What does it take to build a thriving HR career from the ground up—and lead a team of 18 through organizational chaos? Rae Headey's journey to General Manager of People & Development at Carers Queensland wasn't linear—and that's exactly what makes her story so powerful. From beauty therapist to yacht stewardess to HR executive, Rae shares the unconventional path that shaped her leadership philosophy and the game-changing lessons every HR professional needs to hear. In this epi...

In this episode of the HR Engage podcast, Jonathan Mamaril talks with Holly McBride, a powerhouse HR leader who went from retail management in Birmingham, UK to leading People & Culture at Fraser Coast Council in Australia. This conversation is PACKED with actionable insights that will change how you approach both your career and personal growth! In this game-changing episode, discover: ✅ How Holly conquered her fear of public speaking (and her advice for YOU) ✅ The Gall...

In this milestone 20th episode, host Jonathan Mamrell welcomes a true pioneer in business and purpose—Paul Dunn. Paul was one of Hewlett Packard’s first ten employees in Australia, went on to become a globally recognised speaker who has reached more than 236,000 people, and is the co-founder of B1G1, the groundbreaking giving initiative that has already created over 374 million impacts worldwide. This power-packed conversation dives deep into the future of work and employee engagement, ...

Is AI about to revolutionise HR forever? 🤖 This conversation will change how you think about the future of Human Resources! In this episode of the HR Engage Podcast, host Jonathan Mamaril sits down with Josh Campbell, an 18-year HR veteran who's gone from safety compliance to leading HR at a cutting-edge EV charging technology company. Josh shares his controversial take: AI won't replace HR professionals - but those who don't embrace it will be left behind. Key Takeaways:&nb...

What happens when you combine a degree in HR, 500 earthworms, and the courage to ask for what you want? You get one of the most inspiring HR transformation stories we've ever shared on the HR Engage Podcast! Join host Jonathan Mamaril as he sits down with Candice, a powerhouse HR leader whose journey from Johannesburg to Brisbane includes building a consulting empire within RSM, managing global teams across impossible time zones, and somehow finding time to become a silversmith (yes, re...

From Psychology Graduate to Global HR Expert: The Unconventional Career Journey That Led to $50K+ Salary Savings Ever wondered how a farm kid with a psychology degree becomes a sought-after compensation consultant saving startups tens of thousands on salary costs? 🚀 In this eye-opening conversation, Matt McFarlane shares his unconventional journey from struggling to land his first HR role to leading people operations across 70 countries for a 600-person tech company. But here's th...

Ever wondered what would happen if every HR professional walked into work as though they owned the place? You’re about to find out. Welcome to HR Engage with Jonathan Mamaril. In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Claudia Faulkner—Canadian-born, UK-raised and, for the past three decades, a force in Australian HR. Claudia was forged in the fiery world of industrial relations at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry before pivoting into engineering, where she’s spent 19 years honing ...

In this episode of HR Engage, host Jonathan Mamaril sits down with Tanya Hibbard, a “pracademic” who has steered people strategy everywhere from high-stakes automotive showrooms to remote mine sites and, most recently, oil-and-gas operations. Tanya unpacks how turning HR into a profit centre helped her rise from coordinator to multi-site leader, why mapping every stakeholder (even the finance team you forgot last time!) is non-negotiable, and how she’s building a first-of-its-kind Aborig...

From London boardrooms to Queensland beaches — meet Heidi Mayhew-Sanders. 🌍💼 In this episode of the HR Engage Podcast with Jonathan Mamaril, you’ll step into the shoes of a global HR leader whose journey spans continents, career pivots, and powerful insights. Heidi opens up about transitioning from operations to HR, navigating the challenges of returning to the Australian job market after 17 years abroad, and what it really takes to lead in today’s ever-changing workplace. Perfect...

In this episode of the HR Engage Podcast, Jonathan sits down with Hayley Fielding, Head of People and Culture at Tunstall Australasia, whose journey into HR didn’t start in a boardroom — it started in a campervan. 🛻 From leading teams in retail and healthcare to becoming an executive HR leader, Hayley’s story is a masterclass in learning by doing, backing yourself, and building real impact in people’s lives at work. Jonathan Mamaril dives deep with Hayley on: How leadership experi...

