When Katie first landed in Sydney from Ireland, she didn’t know many people — but she knew she wanted to work on projects that mattered. So she did what any curious, motivated person would do: she tapped into the community around her. Through a friend she’d met at Desk Space — Sarah Leonard at Headbox — she discovered a job listing in the Desk Space Slack channel. That single message changed everything.
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“I reached out to Sarah, who spotted Sam’s hiring post and referred me to the role. The rest is history. I’m forever grateful to Sarah, Sam, and the Desk Space Slack account!”
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Katie is now a Project Manager at act.3 Australia, where she wears many hats — but a few favourites stand out: storytelling, ideation, sports marketing, and making things happen through seamless execution.
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“I feel very lucky to work alongside such a passionate and creative team, as well as with amazing clients and collaborators who inspire us every day.”
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The role suits her to a tee. With a fast-paced environment and constantly shifting creative challenges, no two days are the same — and that’s exactly how Katie likes it. From coordinating trail running championships in Rotorua, New Zealand, to managing security for F1 driver Valtteri Bottas at the Australian Grand Prix, she thrives on variety and energy.
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Katie’s creative streak runs deep. Her career started with brand activations at Red Bull, where she fell in love with bold, experience-led marketing. She later moved into consultancy with Accenture — gaining invaluable business acumen — but the creative world kept calling her back.
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“I always knew my true passion was in the creative space — and I was determined to find my way back to it.”
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Outside of work, Katie’s equally driven. One of her goals for 2024? Run a half marathon — and she recently ticked it off. But she’s not stopping there. Now, she’s eyeing a triathlon, with her sights set on an even bigger challenge.
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Another personal milestone for 2024? Travel. Katie had her sights set on exploring somewhere completely new — and earlier this year, she made it happen with a trip to Fiji. Swapping deadlines for sun-soaked days, she returned feeling recharged, inspired, and ready for whatever comes next.
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When it comes to advice, Katie keeps it refreshingly real:
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“Roll with the punches. Challenges often seem more daunting in our minds than they are in reality. Embrace the unexpected, find humour in the hiccups, and remember that life is too short to be perpetually stressed. Work hard, learn from your mistakes, and make sure you’re enjoying the journey along the way!”
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Katie’s also big on tools that help her stay focused — and one favourite? ChatGPT. “I seriously think it’s my best friend,” she laughs.
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Local favourites keep her grounded, too. She swears by Bar Nina (10/10), Wilde & Co for something healthy, and Stop Valve for the best coffee and matcha in town.
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At Desk Space, Katie found more than just a workplace — she found a community. As someone new to the city, the chance to be surrounded by like-minded people made a world of difference.
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“I absolutely adore the community here. It’s full of like-minded people hustling every day, and I love hearing about the incredible and diverse projects everyone is working on. Coming from Ireland, Desk Space has been such a gift — it’s helped me meet so many wonderful people that I genuinely look forward to seeing and chatting with every day.”
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Her tip for new members? “Make the effort to join the tea time get-togethers, social outings, and of course... the DINGOS!”

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