Panelists
Natalie Cook OAM OLY, Director | Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee.
Nat is a five-time Olympian, Gold and Bronze Medallist in beach volleyball. A passionate athlete advocate, Nat has always been a champion of the transformational power of sport and the life lessons learnt pursuing your dreams.
Serving as a Director of Brisbane 2032, Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, and holding a position on the World Olympians Association Board, Nat is a firm believer in the Games' potential to create enduring legacies for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.
James Cooper, Managing Director, Avid Sports
James has built an impressive reputation within the Australian sports industry as an energetic and innovative leader who has an ability to create and shape his environment.
James established Avid Sports in 2003 and since then have provided advice and management services to a range of leading sporting companies and facilities in the Asia Pacific region. Through working with some of the world’s leading tourism and sporting brands – IMG, Hyatt, Medalist Developments, Novotel – he has developed a unique combination of expertise in creating, delivering and operating industry leading projects.
James has also worked with world-class golf course designers such as Peter Thomson, Ross Perrett, Karrie Webb, Stuart Appleby, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Graham Marsh and Wayne Grady.
Karen Marsden OAM, Gold Medalist 1996 Summer Olympics, World Champion 1994
Karen brings with her over 20 years of experience in project, asset, training and change management, and logistics. She has worked across several industries including property development, information technology, and government.
Karen is best known for her tenacity and enthusiasm for getting the job done with gratitude, humility, and humour. She is passionate about translating the Workforce Evolve project vision and objectives into reality offering a tangible outcome to support business in Queensland.
In 1997 Karen was awarded an OAM for her service to sport; she was a key part of the Gold Medal winning Hockeyroos team at the 1996 Summer Olympics.