‘What sets us apart is our breadth of knowledge and expertise across corporate and government organisations.’
Behind every successful woman, is a community of women. CEO Kate and Executive Director Naomi are supported by a team of communication professionals with a diverse range of knowledge and expertise.
Each has the know-how to make an impact on your organisation and audiences, deliver exceptional results and act as an extension of your team.
Meet The Team
Kate Lord
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Naomi Wilton
Principal Consultant and Executive Director
Anne-Louise Brown
Head of Strategy and Insights
Sofia Polak
Head of Media and PR
Adelaide Haynes
Head of Sport and Hospitality
Peta Willis
Consultant
Lucy Bladen
Consultant
Kristen Lucas
Consultant
Thomas Stephen
Consultant
Nari Clayton
Consultant
Kate Muller
Consultant
Emalisa Edwards
Communications Coordinator
Meet The Team
Kate Lord
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Kate has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs. She brings a strong balance of skills and perspectives combining strategic campaigning and careful stakeholder management. She has appeared before Senate Estimates and has managed significant media events as a spokesperson, including leading crisis response situations. Kate regularly provides media and crisis response training for C-Suite executives and government leaders. She has strengths in leadership, high-level corporate advocacy, delivering stakeholder campaigns, writing, ministerial-level government engagement and communications. Kate led the launch of the Technology Council of Australia and continues to manage its portfolio, along with multiple other corporate clients.
In December 2022, Kate’s media expertise was recognised when she was named one of the winners of Campaign Asia’s 40under40.
Meet The Team
Kate Lord
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Kate has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs. She brings a strong balance of skills and perspectives combining strategic campaigning and careful stakeholder management. She has appeared before Senate Estimates and has managed significant media events as a spokesperson, including leading crisis response situations. Kate regularly provides media and crisis response training for C-Suite executives and government leaders. She has strengths in leadership, high-level corporate advocacy, delivering stakeholder campaigns, writing, ministerial-level government engagement and communications. Kate led the launch of the Technology Council of Australia and continues to manage its portfolio, along with multiple other corporate clients.
In December 2022, Kate’s media expertise was recognised when she was named one of the winners of Campaign Asia’s 40under40.
Meet The Team
Naomi Wilton
Principal Consultant and Executive Director
Naomi is a professional communications specialist with experience in both the Australian Public Service and the private sector. Naomi has developed, facilitated and implemented communications across all levels of government.
Her experience includes strategic communication planning and delivery, discovery and segmentation of users and their needs, and ensuring stakeholders are engaged effectively. This has included digital content development, event planning, ministerial liaison and executive messaging.
Meet The Team
Naomi Wilton
Principal Consultant and Executive Director
Naomi is a professional communications specialist with experience in both the Australian Public Service and the private sector. Naomi has developed, facilitated and implemented communications across all levels of government.
Her experience includes strategic communication planning and delivery, discovery and segmentation of users and their needs, and ensuring stakeholders are engaged effectively. This has included digital content development, event planning, ministerial liaison and executive messaging.
Meet The Team
Anne-Louise Brown
Head of Strategy and Insights
Anne-Louise is an experienced policy, research and communications expert, with more than 20 years working across media, research bodies and the private sector.
She specialises in articulating the intersection between public policy and technology, cyber security and corporate governance in a human-centred way, demystifying what can be highly technical and complex areas.
Anne-Louise has led key projects for the Department of Home Affairs and the AFP, as well as high-profile peak bodies, and has provided strategic advice to numerous ASX-listed companies. She is also passionate about helping SMEs and NFPs navigate the policy and communications landscape.
She is a co-author of the AICD-CSCRC Cyber Security Governance Principles and Governing Through a Cyber Crisis, Australia’s best-practice cyber governance guides for board directors in Australia. She is also a peer reviewer for the Alan Turing Institute’s (UK) Centre for Emerging Technology and Security.
Meet The Team
Anne-Louise Brown
Head of Strategy and Insights
Anne-Louise is an experienced policy, research and communications expert, with more than 20 years working across media, research bodies and the private sector.
She specialises in articulating the intersection between public policy and technology, cyber security and corporate governance in a human-centred way, demystifying what can be highly technical and complex areas.
