Capt. Matt Ort (ret) > Vaxa Group Brisbane

Capt. Matt Ort (ret)

Vaxa Bureau (USA) – Managing Director

As the most recent United States Naval Attache to Australia, Matt is an accomplished Diplomat with an intimate understanding of the Indo-Pacific geopolitical environment.

His ability to assist clients understand the Political, Environmental, Social, Technical, Legal, and Ethical landscape across the region ensures a strategic approach to current and future opportunities and situations.

As a career military officer, diplomat, pilot, and innovator with over 25 years’ experience Matt’s solution driven approach to strategic and tactical , and providing leadership and mentorship to senior Defence leadership.

Matt possesses proven performance in analysis and operationalisation, operational readiness, training, disaster and crisis management; international procurement; international business improvement, and strategic communications.

Matt has demonstrated experience in providing integrated and interoperable strategic solutions between NGO’s, Government and Defence.

Matt provides clients with pro-active planning and preparedness to meet surge requirements in delivering consistency in all programs while assisting them in making sound well informed decisions.

Our People

Vaxa Group’s team are all highly-skilled experts in their respective fields, with vast experience across key fields including Business Development, Strategy, Operational Planning, Communications, Data Analytics, Content Marketing, Crisis Management, Government Relations and Policy Development.

Todd Crowley

Managing Partner

As the Founder and Managing Partner of Vaxa Group, Todd is a Business Development, Strategy, Engagement and Management professional with over 20 years practical experience, designing and delivering business solutions within the Asia Pacific region.

Sarah Morgan

Partner – Communications and Media

Sarah leads Vaxa’s communications and marketing operations, with a strong focus on media relations, crisis communications, content marketing and stakeholder engagement. A dynamic leader in corporate communications, Sarah is passionate about developing and delivering tailored, targeted and strategic marketing and communications that surpass client briefs and KPIs.

Curtis West

Partner – Data Analysis, Software Engineering

Curtis is a data analytics specialist, business analyst, and software engineer bringing together experience in these areas and his outcomes-driven motivation to deliver meaningful results in a range of business areas. Curtis is able to rapidly evaluate and strategise the leveraging of data and software systems for improved commercial outcomes.

Neil Melloy

GENERAL MANAGER

Neil is an experienced news executive with more than 30 years’ experience across print and digital media in Australia and the UK

Rochella Brisset

Group Operations Manager

Melissa Grant

Media and Communications Specialist

Melissa is an experienced media professional with a career spanning 15 years across metropolitan and regional media. She is now focused on delivering strategic public relations campaigns for clients to increase brand awareness.

Erin Long

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Erin is a media and communications specialist with a strong focus on media relations, content marketing, social media communication, copywriting and editing.

Stephanie Rose

Media and Communications Specialist

Stephanie is a media and communications specialist with 20 years in metro and regional media, in Australia and the UK.

Lisa Chant

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Lisa has more than 30 years’ experience in legacy and digital media in Australia and Asia. She has worked across newspapers, magazines and online with a strong focus on content creation and curation, editing and copywriting.

Jye Laarhoven

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Jye is a Communications and Marketing Coordinator who enjoys introducing new and innovative ways to increase his clients’ digital footprint. He brings a fresh perspective to the social media and content creation field with skills across several online platforms.

Jo Evans

Communication Specialist

Jo is a public relations, communication, and marketing all-rounder with more than 25 years’ experience in helping individuals, corporates, charities, and governments tell their own unique stories to a range of audiences.

Gemma Weedon

Communications and Marketing Assistant

Gemma is a Communications and Marketing Assistant who loves to analyse and take a deep dive into a client’s communication and marketing challenges and provide creative strategies and solutions.

Nathan Archer

Australian Defence and Defence Industry Senior Advisor

Nathan is a business development, supply chain and logistics, strategic engagement, and national security specialist with over 25 years practical experience delivering solutions and projects within the Defence Industry and governments sectors

Paddy Hallinan

Strategic Engagement and Planning Specialist - Government

A retired ADF Colonel, Paddy is a proven leader with over 30 years Defence, security, crisis management and operational logistics experience. His background and currency within the ADF allows for visibility on current Defence initiatives, key stakeholders and Tier 1 and 2 contractors.

Zhaoyu Guo

Growth Analyst

Zhaoyu is a Growth Analyst who has recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Commerce (Business Information Systems). During his Masters degree, Zhaoyu was involved in a number of exciting projects, working with real-world clients to digitise manual processes.

Francis Perrins

Finance and Office Assistant

Francis has more than 30 years’ experience working for global and local companies in London, Sydney and Brisbane. Her extensive career spans many areas, from account and office management to TV production and financial assistance.

Jamie Phillip Gascoigne

DIGITAL SPECIALIST

Jamie is a highly experienced multimedia and digital designer with over 18 years in the industry. He is accomplished in providing a wide range of solutions across multiple industries in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Dr Mark Harvey

Governance and Change Specialist

Dr Mark Harvey is an organisational culture improvement specialist with internationally recognised expertise in designing and delivering outcome-driven programs in Australia and overseas.

Capt. Matt Ort (ret)

Vaxa Bureau (USA) – Managing Director

As the most recent United States Naval Attache to Australia, Matt is an accomplished Diplomat with an intimate understanding of the Indo-Pacific geopolitical environment.

Rashmi Rai

Vaxa India - Partner

As a business development and education specialist, Rashmi has extensive experience in identifying and delivering positive outcomes providing maximum impact or her clients and her local community.