Amanda Folkes

Associate

Biography

Associate, BlueZenith Leadership and Coaching Solutions
Leadership Researcher, Royal Australian Navy

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (English/Management) (University of New South Wales)

Master of Business (University of New South Wales)

Accreditations/Instruments

Human Synergistics™ Lifestyles Inventory (LSI) 1 & 2, Organisational Culture and Effectiveness Inventory (OCI/OEI), Customer Service Styles Survey (CSSS) and Group Styles Inventory (GSI)

Areas of specialisation

Leadership and Organisational Culture

Experience

Amanda has over 15 years’ experience serving in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), contributing to leadership, culture and ethical training and development. Amanda has fulfilled support, instructional, facilitation and lead roles in developing personnel to be prepared and more adept for Naval service, including theoretical and practical leadership training, culture development, curriculum and publication development and contribution to research projects. Amanda has liaised extensively with communities of interest in leadership, culture and ethical research, with a keen interest in development of leadership across all levels of organisations. Amanda has practical experience in leading small and large teams, developing and implementing support functions, and ancillary roles in workplace assessment, stress management, mental health support, equity and diversity, and alcohol and drug education.

Amanda spent 18 months as the Lead Instructor–Leadership at the RAN’s Naval College, responsible for the development and delivery of teamwork and leadership theory packages and practical assessments. Amanda has been a facilitator for Navy’s Leadership and Culture Development Team for the past four years, facilitating leadership workshops for a range of rank groups, de-briefing the LSI 360 degree feedback reports to individuals and unit OCI/OEI debriefs.

Major Achievements

In January 2013, Amanda was awarded a Chief of Navy’s Commendation for her duties as Head of the Officer’s Initial Training Faculty. In this role, she was commended for being instrumental in developing new officers in to young leaders and her tireless work in developing a first-class leadership program.

Amanda’s post-graduate studies focused on Human Resource Management, reflective of her belief that leadership and effective personnel management is critical to organisational success. Amanda believes that leadership development and self-awareness in early stages of personal development is critical to creating a culture of individual empowerment and driving collective potential.

Amanda has a keen interest in rugby union, having Level 2 Coaching accreditation with Australian Rugby Union. Amanda has been the coach of the Royal Australian Navy Rugby Union Women’s side for the past three years, a role that she values immensely. Central to everything Amanda does is her family, with her proudest role being Mum to Maelee and Ashton.

Skills

Contact

Email:
amanda@bluezenith.com.au