Our members' perrenial favourite: Get the benefit of years of experience without having to do the hard yards. This practical panel discussion brings together seasoned professionals to share what they wish they’d known at pivotal moments in their careers — the successes, the missteps, and the lessons learned along the way.
This in-depth conversation will explore modern avenues of leadership and how to define growth when traditional career ladders narrow or bottleneck. Is leadership still the goal, or are there other meaningful ways to progress and build influence? Our panellists will also share candid perspectives on the value of further study (including MBAs) and whether it’s genuinely helped them advance.
You’ll walk away with practical tips on negotiating progression within your current firm, positioning yourself externally for a step up, and sharpening your CV and approach to market — plus plenty of real-world advice to help you navigate the next stage of your career with confidence.
Facilitator:
Charles Handley
Director, Dalton Handley
Charles Handley is a seasoned career adviser and recruiter. He is trusted by hundreds of talented marketers in professional services to enhance their careers, and various world class firms to bring them talent. With over 15 years of experience specialising in marketing, business development, and communications recruitment roles within the professional services sector in Australia, he has a deep understanding both client and candidate needs has established him as a respected and connected recruiter across the Asia Pacific.
Speakers:
Rory Grant
Chief Growth Officer, Squiz
Rory Grant works at the intersection of professional services, technology, and growth strategy. As former Co‑Chief Marketing Officer at Gilbert + Tobin, he led marketing and business development through major digital transformation, helping a knowledge-driven firm adapt to changing client expectations.
Now Chief Growth Officer at Squiz, Rory partners with professional services, higher education, and government organisations to deliver digital platforms that boost engagement, unlock insights, and enable marketing and BD teams to move faster, prove ROI, and adapt to AI-driven change.
Emma Hansen
Head of Marketing, Sydney and Newcastle, PKF
Emma is a senior marketing and brand leader with extensive experience in professional services. She currently serves as Head of Marketing at PKF – Australia, where she leads the firm’s national marketing strategy, driving brand growth, adviser positioning, and strategic business development initiatives across the network.
Throughout her career, Emma has played a pivotal role in shaping compelling brand narratives and building high-performing, collaborative teams. Known for her ability to see both the big picture and the unique strengths of individuals, she works closely with leaders to articulate what sets them apart in a competitive market.
With a strong interest in leadership, team performance, and inclusive culture, Emma is an active contributor to PKF’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and Impact initiatives. She is passionate about elevating others, strengthening client connections, and helping professional services firms stand out with clarity and confidence.
Kim Wiegand,
Founder, Julip Advisory
With over 22 years of global experience in professional services, Kim Wiegand is a strategic growth and client experience advisor specialising in transformational leadership, operational capability uplift, and sustainable revenue expansion. Her career spans leadership roles across major law and accounting firms, where she has built high-performing teams, advised Boards, and reshaped firm-wide growth agendas. Her core strength lies in translating strategic ambition into operational reality. Specifically coaching senior leaders, optimising client engagement models, and embedding firm-wide frameworks that drive commercial outcomes. Kim brings a commercial mindset, a passion for people development, and deep expertise across business development, client experience, and organisational transformation.
Jayson Williams
Head of Marketing & Business Development, Asia at DLA Piper
Jayson Williams leads marketing and business development across Asia at DLA Piper, working closely with partners to drive client growth, strengthen market positioning and deliver high-impact campaigns across the region.
He brings over a decade of experience across international law firms, including senior roles at DLA Piper, Deacons and Clifford Chance. His background spans strategic client development, sector growth initiatives and major bids across Asia Pacific. Known for his client-focused approach, Jayson combines commercial thinking with a practical delivery mindset and is particularly strong at turning ideas into action and building engaged, high-performing teams.
Event Details:
Date: 16 June 2026
Times:
13:00 pm - 14:30 pm: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
12:30 pm - 14:00 pm: Adelaide
15:00 pm - 16:30 pm: New Zealand
11:00 am - 12:30 pm: Perth, Hong Kong, Singapore
Price:
Members: $100 | Non-Members: $160*
Full series registrants will automatically be added to this event.
* All prices in AUD.
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