KIRSTY MUDDLE
CEO - dentsu Creative
Kirsty Muddle is CEO of Dentsu Creative, Australia & New Zealand. Dentsu Creative is a global network that transforms businesses and brands through the power of creativity.
With a focus on bringing modern creativity to life, Kirsty finds innovative ways to help clients grow their brand and form deeper, more meaningful connections with their customers. She leads a team of passionate people across creative, strategy, production, earned attention, digital experience, entertainment, public relations, content, social media, indigenous affairs, and government relations.
Kirsty started her career in Econometrics at a WPP agency in London and still maintains her love for the interplay between humans and data. She was one of the Founding Partners and CEO of a globally awarded independent agency before joining dentsu. Kirsty has been awarded Women of the Year and Executive of the Year twice, sat on the Advertising Standards Board of Australia and appears on ABC’s Gruen.
JODIE CROSS
Chief Marketing Office - NSW Rugby League
A groundbreaking career forged over 20 years in the highly competitive Australian professional sports market, driving and delivering commercial outcomes, media and digital strategy and major events.
Charged with growing and establishing the NSW Blues as one of the premier sporting brands in the world, she secured the largest sponsorship deal in the history of the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), where she has been employed since October 2014, as the first female senior executive in the organisation’s 109-year history.
Worked with National Rugby League (NRL) Clubs in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as at the governing body, the NRL, in a broad range of roles, from Healthy Lifestyles Manager, Player Welfare and Development, and Community Relations Manager to her current position as Chief Commercial Officer.
Highly creative and a confident and strong communicator with proven ability in event management, management of digital ecosystems, writing and presenting sponsorship proposals, and designing and executing marketing and communication plans.
STEPHANIE RUDNICK
GM, Experiences and Events - MKTG Australia
In December 2020, Stephanie and her family "picked up sticks" and moved from New York City to Sydney, Australia, for a new adventure. In Sydney, she re-joined dentsu's global sports and entertainment agency MKTG/dentsu Sports International as the Head of Global Communications and the GM of the agency's award-winning Experiences and Events team.
Concurrently, she is also the head of PR for Angel City Football Club, LA's newest professional sports team founded by Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, and Seven Seven Six founder and former Executive Chair of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian. Other founding investors include Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, Lindsey Vonn, Candace Parker, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Garner, Gabrielle Union, Glennon Doyle, Sophia Bush, Jessica Chastain, and Eva Longoria, fourteen former US Women's National Team players, including Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Mia Hamm dozens more, all committed to making an impact on and off the field. Steph is also an advisor for the Beautiful Game Group, a VC fund focused on buying professional sports teams worldwide through a purpose-driven model.
ASHLEY SPINKS
Marketing Effectiveness Manager - Seven Network
Ashley is a dynamic professional with a unique background, holding a double bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science / Business (Sport Management).
In just four years since graduation, she has gained extensive experience servicing broadcasters, rights-holders, brands, and not-for-profits, working at organisations such as Swimming Australia, Gemba, and currently at Seven Network.
Ashley is driven by her passion for promoting women’s participation and representation in sport and sport media, and leverages her expertise in research design and data analysis to provide strategic insights and direction.
NINA CURTIS
Olympic Medalist Sailing
Australia has entered the sailing arena with a brand-new Women's America's Cup team, the Team Australia Challenge (TAC), which aims to make waves on the global stage. One of the team's most notable members is Olympic silver medallist Nina Curtis, who is currently competing in SailGP.
The Women's America's Cup is a first-time event and will be held in October, following the Youth competition in September. With the women's final scheduled to be broadcast live on the Fox Sports network, the team's achievements and progress are expected to garner significant international attention. The TAC features accomplished sailors, including co-skippers Olivia Price and Nina Curtis, both of whom have Olympic silver medals to their names.
In addition to her accomplishments in sailing, Curtis is preparing for her first child while also participating in the Australian SailGP team. Her commitment to the sport and dedication to the team's success serves as an inspiration for aspiring female athletes.
The launch of the Women's America's Cup and the continuation of the Youth competition are part of the legacy protocol established by the current holder of the Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand. The TAC is proud to represent Australia in this prestigious event and hopes to make a lasting impact on the international sailing community.
ABBIE HER WAY
Content Creator
Abbie, a 12-year-old primary school student from Sydney, has become one of Australia's most influential young voices in women's sports.
As the founder of Her Way magazine, she features stories on top and emerging female athletes, driving attention and coverage to their achievements.
The idea for Her Way was born during the Covid lockdown when Abbie sought to address the limited coverage of women's sports in mainstream media.
Abbie has interviewed and gained support from some of Australia's leading female athletes, such as Olympic medallist Emma McKeon, Paralympians Madison de Rozario and Ellie Cole, basketball star Lauren Jackson, and GWS Giants legend Amanda Farrugia. Despite facing occasional criticism due to her age, Abbie remains focused on spreading positivity and bringing deserved recognition to women's sports.
The young journalist has covered significant events like the Women in Sport awards and has even taken over Fox Sports' social media channels for official interviews.