Anne-Louise has led key projects for the Department of Home Affairs and the AFP, as well as high-profile peak bodies, and has provided strategic advice to numerous ASX-listed companies. She is also passionate about helping SMEs and NFPs navigate the policy and communications landscape.
She is a co-author of the AICD-CSCRC Cyber Security Governance Principles and Governing Through a Cyber Crisis, Australia’s best-practice cyber governance guides for board directors in Australia. She is also a peer reviewer for the Alan Turing Institute’s (UK) Centre for Emerging Technology and Security.
Meet The Team
Sofia Polak
Head of Media and PR
Sofia has more than 16 years’ experience in communications, account management and events across government and the corporate sector. Her expertise includes public relations, events, stakeholder engagement, campaign management and leadership.
Sofia is a creative thinker who is focused on delivering outcomes that exceed her client’s expectations, raise their profile and cut through to the right audiences. She has a keen eye for anything visual and is passionate about delivering campaigns that elevate her client’s brand profile and engage target audiences through the power of storytelling.
Meet The Team
Sofia Polak
Head of Media and PR
Sofia has more than 16 years’ experience in communications, account management and events across government and the corporate sector. Her expertise includes public relations, events, stakeholder engagement, campaign management and leadership.
Sofia is a creative thinker who is focused on delivering outcomes that exceed her client’s expectations, raise their profile and cut through to the right audiences. She has a keen eye for anything visual and is passionate about delivering campaigns that elevate her client’s brand profile and engage target audiences through the power of storytelling.
Meet The Team
Adelaide Haynes
Head of Sport and Hospitality
Adelaide has more than eight years of experience working in communications, marketing, web, social media, events and media across government, not-for-profit and the university sector. Adelaide is passionate about creating and nourishing meaningful relationships to understand and exceed clients’ needs.
She is a creative and strategic operator, who applies care to her work to achieve excellent results. Adelaide is a natural storyteller who is driven by curiosity to get to the heart of any story and connect with diverse audiences across multiple platforms to engage with and inspire audiences.
Meet The Team
Adelaide Haynes
Head of Sport and Hospitality
Adelaide has more than eight years of experience working in communications, marketing, web, social media, events and media across government, not-for-profit and the university sector. Adelaide is passionate about creating and nourishing meaningful relationships to understand and exceed clients’ needs.
She is a creative and strategic operator, who applies care to her work to achieve excellent results. Adelaide is a natural storyteller who is driven by curiosity to get to the heart of any story and connect with diverse audiences across multiple platforms to engage with and inspire audiences.
Meet The Team
Peta Willis
Consultant
Peta is a passionate communications specialist, with more than six years’ experience in behavioural insights methodology, service design and user research within the Australian Public Sector and private enterprise. She has led user research and service design for major service transformation programs across the Australian Government.
Peta has also led the design, testing and implementation of behavioural insights interventions that have garnered multiple innovation awards in the workers compensation rehabilitation sector. She brings a keen ability to synthesise complex research findings into simple actions end-users can adopt.
Meet The Team
Peta Willis
Consultant
Peta is a passionate communications specialist, with more than six years’ experience in behavioural insights methodology, service design and user research within the Australian Public Sector and private enterprise. She has led user research and service design for major service transformation programs across the Australian Government.
Peta has also led the design, testing and implementation of behavioural insights interventions that have garnered multiple innovation awards in the workers compensation rehabilitation sector. She brings a keen ability to synthesise complex research findings into simple actions end-users can adopt.
Meet The Team
Lucy Bladen
Consultant
Lucy is an experienced communicator with close to a decade of work across journalism and public relations. Over her career, she has covered and advised on a broad range of areas including politics, health, property and public policy.
Lucy is passionate about storytelling and is skilled at turning complex information into clear and engaging content tailored to the relevant
audience.
Her time in a newsroom has given her a deep understanding of the political landscape and how to effectively engage with government, media and the community.
Lucy draws on strong research and analytical skills to shape effective strategies to support clients achieve meaningful outcomes.
Meet The Team
Lucy Bladen
Consultant
Lucy is an experienced communicator with close to a decade of work across journalism and public relations. Over her career, she has covered and advised on a broad range of areas including politics, health, property and public policy.
Lucy is passionate about storytelling and is skilled at turning complex information into clear and engaging content tailored to the relevant
audience.