In this episode of the HR Engage Podcast, Jonathan Mamaril sits down with Nathan Bryant, HR Manager at Nauru Airlines, for a refreshingly honest and insightful deep dive into what it really means to lead in today’s evolving HR landscape. Nathan’s journey spans from stacking shelves on night shift to steering HR strategy across borders — and in this conversation, he unpacks it all. From industry pivots to building HR departments from scratch, navigating workplace resistance, and why he th...

Welcome to this episode of the HR Engage Podcast, with Jonathan Mamaril. Today, Jonathan talks with Sonya Law — an accomplished HR leader, leadership coach, and wellbeing advocate. 🌟 Sonya shares her inspiring journey from studying IT and accounting to becoming a respected voice in human resources and leadership. With a career spanning mining, education, and organisational transformation, she brings unique insights into the evolving role of HR as the custodians of culture and the thermometer...

In this edition of the podcast, Jonathan sits down with the Rod Francisco, a HR leader with a diverse background that spans from his early career in the military to strategic roles in the resources sector and local government. Rod shares his journey of transitioning from the army to human resources, where he developed his passion for leadership, culture, and values. He offers insights into the simplicity of effective HR practices and how these can drive business success. Rod also discusses h...

Welcome to the HR Engage Podcast with Jonathan Mamaril, in this episode of Jonathan sits down with renowned HR leader Mark Linley, whose career spans over two decades across diverse industries including aviation, retail, corrections, and immigration. Mark brings rich insights from his 12 years in Dubai, where he managed regional HR operations for organisations with workforces exceeding 220,000 employees. With experience leading HR functions in some of the world’s top 50 companies, Mark discus...

In this episode of the HR Engage, host Jonathan Mamaril is joined by Oloff Visser, a seasoned executive with an impressive career across South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. From industrial relations and legal negotiations to large-scale change management and business transformation, Oloff’s journey is packed with wisdom for HR professionals at every stage of their career. Jonathan and Oloff discuss what it really means for HR to add value, why understanding how a business makes money is...

Welcome to this edition of the HR Engage Podcast, with Jonathan Mamaril. In this edition of the podcast, Jonathan talks with Paula Holden, a seasoned leader in HR and people & culture, with nearly 30 years of experience across executive leadership, board directorships, and workforce strategy. This episode explores Paula’s diverse career journey—from her early days in HR to her current role as Chief People Officer at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Listeners w...

In this episode of the HR Engage Podcast, Jonathan Mamaril is joined by Samantha Pickering, Chief Operating Officer at Queensland Computers and a 40 Under 40 award recipient. With a career spanning diverse industries—from early childhood education to automotive sales and HR leadership—Samantha brings a wealth of experience in people management, leadership development, and workplace culture. Together, they discuss the power of mentorship, the balance between compliance and culture in HR, and t...

🚀 Welcome to the HR Engage Podcast! Today, we sit down with Roseta Jacobs—a powerhouse in HR, learning & development, and workplace transformation. From growing up in apartheid South Africa to breaking barriers in corporate leadership, Roseta shares her inspiring journey, insights on workplace diversity, and why learning & development is the key to change. 🔹 What you'll learn in this episode: ✅ How Roseta's early life shaped her leadership approach 🌍 ✅ The role of HR beyond policies—f...

In this episode of the HR Engage podcast, Jonathan Mamaril talks with Natasha Hydon. For those who work in government, whether local or state, Natasha probably needs no introduction. Her career spans decades and industries, with a central focus on connection—whether it’s people, systems, or ideas. From Melbourne to Mount Isa, Natasha’s journey is rich with lessons on adaptability, leadership, and the evolving role of HR in addressing modern challenges like psychosocial safety and hybrid work ...

In this edition of the podcast. Jonathan sits down with Dave Madeley, an accomplished HR Manager and People & Culture Leader, for an insightful discussion that challenges traditional HR perspectives. Drawing from his unique background in law enforcement and extensive international experience, Dave brings a refreshing philosophy to HR management. He advocates for HR as a vital business support function, offering an alternative to the conventional crisis-management approach often seen in i...