Meet the team

Ross Reekie

Founder

As Founder of Rise, Ross has extensive experience in shaping the people strategies and senior management teams of major organisations in the construction, property and engineering industries.

He has a career spanning management consulting and talent acquisition and has successfully delivered assignments at Managing Director, Board and Senior Management levels both internationally and in Australia.

Ross is currently completing his Master’s in Research at Macquarie University and holds an MBA and Master’s degree in Sustainable Leadership from MGSM Sydney, as well as an Engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh.   

His intense curiosity about what makes people succeed and the decisions and circumstances that form their stories drew Ross to a career centered around people. His passion for research and the practical applications of meaning at work principles, enable him to consult to businesses so they can create happier workplaces that provide employees with meaningful work.

Further to his work with businesses, Ross has launched Rise Inspire, the creative arm of Rise Consulting, where he hosts the Meaning of Work podcast series, blogs and other resources to inspire and give individuals the confidence to take ownership in making work, work for them. The insights gathered are based on years of experience in consulting, reviews of academic literature, as well as his own research into how ordinary people have achieved meaning and happiness in their work.

In addition to his role at Rise, he regularly speaks at career and leadership events, industry forums, and has made many appearances on local and international radio shows.

Born and raised in Scotland, Ross has lived in Sydney for the last 15 years. He likes volunteering his time and expertise at an arts-based social enterprise and enjoys yoga, Indian curries, and spending time with family and friends.

Robyn Clark

Head of Consulting

Robyn brings to Rise over 25 years experience designing and leading programs of work aligned to transforming businesses through their people. She partners with senior leaders and executives to identify the future state, diagnose the current state and co-develop a strategy with the leaders to shift the culture and mindset through developing confidence and capability for change. Robyn’s curiosity in why employees engage in their work and how leaders create an environment of achievement has been fuelled by her thirst for new knowledge and experiences.
 
After completing her Masters in Educational Leadership, Robyn has lectured at Masters level across a variety of fields, been the Managing Director of a consulting business for over 20 years, General Manager in a large financial institution and volunteer for not-for-profits providing pro bono support to drive change and efficiencies in their businesses. 
 
Outside of work, Robyn enjoys time with her family & friends, satisfies her curiosity by exploring new places and absorbing the culture, with good food and wine! 

Dan Silverman

Head of Executive Search

Dan joined Rise with over 15 years of Recruitment experience predominantly in the construction industry across the UK and Australia. Dan holds a business Degree from Birmingham City University and is certified in Hogan psychometric assessments, representing best-practice globally.

With his past experience running his own business, as well as his strong people management skills, he also has a unique perspective and acute understanding of his clients’ needs to find the best talent. He’s committed to getting the right candidate ‘fit’ from a cultural and personality perspective, as ultimately this creates happier, more meaningful workplaces.

Socially, Dan is motivated by physical challenges such as his recent expedition to Everest Base Camp. He adores his daughters Ava and Gaby, and enjoys playing the piano and guitar.

Kristie Taylor

Head of Marketing

Kristie’s focus is keeping the business operations running smoothly; from Strategy Development and Ops Management to leading the Marketing function.

Her background is Marketing, specialising in brand strategy, communications and media planning. She’s worked across multiple industries including IT, Telocommunications, Banking, Travel, FMCG and Retail, and for challenger brands such as eBay and amaysim. Before this, she worked in advertising agencies, moving to New York to supervise the Microsoft and HP accounts (yes, very Mad Men indeed). 

Kristie has a Bachelor of Commerce from UNSW (majoring in Marketing and International Business). In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, travel, music, architecture and wine

Team 5

Steven Segal

Associate Professor of Management, Macquarie Business School

Dr Steven Segal is an Associate Professor of Management at the Macquarie Business School and is a key collaborator to Rise. He teaches a range of subjects including Executive Coaching, Leadership & Motivation and Leading with a Global Mindset.

Steven has published three books and numerous peer reviewed articles and is also a registered psychologist. He has been teaching and conducting research about meaning since the mid 1990’s. He works with the experience of meaning on individual, organisational, national and global levels. He is inspired by figures and organisations who turn moments of meaninglessness into opportunities for new meaning.