Meet the team

Parentshop HQ, Byron Bay

Michael Hawton

Founder & Child Psychologist

Michael Hawton is a registered Australian psychologist, trained teacher, author of Talk Less Listen More™, Engaging Adolescents™, and The Anxiety Coach™, international speaker, media commentator, and a father of two. With 30 years’ experience working with children and families including in his private practice, working with the United Nations in Seychelles, and preparing child welfare reports for the Family Court, Michael is one of Australia’s foremost experts in child anxiety and managing difficult behaviours in children, adolescents, and adults.

Hayley Cravigan

General Manager

Hayley has 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, strategic brand management, marketing and events, she has been with Parentshop since 2019. Hayley has worked across government, universities and private sectors managing major change projects and Australia-wide communication teams and strategic communication planning. Hayley then moved into events trying her hand at managing large scale events as General Manager for a Sydney catering company working on everything from boardroom lunches to large public events of over 5,000 people. More recently, Hayley ran her own business managing luxury weddings and corporate events in the Byron Bay area in her own business, while consulting to luxury brands, venues and clients in Australia and beyond. As a mother of two, Hayley brings to Parentshop a passion for child development, and programs to help the community navigate how to raise the new generation.

Caitlin Kirkpatrick

Business Development Manager

Caitlin started her professional life in the film and television industry in Melbourne and Sydney and for many years worked on some of our favourite TV shows. Moving into theatre in education, she was a tour coordinator, organising performers into schools across Australia. Since joining Parentshop in 2015, she now heads the sales and development team, building extensive relationships throughout the education and community health sectors.

Elle Hart

Marketing & Executive Support Coordinator

After retiring from a professional dance career, Elle took over as Artistic Director of Innate Dance Company and choreographed, facilitated, and produced various events and productions for the company for six years. Elle then went on to assist directors in environmental conservation for the Queensland government before joining Parentshop and picking back up her events management skills as Learning Coordinator.

Isabelle Kocher

Marketing and Content Assistant

After studying applied linguistics, Isabelle worked in the content creation industry for advertisement companies, online newspapers, and marketing departments. Four years ago, she then decided to leave her home country, Germany, travel the world, and build her own business as a freelance copywriter, editor, and translator. With a strong emphasis on health, medicine, and psychology throughout her career, she is eager to contribute to Parentshop through her marketing expertise and her passion for helping others live a more valuable life.

Trisha Inglis

Events & Bookshop Coordinator

With over thirty years of rich experience in hospitality and event coordination, Trisha has honed her skills at renowned establishments across Sydney, London, and Byron Bay. Her true passion lies in building authentic connections, nurturing supportive relationships, and bringing communities together. In addition, Trisha has spent over a decade deepening her experience in the art and science of meditation, becoming a certified teacher four years ago. Currently studying Vedic philosophy, advanced meditation techniques and transformational coaching, she is committed to guiding individuals toward greater self-awareness, connecting them with their deepest nature and essence. Trisha’s extensive background in global hospitality and event coordination, combined with her expertise in conscious coaching, offers a rich blend of knowledge and insight to the Parentshop community. Her diverse experience and holistic approach enhance the value she brings to the team, fostering growth and connection.

Anna Fry

Executive Assistant

Originally from the UK, Anna has cultivated a diverse global career spanning Marketing, Sales, Events, Career Coaching, Recruitment, and Executive Assistant roles within the private sector. Her vibrant energy and extensive experience now drive her success at Parentshop, where she excels in organising, assisting, and connecting with others. Anna is committed to fostering authentic connections, enhancing operational efficiency, and maximising the potential of every professional interaction.

Presenters & consultants

Dr Rob Steventon

Parentshop Consultant

Rob Steventon has been a Primary School Principal for 37 years and specialised in gifted and talented education, inclusion of students with physical disabilities within mainstream education, and consulting in social/emotional learning (SEL) for students, staff, and parents. He has a strong desire to support school leaders who face intense challenges in times of unprecedented expectations.

Sally Learey

Parentshop Consultant

Sally Learey is a keynote speaker, author and education consultant. She holds qualifications in teaching, training, positive psychology, coaching and counselling. Sally has 30 years combined experience working across adult training, parent education, primary and secondary teaching and workshop and conference presenting. She has worked with thousands of teachers and school leaders throughout Australia, facilitating evidence-based professional learning and implementing system wide change. Sally is known for her insight and authenticity, her inspirational energy and the impact her presentations have on participants. All her work aligns with Parentshop’s vision for ‘lifelong behaviour change’. Sally is also the author of 7 children’s books and an adult non-fiction personal development book.

Sue Foley

Parentshop consultant

BSoc, MA, MSW., MEd., MAASW Sue Foley is a Clinical and Forensic Social Worker with nearly 50 years of experience as a social worker in various government and non-government services. Most recently she has been an Authorised Clinician and Director of the NSW Children’s Court Clinic. Sue is committed to capacity building for professionals, throughout their careers; to social justice, respect, and empowerment in all that helping professionals do.

