About The Deliberate Leader
The Deliberate Leader is a leadership development practice supporting leaders and organisations across Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia–Pacific region.
Based in Melbourne, we work nationally through a flexible delivery model that brings together leadership programs, coaching, facilitation, and strategy support. Our work is grounded in deliberate leadership — helping leaders lead with intention, clarity, and impact.
Our team brings together experienced coaches, facilitators, and leadership practitioners who partner with leaders to build capability, confidence, and sustainable performance.
Meet the Team
Our team supports leaders across Australia and the Asia–Pacific region, bringing diverse experience, deep expertise, and a shared commitment to deliberate leadership.
Rita Cincotta
CEO, Founder, Expert Coach & Facilitator
Anita Tesoriero
Expert Coach & Facilitator
Anita Tesoriero fosters meaningful dialogue within organisations, using her expertise as a psychologist, coach, and facilitator to understand human behavior and focus on individual strengths. She helps leaders create connected, resilient, and high-performing teams. Anita’s approach blends a deep understanding of successful human relationships with practical strategies that can be easily applied at work. She builds emotional intelligence and collective wisdom within teams, ensuring that both results and relationships are prioritised. Her learning environments are curious, compassionate, and playful, allowing participants to grow and thrive.
Anita holds a Masters in Applied (Organisational) Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts, and is accredited in a variety of development tools, including MBTI, DiSC, TMI, EQ-I, Enneagram iEQ9, GENOS EI, Realise 2, and GLWS. Working with her provides an opportunity for personal and professional growth under the guidance of an insightful coach who takes a strengths-based approach.
A lifelong runner, Anita has competed in nearly every fun run in Melbourne, although her French Bulldog, Bimba, prefers a much more leisurely pace and often needs to be carried to the park!
Celine Waters
Expert Coach & Facilitator
With over 17 years of experience across education, telecommunications, finance, government, and start-up sectors, Celine Waters specialises in facilitating individual and collective transformation. Her work empowers leaders and teams to navigate complexity, embody chosen values, and act with clarity—even under pressure.
Celine’s holistic approach integrates centering, mindfulness, and embodiment practices to deepen the capacity for resilience, trust, and collaboration. She excels at bringing clarity to complex team dynamics and helping groups break free from habitual patterns that no longer serve them. By focusing on collective sense-making and systemic transformation, Celine supports organisations in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Holding certifications in Embodiment Coaching, Relational Leadership, and Professional Coaching—as well as academic qualifications in biochemistry, computer science, and body psychotherapy (in progress)—Celine blends technical knowledge with human insight.
Celine’s coaching style is customised, compassionate, and deeply rooted in curiosity. She brings a wealth of experience and a playful energy that fosters trust, resilience, and joy in leaders and teams.
When she’s not working, Celine enjoys camping in the Australian outback, connecting with the wisdom of the land and its indigenous traditions—transforming her once-fearful relationship with the wilderness into one of deep gratitude and appreciation.
Partner with Celine for a transformational experience that bridges complexity, mindfulness, and collective growth.
Jasmine Malki
Expert Coach & Facilitator
Jasmine Malki brings 18 years of experience partnering with leadership teams across professional services, healthcare, financial services, and for-purpose organisations to create thoughtful and customised employee experiences that support people in doing their best work. After practising employment law, Jasmine shifted her focus to people, learning, and organisational development, helping leaders navigate both strategic and day-to-day challenges.
Whether it’s transforming hard conversations into care-versations, turning meetings into connected and clear discussions, or designing offsites that engage and motivate, Jasmine has a knack for making complex issues clear and meaningful. She is known for her ability to ask the right questions, listen deeply, and get to the heart of what truly matters for leaders and teams.
Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Law and Economics from the University of Western Australia, a Graduate Certificate in Business (Organisational Coaching) from Swinburne University, and certifications in various leadership assessments, including Hogan Leadership Profiling, Team Management Profile (TMP), Birkman, and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). She is also an Associate Certified Coach (International Coaching Federation) and a Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coach.
Jasmine’s approach to coaching focuses on the inner game—helping individuals explore their assumptions, values, and thinking patterns to create lasting, sustainable change. Her energy and warmth make her coaching and facilitation deeply engaging and transformational.
When not working, Jasmine has a remarkable story of survival after breaking her neck (a hangman’s fracture), which highlights her resilience and determination.
Partner with Jasmine for a coaching experience that starts from within and empowers lasting, transformative leadership.
