Coral joined Merit Solutions in 2019, bringing more than 30 years public sector experience and a substantial record of achievement in the strategic leadership and delivery of people and culture programs. Within the Australian Customs Service, she held line management roles up to executive level in airports, seaports and investigations and was the Corporate Manager for the Northern Region for 8 years. In the latter role, she had responsibility for all Finance and HR functions including recruitment, selection, induction, development and performance management. During her career she had two executive level diplomatic postings in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia, delivering a range of bilateral programs with a focus on capacity building and training. As an HR consultant in Darwin she provided selection services to public sector and not-for-profit agencies, including the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Northern Territory Primary Health Network. Coral is also an experienced counsellor, providing crisis support and disaster response through Lifeline in Queensland.

Coral has extensive experience in public sector recruitment and selection as a delegate as well as chairing panels for the selection of executive, operational and administrative roles. She has delivered large scale recruitment programs for Customs Recruits and Southern Ocean Marine Crews. Since leaving government, Coral has worked as a scribe and HR advisor to support efficient, high quality selection processes for government and not-for-profit clients. She has practical experience in the development of job descriptions, application of psychometric tests, development of interview questions, shortlisting, scribing, selection report writing, candidate feedback and referee checking.

Coral has a strong interest in the development of individuals and teams within organisations. She has developed induction and mentor programs, introduced career mobility and performance management programs and delivered experiential leadership programs to supervisors and managers. She has worked closely with line managers to support them to achieve their business outcomes through the development and maintenance of a skilled workforce. Coral has been successful in coaching and mentoring supervisors and managers to deal with conflict and the delivery of performance management strategies in the workplace. Her counselling skills have complemented her practical experience in mentoring and coaching job applicants and staff impacted by change.

Coral is experienced in the application of HR policies and practices relevant to the public sector and has been involved in the development of policies and guidelines specific to organisations, often in response to new government initiatives. She has worked closely with line managers to support and develop their capabilities in performance management. Coral has also investigated and delivered reports on breaches of the public sector code of conduct.

Working within government agencies’ business planning and performance management frameworks, Coral has practical experience in the development of strategic directions, business, risk management, work area and individual performance plans. She has facilitated workshops to assist work areas to establish priorities and develop business plans. As part of a capacity building project, she facilitated the development of a 5 year Corporate Plan for the PNG Quarantine Service. Coral has also led workforce planning, talent management and workforce capability initiatives at a regional level.

Coral is an experienced counsellor with Lifeline and provides support in disaster response situations. She has significant overseas experience working as an executive in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta where she coordinated capacity building and mentoring programs for Indonesia and Timor Leste. Under the Australian Business Volunteer Program, Coral also worked as an HR Advisor on a substantial recruitment and HR capacity building program for the PNG Museum and Art Gallery.