Q and A with Jacqueline Emery

Jacqueline Emery outlines the exciting new projects she is working on to provide more value for Company Directors’ members and its corporate partners.

Company Director (CD): What does your role entail?

Jacqueline Emery (JE): As Strategic Partnerships Manager, my role is to develop the strategy around how we can work with other organisations to drive our role and aims.

I am also responsible for creating national partnerships that will enhance the value of our offerings to members and create new revenue streams. This requires a highly customised approach based on client need.

CD: This is a new role at Company Directors. What are some of the initiatives you are working on?

JE: Business owners are an important segment for Company Directors and we are developing a program that will better meet the needs of our business-owner directors.

Critically, this program will aim to deliver new and relevant content specifically developed for this audience.
I am also working with ACT state manager Phil Butler on a national thought leadership program to support some important engagement initiatives for not-for-profit directors at a local level.

We will be working with a range of partners to drive good governance outcomes for this sector.

Sponsorship for our annual conference, Directorship:14, is also a key responsibility of mine.

This year, we continue our relationship with a number of loyal and engaged partners and also have some new partnerships that will hopefully transition into ongoing and mutually beneficial programs of engagement with our members.
Our confirmed partners are Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, AIG, IBM, Jones Lang LaSalle, King & Wood Mallesons, KPMG, Sharegift and UTS Business School.

I am excited to be working closely with our Board and Corporate Services division to integrate a B2B model into the business.

There is a great need within many of the organisations we deal with to build a much more “whole- of-business”approach to the way we engage.

There is so much opportunity and the feedback I consistently get about the Company Director brand and the profile of our membership is overwhelmingly positive. 

CD: How are you looking to increase value for corporate partners?

JE: Strategic partners no longer want just sponsorship relationships.

They want to build engagement over time through multiple channels.

They want to collaborate with us and support us to build exciting outcomes for our members.

And they want to showcase their thought leadership and expertise.

The right partners can help us enrich our offerings.

Building a model that is greater than the sum of the parts will unlock value for us, the partner and most importantly, for our members.

CD: Is there still a place for a sponsorship model?

JE: Undoubtedly yes. There will always be a tactical need for a sponsor or a budgetary restraint.

A sponsor may not have the time or resources to collaborate in a “whole-of-business” way.

The model that exists at a local level is still crucial.

I think the important thing is to listen to our clients and examine their needs as we do those of our members. This may lead to opportunities.

CD: What was your background before joining Company Directors?

JE: I was in publishing for 20 years, most recently as the marketing manager of The Australian Financial Review and its stable of websites and magazines.

Before that, I headed up marketing for BRW and Smart Investor magazines and websites.

I was the publisher of CFO magazine and have also held various business development and business analyst roles.

CD: Who inspires you?

JE: My parents and my children. Beyond that, you can find inspiration everywhere you look. Nelson Mandela is top of mind right now. What a legacy he has created!

CD: What are your interests outside of work?

JE: Being a single mother of four kids keeps me pretty busy.

However, I do love reading (yes, I am in a book club) and hanging out with my family and friends.