Where can a career in communications take you?

A career in communications can open doors you never expected.

Join IABC Queensland for an online conversation with communications professionals whose careers have taken them in new and different directions.

We’ll explore how the skills you build in comms, from understanding audiences and storytelling to influencing, navigating complexity, building relationships and thinking strategically, can provide an incredible foundation for what comes next.

Hear from Jo-Anne Sardi and Anne Moffat as they share their career journeys, the skills that have stayed with them along the way, and how their communications experience helped prepare them for opportunities beyond traditional comms roles.

Facilitated by IABC Queensland Board Member, Ariana Tesese, this will be a relaxed and practical conversation about career pivots, transferable skills and the many places a career in communications can take you.

Whether you’re thinking about your next move, curious about where your skills could take you, or simply interested in hearing some great career stories, join us online.

Date: Friday, 18 September 2026

Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm AEST

Location: Online

Cost: FREE for IABC members | $25 for rural, regional, and remote communicators | $40 for metro non-members

Panellists

Jo-Anne Sardi

Jo-Anne Sardi is Portfolio Lead for Markets, Clients & Growth at BDO in Australia, where she partners with the Chief Client Officer to oversee strategy execution, governance, operations and risk management for a national team supporting more than 340 partners and 3,000 staff. Her career began in corporate communications and during more than a decade has evolved into broader leadership roles spanning strategy, transformation, organisational planning and business operations. Today, she helps translate complex business priorities into practical actions, driving alignment across teams and supporting leaders through growth, change and reputation challenges. Jo-Anne is passionate about the evolving role of communication professionals and how strong communication skills can open pathways into strategic leadership, influence and business decision-making.

Anne Moffat

Anne has been the Chief Operations Officer for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads since December 2018, supporting the Director-General with the day-to-day operations of the department. Prior to coming to this role, Anne had 30 years in the state and local government sector, working in senior roles across the infrastructure programming and delivery areas, as well as urban and regional planning. She has delivered several large communication, engagement and policy projects, plus delivery reform agendas. Anne began her career as a professional communicator and holds a Bachelor of Business Communication with Honours.

Facilitator

Ariana Tesese

IABC Queensland Board member and Principal Consultant for Sales, Marketing, Communication and Digital, Troocoo

Ariana Tesese is a Principal Consultant specialising in Marketing and Communications recruitment. For the past three years, she’s worked closely with marketing and communications professionals across the industry, getting to know the people behind the roles, their career journeys and experiences. She enjoys building genuine connections within the space and staying close to the people and conversations shaping the industry.