Her time in a newsroom has given her a deep understanding of the political landscape and how to effectively engage with government, media and the community.
Lucy draws on strong research and analytical skills to shape effective strategies to support clients achieve meaningful outcomes.
Meet The Team
Kristen Lucas
Consultant
Kristen is a seasoned public relations professional with expertise across a range of industries, with a particular focus on technology. She is adept at navigating nuanced media environments and shaping clear, compelling positioning. She has worked with large-scale enterprises, multinationals and rising startups, driving campaigns that place clients at the heart of the media narrative.
Meet The Team
Kristen Lucas
Consultant
Kristen is a seasoned public relations professional with expertise across a range of industries, with a particular focus on technology. She is adept at navigating nuanced media environments and shaping clear, compelling positioning. She has worked with large-scale enterprises, multinationals and rising startups, driving campaigns that place clients at the heart of the media narrative.
Meet The Team
Thomas Stephen
Consultant
Thomas is a public policy and strategy professional with experience in the Queensland State Government working for Ministers, Members of Parliament and the public service.Thomas previously worked as a senior policy advisor across a broad range of economic and social portfolios including innovation, sport, child safety, disability services, and multicultural affairs.Thomas draws on his inside knowledge of the political landscape as well as his stakeholder management skills to help shape effective strategies which support clients to develop policy and build relationships with policymakers.
Meet The Team
Thomas Stephen
Consultant
Thomas is a public policy and strategy professional with experience in the Queensland State Government working for Ministers, Members of Parliament and the public service.Thomas previously worked as a senior policy advisor across a broad range of economic and social portfolios including innovation, sport, child safety, disability services, and multicultural affairs.Thomas draws on his inside knowledge of the political landscape as well as his stakeholder management skills to help shape effective strategies which support clients to develop policy and build relationships with policymakers.
Meet The Team
Nari Clayton
Consultant
Nari Clayton is a communications and public affairs professional known for turning complex information into clear, confident storytelling.
With a background supporting senior political leaders in fast-paced environments, including a former Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition, she brings sharp judgement, strong writing and a calm, solutions-focused approach to every brief.
Nari also brings strong capability in media relations, policy communication, and large-scale event delivery, combining a collaborative style with calm, clear-headed problem-solving.
Meet The Team
Nari Clayton
Consultant
Nari Clayton is a communications and public affairs professional known for turning complex information into clear, confident storytelling.
With a background supporting senior political leaders in fast-paced environments, including a former Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition, she brings sharp judgement, strong writing and a calm, solutions-focused approach to every brief.
Nari also brings strong capability in media relations, policy communication, and large-scale event delivery, combining a collaborative style with calm, clear-headed problem-solving.
Meet The Team
Kate Muller
Consultant
Kate is a senior media professional with 17 years experience within the broadcast news industry at both the major commercial networks. Her experience covers multiple roles across all levels of the newsroom, including as a reporter, executive producer and as Nine’s first female News Director. Before joining Akin, Kate managed strategic commercial partnerships across major network undertakings, revenue opportunities, and sponsorships across multiple market segments.
For nearly 8 years, Kate has also been involved in the Queensland and ACT chapters of the Women in Media organisation, which exists to support, mentor and uplift women working in all corners of the industry.
Throughout her career, Kate has experienced first hand the stress, adrenaline, and accuracy required for clear public communication when a story breaks, and loves nothing more than creating compelling content and telling the stories of change makers.
Meet The Team
Kate Muller
Consultant
Kate is a senior media professional with 17 years experience within the broadcast news industry at both the major commercial networks. Her experience covers multiple roles across all levels of the newsroom, including as a reporter, executive producer and as Nine’s first female News Director. Before joining Akin, Kate managed strategic commercial partnerships across major network undertakings, revenue opportunities, and sponsorships across multiple market segments.
For nearly 8 years, Kate has also been involved in the Queensland and ACT chapters of the Women in Media organisation, which exists to support, mentor and uplift women working in all corners of the industry.
Throughout her career, Kate has experienced first hand the stress, adrenaline, and accuracy required for clear public communication when a story breaks, and loves nothing more than creating compelling content and telling the stories of change makers.
