Penny Spencer – Chair and Director
Inspired by Richard Branson’s views on the benefits of mentoring, and having experienced its blessings first-hand, Penny Spencer founded TIME in 2009.
With an unwavering belief in the willingness of executives from the senior ranks of the travel industry to share their wisdom, Penny has shaped the TIME program and swelled its stable of mentors to over 100.
Having worked her way up from the lowest rungs on the corporate ladder, and launching her own business in 1998, Penny is now Managing Director of the Spencer Group of Companies and has been acknowledged on Travel Weekly’s ‘Women in Travel Power List’, and as one of SmartCompany’s Top 30 Australian female entrepreneurs more than once. Penny’s eponymous travel management company, Spencer Travel – has also been inducted into the National Travel Industry of Australia’s (NTIA) Hall of Fame.
As a leader and a mother, Penny has a distinct perspective on juggling both a career and a family, something she described in her 2014 book ‘Love What You Do…’ – a chronicle of her journey to success.
Visit Penny’s LinkedIn profile
Jo O’Brien – TIME Director
Jo is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director with proven expertise in IT governance and delivery of enterprise level, cloud-based B2B software development projects.
An established track record of growing businesses, both early stage and mature, in Australia as well as expansion in the United States and United Kingdom.
A strategic leader with outstanding problem-solving skills, demonstrated creation and management of high performing teams as well as producing exceptional business results including financial performance.
Dan Russell – TIME Director
Multi-skilled & passionate about travel, Dan has a “hands on” approach.
His vision with Clean Cruising is customer focused combining the best cruise website with the most talented and experienced cruise consultants in Australia.
In his spare time he enjoys a mix of ski, camping and cruise holidays with his family.
Timo Lorenzen – TIME Director
Experienced Hospitality Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry in Europe and Australia. Skilled in Team Development, F&B, Housekeeping, Revenue & Profit Growth & Operational Hotel Management.
Award winning Speaker, Guest Lecturer at Torrens University & TIME Program Graduate.
Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM)
Angela Middleton – TIME Director
Angela heads up a team of five and is responsible for trade partnerships and revenue at Norwegian Cruise Line in Australia and New Zealand. With 19 years’ experience in the travel industry, including senior sales and product development roles at Insight Vacations, Virgin Australia and Best Western Australia, Angela is a passionate people manager who believes in coaching and supporting her team to succeed.
Angela credits much of her growth within the travel industry to the mentoring experience gained through The Travel Industry Mentor Experience program 10 years ago. Angela has also since mentored twice on the TIME program furthering her passion in people development and giving back to the travel industry. In 2022 Angela was named Regional Sales Manager of the year at the NCL Global Sales Conference and the NCL Team was awarded Best Industry Support – Cruise at the NTIA awards in the same year. Outside of work Angela is a mother of 2 children – and in her spare time volunteers as the President of the local swimming club.
After commencing as a Management Cadet at Best Western Australia in 2004, Angela went on to hold various commercial roles at Best Western Australasia before moving to Virgin Australia 2008 followed by Insight Vacations in 2017 and Norwegian Cruise Line in 2019.
Angela enjoyed a 10-year career at Virgin Australia working across various retail and corporate sales functions before progressing to Product Development Manager for International Inbound Sales – responsible for the fares and product international agents sold. As NSW Regional Industry Sales Manager, Angela oversaw a team of highly skilled Account Managers to ensure the right business plans, business relationships and contracts were developed, negotiated and executed to deliver strong revenue results. Following this Angela held the role of National Sales Manager for Virgin Australia, managing the largest travel industry accounts.
In 2017 Angela progressed her career, taking on the role of Head of Sales at Insight Vacations. This role saw Angela in the Senior Leadership Team within the business, developing the national sales strategy, leading and coaching a team of Sales Managers across Australia to achieve aggressive sales targets and KPIs with commercial trade partners.
Angela joined Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) as Senior Manager Sales in 2019, managing a team office and taking responsibility for trade partnerships and revenue in Australia and New Zealand.
Visit Angela’s LinkedIn profile
Trish Shepherd – TIME Director
Trish Shepherd is one of Australia’s most respected travel industry veterans with a well-deserved reputation both here and abroad.
Trish is renowned for her creative and collaborative leadership, a proven track record of delivering results in challenging environments and her infectious enthusiasm and passion as an advocate for the travel industry.
Her 30-year career spans across the globe with some of the biggest names in travel and is driven by a focus on innovation and strategic partnerships.
Most recently Trish successfully led the expansion of North American based Ensemble Travel into Australia and New Zealand in her role as Senior Vice President and General Manager. Prior to becoming part of Ensemble’s leadership team, she worked with a range of travel companies and agencies to develop business opportunities and franchise programs. As the Regional Director of American Express’ Travel Service Network, Trish oversaw network and franchise model development and significant expansion throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region.
Throughout her career Trish has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience which she draws on regularly in her role as a mentor for others in the sector. She is a game changer who is also in high demand as a motivational speaker and trusted travel industry expert.
Trish studied management at Wollongong University in Australia and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Visit Trish’s LinkedIn profile
Kelley Wacher – TIME Director
Having spent more than 22 years in Travel and Hospitality, Kelley held many roles in leadership, sales, customer service, system & process development, training and consulting, she recognises the need for individuals and organisations alike to embrace and refocus in the area of development on their most valuable resource – their people.
In 2009 she embarked on her passion to create a more significant contribution to current and emerging leaders exposing individual and group potential through coaching, mentoring and team and leadership development. With a focused approach on key behavioural skills, communication, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking and courageous conversations, her business Corporate Magic has expanded across travel, hospitality and a range of other industries including, retail, aged care, manufacturing, corporate, finance, technology, telco and government based organisations. A dynamic presenter, facilitator, business mentor, corporate trainer and inspirational speaker she works expediently, establishing a foundation of trust and rapport with clients to deliver strong and effective results.
Kelley is devoted to her own development with Advanced Certifications in Executive Coaching, Results Coaching, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Extended DISC, TTI DISC, Emotional Intelligence and Driving Forces, Conversational Intelligence, Gallup Clifton Strengths, Hypnotherapy, Matrix therapies, Archetypal coaching and Leadership Development.
“As a coach and mentor my focus is on discovering your potential. The transformation people make when they commit to their own development is truly inspirational. Because of my brand name, Corporate Magic, I am often asked, do you pull a rabbit out of a hat? To which I reply, No. The magic is in you not in me!”
Visit Kelley’s LinkedIn profile
