Tanya Deans

President, Hanes Brands Australasia

Tanya Deans was appointed a Director in March 2021 and President of Hanes Australasia in January the same year. She has over 30 years’ experience in the rag trade, in various marketing, category and leadership roles, spanning multiple categories, multiple channels to market and geographies. She has been with Hanes Australasia during that entire time, and has been responsible for the reinvention and enduring love of the Bonds brand, along with other well-known brands such as Berlei, Bras N Things, Champion and Sheridan.  Additionally, Tanya has been deeply involved with the acquisition, divestment and transformation activities of the Hanes Australasia business including its evolution from a 100% wholesale business to majority direct to consumer.

Tanya’s particular business passion lies in the reinvention of Brands, along with role modelling and driving the importance of constructive leadership and purpose driven culture.

Tanya holds a BComm (Marketing) from the University of NSW (UNSW).

Tanya will only appear at our Melbourne event.



Vanessa Riley

Chief People Officer, Richard Crookes Constructions

Vanessa is a results-orientated senior Human Resources executive with a strong track record in driving organisational transformation. Her expertise lies in building a reputation for connecting business strategy to people outcomes.

Differentiated in her field by a deep proficiency in organisational development, and a passion for unlocking leadership potential to maximize individual and team performance. Vanessa has successfully led large scale change through restructure, mergers & acquisitions, across diverse industries including FMCG, manufacturing, telecommunications and construction.

She is a member of the executive leadership team at Richard Crookes Constructions providing strategic leadership and plays a critical role in the development and execution of the people and culture strategy to enable achievement of the overall business strategy. Vanessa leads culture, strategic development, planning and performance of the workforce and delivery of a people & culture strategy ensuring Richard Crookes Constructions continues to be a beacon for talent in the industry.

Company Bio
Richard Crookes Constructions is a private and family-owned company that has been building for government and private clients since 1976. We operate across NSW, QLD and ACT delivering over 50 projects concurrently across all social infrastructure sectors.

Being multi-skilled and diversified across sector, project size, delivery form, building type and location allows us to tailor our service to suit our client’s specific requirements, priorities and concerns.

Our main focus is to create an enjoyable journey for our employees and clients. Having delivered over 1000 projects, we believe the skills of our people with specialist knowledge drive greater outcomes throughout the project lifecycle while creating a shared legacy.

Shaun McCarthy

Chair Human Synergistics Australia & New Zealand

Shaun established Human Synergistics in New Zealand and Australia and brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience and anecdotes from a long and distinguished Consulting career.

If you have a question about Leadership or Culture – Shaun will have a story to illustrate an answer to it. It is this depth of experience that has led to him being invited to lecture in University programs, speak at many national conferences and being featured in the Australian Financial Review, Boss Magazine and on ABC radio. Shaun is also a member of the AHRI Advisory Research Panel.