Profile
“We believe effective advising means helping people understand not just what questions they have, but the depth behind them. Teaching this way deepens relationships and leads to lasting connections”
Michael Bisaro,
StraightLine
Janelle Gavin is an accomplished HR leader and shareholder, guiding a team of dedicated professionals as they drive organisational acceleration, transformation, and high-growth initiatives at Mott MacDonald. As an accredited executive coach and proud member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she is committed to helping business leaders navigate the complexities of a global workforce and achieve meaningful business improvements – whether that’s advancing business maturity, tapping into growth markets or opening doors in new territories.
A passionate advocate for sustainable change, Gavin leads initiatives that elevate the employee experience and foster genuine engagement, knowing that these are key to strong business performance for everyone involved. Her diverse industry background spans hotels and resorts, local government, and professional services, giving her a well-rounded perspective on what makes organisations thrive. For Gavin, people are at the heart of every business, and she believes that the right leadership qualities, attributes and behaviours are what truly bring an organisation to life.
Level 17, One Festival Tower, Station Road, Adelaide, SA 5000
02 9931 4999
janelle.gavin@mottmac.com
linkedin.com/in/janellegavinpeopleandculture
mottmac.com
Janelle Gavin
Regional People Leader, Asia Pacific, New Zealand and Australia
Mott MacDonald
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Bio
Milestones
Profile
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Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
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Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
“Transitioning from a pure advisory focus to a combined leadership and advisory position has made balancing all responsibilities with limited time especially difficult. To address this, we’re bringing in people who can share the load, training our team to handle more, and implementing new tools to boost productivity”
Michael Bisaro,
StraightLine
2005–2013
2013–2015
2015–2018
Present
2018–Present
Human Resources Business Partner, APAC and Global Business Development
2005–2013
Founder and Director, The Uncomplicated Business Solution
2013–2015
Human Resources Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Mott MacDonald Australia
2015–2018
Regional People Leader, Asia Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, Mott MacDonald (based in Australia and Singapore) since 2018
Member, Group People Steering Committee, Mott MacDonald since 2024
Project Implementation Lead – Employee Ownership, Mott MacDonald since 2024
Present
Launched The Advisor Authority, a training company that mentors financial advisors through her Elite Advisor Success System™, helping them create their own scalable businesses
2018–Present
Milestones
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
“Transitioning from a pure advisory focus to a combined leadership and advisory position has made balancing all responsibilities with limited time especially difficult,” he says. “To address this, we’re bringing in people who can share the load, training our team to handle more, and implementing new tools to boost productivity. It’s just as challenging as I expected, especially letting go of tasks I once handled directly. Ultimately, it all comes back to managing capacity, time, and the continual adjustments that come with it.”
With an aging wealth management industry, Bisaro has placed much of StraightLine’s attention on internal mentorship. By partnering with various universities, Bisaro and StraightLine are providing opportunities for the advisors who will be carrying the industry’s torch into the next era.
“The mentoring aspect of what we’re doing has really defined our corner of the industry. It’s become central to how we grow, not just as a firm, but as individual professionals. Mentorship allows us to expand our capabilities beyond ourselves and ensures that knowledge and experience are carried forward,” he explains.
“Of course, there’s a practical benefit to our firm in cultivating future talent, but it goes far beyond that. The industry needs this. People need this. Supporting and developing the next generation of advisors is a natural and essential extension of who we are and what we do.”