Lison Mage
Expert Coach & Facilitator
With a Master’s Degree in Engineering and nearly a decade of experience as a sales executive for global IT companies like Salesforce and Oracle, Lison Mage brings a unique combination of technical expertise and real-world business acumen to her work. Having lived and worked across France, China, and Australia, she has a deep understanding of multicultural environments and their impact on workplace dynamics.
For the past decade, Lison has worked as an executive coach and facilitator, helping individuals and teams think clearly, make confident decisions, and achieve high performance. Drawing on her lived experience and insights from psychology and behavioural sciences, she ensures her coaching is both practical and deeply relevant to the challenges faced by employees and leaders alike.
Lison’s sessions are engaging, insightful, and fun, equipping participants with the strategies and tools they need to sustain success. She is also the author of Act Before You Overthink: Make Decisions Easier and Liberate Your Mind, a guide to overcoming mental barriers and simplifying decision-making.
When she’s not coaching, Lison is likely planning her next adventure—she is just shy of completing 100 skydiving jumps!
Adele Gaylard
Expert Facilitator
With over 25 years of experience in HR and organisational psychology, Adele is passionate about transforming the way people communicate, lead, and manage both themselves and others. Specialising in areas like self-awareness, team dynamics, performance management, and personal effectiveness, Adele offers practical solutions that resonate both in and out of the training room.
Her facilitation style is dynamic and engaging—bringing energy and fun to both in-person and virtual sessions, even when tackling topics like compliance training! Adele has a unique ability to put learners at ease while also challenging them to step beyond their comfort zones, sparking those transformative “aha” moments. Her custom-designed learning solutions ensure lasting impact, empowering participants to immediately apply their new skills back on the job.
Holding a Masters in Applied (Organisational) Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts, and DISC Advanced accredited – when she’s not guiding teams and individuals to success, you’ll likely find her at the gym, on a cycling trail, or exploring new destinations. She’s also a big fan of poodles and anything with a lemon twist!
Partner with Adele for an inspiring, collaborative learning experience that goes beyond expectations
Sean O’Reilly
Expert Coach & Facilitator
With nearly 25 years of experience in leadership development, learning strategy, and innovation, I’ve worked across industries and cultures to design transformative programs that drive meaningful change. Known for uncovering unmet needs and delivering breakthrough insights, I’ve partnered with organisations globally to conceptualise and lead impactful projects that address adaptive challenges and deliver lasting results.
A career highlight includes recognition at the 2019 and 2020 Brandon Hall Global Leadership Excellence Awards, where a Senior Executive Development Program and Leadership Accelerator I co-designed won Gold for Best Unique or Innovative Leadership Development Program.
My approach blends applied psychology with practical tools, creating immersive, multi-modal learning experiences that foster personal insight and sustained behaviour change. From facilitating high-stakes executive team interventions to leading large-scale collaborations on complex social issues, I’m committed to delivering solutions that help individuals and organisations thrive.
A passionate advocate for purposeful business, I design programs that incorporate social impact, driving systemic change and promoting organisational growth as a force for good.
Ainsley Jeffrey
Expert Facilitator
With over 30 years of experience in HR, learning, organisational development, and transformational coaching, Ainsley Jeffery is passionate about helping leaders and teams unlock their potential, grow together, and thrive. Specialising in areas like self-awareness, team dynamics, courageous conversations, and leadership development, Ainsley provides practical tools and strategies that create lasting impact.
Ainsley’s facilitation style is dynamic, energised, and highly engaging—bringing leadership topics to life in both in-person and virtual settings. Known for balancing empathy with accountability, Ainsley puts participants at ease while encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and embrace transformative growth. Every session is custom-tailored to resonate with participants and ensure they can immediately apply their insights to real-world challenges.
Holding certifications in Genos Emotional Intelligence, executive coaching, and behavioural tools like Everything DiSC, along with a Bachelor of Business in HR, Ainsley combines deep expertise with a results-driven mindset. Outside of work, Ainsley is an avid traveler with stamps from over 55 countries and a passion for health, longevity, and exploration.
Partner with Ainsley for an energising, impactful learning experience that inspires purposeful leadership and meaningful change.
Kate Naess
Expert Coach & Facilitator
Kate Naess equips leaders with the tools, strategies, and perspectives to build resilient, inclusive, and high-performing cultures in today’s ever-changing environments. Drawing on her journey as a Paralympian and her expertise in organisational psychology, Kate combines authentic, hands-on experience with evidence-based strategies to help individuals and teams thrive.
