about avril
Avril Henry is a game changer who tells it like it is.
She is an internationally-acclaimed keynote speaker and provocateur who is passionate about transforming leadership models, building diversity capabilities and reforming outdated workplace practices.
Coming from a 23 year background in finance, IT, Human Resources and change management, in South Africa, Australia, the UK and USA, Avril founded her consultancy practise in 2003, Avril Henry and Associates.
Avril is the author and co-author of several books on leadership and the different generations at work, and her book, Leadership Revelations II How Australians lead in Crises was voted a “Must Buy, Must Read” and “Best Brain Food book of 2012”, by the Australian Financial Review BOSS magazine.
In 2010 she released her first children’s book.
Having spoken to hundreds of thousands of people globally since 2003, Avril is considered one of Australia’s premier and most engaging, entertaining, and practical keynote speakers who tells it like it is for each every subject she speaks on.
About Us
Smart, credible, bold, energetic, fresh, adaptable, nimble, practical, strong, nimble, frank, strong robust, solid research, experienced, daring, empowered and empowering.
Inspired and inspiring, authoritative, effective, dynamic, honest, bright, expert, energetic, open, fun, making complex simple, down-to-earth, forward facing.
Provocative, capable, educational, trustworthy, approachable, agile, driven, connected, savvy, insightful, professional, personable, confident, capable.
Avril Henry
Founder, Chief Financial Officer and Excutive Director
Following Avril’s stellar corporate leadership career in investment banking and working for professional services firms in multiple senior leadership roles in IT, Finance and HR, she founded her own company, Avril Henry Pty Ltd in 2003, focused on transformational leadership and coaching. In addition to her extensive leadership experience, Avril is a qualified Accountant and Economist, and has written four best-selling business books, as well as receiving multiple awards and recognition, including the Global Leadership Excellence in Coaching Award and the Australian HR Lifetime Achievement Award. One of her books was also voted “best brainfood” by the AFR Boss Magazine. Avril has been recognised as one of the most sought-after keynote speakers, facilitators and executive coaches who is having a significant impact in Australia and overseas. She is also carving out a name for herself as a media commentator, with regular appearances as a panellist on ABC’s The Drum, and with interviews on multiple radio talkback programs. In her role as Founder and CFO of the re-branded AHAA! (Avril Henry & Associates), she conducts extensive research while also writing books and helping the AHAA! team to constantly improve the services and educational programs delivered across all sectors, locally and globally.
David Kwasha
Chief Executive Officer
David’s unique and globally recognised 30-year career in pharmaceuticals has included over 24 years in senior global and regional roles. Committed to making a greater impact and passing on his leadership expertise, he joined Avril in a business partnership in 2019, and became CEO of AHAA! David is renowned for being the only Australian to have founded two multinational pharmaceutical companies in Australia and Asia Pacific (Actelion and Alexion). He and his teams, blazed a trail creating a whole new industry sector in these regions with life-saving and transforming products for ultra-rare diseases. As a leader who desires to make a difference, David was able to lead the creation of two of the most diverse workplaces in the pharmaceutical industry. In both companies, his senior leadership teams included over 80% females, as well as 80% of all staff made up of working parents with access to totally flexible workplace practices. Under David’s inclusive leadership, Actelion and Alexion broke numerous industry records, whilst at the same time also saving thousands of lives. David’s educational background spans registered nursing and postgraduate qualifications in critical care, marketing, business management, leadership and coaching, which he is now deploying to expand the services and influence of AHAA!
Martin Heffernan
Financial Adminstrator
Martin is a seasoned continuous improvement and change professional with substantial project and financial management experience. Over the last two decades, his roles have encompassed the management of compliance infrastructure, cross-organisational change programs, process/productivity improvement as well as non-interest income/revenue enhancement. He has a demonstrated track record of achievement distinguished by strong communication and financial skills, business acumen, and the ability to liaise between technical and business lines to maximise service quality and increase customer loyalty. He holds an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.
Melissa Volpi
Business Manager
After her initial university education in a Bachelor of Arts, Organisation Learning, Melissa continued her studies through TAFE in Marketing, Human Resources and Business Administration. While continuing these studies Melissa worked in the publishing and recruitment industries, working in the publishing industry Melissa worked on Human Resources and Law magazine publications.
Over the last seven years Melissa’s career has focused on refining her skills as an Executive Assistant. In this role she has been able to assist CEO’s and Boards across a diverse range of industries and as a result has flourished in this area. Melissa is vey passionate about all things administration.
Benny
Chief Happiness Officer
Benny has 11 years’ experience in bringing happiness to his family, friends and complete strangers—both human and other dogs—and is immortalised in Avril’s delightful children’s book, Benny Boo’s Parade of Joy. Together with his canine companion, Buddy, they look after the happiness and welfare of the AHAA! team.
Buddy
Chief Security Officer
After being rescued when he was not even two years of age, and becoming part of the family and AHAA! team, Buddy has proven to be a super talented ‘force of nature’ who is committed to office security. If you visit the premises, his security checks can be heard for 1-2 minutes, then he will lick you into submission under his awesome powers!
GLAM Ambassadors
We Support
@avrilhenry
