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As a communications strategist, speaker and trainer, Emma Gibbens has worked across the world shaping cultures through conversations.

I’ve spent the last 15 years inside some of the most high-stakes conversations on the planet from presidential campaigns to pandemic response, from global startups to grassroots communities, from boardrooms to outback town halls.

My work has taken me across North America, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, and beyond, leading movements, building cultures and turning dialogue into real, lasting change.

The start of my career was working to elect Barack Obama in 2008. In 2017, I ran the successful marriage equality campaign in Western Australia, flipping it from polling last to one of the highest yes votes in the country. In between campaigns I’ve worked in Silicon Valley, on two major infrastructure projects and a virtual human rights museum.

Most recently, I co-founded a business called Acknowledge This! With Rhys Paddick, we trained over 30,000 people across Australia on how to lead with authenticity, listen deeply and have the kinds of conversations that actually shift culture.

Along the way, I’ve coached executives and Premiers, designed culture strategies for government and industry and delivered keynotes across sectors. What I’ve seen everywhere, from Indigenous communities to multinational corporations, is this: culture lives in conversation. Not in posters. Not in policies. But in the way we talk to each other, especially when it’s difficult to discuss.

I bring a systems lens, a campaigner’s urgency and a deep belief in humanity. I don’t do fluff, I prefer to get into the real and raw discussions. I help teams get unstuck, organisations get honest and leaders step into curiosity over control. If you want to build a culture that’s not just stated but practiced, I’m here to help!

Read my current thinking on Substack.

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projects I’ve been involved with

A woman wearing sunglasses and a white t-shirt with a rainbow-colored logo and the words 'EQUALITY' is holding a microphone and raising her hand with four fingers up, outdoors with greenery in the background.

2017:
Marriage Equality

The greatest honor of my campaigning career was leading the Marriage Equality campaign here in Western Australia. Small state, big hearts!

Two women on stage at TEDxPerth, one holding a stuffed animal, with a large screen behind them showing a close-up of their conversation.

2018-2020:
TEDx Perth

After speaking at the TEDxPerth 2017 main event, I was invited to join the curation team. My role was to source great people to speak, and shape their TED talks.

Two women standing in front of posters advocating COVID-19 vaccination. The woman on the left wears a white t-shirt with black text that says 'HOPE IS' and a grey headscarf. The woman on the right wears a white t-shirt with pink text that says 'FREEDOM IS' and has glasses and earrings. Both women are smiling with hands on hips.

2021:
Covid-19 Comms Team

For six months I joined the COVID-19 Communications team to help launch the COVID-19 Vaccination campaign, among other responsibilities. We had two lockdowns during this period, and assisted with emergency communications as required.

Six women smiling and posing for a selfie in an indoor setting with a large plant and board behind them.

2019-2021:
Museum of Freedom and Tolerance

The Museum of Freedom and Tolerance is a virtual human rights museum focused on elevating diverse voices through the arts. In my role as General Manager, I worked alongside CEO Shaheen Hughes to bring the vision to life.

Two smiling people, a woman with blonde hair and glasses and a man with short hair, taking a selfie in a crowded indoor setting with people in the background, a Heineken sign, and industrial-style ceiling piping.

2016-2017:
WA LABOR

After Trinidad and Tobago, I was approached by WA Labor. After an incredible Skype call I was on my way to elect Mark McGowan.

A group of six diverse people, all wearing red shirts with a logo and the words 'Vote PNM,' smiling and posing for a selfie at an outdoor event.

2015: Presidential Election In Trinidad and Tobago

Working for Vestige Strategies alongside experts in mobilising Black voters, we helped the Peoples National Movement elect Keith Rowley as President.

Group of young students standing in front of Australian and blue-themed banners, with two adults in the center, in an indoor setting with a wooden floor.

2020 - 2024:
Acknowledge This!

Starting as a conversation between friends, Rhys Paddick and I created Acknowledge This!, a 2 hr training program that teaches people why Acknowledgement of Country is important, and how to give one that feels deeply authentic and meaningful.

A woman with glasses and a blue shawl resting her head on a desk with papers, a water bottle, a computer, and office supplies.

2008:
ELECTING OBAMA

My first campaign was in my hometown working to elect Barack Obama as POTUS and comedian Al Franken to the Senate. I worked so hard that I fell asleep one night while phone-banking!

Group of women working at a table in a room with blue and green walls, yellow posters on the blue wall, and a map on the green wall.

2010:
WISCONSIN

My next campaign was working to elect Mayor Tom Barrett as Governor of Wisconsin. We failed in that mission, but I worked with a brilliant team, many of whom are still in Wisconsin politics today.

Group of people holding signs that say BERA in a campaign office decorated with American flags and pro-Bera posters.
 

2012:
Ami Bera

Moving to Sacramento, California for six months to flip the seat and elect Democrat Ami Bera set me on the path of campaigning as a career.

Three young people wearing blue 'College Democrats of Wisconsin' shirts, smiling and talking in a room.

2010-2012:
COLLEGE DEMOCRATS

Highlights of my time as VP of College Democrats of Wisconsin include a cross-country road trip to the national convention, getting elected to the National College Democrats of America Board and, of course, holding the Capitol during the 2011 Collective Bargaining Protests.

A woman giving a speech or presentation to an outdoor gathering of seated people in a backyard. The attendees are sitting in chairs or on the ground, holding drinks and food. The setting includes a house, a tree, and various outdoor items.

2013-2015:
Women Get It Done

Scaling a group mentoring organisation for women from just the San Francisco chapter to 5,000 members and five chapters in other major cities was deeply purpose-driven work.

Three people are on a stage during a presentation at a conference, with a large screen displaying the word 'ORGANIZE' behind them. Two women are standing, one holding a microphone and the other gesturing, while a man is seated observing.

2013:
OrganiZer Inc

Moving to the Bay Area, all I wanted was to work in Silicon Valley. Luckily I got a chance to work at a startup - Organizer Inc - that perfectly intersected with my campaign experience.

A woman with short blonde hair and glasses smiling at the camera, wearing a black shirt with a 'Town Team Movement' logo.

2019-2020:
Town Team Movement

Town Team Movement enables local communities and governments to connect, organise and to create better places.

Working at TTM when COVID-19 hit in early 2020 was thrilling - we had space to innovate and try new things, including running a DigiConference.