Meet The Team
Emalisa Edwards
Communications Coordinator
Emalisa is a recent graduate in International Relations and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the Australian National University, with experience across advocacy, political research, and strategic communications.She has worked on communications and engagement initiatives in academic, policy, and student-led organisations, including as a Communications Intern at the Australian Institute of International Affairs and Marketing Director for the Financial Management Association of Australia’s Canberra chapter. Emalisa has also held leadership roles advocating for BIPOC students on campus and served as a Student Ambassador for ANU’s College of Arts and Social Sciences.
Meet The Team
Emalisa Edwards
Communications Coordinator
Emalisa is a recent graduate in International Relations and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the Australian National University, with experience across advocacy, political research, and strategic communications.She has worked on communications and engagement initiatives in academic, policy, and student-led organisations, including as a Communications Intern at the Australian Institute of International Affairs and Marketing Director for the Financial Management Association of Australia’s Canberra chapter. Emalisa has also held leadership roles advocating for BIPOC students on campus and served as a Student Ambassador for ANU’s College of Arts and Social Sciences.
Advisory Board
Jessica Ridley
Specialist Consultant
Sara Goldsworthy
Specialist Consultant
Scarlett McDermott
Specialist Consultant
John Mandeville
Specialist Consultant
Advisory Board
Jessica Ridley
Specialist Consultant
Jessica has worked for Australia’s largest commercial TV and radio networks – Channel 9, Channel Seven and radio station 2GB. Jessica has developed a reputation as a highly engaging and versatile journalist, having spent the past decade waking up to a 3AM alarm for breakfast television on both Sunrise and more recently the Today Show.
During this time she has covered major news events including the COVID-19 pandemic, state and federal elections, bushfires, floods and high profile court cases, while also working on finance, business news, technology, health and real estate stories. Jess has also worked as a news producer, making decisions about what goes on air.
Jessica trained in Broadcast Journalism at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), after completing her communications degree with PR and advertising majors. She has a strong understanding of how the national news cycle works and now helps her clients learn how to secure reputation-building media exposure.
Advisory Board
Jessica Ridley
Specialist Consultant
Jessica has worked for Australia’s largest commercial TV and radio networks – Channel 9, Channel Seven and radio station 2GB. Jessica has developed a reputation as a highly engaging and versatile journalist, having spent the past decade waking up to a 3AM alarm for breakfast television on both Sunrise and more recently the Today Show.
During this time she has covered major news events including the COVID-19 pandemic, state and federal elections, bushfires, floods and high profile court cases, while also working on finance, business news, technology, health and real estate stories. Jess has also worked as a news producer, making decisions about what goes on air.
Jessica trained in Broadcast Journalism at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), after completing her communications degree with PR and advertising majors. She has a strong understanding of how the national news cycle works and now helps her clients learn how to secure reputation-building media exposure.
Advisory Board
Sara Goldsworthy
Specialist Consultant
Sara is a senior public policy leader with a passion for tackling the big issues at the intersection of national security, technology, economic prosperity and international relations. After 15 years in the Australian Public Service, Sara decided it was time for a new challenge and, subsequently joined Canva, as their Chief of Staff and now leads leads federal public policy engagement at Amazon Web Services.
Throughout her distinguished public service career she led multidisciplinary teams through crises, government reform, and major event delivery at the commonwealth and state level. This includes her instrumental leadership roles establishing the Cyber and Critical Technologies Intelligence Mission at ONI, the Critical Technologies Policy Coordination Office and Centre for Counter-Terrorism Coordination , leading the taskforce which oversaw establishment of the Home Affairs portfolio and coordinating Australia’s G20 Presidency.
Sara is a passionate advocate for increasing the representation of women in national security and STEM and is a proud mentor of women in these fields. Sara is on the Board of Women in STEM Australia and is a mentor for Future Women. Sara served as Vice President of the RSPCA ACT from 2015-20 and remains a determined ‘cat-herder’ in her professional and personal life.
Advisory Board
Sara Goldsworthy
Specialist Consultant
Sara is a senior public policy leader with a passion for tackling the big issues at the intersection of national security, technology, economic prosperity and international relations. After 15 years in the Australian Public Service, Sara decided it was time for a new challenge and, subsequently joined Canva, as their Chief of Staff and now leads leads federal public policy engagement at Amazon Web Services.
