Gillian O'Mara

Collaborative. Purposeful. Genuine.


In my last years of high school, I decided I wanted to be the next Betty Churcher so I studied Art History and Curatorship. To fund my post-grad study, I fell into other work that ignited a whole different career trajectory: Intelligence Analyst in law enforcement, MD of a business conferencing organisation, GM of a womens’ leadership development company, CEO of a state swimming association and now here, at Phuel. For a time, I wondered if I had some kind of career schizophrenia but I’ve come to realise that I’m just incredibly curious– and I love connecting people who can help each other succeed.

I’m also a competitive swimmer, so the desire to test, learn, refine and perform seems to be innate. This determination always translates to my work: I’m committed to achieving the best possible outcome for my clients and their people. There is no better feeling than to see someone inspired and confident, performing at their best. Then to experience a team of people totally on fire? A whole business that is absolutely humming? That’s incredible! I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to connect the right people and initiate the right conversations to enable positive change to happen.

Phuel quote black

“A sense of humour is part of what makes us human. It’s a deeply connecting and empowering thing. Deploying it doesn’t make light of serious things, it means you’re able to move forward, in spite of those serious things.” - Ed Catmull, Co-Founder of Pixar