, diversity and cross-cultural collaboration. -
![A woman with long, curly blonde hair smiling outdoors with a wooden fence in the background.]()
Dr Georgia Seffrin
COACH, FACILITATOR & LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT
Dr Georgia Seffrin is an executive coach and leadership consultant with 20+ years’ experience helping leaders strengthen capability, navigate complexity, and lead meaningful change. Her strengths-based, human-centred approach combines neuroscience, creativity, and behavioural insight to enhance communication, build high-performing teams, and support strategic thinking. Georgia has worked across education, health, engineering, government, and the arts, partnering with leaders from emerging talent through to the C-suite. -
![A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and bangs, smiling and showing her teeth, wearing a black top, in an indoor setting with a plain wall background.]()
Debra Thompson
COACH & CULTURE LEADER
An energetic and effective Executive Coach, Corporate and Culture leader, Debra is proud of having helped drive integration through acquisitions and brokered partnerships within her career. Directing personnel decisions has allowed her to bring Inclusion and Diversity into alignment with profitability. -
![A woman with light brown hair tied back, smiling, wearing a pale pink satin blouse and pearl earrings, against a black background.]()
Kim Skubris
PROFESSIONAL MC, KEYNOTE SPEAKER & COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA COACH
Kim is a broadcast journalist with 25 years’ experience in news, primarily with the Seven Network in Australia and overseas. She has also spent 20 years as a media trainer, emcee, and keynote speaker, and recently joined CPEM Consulting Group specialising in effective communication. Known for her expertise in message mastery, storytelling, and impactful presentations, Kim has worked across local government, construction, finance, not-for-profits, and multinational organisations. -
![Portrait of a smiling middle-aged woman with brown hair, wearing a white blouse, standing indoors with blurred windows in the background.]()
Dr. Mischa Fahl
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS EXPERT
Dr. Mischa Fahl is a highly experienced employee relations specialist with over two decades supporting local and state government and private sector organisations across Australia. Mischa specialises in complex workplace investigations, mediation, and dispute resolution, including matters involving bullying, harassment, misconduct, and governance. Known for a respectful and pragmatic approach, Mischa works with senior leaders to address workplace conflict, manage employee relations risk, and restore productive working relationships across complex organisational environments -
![A black and white portrait of an older man with a mustache, smiling and looking at the camera.]()
Darryl Krook
EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT
Darryl Krook is a strategic and organisational development consultant who has worked with public and private organisations across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, North America, and Europe. He is known for his work in governance, strategy, culture, leadership, and organisational performance, regularly coaching senior executives, facilitating workshops, and advising boards. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University, Darryl is recognised for his ability to challenge and elevate leaders at the highest level.
