Matt Stoeckel
CEO
Matt joined the organisation in 2021 after almost five years at the helm of Tourism Fiji. He brought his experience in developing distinct brands for destinations and learnings from managing Fiji’s tourism industry (which contributes close to 40% of the national GDP) to the Sunshine Coast. Matt shares a passion for tourism and has a deep understanding of its role in the local economy and fabric of the community. As a destination marketing professional, he’s always looking forward and seeking new ways to make the Sunshine Coast shine!
Highlight Anything to do with making the Sunshine Coast the Craft Beer Capital of Australia!
For real place Racing his kids up Mt Coolum.
Sunshine moment If you really want to get Matt talking just ask him about his dog (who is named after the greatest rock star of all time…Tina Turner)!
Contact: Email Matt M (+61) 408 093 321
Guy Williams
Finance & Administration Manager, AKA Early Bird
Guy is the early rising numbers man, who is responsible for all VSC’s finances. What does he love about finance and administration? The ability to keep track, notice ways to improve budgets and systems and the satisfying feeling of reconciling complex accounts to ensure VSC continues to serve its members and the community wisely.
Sunshine moment Grateful for each day, Guy enjoys sunrise everyday as it means his eyes have opened and he’s still with the living!
Cool quirk Guy gets up most mornings at 3:30am to train at the gym. (Now that’s devotion!)
Contact: E Email Guy M (+ 61) 417 029 712
Katrina Logan
Accounts & Admin Co-ordinator, AKA Head of Healthy Habits
Katrina is a self-professed ‘Accounts Nerd’ for the business. She reckons someone’s gotta balance the books and pay the bills and helps make sure the VSC boat floats and glides! While she loves all things health and nutrition, she’s also most at home with the balance sheets and understanding the flow of complex data that make up the VSC operation.
For real place Anywhere by the ocean or in the great outdoors.
Sunshine moment Living in paradise surrounded by my favourite people.
Cool Quirk A keen passion for all things health & nutrition.
Contact: E Email Katrina P (+61) 7 5458 8808
Kelly Ryan
Head of Marketing, AKA Hot Chip Detector
While Kelly’s no sailor, she is at the helm of the marketing department, directing and supporting a fantastic crew and providing value to tourism industry members. Kelly’s responsible for overseeing the organisation’s promotion and advertising efforts to build awareness of the Sunshine Coast and lure more visitors here. Kelly brings a wealth of tourism marketing knowledge to the team, drawing on several years’ experience with a major tourism peak body in Canberra and national major attractions. The most rewarding aspect of her work is sharing and celebrating the teams’ success.
For real place Mooloolaba Esplanade sipping coffee and soaking up sunshine.
Sunshine moment Beach days with the family – human and furry.
Cool Quirk Can smell hot chips a mile away.
Contact: E Email Kelly M (+61) 409 926 123
Sally Secker
Brand and Content Manager
Driven and passionate Brand Marketing leader with over 10 years’ experience helping leading global brands such as Margaret River Gourmet Escape, World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Good Food Month generate innovative campaign ideas and expand their presence within the Australian and global markets. A strategic leader with a deep understanding of brand development and management, with experience in defining strategy, positioning and key messaging, as well as the execution of all assets across owned, earned and paid channels to deliver highly optimised marketing campaigns.
For real place Sunrise walk from Alexandra Headland to Point Cartwright Lighthouse with the dog and a coffee in hand.
Sunshine moment Crisp winter sunset runs or walks in Buderim
Cool quirk Born and raised on the Sunny Coast, to then come full circle after living on the Gold Coast, Margaret River, Sydney, New York and London.
Contact: E Email Sally | P: (+61) 0409 979 981
Allison Wallace
Digital & Performance Media Manager, AKA Research Nerd
While some might cringe at the idea of spending any time looking at data, this is Ally’s happy place where she deep dives into analysing data to provide juicy insights on the Sunshine Coast tourism industry, as well continually tweaking our campaigns to get the best bang for our buck.
For real place Sitting on her deck in Diddillibah around the fire pit enjoying the serenity.
Sunshine moment Morning sunrises at the beach. She’s not fussy about which one, but generally loves to catch those first rays at Mudjimba or Mooloolaba.
Cool quirk Would trade almost anything for a good serve of broccoli.
Contact: E Email Alli M (+61) 428 223 009
Lauren Grounsell
PR Manager, AKA Cat Defender
From pitching Sunshine Coast stories to journalists to coordinating broadcast opportunities for the region, Lauren heads up all of VSC’s consumer facing media. Her role includes planning and hosting media visits to the region and working with media outlets to publish Sunshine Coast stories across print, online, TV and radio. Lauren is at home ensuring the Sunshine Coast is making headlines for all the right reasons.
