OUR TEAM

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VANESSA CULLEN

(GAICD, B.Design Hons, Grad. Dip. Museum Studies)

Vanessa Cullen is the Founder and Principal of Forward Thinking Design (established 2003). Vanessa is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Bachelor of Design (Hons, UNSW) & a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies (Deakin). She is a past Junior Vice President of the NSW Chapter of the Australian Shop and Office Fitting Association and has over two decades of experience in business/brand strategy, user experience and design.

Vanessa has been the recipient of a number of business awards and has been profiled in ‘The Book of Amazing People’, ‘IF SHE CAN, I CAN’, ‘Entrepreneurial Heart’ books and several podcasts.

Vanessa balances her business life with training and competing as a trail ultra marathon runner and past Australian representative triathlete. She is an Ambassador for PKD Australia.

Vanessa was a Telstra Business Women’s Award Judge in 2018, and is often invited to speak at conferences and to write feature pieces for publication. If you would like Vanessa to present at your next event, or to contribute content, please call +61 2 8850 4977 or e-mail [email protected]

Got questions? Vanessa’s experience in Business Strategy, Branding, Patron Experience, Stakeholder Engagement, Fitout Design, Project Management and Built Environment Circular Economy are available to your advantage. Book a 5 minute chat or schedule an appointment via e-mail, phone or video conference. Contact Vanessa via Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessacullen/) or here (https://forwardthinkingdesign.com.au/contact/).

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CHAN LY

(B.A Hons)

Chan Ly studied in the UK at University of Huddersfield graduating in 1999 with 1st Class Honours in BA Interior Design. She has worked in both Belgium and London and now resides in Australia where she is a member of the DIA. In 2008, after several years as a Senior Designer in Sydney, Chan left with her partner and 2 young children to go sailing the east coast of Australia on their catamaran. During her 4 years out of the design industry, sailing and travelling, Chan trained as a Breakfast Chef and greatly enjoyed her experience working in a commercial kitchen. We are glad she has re-settled and brought her creative talents back to design though! Chan and her family now live ‘off the grid’ in a National Park. Chan speaks basic Cantonese, enjoys travel, arts, yoga and healthy living, is also currently studying Natural Healing and Massage Therapy, and has recently adopted a Siberian Husky.

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SARA KIDD

She is contracting as an assistant and researcher to a variety of professionals, including as PA to Vanessa Cullen. Sara has worked on various consulting projects whilst also teaching professional vegan cooking and baking classes.

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JASON KEANE

(B.A Hons, LLB, LLM)

Jason is Forward Thinking Design’s in-house legal counsel and provides advice to our clients and contacts, particularly around commercial property matters (including leasing). He graduated from the University of New South Wales with a BA (Hons), LLB and LLM. Jason has his own legal practice and is a lecturer at The College of Law. He has more than 20 years experience in all types of commercial property matters, buying and selling of businesses, brand and IP registration, commercial disputes and agreements. When Jason isn’t wearing his lawyer hat you’ll find him wearing a visor and running in any and every type of race he can find.

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