Throughout her distinguished public service career she led multidisciplinary teams through crises, government reform, and major event delivery at the commonwealth and state level. This includes her instrumental leadership roles establishing the Cyber and Critical Technologies Intelligence Mission at ONI, the Critical Technologies Policy Coordination Office and Centre for Counter-Terrorism Coordination , leading the taskforce which oversaw establishment of the Home Affairs portfolio and coordinating Australia’s G20 Presidency.
Sara is a passionate advocate for increasing the representation of women in national security and STEM and is a proud mentor of women in these fields. Sara is on the Board of Women in STEM Australia and is a mentor for Future Women. Sara served as Vice President of the RSPCA ACT from 2015-20 and remains a determined ‘cat-herder’ in her professional and personal life.
Advisory Board
Scarlett McDermott
Specialist Consultant
Scarlett is the Founder and Principal of Longitude Advisory, where she leverages over a decade of experience in the technology sector to help organisations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and technology.
An expert in translating complex tech trends into actionable strategies, Scarlett has held leadership roles at the Tech Council of Australia and as a Chief Technology Officer. She is passionate about empowering leaders to make technology decisions that drive growth and enhance security in an increasingly digital world.
Advisory Board
Scarlett McDermott
Specialist Consultant
Scarlett is the Founder and Principal of Longitude Advisory, where she leverages over a decade of experience in the technology sector to help organisations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and technology.
An expert in translating complex tech trends into actionable strategies, Scarlett has held leadership roles at the Tech Council of Australia and as a Chief Technology Officer. She is passionate about empowering leaders to make technology decisions that drive growth and enhance security in an increasingly digital world.
Advisory Board
John Mandeville
Specialist Consultant
John is a Hong Kong-based executive with extensive experience across marketing and communications. Originally from Scotland, he started in political communications in London and Brussels, before covering PR, events, digital and social media in markets across Asia.
John’s career has touched every technology trend since mobile – through the cloud, AI, IOT, blockchain and advertising technology. The connecting thread for all roles – both agency-side and in-house – has been the impact – and potential – of technology across the economy and society. He creates ideas, moments, stories and campaigns that help diverse audiences learn more.
Advisory Board
John Mandeville
Specialist Consultant
John is a Hong Kong-based executive with extensive experience across marketing and communications. Originally from Scotland, he started in political communications in London and Brussels, before covering PR, events, digital and social media in markets across Asia.
John’s career has touched every technology trend since mobile – through the cloud, AI, IOT, blockchain and advertising technology. The connecting thread for all roles – both agency-side and in-house – has been the impact – and potential – of technology across the economy and society. He creates ideas, moments, stories and campaigns that help diverse audiences learn more.
As Akin continues to grow and evolve, our values have remained ever-strong. At Akin, our core values are:
- Respectful. We are respectful of our clients and eachother. We are considerate of people’s needs. We listen carefully to understand the brief. We are allies, we are in your corner.
- Creative. We are creative in our approach to delivering excellent results. We think big and are driven by curiosity. We bring vision and passion to our work to deliver innovative results.
- Connected. We are connected to Australia’s leaders. We create meaningful partnerships.
- Invested. We are invested in our staff and committed to building meaningful relationships. We back ourselves. We are invested in inspiring and supporting women’s success.
How we work
At the heart of Akin Agency is a message of empowerment, a story about two amazing women who turned their dreams into a force that reverberates in every connection, every interaction, and every outcome. Akin Agency is an ode to the power of working together, being honest, and having the courage to make your own future.
Amidst this tapestry of collaboration and connection, Akin Agency embraces a profound purpose – to empower and inspire women, in a world where the strength of a woman’s touch is often underestimated, Akin Agency stands as a beacon of change. For Naomi and Kate, success is aimed to redefine norms, challenge conventions, and showcase the formidable power of strong women.
Since inception, our values have been our pillar to growth and consistent results:
- We are respectful: Through cultivating harmonious relationships we nurture an inclusive environment to understand, appreciate and become your alliesin your corner.
- We are creative: In every interaction, every partnership, and every milestone, Akin Agency exemplifies a creative approach that goes beyond – it’s a narrative of empowerment, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
- We are connected: to Australia’s leaders, decision makers and media outlets. Together, we collaborate and connect clients with the right people to create meaningful outcomes.
- We are invested: in our team, clients, relationships and inspiring and supporting everyone we work with.