Greg Spinks

Greg has nearly 20 years of management consulting experience.  He has consulted in the United States for nearly 3 years to predominantly Fortune 500 companies reporting directly to the Presidents of each client. He has worked for KPMG’s Advisory arm and since 1996 has been the Founding Director of CIS.

Over the past 5 years his primary focus has been assisting clients obtain large government grants where he has successfully raised $330 million, redesign organisations including implementing mergers, developing strategic plans both at a divisional, organisational and industry level, building business plans for new technologies, aligning organisations around customer needs and providing commercialisation/business development skills training.

Greg’s core expertise is leading large complex projects, helping to set the strategic direction of projects, chairing and facilitating workshops, project management of engagements and negotiating commercial and governance arrangements.  Unlike many management consultants Greg is often heavily involved in the implementation of client projects.

Although his current client base is predominantly the education and research sector, he has worked extensively in the health, manufacturing, design, engineering, finance, tourism, mining, telecommunications and logistics sectors.

Prior to consulting Greg worked in two roles for the Australian Chamber of Manufactures as Industrial Relations advisor and as an economist.

Greg has an Economics Degree (Honours), Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources, and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. He was one of two students selected to complete his studies at the University of Southern California where he was awarded the Dean’s International Fellow

Bernadette Spinks

Bernadette is a specialist management consultant who has assisted private and public organisations in various capacities for over 15 years. Projects have included State and Federal grant applications, organisational reviews, implementation and change management, and business plans.

In the last five years Bernadette has had major roles in securing $230 million in federal government grants, including five successful Co-operative Research Centres.

Her grant experience has included hospital infrastructure, health & biotechnology research and higher education. Bernadette’s responsibility in grants has included developing participant contributions, budgets, education and training programs and economic impacts.

Bernadette has also led seven organisational reviews, working predominantly in the university sector. In all cases at least 95% of recommendations have been adopted with most reviews including an implementation and change management role. Reviews have included benchmarking with leading organisations in the industry sector, resulting in increased organisational efficiencies and effectiveness.

Industry sectors where Bernadette has undertaken projects include; universities, research institutes, science, health care, telecommunications, biotechnology, heritage, hospitality, and sport.

Prior to working at CIS, Bernadette worked was a secondary teacher and department head, and manager of a Los Angeles based sport and recreation centre.

Bernadette has a Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School.

Chad Bystedt

Chad has 8 years of professional services experience in the fields of financial analysis, operations design and risk assessment.

His most recent experience has included producing an industry-wide strategic plan for horticultural products as well as conducting restructuring and operational improvements for a major Victorian University.

Prior to CIS, Chad has led client engagement teams in performing operational reviews and financial audits as a Senior Analyst for Deloitte, in both their Melbourne and Los Angeles offices.

He has worked directly with CFOs of some of the largest international technology, manufacturing, and telecommunications organisations around the world. In addition, he has worked as a contracted Business Analyst with ANZ and as the Internal Controls Manager for Behr Process Corporation, where he oversaw operational and financial risk management.

Chad has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Financial Accounting) from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Melbourne Business School majoring in finance.

Jennifer Lieu

Jennifer has strong financial and commercial analytical ability and experience across a broad range of disciplines. She has a diverse professional background including accounting, corporate finance, audit, financial modelling and management consulting to the public and private sectors.

She has strong expertise in the design and development of complex financial models, an integral component of most consulting projects. Most recently she has developed the financial model for a $20 million Cooperative Research Centre Bid.

Jennifer has undertaken feasibility studies for many large-scale capital and operational projects, in a vast array of government and commercial industry sectors. Jennifer is also skilled at conducting industry research projects and developing extensive competitor analysis profiles.

Prior to working at CIS, Jennifer worked for 4 years at a national accounting firm specialising in tender writing and business analysis.

Jennifer has a Commerce and Computer Science Degree from the University of Melbourne with majors in Accounting and Finance. She is currently completing her CA.

Janine Pickering

Janine work focuses on organisational redesign and implementation components of strategic initiatives. She has lead multiple change management engagements and is a former HR practitioner.

She is regularly called upon to provide HR services such as staff recruitment, career development counselling, incentive based remuneration packages, assisting with staff performance issues.

Prior to joining CIS, Janine worked for CSIRO as the Human Resources and Strategy Development Manager. This strategic role linked HR operations with divisional business strategy. She was responsible for all HR policy, change management, career development and communications initiatives. Janine was also heavily involved in the development and implementation of strategic plans.

Janine has a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management and a Masters in Public Policy (Melbourne University). She is currently completing her PhD through Swinburne University.