Meet the team
Kirsty Hage
manager
kirsty@innovativeresources.org
If there was a role that encompasses all of Kirsty’s unique skills and experience, it’s that of Manager at Innovative Resources. With over 25 years in community services and social work, qualifications in graphic design and management, experience in the education sector, local government and retail, Kirsty and IR were destined for each other.
‘Innovative Resources brings together everything I’m passionate about. It’s creative, aligns with my core values (the strengths approach), and transforms lives in ways that are so powerful. It also allows me to collaborate and engage with the most amazing people in their fields.’
Kirsty loves all the resources, but feels a particular affinity with the beautiful and whimsical illustrations of Trace Bella in Everyday Strengths. She’s also a fan of Tell a Trusted Adult and its ability to give a voice to the most vulnerable kids in our communities.
Living close to the beach with her beloved pooch, Ruby, keeps Kirsty feeling centred … as does live music, walking, jewelry making and her many other creative pursuits.
Sue King-Smith
managing editor
With over 20 years’ experience as a social worker, manager of human services teams, and educator, Sue has had a range of roles supporting children, families, young people and communities.
She holds a PhD in creativity and social justice and is passionate about the role creativity can play in helping people share stories, advocate for themselves, connect, heal and grow.
‘I feel incredibly lucky to work with such skilled, knowledgeable, and creative people—from authors and illustrators to people with lived experience, and the amazing IR team— who are all dedicated to making the world a more inclusive and respectful place. I feel inspired every day.’
Sue doesn’t have a favourite card set, but loves that they all have a different feel, look and purpose. ‘There is such an amazing range of visual styles—that’s where the joy is for me.’
In her spare time, she loves being in nature, hiking or cycling with her partner, Ian. She is also a compulsive traveller and enjoys spending time with family and friends, writing poetry and making weird, magical realist art objects.
Chris Cain
production and office co-ordinator
With a background in warehouse management and small business ownership, Chris brings a strong business and organisational focus to Innovative Resources that perfectly complements the creativity he contributes to the team.
Having seen a lot of changes over almost two decades with IR, Chris says one thing has remained constant, ‘the dedication and passion of the people working here’.
Above all, Chris loves connecting with the people who use Innovative Resources card sets.
‘Hearing people’s stories about how our resources have helped them—either directly or in their work with others—is inspiring. It’s why we’re here.’
Chris’ favourite card set is Shadows.
‘I see my life among those cards—particularly my younger years.’
When he’s not overseeing the latest IR card set off the press, Chris enjoys getting out and exercising, watching his son play in the local footy league, and enjoying every spare moment he can with his partner.
Nikki Murphy
customer & administrative support officer
Having worked at Innovative Resources for seven years, Nikki is the eyes and ears of the business and the first point of contact for customers. She not only processes and packages all the orders, but is also responsible for accounts, banking and debt collection.
Nikki is also the go-to person when it comes to general administration, including functions, conferences and training packages.
Clearly you need to be a bit of a daredevil to take on the world of admin, and Nikki is definitely an adrenalin junky at heart. She’s launched herself into skydiving, bungee jumping and white-water rafting … just to name few. The scarier the better!
Nikki loves being part of a team that uses its combined strengths to help others, so it’s no surprise her favourite card set is Everyday Strengths, a resource that’s all about appreciating relationships, showing gratitude and building community.
Outside of work, Nikki loves spending time with her sons, her extended family and friends.
‘Being spontaneous—just up and doing something different—going to a new place—heading out for a meal—makes me happy.’
Alison Krusec
training specialist
alison@innovativeresources.org
With more than 30-years’ experience in early years education, family and parenting programs, training and facilitation, and working with people experiencing mental health and family violence, Alison brings a wealth of learning, stories and practice wisdom to her role as Training Specialist at Innovative Resources.
Alison’s training is not only imbued with stories and experiences, but also an insatiable curiosity about the world and what makes humans tick.
She first encountered The Bears in 1997 and still loves their powerful simplicity … a bear showing us how they are feeling.
‘I just love so many of the cards, depending on the where, or who, or when. The moments of light within the Shadows cards, the quirky characters in Eating Disorders, and the way Nature of Strengths taps into the strengths of the natural world.’ When she’s not planning the next training or card hack session, you might find Alison enjoying dinner (the spicier the better) with family and friends, binging a Scandinavian crime thriller, or spending time in nature.
Gillian Ryan
customer service & training co-ordinator
gillian@innovativeresources.org
Having used Innovative Resources’ card sets throughout her career, being a member of the IR team brings Gillian great satisfaction and pride.
‘I love the quality of products and training we offer and feel lucky to work within a team culture that aspires to the values of the strengths approach.’
Gillian has worked in the field of training for more than 25 years—including eLearning since the late 1990s—so brings a world of experience to her role as Training Coordinator.
She loves communicating with IR’s diverse and creative community and hearing how people use the resources to help others overcome challenges, build connection and positive pictures of the future.
Gillian finds it hard to pick a favourite card set, but loves the versatility and relatability of Picture This.
When she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her spending quality time with her grandkids, or travelling to interesting places … she recently swam with the whale sharks at Exmouth in WA. Now that’s some funky fish!
Mat Jones
senior graphic designer
Creating colourful, eye-catching designs for both print and online platforms is Mat’s superpower, driven by years of studio experience in newspapers, greeting card design and the marketing industry.
He is also a talented illustrator and first collaborated with Innovative Resources on the classic card set Mates Traits, recently reimagined as Respectful Relationships. Mat also illustrated the hugely popular Body Signals.
‘I love the optimism unleashed by IR’s diverse catalogue of card sets and training. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to contribute and create artwork for products that bring sweet positivity to the world.
‘Each product is so well crafted—an epic amount of planning, writing, road-testing, reviewing and design that results in an IR product that can make a world of difference to a potential global audience … knowing just how good these products are, and how they can help is what excites me.’
When he’s not pouring his creative energy into IR projects, Mat finds joy in the simplest places—on two wheels, in the pool, or ‘out and about’ with his family.
John Holton
editor & content writer
Involved in the writing and publishing industry for more than 25 years, John’s creative journey began with freelance copywriting and has had many adaptations along the way, including creative writing teacher, feature writer, newspaper columnist, and more recently as a communications manager in the education sector.
John was Senior Editor at Innovative Resources from 2003 to 2009 and worked on many enduring card sets, such as Deep Speak, Signposts, Shadows and Ups and Downs. He also collaborated with Ray Bowler to create Storycatching, and is the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction.
‘I feel so lucky to have come full-circle and be back at Innovative Resources. I love interacting with the cards every day, collaborating with artists and designers, and delving into the minds of people who are experts in their fields … including our amazing IR team.’
When John’s not tapping away on his computer keyboard, you find him cycling the many trails on Gunditjmara Country (Warrnambool), catching a movie at the Port Fairy Film Society, bushwalking with his partner, Cath, getting his hands dirty in the veggie garden, or obsessing over his record collection.