executive committee

Ashling O’Brien

PRESIDENT

OsteoStrong Manly

Ashling is the owner of Osteostrong Manly. Graduating from the University of Wolverhampton with first-class honours BA in Business Enterprise, Ashling has worked internationally with multinational technology giants and developed the love for the solutions to everyday problems technology could bring in the business world.
Having worked with technology that rapidly improves people’s lives in a business setting, Ashling was intrigued to work with technology that can rapidly improve people on their personal health journey by building bone and muscle density and improve balance. Since opening Ashling has witnessed countless members getting stronger and increasing bone density and coming out of osteoporosis, to osteopenia to normal bone health range.

Opening her business in Manly is a dream come true for Ashling. All businesses benefit when Manly is thriving and she can’t wait to bring her skills, knowledge, passion and drive to the conversations.

Ashling has been on the committee for two years and spearheaded the Health and Wellness subcommittee that brought the very first health and wellness festival to Manly. She also worked on a video campaign focusing on showing the people of Manly what business offer in their back yard. Ashling is passionate about strengthening the local economy and fostering a vibrant tourist trade within the community.

A proud Irish Australian who has lived on the beaches for 17 years with her husband, son, and identical twin daughters. In her free time, she loves to travel and go to live gigs.

Kyla Kelleher

VICE PRESIDENT

Pine Property

Joining the Chamber in 2021 and elected Vice President in 2023, Kyla is the Director of Pine Property, a locally family owned and run Commercial Real Estate business based in Manly. With over 15 years experience in marketing, communications and events, working with blue chip and international clients. Kyla has a natural passion for igniting engagement and working with stakeholders to bring creative and strategic ideas to life. Kyla has been key in bringing marketing ideas to the Chamber to increase membership and engagement.

Kyla is deeply integrated into the Manly community, being a long time resident, business owner and local mum. Kyla is excited to collaborate with local businesses and the greater Manly community to see Manly prosper.

Cameron Stewart

TREASURER

International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS)

Cameron is the Vice President (Operations) at ICMS, an industry leader of career focused higher education in Australia. He has established a reputation for success in the management of small and large businesses including hotels, student living, real estate & management rights, commercial & residential leasing, live venues, fine dining & QSR restaurants, bars, major events & conventions, micro-brewery, gaming, travel, property development, education, and co-working spaces.

Cameron’s hands-on approach to business coupled with his strong service-centric philosophy, has served the organisations he has represented well. He has created and led leading hospitality brands as Managing Director and is known for managing change within flat organisational structures. He is open, dynamic and inclusive with a consultative approach to peers and direct reports and enjoys connecting and working with others to achieve positive outcomes.

Manly is now home for Cameron, and he is keen to assist the local business community emerge from the current pandemic with strength, courage, and innovation.

Tracey Mietzke

Athas Holdings

Tracey joined the Executive Committee in 2016 and has been in the role of Vice President from 2017 to 2023. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Tracey has lived in Manly since 1997 with her husband and family. Having worked in corporate with several multinationals in national management roles before leaving to raise her two children, she rejoined the workforce where she now works in a job she loves with Athas – a private property investment group based in Manly.

Driven by her desire to see Manly thrive both in a community sense and also in its economic endeavours, Tracey loves being part of the Manly Business Chamber and is proud of the work the Chamber does, particularly with its advocacy for its members, and driving positive change. Tracey’s positive and infectious love for Manly has enabled her to create a widespread network of both friends and business associates and is the driving factor behind her desire to support, stimulate, promote and cultivate Manly’s prosperity while respecting its wonderful local community.

Steve Carrodus

QStation Sydney Harbour National Park – Manly

Joining the Chamber in 2021, Steve is a recent arrival to Manly, and has connected quickly with the area via a love of the ocean, the outdoors and being fortunate to spend most of his days at Q Station as General Manager of this incredible site. Originally from New Zealand, Steve has travelled, lived and worked abroad for much of his adult life before settling here in Sydney in 2015. Steve’s career success within hotels globally has centred on the development of people within business to create success, a better culture and community and ultimately profitability. Steve gets energy in business from creativity, freedom to make change, and learning from challenges that stand in the path to success.
People, relationships and stakeholder management has always been a strong requirement of his roles, having worked for many successful owner operators and entrepreneurs. He thrives on driving high standards and creating the most unique experiences for staff and guests alike.
Steve wants to grow himself as a leader, a community ambassador and as a business operator with the support of the dynamic individuals within the Chamber team, as he hopes to do for them as well.

