The traditional career model of working full-time for one employer was never for me. Instead I’ve spent the past 25 years crafting a portfolio career at the intersection of industry, research and government, including:
-
-
-
-
- Creating/consulting to businesses that deliver social impact (my own ventures paint manufacturing and a blockchain-based provenance platform)
- Serving as a Non-Executive Director/Chair of the Board for several organisations in the social enterprise/innovation space (including Young Change Agents, The Mill House Ventures and CBRIN)
- Advising government on policy development (with a focus on innovation and economic development)
- Building connections between industry and research (including developing a platform showcasing Australia’s research expertise)
- Mentoring start-ups and young professionals looking to proactively shape their careers
-
-
-
The dynamic career path I’ve built helped forge a strong desire to support others in embracing new ways of working. Through my PhD I’m exploring the career development of individuals concurrently working in industry, research and government (launching the Tri-Sector Hub to connect these professionals). In 2022, I also founded CareerVitae to empower individuals to aggregate, manage and share their career data.
Building partnerships, solving complex problems and finding innovative ways to keep things moving forward are at the heart of what I do best. Working on a diverse portfolio of engagements sees me regularly shift between boardroom discussions with senior leaders, on-the-ground training of micro businesses in emerging economies, deeply technical conversations with leading researchers, liaising with tradesmen on construction sites, pitching to investors, policy discussions with Ministers and more. This background allows me to understand issues from multiple viewpoints and ensures I bring a unique perspective to any role I take on.
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to share my knowledge on stage both domestically and abroad (New York, Vietnam and Manila), and study in the US, Europe and China. I’m a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently serve on the AICD ACT Division Council.
How I can help
- Practical advice, connections and tools for entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and changemakers
- Unique insights as an NED or advisory board member
- Speaking engagements (online or on stage) & guest posts
Zoe Piper has over 20 years’ experience across management consulting, technology, manufacturing and investment. Operating at the intersection of policy, practice and research, Zoe has delivered services (as an employee, consultant, director or advisory board member) to a range of organisations, including:
An active contributor across the sectors (industry, research & government), Zoe regularly serves on committees and judging panels, including:
- 2021 & 2023: Judge for the Innovation Connect (ICON) ACT Government Grant Program
- 2013 – 2021 – Served as a judge for the Enactus Social Entrepreneurship National Conference
- 2015 – 2020 – Served as a judge for the CRC Association Excellence in Innovation Awards
- 2019 – Participant in the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships Pacific Women in Business & Digital Delivery Dialogue
- 2017 – Served on the Innovation and Science Australia (ISA) taskforce to develop Australia 2030: Prosperity through Innovation (the 2030 Plan)
- 2016 – Provided input into Future Earth Australia plan
- 2016 – Served as a judge for the Australian Institute of Management Leadership Excellence Awards
- 2014 – 2016 – Member of the organising committee for the ‘Future of Work: People, Place, Technology’ conference run by the Centre for Workplace Leadership
- 2014 – 2015 Provided input into the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) Expert Working Groups for the ‘Role of Science Research & Technology in Lifting Australia’s Productivity (SAF4)’, ‘New technologies and their role in our security, cultural, democratic, social and economic systems (SAF5)’ and ‘Translating research for economic and social benefit (SAF9)’ projects (part of the multi-year, multi-disciplinary research program ‘Securing Australia’s Future’)
- 2014 – 2015 – Served as a judge for the Australian Export Awards
- 2015 – Member of the Ribit (Data61) Advisory Group
- 2015 – Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) 30% Club Government Working Group
- 2015 – Member of the Centre for Workplace Leadership Survey of Australian Leadership (SAL) Steering Committee
- 2014 – Provided input into work undertaken by the Grattan Institute (in partnership with Google) looking at innovation and productivity (‘The Silver Lining: cloud computing and small and medium enterprises‘)
- 2013 – Served as a member of the Innovation and Business Skills Australia National Project Reference Group for the 2013/14 review and update of the Leadership and Management training packages
- PhD (Public Policy), Australian National University (in progress)
- MBA, Charles Sturt University
- Master of Management, Australian National University
- Bachelor of Economics University of Canberra/Pepperdine University
- Bachelor of Communication, University of Canberra/Pepperdine University
- Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning), Kaplan Professional
- Diploma of Security and Risk Management, Canberra Institute of Technology
- Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate), Kaplan Professional
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Canberra Institute of Technology
- 2020 – Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) ACT iAwards Start-up of the Year and Digital CBR Award winner for Ethitrade
- 2020 – ACT State Finalist (Public Sector & Academia category) for the Telstra Business Women’s Awards
- 2019 – Winner in the Excellence in the Government category at the #TechDiversity Awards for Expert Connect and the FindHer filter
- 2018 – Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) ACT iAwards Merit Awards in two categories for Expert Connect: “Infrastructure & Platforms Innovation of the Year” and “Public Sector & Government”.
- 2017 – ACT finalist in the 2017 IML Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (Owner/Entrepreneur category)
- 2015 – invited to tell the Ecolour story at the 2015 Shared Value Leadership Summit in New York, outlining how the company is cleaning up the air we breathe inside and out
- 2015 – finalist in the 2015 NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards (Emerging Entrepreneur category)
- 2013 – represented Australia at the Asian Association of Management Organisations’ (AAMO) “Young Manager Forum” in Macau and China. The program sought to explore the role of ‘Gen Y’ management and leadership development in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and Member of the AICD ACT Division Council
Zoe is an avid traveller who seeks out diverse experiences in each country or continent she visits as a way to enrich her mind and meet new people. Her travels have seen her go on safari in Africa, explore Machu Picchu, dance tango in Argentina and zouk in Brazil, study in Switzerland and the USA, work with Richard Branson’s Entrepreneurship University in South Africa, tutor in a juvenile detention centre in California, tour factories in China, parasail in Hawaii, scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef and paraglide in Peru.
Working with Zoe
Zoe is always open to discussing potential projects and business ventures that could benefit from her expertise, whether that be as an advisor, collaborator, or non-executive director. If that’s of interest, please get in contact or book an intro chat.
