Carolyn S Dean
Dental Marketing Strategist
Carolyn is one of Australia's top dental marketing experts, known for helping dental practices grow and improve patient experiences. With over 15 years of experience, Carolyn has a proven track record in developing practical, results-driven marketing strategies. She is also passionate about the role AI will play in transforming dental marketing and operations.
As the founder and CEO of a multi-award-winning agency, Carolyn has worked with a wide range of dental businesses, from start-ups to large groups, giving her deep insight into the industry’s unique challenges.
On a personal note, as a mum of two teenagers and two very fluffy ragdoll cats, Carolyn knows what it’s like to juggle the demands of a busy life. She’s passionate about helping other women succeed in business and navigate those challenges with confidence. Her journey is all about finding balance, building success, and empowering other women in dentistry along the way.
Dr Cecile le Roux
Coaching Psychologist
Ph.D., M.Sc., B.A.(Hons.), MAPS, AFISCP, MISCPAccred
Cecile is dedicated to inspiring the growth of high performers. She developed her specialisation as a coaching psychologist (ISCP) after completing her PhD in coaching psychology.
Cecile partners with emerging and established leaders - particularly in healthcare settings, as their leadership coach or executive psychologist. She also coaches at the Bond Business School and supports professionals as a psychologist in clinical practice on the Gold Coast, with a passion for uplifting female leaders in healthcare.
As an award-winning educator, Cecile has lectured at universities both in Australia and abroad. Notably, she taught behavioural science at the Sydney Dental School, and more recently, Cecile taught leadership and organisational behaviour as an associate professor at the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar.
Cecile brings 20 years of practical experience in psychology, university and executive education, and consulting roles across local and international private and public sectors, primarily in the field of healthcare.
Cheryl Mack
CEO, Investor, Strategic Advisor
Cheryl wears a few hats, investor, founder, mentor, advisor, but most importantly, startup champion. Cheryl is the CEO of Aussie Angels, and on a mission to democratise angel investing in Australia & NZ. She’s an active angel investor with 27+ investments, a Venture Partner at Black Nova VC, and co-founded the now famous 361 Angel Club. Cheryl also leads an angel syndicate, CMACK Ventures, with over 400 investors. She’s a strategic advisor for several startups, and in her spare time, she mentors for programs like Startmate.
Cheryl hails from Canada over many years ago where she founded the Vancouver Chapter of Startup Grind and has since hosted over 400 interviews with high-profile founders, investors, and industry experts. She is passionate about supporting the growth of the Australian startup ecosystem.
Her motto is ‘If I can help, I will.’ and she loves nothing more than doing so over a glass of vino.
Annelise McCarthy
Women’s Speaking Coach, Public Speaking Expert
Annelise McCarthy is a renowned Women's Speaking Coach with over 15 years of public speaking training and experience. She’s on a mission to dismantle the dull, often pretentious, reputation of public speaking and transform it into an exciting, empowering skill that can elevate any woman's career and confidence.
After facing her own identity crisis and battling self-doubt in the corporate world, Annelise understands the unique challenges that hold women back from using their voices. Her mission is to empower women to not only find their voice but fall in love with it, so they can speak up, be heard, and lead with confidence in every room.
As a world champion speaker, she’s delivered on stages across state, national, and international platforms. Annelise believes speaking is a lifelong skill that every woman can master—because your voice deserves to be heard.
Julie Parker
Dental Practice Management Consultant, Coach
Julie Parker has worked in dental practices since the 1980s. Julie’s mission is to empower every team member to embrace their strengths, enabling them to experience the same sense of purpose and joy she has always found in her work.
Notably, Julie has not encountered any discrimination within the dental profession, which she believes is a field where women thrive. In fact, she sees it as a female-dominated profession that offers incredible opportunities for women to excel.
Julie holds the distinction of being the first non-dentist to own a dental practice in Australia, successfully managing her own practice for a decade before transitioning to consultancy in 2014. Now a trusted mentor and coach, Julie inspires both individuals and practices to realise their full potential, creating environments where success and fulfilment go hand in hand.
Dr Lan Tran
General Dentist, Laser Dentistry Expert
Lan is a respected international speaker and key opinion leader in general dentistry, with expertise in laser and aesthetic dentistry, including facial development and rehabilitation. Since obtaining her dental laser licence in 2003, Dr Tran has become highly specialised in this field, delivering numerous international lectures and creating a program to licence dentists in laser use within her jurisdiction.
Lan’s dedication to expanding dental knowledge as earned her recognition across various areas of dentistry, including a Mastership in Laser Dentistry from the World Clinical Laser Institute and a Senior Executive Maser from OrthoWorld. A sought-after speaker, Dr Tran has presented at the Australian Dental Congress annually for the past four years. She currently serves as President of the Australian Association of Laser Dentistry (AALD), where she plays a vital role in its daily operations.
Outside of dentistry, Lan’s personal mission is to ensure women from all walks of life feel heard and recognise their self-value. We are not all the same, but we should be united in lifting each other up.