Matt Clifton

MJC Group (InSitu, Donny’s and The Cumberland)

Matt is the Managing Director of MJC Group of Companies, spanning across Hospitality, Events, Design, and Manufacturing. Matt owns and operates local businesses Donnys, Insitu, The Cumberland, and Cove Deli, along with partnerships with regional tourism agencies delivering large scale music events VANFEST Music & Arts Festival and Anthems Live, both of which have grown into regional flagship events for NSW and ACT.

Outside of the Entertainment industry, Matt has achieved success developing short term housing solutions for the Tourism and Mining sectors with the innovative startup NODxPODS.

Named 2017 National Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Matt continues to drive with a passion for innovation and experience-based projects.

A long time local to the Manly community, he hopes to bring fresh energy along with a desire to support and stimulate our local economy.

Klaudia Brown

Belle Commercial

Klaudia has worked in commercial real estate in the CBD for 10 years and left her high end executive leading role to start a new career in Manly and contributing her knowledge and skills into growing Manly commercial scheme. Klaudia’s goal is in transforming Manly in top retail location in Sydney, not only for visitors, but also for my local Manly community.

She knows it is not an easy task, but she believes that TOGETHER with Manly Business Chamber and support of my team we will be able to bring back the life to this wonderful Manly landscape!

Drew Johnson

Bank of Queensland

Executive team member since 2009 and President in 2010 and 2011, Drew is the joint owner/manager of the BOQ (Bank of Queensland) branch in Manly. Trading for over 14 years and boasting over 1,000 business and personal clients, most of them local. Drew has strong links into the Manly business community and is the Executive banking and financial expert.

Claudia North

with Small Business

Claudia North is a highly regarded expert and respected advisor in digital marketing and eCommerce. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Claudia has established herself as a leading authority. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Marketing, which laid the foundation for her successful career.

Claudia is the Founder of Claudia North Advisory and Founder of ‘with Small Business’ a digital platform to help small business owners navigate the digital maze with affordable, expert eCommerce marketing advice.

She has lived in Manly for over 20 years with hubby, Wayne, her (almost fully adult) children Sebastian, Orlando and Giselle, and their cat, Hercules.

Ramsie Taylor

Pilu at Freshwater

Hailing from the U.S., Ramsie landed on the Northern Beaches in 2010 and never left.

The atmosphere, people, lifestyle and incredible landscape of the Northern Beaches are, for her, second to none. Having worked in hospitality from a young age Ramsie has learnt from the ground up how to manage and run every aspect of a customer focused business.

Honing business skills for the last 10 years under the mentorship of Giovanni Pilu & Marilyn Annecchini, Pilu at Freshwater is where you will spot her most often. Understanding and working on the many challenges businesses in the Northern Beaches face, Ramsie joined the Manly Business Chamber to make a positive contribution to the area she takes pride in calling home.

Alex Jacques

Anthem Cycle

Alex is the founder and owner of ANTHEMCYCLE, the Northern Beaches’ premier rhythm ride indoor cycling studio. Part of the Manly Chamber’s health and wellness sub-committee

Alex helped create and execute Manly’s first-ever Health & Wellness Festival, and a social media campaign highlighting wellness businesses in Manly.
Prior to this, Alex has spent 14 years in the sports and entertainment industries working in event production and marketing for companies such as Madison Square Garden Company (NY Rangers & NY Knicks), Red Bull, Team USA, Under Armour, and 160/90.

Her passion for immersive production helped shape the ANTHEMCYCLE experience and brand. Using her knowledge of technical production and performance, ANTHEMCYCLE utilises light shows and music to create a workout that feels more like a party. Alex aims to create a full-body wellness experience that allows people to find joy in movement.

Alex moved to Manly from New York City in 2019 and now considers Manly her home, recently becoming a citizen. Coming from a family of small business owners, Alex’s goal is to see the Health & Wellness Festival continue and grow, and to help create impactful initiatives that encourage long-term patronage and support of small local businesses in Manly.

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