For real place Buderim! With hidden waterfalls and views to the coast, this is one secret spot you don’t want to miss.
Sunshine moment Sunset walks along the Maroochy River. Make sure you keep an eye (and ear) out for the Rainbow Lorikeets.
Cool quirk Coffee, cats and an early morning yoga class.
Contact: E Email Lauren M (+61) 0419 526 501
Deanna Byers
Creative and Design Specialist, AKA Sealife Lover
Deanna makes sure the Sunshine Coast is presented as progressive, consistent, ‘on brand’ and engaging as possible. She turns ratty word docs into ravishing visual campaigns that get people leaning forward in their seats. Drawing on several years’ graphic design and creative services experience in the tourism industry Deanna creates highly engaging designs and assets to compel people to choose the Sunshine Coast.For real place Can’t get enough of Coolum Beach’s laid back, beach town vibe.
Sunshine moment Sunset walks on the Coolum Boardwalk – it has amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, fresh sea air and most times wildlife – sea eagles, water dragons, turtles or even a passing whale.
Cool quirk Deanna loves all things nature and animals.
Contact: E Email Deanna M (+61) 428 768 548
Justin Franks
Digital Product Manager, AKA Sunrise Swimmer
Justin is a skilled product manager with over a decade of experience implementing digital solutions to solve problems, including a recent overhaul of the visitsunshinecoast.com website. With a big love of learning, testing and implementing new digital technology, Justin loves the challenge of introducing new solutions to increase business success. For example, a new membership renewal and communication portal.
For real place Exploring somewhere in the Glass House Mountains or Kondalilla Falls National Park.
Sunshine moment Sunrise swims at Mooloolaba, followed by coffee.
Cool Quirk He once ran away with the circus (true)!
Contact: E Email Justin M (+61) 429 088 236
Annabel Robertson
Social and Content Coordinator
A born-and-bred Sunshine Coast local, Annabel is passionate about social media storytelling and creative writing. Her writing has been shortlisted for several story prizes in the UK and she has recently completed a Master of Digital Communication degree at QUT. When not seeking out social media trends and story ideas, Annabel can frequently be found exploring hidden destination gems amongst the Coast’s rolling green hills, spectacular beaches and winding creeks.
For real place: Standing by the creek that flows down past her childhood home in the hinterland, watching a platypus swim, and being fully immersed by the lush greenery.
Sunshine Moment: Sitting at a café in Maleny in the peak of autumn, drinking a hot beverage and enjoying the golden leaves adorning the roadside nearby.
Cool quirk: Annabel has four (very tame) free-range pet chickens that she looks forward to greeting whenever she returns home.
Kali Weibler
Marketing & Events Coordinator, AKA Coffee Enthusiast
Kali is our smart-as-paint marketing coordinator and helps us deliver highly engaging, memorable and visually stunning marketing campaigns. She also supports VSC’s members with co-operative marketing opportunities which enable them to advertise or promote on our platforms and other channels to help them raise their profile and increase sales. Managing the vast VSC image library and making sure the Sunshine Coast shines is a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!
For Real Place Boardwalk strolls at Caloundra with an iced latte in hand.
Sunshine Moment Diving into the ocean after a sunrise walk on the beach.
Cool quirk Loving Buderim Ginger Beer a little too much!
E Email Kali M (+61) 0428 886 927
Ali Thompson
Business & Leisure Events Manager, AKA Cabaret Queen
Events is embedded in Ali’s DNA! From small scale business events to major festivals, Ali draws on her international experience in UK, Asia, New Zealand and Australia to make events front and centre across the Sunshine Coast.
For real place A fave spot is Cotton Tree
Sunshine moment:Flying over Old Woman Island (Mudjima Island), watching whales swimming and turtles frolicking in their natural environment.
Cool quirk: Ali has a love of the stage and has previously co-produced and performed in several musicals including her all-time favourite, Cabaret where she performed as Texas, a Kit Kat girl.
Contact: E Email Ali M (+61) 419 737 175
Michelle Burgum
Business Events, Executive, AKA Champion of Community Spirit
A rare Sunshine Coast local born in Nambour, Michelle is one of VSC’s regional experts. She helps connect businesses and organisations outside of the region to local suppliers for business events, collaborations and opportunities to thrive on the Sunshine Coast. Her role is focussed on showcasing the best attributes of the Sunshine Coast, while supporting businesses and organisations to develop unique ideas that wow their clients when visiting our region.
For real place Obi Obi just near her parents’ place ‘where no one goes’. The peace and tranquillity rejuvenate the mind.
Sunshine moment That salty feeling after an early morning swim.
Cool Quirk You’ll find her volunteering at local events or trying her luck fossicking for stones to cut and polish.
