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Katya Ellis

Current Occupation:

SMB strategy advisor, specialising in marketing and information systems. NFP Board Director. Fractional CMO. Digital Marketing tutor at RMIT.

Detailed CV:

·       Katya Ellis’ career began with customer-facing roles at Darrell Lea Chocolates, where she developed a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and the importance of effective customer service. This early experience provided her with valuable insights into the challenges businesses face in building strong customer relationships, which later informed her work in developing tailored strategies for small business owners.

After transitioning into a more analytical role as a purchasing analyst for Ford Motor Company, Katya gained a comprehensive understanding of supply chain management, procurement, and operational efficiency. These skills equipped her with the ability to identify areas for improvement in business operations and offer practical solutions to the clients she mentors. Her ability to blend customer-focused and analytical approaches is a hallmark of her mentoring style.

In 2007, Katya took on the role of Director at Melbourne Textiles Agencies, where she specialised in apparel fabrics, further strengthening her expertise in brand management and marketing communications. Her career continued to evolve as she took on marketing leadership roles, including Brand Manager for Mina & Katusha and Communications Manager at Starfish Ventures, where she managed the marketing and communication strategies for a venture capital firm. These roles demonstrated her ability to build and grow brands in competitive industries.

Since 2014, Katya has served as a Strategy Consultant and Project Director at Novinka International Pty Ltd, focusing on digital marketing, business strategy consulting, and project management for small businesses. Her extensive experience in digital transformation enables her to guide business owners through the challenges of modernising their operations and leveraging new technologies to drive growth. Katya’s mentoring provides practical, tailored solutions that help small businesses optimise their digital marketing efforts, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth.

      1997-2007. Various customer service roles including Darrell Lea chocolates (six years), women’s apparel and accessories stores, boutique and department stores.

·        2004-2005 Purchasing analyst, Ford Motor Company.

·        2007-2011 Director, Melbourne Textiles Agencies. Agency and importer specialising in apparel fabrics.

·        2008-2014 (part-time). Director, Brand Manager, Mina & Katusha, Melbourne. Sales, marketing and communications management for the independent fashion brand specialising in the design and manufacture of women’s apparel and accessories.

·        2011-2012 Communications Manager, Starfish Ventures, Melbourne. Managed marketing and communications for the venture capital firm.

·        2009-2014 Outreach Manager (Government and Industry Liaison) National Information Communications Technologies Australia (NICTA). Managed events and partner liaison for Australia’s ICT research centre of excellence. Also developed high school education programs.

·        2011-2015 Director, Business Development, Gusto & Elan, Melbourne. (Fashion Boutique and Marketing Agency) Developed promotion strategies, establishes industry partnerships and acquires clients across international markets for the marketing and business development agency, which provides retail and wholesale services and strategy consultation to fashion brands, specialising in sales, launches, brand growth, international promotion, boutique and online retail.

·        2014-current Strategy Consultant and Project Director, Novinka International Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Small Business strategy consulting and strategic planning workshops, marketing and digital marketing planning. Project activation and management. Digital adaptation and digital marketing and information systems audit and sourcing. 
(Managed special projects including Design Australia USA, an export program for Australian fashion designers to the US, and STEM education initiatives for the University of Melbourne.)

       2015-2020 Executive Director

       2016-2021 Grants Assessor - City of Melbourne - Innovation Business Grants / Business Event Grants

2017-2020 Guest lecturer on entrepreneurship at Australian Institute of Music, and RMIT (Masters of Fashion Entrepreneurship)

       2018-2019 QVM Trader Connect Program Manager / Business Mentor in Residence - established tertiary student internship placement program for small businesses

       2018-2022 Director of the Board - Small Business Mentoring Service

       2019-2022 Director of the Board - Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC)

       2020-2022 Business Mentor - Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Business resilience and recovery program

       2019-current Digital Marketing workshop facilitator - City of Melbourne, City of Whittlesea, QVM + others

       2020-2021 Advisory Board Member - Cancer Support Angels
2021 - current Executive Chair of the Board - Cancer Support Angels 

2020-current Advisory Board Member - Lensel

2021-current RMIT - Digital Marketing - Sessional Tutor

Qualifications:

• • Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Information Systems, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne
• Digital marketing, Export/Import, Public speaking, SEO and Google marketing, retail management and merchandising, sales, entrepreneurship
• Harvard Business School - Professional Specialisation in Strategy, including Business Strategy, Sustainable Business Strategy, Pricing, Effective Comm