In Conversation With…

Sep 27

We ran the first in the series of ‘In Conversation With…’ on Tuesday 18th October, where we chatted to three founders who span across the design, content and marketing sectors. Between them they have over 50 years experience in the industry and are leading from the front.

Dave Lawson from Design People is synonymous with the design and hospitality scene. He is an experienced creative director, pivotal in building some of the strongest brands in the hospitality industry.

She Creates Ambassador Chanelle Le Roux is the owner of NINKI Content Marketing, a boutique content and strategy agency in Adelaide. As a female-owned and operated business, NINKI has created a company culture that accelerates women and plays an active role in lifting female communities.

Our very own Chair, Dena Vassallo is the founder and CEO of SOCIETY, a female-led, independent creative agency. With over 20 years of international experience at some of the world’s largest communications agencies, Dena is passionate about finding the spark that connects brands with consumers.

Getting these three together was an exciting combination of roles, backgrounds and visions. It was a great opportunity to meet others in our community, while sitting back and enjoying the conversation!

Enjoy the highlights, thanks to Merlin

Browse the photo gallery, thanks to Neil Soriano Studio

Meet the panellists

Dave Lawson

Dave Lawson’s name is synonymous with the design and hospitality scene. He is an experienced creative director, pivotal in building some of the strongest brands in the hospitality industry. Dave combines, passion, playfulness and purpose to make life nicer for his clients and their customers.
Dave is a creative thinking, problem-solver, his ultimate goal to create engaging, idea driven, aesthetically pleasing outcomes for clients big, small and in-between.

Chanelle Le Roux

Chanelle Le Roux is the owner of NINKI Content Marketing, a boutique content and strategy agency in Adelaide. As a female-owned and operated business, NINKI has created a company culture that accelerates women and plays an active role in lifting female communities.
As a part-time performer, Chanelle is an engaging speaker and we look forward to having her on the panel to share her experience as a female business owner.

Dena Vassallo

Dena Vassallo is the founder and CEO of SOCIETY, a female-led, independent creative agency. With over 20 years of international experience at some of the world’s largest communications agencies, Dena is passionate about finding the spark that connects brands with consumers.
Dena sits on the board for Green Adelaide and is also the Chair of She Creates, which inspires and addresses key issues facing women in the creative industry. Most recently, Dena joined the Council of Governors at Walford Anglican School for Girls, to continue to empower the next generation of women leaders.

The Sponsors

Major sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Peach streamlines complex workflows and powers the creative industry. Any screen, anywhere, anytime. Peach Video delivers video ads to TV, on-demand, online and agencies in over 150 countries.

See Peach Video →

The Adelaide Advertising & Design Club initiates and supports a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions, publications, social events and other industry networking opportunities - including She Creates.

See AADC →