The Team
Jacquie Ray FPRIA
Managing Director
Jacquie Ray FPRIA
Over her 16-year career as a strategic communication specialist, Jacquie has advised and counselled state and federal government agencies, public corporations and NGOs in Australia and the United Kingdom. She has particular expertise in crisis and issues management, stakeholder and community engagement, media and publicity and strategic marketing.
Jacquie has previously held positions as both National Deputy President and Tasmanian State President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Before establishing Timmins Ray, Jacquie worked with another Tasmanian consultancy for nearly 10 years, managing a portfolio of major clients and providing specialist counsel on a diversity of issues, ranging from strategic communication and stakeholder engagement to media/publicity and reputation management.
In London, Jacquie held the executive position of Manager Communication and Engagement in a high-profile, joint initiative between the UK Ministry of Defence and Department of Environment. In that role, she was responsible for managing and developing both internal and external communication strategies to engage a challenging stakeholder group, comprising Ministers, political advisers, national media and staff drawn from two separate ministries.
Jacquie has been an industry mentor and lecturer to Journalism, Media and Communication students at the University of Tasmania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Journalism/Media Studies and French from UTAS. She is fluent in French, having lived and studied in France.
Michael Stedman MPRIA
Director Public Affairs
Michael Stedman MPRIA
Michael Stedman started his career as a journalist and has worked at the highest levels in Tasmanian media and politics for nearly two decades.
As a senior political reporter at both the Examiner and Mercury newspapers, Michael closely observed and reported on the personalities, issues and major events in Tasmanian politics.
In 2010 he began working as a media adviser to Tasmanian Government Ministers across a range of portfolios and later became press secretary to Tasmania’s first female Premier, Lara Giddings.
Michael has served as Chief of Staff to Labor Leaders Bryan Green and Rebecca White – a dynamic and challenging role involving the coordination of political strategy, communication, policy development and legislative analysis.
He has earned a reputation for being level-headed, hard working and for maintaining respectful relationships across the political aisle.
Michael brings his skills in communication, strategy and crisis management to the Timmins Ray team.
He also has an extensive professional network that extends across State, Territory and Commonwealth Parliaments and the business and community sectors in Tasmania.
Michael is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Georgia Doering MPRIA
Consultant
Georgia Doering MPRIA
Georgia graduated from Griffith University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Public Relations and Journalism.
During her final year, Georgia completed an independent research paper focusing on candidates use of social media in political campaigns, using a specific analysis of the 2018 Wentworth by-election.
She was awarded Griffith Awards for Academic Excellence in 2017 and 2018, received a High Achievement Award from the Griffith Business School in 2018 for being Dux of Management Strategy and Decision Making, as well as being a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society since 2018.
A strategic thinker, Georgia brings a diverse skill set to the Timmins Ray team, including a youthful perspective, research expertise and personable demeanour, as well as taking pride in her written communication and attention to detail.
She has outstanding expertise in social and digital media.
Georgia’s ability to quickly adapt to change and familiarise herself with different tasks has allowed her to assist in designing and implementing a social media strategy and policy for Glenorchy City Council, organise proactive media and publicity for Tasmanian Bakeries and support media relations for Macquarie Point Development Corporation.
Georgia is a Professional Member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Emily Woodgate MPRIA
Senior Consultant
Emily Woodgate MPRIA
Emily Woodgate is a specialist in digital communication strategy having worked in the field for the past decade both in Australia and overseas.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism, Media and Communication and a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Tasmania.
She began her career as a journalist with the ABC in Tasmania working across radio, television and online for both news and current affairs.
Emily has since spent her career working in Oslo, Norway, managing digital strategy, content and stakeholder engagement for a global risk management foundation operating in more than 100 countries.
As a specialist in digital communication strategy, Emily’s experience has focused on ecosystems, content and analysis; online crisis and reputation management; CEO profiling and privacy management; and innovation communication.
She has a passion for business innovation, sustainable development, and turning complex topics into compelling stories. She is also an experienced innovation facilitator.
From her time in Scandinavia, Emily brings a global perspective to business communication and digital engagement.
Greg Ray LFPRIA
Principal
Greg Ray LFPRIA
The founder and Principal of Timmins Ray, Greg Ray, is regarded as one of Australia’s most respected public relations practitioners. And after a stellar career which took him to the top of the profession nationally, he decided it was time to return to his home state of Tasmania. Greg began his career as a political journalist with the ABC. He was a war correspondent in Vietnam and later a political adviser to several Cabinet Ministers before starting-up in business for himself.
Over a 25-year period, he built an enterprise comprising:
- Public relations consultancies in Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart and Auckland;
- An advertising agency;
- A political reporting service;
- An independent, freelance news agency;
- A personnel consultancy; and
- A weekly newspaper
As the Timmins Ray network of public relations consultancies grew, the firm was acquired by the world’s second largest public relations firm, Hill & Knowlton. Greg was appointed the company’s Managing Director in Australia.
After several years at the head of H&K, he took an extended sabbatical before accepting an offer to join Royce Communication and Business Strategists in Melbourne as its Special Senior Counsel.
It was during a visit to Tasmania in late 2013 – combined with a request to assist a leading Tasmanian business make the transition to its next stage of development – Greg decided to return “home”. Timmins Ray opened its doors again in Hobart on 1st October, 2013.
Bella Alcorso
PR Intern
Bella Alcorso
Bella is currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Professional Communications majoring in Public Relations at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT).
In 2020, Bella received a High Distinction Award from RMIT’s School of Media and Communications, demonstrating her dedication to the disciplines. She has gained experience throughout her degree, working on campaigns for a diversity of clients such as RMIT Capitol Theatre, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and Plan International Australia.
Bella graduated Fahan School in 2017, where she held the coveted position of Head Girl. In this role, Bella not only led the school but organised and directed many fundraising events. In her final year, Bella received the School Award recognising her outstanding and dedicated efforts across an array of school activities, including sport, the arts, service and academic achievement.
A results-oriented and action-driven individual, Bella possesses highly developed organisational, technological and written skills, which allow her to research and prepare client documents, strategies and plans at the highest standard. She is a meticulous proof-reader and editor and displays a pro-active approach and extraordinary work ethic.
An effective team player who excels at working under pressure, Bella is the most recent member of Timmins Ray and helps provide a youthful perspective to the team.
What our peers think
“The Gold Award winning advocacy strategy developed by Timmins Ray sets a significant benchmark in the area of thought leadership.”
“Timmins Ray’s approach in researching the expectations of stakeholders provided the knowledge base to produce the Diamond Award winning entry.”
“Timmins Ray has been recognised by its peers as one of the two most successful small consultancies in Australia.”
“The Gold Award winning strategy developed by Timmins Ray sets a significant benchmark in the development and execution of complex communication plans”