E Email Michelle (+61) 429 981 022
Andrew Fairbairn
Head of Industry & Trade Development, AKA Head People Connector
Andrew loves working with businesses and tourism is his passion having worked in the travel & hospitality industry across a range of sales, marketing, and business development roles in Australia & Asia Pacific. His motto is #TeamSunshineCoast and leads VSC’s engagement with industry, events, and partnerships.
For real place Running the Tanglewood Track in Noosa National Park.
Sunshine moment Weekend ritual is spending mornings along the Noosa River (Gympie Tce) connecting with family, drinking coffee and watching the world float by. His kids love playing along the foreshore.
Quirk or other As local as they come, but it took him 10 years living and working overseas to realise just how amazing living on the Sunshine Coast is.
Contact: E Email Andrew M (+61) 427 562 100
Emily Zinowki
Trade Manager
Emily is our international trade and industry engagement guru at VSC. She works closely with our trade partners and operators, facilitates product training, and cooks up our tactical trade campaigns. As our star representative, Emily is our lead at domestic and international trade shows and events (tough job, but someone’s gotta do it), and she also loves spruiking the best of the Sunshine Coast on agent famils!
For real place Mooloolaba mornings – Starting each day at the beach, watching the sunrise with a BIG cup of coffee in hand.
Sunshine moment Soaking up the sun with my son and watching him experience all his firsts – camping at Rainbow Beach, boating around Mudjimba Island and digging in the sand at Noosa Main Beach.
Cool Quirk Canadian born to Polish and Dutch parents, Emily has lived in Canada, London, Paris, Karlsruhe and Sydney before calling the Sunshine Coast home. She speaks enough French and German to order a cheeky beverage overseas.
Contact: E Email Emily M (+61) 438 785 072
Beth Mahoney
Industry and Trade Coordinator, AKA Platter Champion
Beth is a people-person, confidently coordinating VSC’s visitor ambassadors through to interstate tourism trade professionals, all of which elevates the vital first impressions of the Sunshine Coast. She wears the yellow information centre ‘I’ with pride as she manages the region’s accredited Visitor Information Centres, while working alongside an incredible team of 130 volunteer ambassadors who provide tourism travel information and support. Beth also organises events for VSC’s Industry and Trade teams, including trade roadshows, networking nights, Real Talks and Scout to name a few.
For real place Being in or on the water in the Pumicestone Passage is her happy place.
Sunshine moment Styling a mean platter of local cheeses.
Cool Quirk Beth’s 181cm tall, but loves a great pair of high heels!
Contact: E Email Beth M (+61) 458 788 285
Tara Boberg
Membership Coordinator, AKA Beach Obsessive
Tara is responsible for managing the VSC Membership Program and supporting its 500+ members in any way she can. This can involve anything from sourcing top quality marketing materials from our library through to hosting networking and cross-member collaboration opportunities. With members ranging from microbreweries to five-star resorts and major theme parks it’s never a dull moment for Tara in finding ways to help the members and the Sunshine Coast tourism sector to thrive.
For real place Loves long summer days at the beach.
Sunshine moment Yoga & Coffee. Bliss!
Cool Quirk Petrified of Grasshoppers. Loves chocolate and red wine, ideally at the same time!
Contact: E Email Tara M (+61) 409 485 419
Michele Sternberg
Communications Manager, AKA Sterny
Michele is responsible for managing our corporate communications and maintaining positive relations with media, industry, and government. It’s a critical role, which ensures positive awareness of the Sunshine Coast continues to grow, while simultaneously making sure VSC retains a top-notch reputation. Michele loves all the Sunshine Coast offers in terms of lifestyle and her family connections to the “Near North Coast” date back 100 years.
For real place Sitting on the deck with a morning coffee watching the cockatoos and kookaburras fight for pole position in the towering gum tree.
Sunshine moment Kicking off the heels at the end of a workday to plunge her feet into the soft sand at Alex beach.
Cool quirk Not keen on heights but somehow made it to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5364m.
Contact: E Email Michele
M (+61) 417 345 050
Peter Hook
Communications Consultant, AKA The Whale Chaser
As an old news-hound, Peter loves discovering what makes the Sunshine Coast attractive to the media and to visitors. Having worked with Australia’s most prolific travel writers and broadcasters for decades, he has a knack for tapping into the media trends that get the Sunshine Coast into the headlines for the right reasons. Peter’s passionate about this ‘piece of heaven’ – its nature, its food, its culture and even the heritage of this young, but richly diverse place.
For real place Trekking the Hinterland Great Walk and taking in the vastness and richness of the region from the summits of Mt Coolum and Mt Ngungun.
Sunshine moment Swimming with whales off Mooloolaba, an unforgettable and powerful experience.
Contact: E Email Peter M (+61) 407 462 213