Ruby Otero

Parentshop Consultant

Ruby Otero, CSM, is a registered psychologist with a unique blend of experience in mental health, rehabilitation & injury management, learning & development and organisational psychology. Ruby has worked in a diverse range of government and corporate sectors including aviation, defence, consulting and health. During her service in the Australian Army, Ruby’s work was recognised on the 2013 Australia Day Honours List and awarded the Australian Conspicuous Service Medal for commitment and devotion to duty in soldier rehabilitation, welfare and wellbeing. Ruby established her private practice in the Sutherland Shire providing psychology consultations for individuals working through life’s many challenges or wanting to develop strategies to thrive and fulfill life goals. Ruby is committed to upholding the highest standards of professional practice and providing evidenced-based interventions when working with clients.

Lindsey Brassington

Parentshop consultant

Lindsey commenced teaching in 2007 in Southwestern Sydney, transitioning from a legal career to make a meaningful impact on high school students' lives. Over the years, she has taken on various teaching and leadership roles, including Head Teacher and Deputy Principal, and has chaired the Wellbeing Curriculum Network in the Illawarra. Since 2020, Lindsey has expanded her expertise into Non-School Based Teaching roles within the Department of Education, serving as a senior education advisor in positions such as NAPLAN Online Trainer/Facilitator and Learning and Wellbeing Advisor. In these roles, she has focused on providing efficient, effective and accessible support for students and their families. Lindsey brings extensive experience in school planning and program development, aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and overall wellbeing.

Greg Flint

Parentshop Consultant

Greg sees life as a learning journey, commencing his career working in education in 1987. Since then he has taught and held leadership positions in both Public and Catholic schools in metropolitan and country NSW. Since graduating in 1986, Greg has completed post-graduate studies in school leadership and Indigenous Studies and Spanish. During the nineties Greg lived and taught in both England and Spain, developing his career further and exposing him firsthand to global trends in education. During this time he was involved in rolling out the National Literacy and Numeracy programs in the UK. Since 2000 Greg has been back in the NSW education system working as a classroom teacher. He has taught all primary grades, including a five year stint in kindergarten. In the past ten years Greg has been working as Assistant Principal in the Northern Rivers, NSW. His key roles have included: mentoring graduate teachers, leading school growth and development through, curriculum, wellbeing and behaviour management initiatives such as Restorative Practices and Circle Time. He has been instrumental in rolling out a school culture change program called Building Cultural Capacity (Insight SRC) which has given him an up close opportunity to understand and learn from the challenges of change management, in the education setting. Greg is passionate about creating learning environments where students can flourish.

Carolyn Nugent

Parentshop Consultant

Carolyn is a dedicated teacher, school leader, and mentor in transforming educational practices across K-12 schools. Carolyn has successfully demonstrated her leadership capacity in multiple roles across government and non-government sectors as Educator, Teacher, Principal, Relieving Director Educational Leadership, Principal School Leadership, and more recently, Principal Coach-Mentor supporting newly appointed and relieving principals across the state. Throughout her career, Carolyn has demonstrated her commitment to developing exceptional educators. Carolyn was instrumental in taking health and drug education programs to Papua New Guinea, founding educational centres in Port Moresby and Lae and training local teachers to deliver the programs, effectively nuanced to support and meet the needs within their communities. Carolyn has worked extensively across NSW and embedded herself in promoting quality teaching practices and strengthening collective efficacy and school climate. Carolyn is a strong advocate for principals within the NSW Primary Principal Association and is an active member of the PPA Communications and Engagement Standing Committee. To demonstrate what a lifelong learner she is, Carolyn has a current personal challenge to become a skilled wing foil rider. Stay tuned on her progress!

Dr Sharon Parkes

Parentshop Consultant

Dr. Sharon Parkes worked in the NSW education sector for 47 years engaged in a range of teaching and leadership positions. These included Head Teacher; Senior Education Officer (SOE2); Inspector of Schools; Chief Education Officer (CEO)/ Assistant Regional Director- Hunter Region; Principal School Leadership (PSL); Principal Support Officer (PSL) finishing her career as principal of two large comprehensive high schools for a period of 24years. Sharon has worked across all key learning areas (KLAs) in both primary and secondary NSW government schools providing professional learning, mentoring and support for school leaders. As a Life Member of the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council (NSWSPC) Sharon lead the Principal Support Reference group for 19 years and was an active member of the NSWSPC Executive for 14 years. During that time, together with another member of the executive, Sharon planned, led, and implemented professional Learning for NSW secondary government school principals. As leader of the NSWSPC Principal Support Reference Group Sharon led the biannual collection of survey data to determine the issues which impact on principal well-being. The data from those surveys was used to keep principal support and well-being on the agenda for both the NSW Department of Education (DoE) and school leaders. With a Bachelor of Arts (BA) major in Psychology and Sociology from Newcastle University Sharon developed a career long interest in psychology and behaviour management which has formed the basis for her enjoyment (since retirement) in delivering professional learning/training for school leaders through the Parentshop ‘Tough Conversations for School Leaders’ (TCSL) program. Sharon has a Master of Educational Administration (MAdmin) and a Doctor of Education (DoE) from the University of New England (UNE). Since retiring from DoE in July 2019, Sharon has been working as a Project Officer for NSWSPC and has written several professional learning modules (with a focus on principal well-being) for NSWSPC. Sharon is also a member of the Parentshop team delivering (TCSL) training across NSW. Using the NSWSPC research data, Sharon has been invited to deliver workshops at state, national and international conferences. Since 2013 Sharon has been a speaker for the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) in Cairns; Helsinki; South Africa with the last conference in 2019 in Shanghai China. Sharon lives in Newcastle NSW.