The Victorian Division is thrilled to host the upcoming Career Journeys Within & Beyond Admin panel event, continuing AIOP’s 2025 theme, The Year of Engagement.

Our speakers will discuss the paths they have taken throughout their career journeys within admin and beyond to get to where they are today. Often being an admin professional is a stepping stone into another profession though it can also be our destination. We look forward to empowering our attendees with this high-value, focused conversation led by Janice Parker.

Date: Thursday 18th September 2025

Time: 5:30pm arrival for 5:45pm start | 7:30pm close

Venue: GPT Space&Co. Queen & Collins - Level 2, 100 Queen Street, Melbourne

Light refreshments provided

Door prizes & giveaways on the night

Tickets:

• Members: Included with membership
• Non-Members: $15.00 AUD per person

This gathering will be focused on meaningful conversations, practical insights, and peer connection. It is all about bringing together the people who keep our businesses running.

Joining us for this inspirational event will be:

Spots are limited, so don’t miss out!

Please RSVP by Thursday 11th September by registering here.

We are looking forward to welcoming you and enjoying an evening of connection, collaboration and celebration!

Janice Parker
AIOP Victorian Division President

*Please note that photo and video material will be collected at this event for possible future publications. By attending, guests give their consent for such material to be published.

Adele Selby is a former Executive Assistant and Paralegal having worked in both the legal and banking sectors with over 29 years in executive support. Her career underwent a transformation and in August 2023, Adele took a leap of faith and transitioned from her long-standing EA/Paralegal role into a newly created position as Corporate Development & Partnerships Manager at Archmap Group, a forward-thinking collective of architects, interior designers, builders, and project managers transforming the way construction is approached and delivered. She has been recently promoted to GM, Corporate Development & Partnerships.

Adele co-founded Sorelle Event & Network Consultants in 2019 with Mina Italiano where they excel in venue sourcing, event project management, curating impactful experiences for occasions like conferences, workshops, gala dinners, award nights, launches and retreats.

Adele is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and supported. Being neurodiverse herself, she is a proud advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond believing that different ways of thinking are not only valid but vital for driving progress.

Angela Smooker is currently a Meetings & Events Sales Executive at The GPT Group, where she works with clients to curate impactful corporate events across premium CBD locations. She has over a decade of experience, including senior leadership roles at Karstens and Accor, having built a reputation for driving revenue, nurturing high-performing teams, and delivering exceptional service. 

Angela serves on the boards of the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC) and the Australian Institute of Office Professionals (AIOP), advocating for industry standards, continuous learning, and inclusive professional development. She is also completing her MBA at the University of Melbourne.

Candice Burningham enjoyed a 20-year journey in the admin profession, starting as an Office Junior in Australia and rising to C-Suite Executive Assistant to renowned Founders, Presidents, and CEOs. Candice founded Admin Avenues in 2021 and today it is Australia’s leading platform spotlighting admin talent through national events, a dedicated podcast, and industry recognition initiatives.

Candice is also the co-founder and co-host of The Future Focused Admin alongside Jessica McBride, a global platform empowering admin professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace. Through bold conversations and future-focused content, the platform champions growth, adaptability, and leadership across the profession.

A recognised global speaker and passionate industry advocate, Candice is known for her honest, unapologetic approach to driving change. She tirelessly champions fair pay, respect, and greater recognition for admin professionals, pushing boundaries to secure the spotlight this profession has long deserved.

Darren Conlon is a Manager within the Leadership Operations team at Atlassian, where he leads a global group of Executive Assistants and drives programs that enable operational clarity, strong team dynamics, and effective executive support.

With 19 years of experience across high-level administrative roles, team leadership, and business operations, Darren has held senior EA roles in industries including tech, advertising, finance, legal and higher education. His own journey from Executive Assistant to people leader gives him a unique perspective on the value and versatility of the admin profession, along with a deep commitment to helping others navigate and grow their careers, whether within the craft or beyond it.

Hayden Mackenzie is an inclusive, people-focused communications professional with a passion for championing diversity and fostering workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work. Having recently moved into a dedicated communications role, Hayden has spent much of his career as an administrative professional, most recently as Executive Assistant to a Chief People Officer (with a dual focus on internal communications). 

Hayden also has a strong passion for learning & development, organisational culture, and employee engagement. He has played leadership roles within the Inclusion & Diversity space, having served as chair of an LGBTQ+ employee resource group, and as the diversity and culture director for AIOP.