Kate’s approach focuses on the powerful interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, using practical tools and deliberate practice to drive meaningful, sustainable change. She helps her clients cultivate resilience, adaptability, and clarity, empowering them to navigate challenges, overcome adversity, and unlock their full potential.
With a Master’s in Organisational and Industrial Psychology and accreditations in Hogan Assessments, MLQ360, Saville Wave, and Strong Interest Inventory, Kate bridges the gap between high-performance psychology and actionable leadership strategies.
Kate’s background as a Paralympic athlete representing Australia in equestrian and triathlon provides her with firsthand insights into performing under pressure, fostering resilience, and the critical role of psychological safety. Her belief in the power of perspective helps her clients discover new levels of motivation and fulfillment, enabling them to lead with purpose and confidence.
Partner with Kate for leadership coaching and facilitation that inspires, energises, and transforms both individuals and teams.
Carmel Batticciotto
Expert Coach & Facilitator
With over 15 years of experience, Carmel Batticciotto specialises in partnering with organisations to deliver tailored leadership development, career progression, and talent management solutions. As a registered psychologist with expertise in change management, coaching, wellbeing, and leadership, Carmel is passionate about transforming cutting-edge psychological research into practical tools that empower individuals and organisations to thrive.
Carmel’s career spans diverse sectors, including manufacturing, banking and finance, and higher education. For over nine years, she led the leadership and change practice for a global firm, where she honed her ability to design and implement impactful strategies. Her extensive experience includes creating customised leadership and team learning experiences, using evidence-based assessments to shift mindsets and enhance team and individual performance.
Her work also extends to supporting individuals in improving their wellbeing through counselling and therapeutic approaches, enabling them to achieve both personal and career aspirations. Carmel’s clients often describe her as an authentic and empathetic facilitator who creates safe, open environments that inspire growth and learning.
Holding qualifications including a Master of Psychology (Organisational) from Deakin University and accreditations in Hogan and Saville WAVE assessments, Carmel brings a unique combination of scientific rigor and practical application to her work.
Carmel’s passion lies in equipping leaders with the self-awareness, tools, and skills to realise their full potential. Her approach fosters meaningful connections between leaders and their teams, aligning individual growth with organisational values and culture. Whether designing interventions or facilitating transformative learning experiences, Carmel’s commitment to helping others grow is at the heart of everything she does.
Clare Phelan
Expert Coach
With over 20 years of experience in career coaching, executive recruitment, and leadership development, Clare Phelan empowers professionals to take control of their careers. Whether navigating career transitions, unlocking leadership potential, or providing compassionate outplacement support, Clare equips individuals with the clarity and strategies needed to create lasting, positive change.
Clare’s coaching style is people-centred, practical, and results-oriented. She tailors every session to meet individual needs, ensuring professionals leave feeling confident and inspired to take the next step in their career journey. Her expertise spans career transitions, leadership growth, and supporting organisations through structured outplacement programs.
With a Bachelor of Social Sciences, Clare is also a Professional Member of ACCA and an accredited outplacement and redeployment specialist.
Outside of work, Clare is a busy mum of two energetic kids and an avid AFL fan who’s mastered the art of the banana kick!
Partner with Clare for a personalised coaching experience that inspires confidence, unlocks potential, and transforms career challenges into opportunities for growth.
Jacinta Cubis
Expert Facilitator
Jacinta Cubis is a facilitator who brings people together with energy, authenticity, and deep expertise. With over 30 years of experience, she designs and leads conversations that create real connection, allowing people to express what they truly think rather than what they think they should say. Her approach fosters trust, collaboration, and fresh thinking, helping teams navigate complexity and generate meaningful outcomes.
She has a knack for simplifying big ideas and making complex discussions feel engaging and productive. Whether guiding strategy sessions, team workshops, or community engagement initiatives, she ensures every voice is heard and valued.
Beyond facilitation, Jacinta helps consultants, trainers, and project managers enhance engagement in their workshops and training. She is an active contributor to facilitation communities locally and globally, sharing her insights through conferences, writing, videos, and masterclasses.
When she’s not in the room leading conversations, she’s finding new ways to bring creativity into her work—whether through her art, her writing, or her passion for movement and connection. Originally from Sydney, she has lived in Paris, London, and Canberra before making Melbourne home in 2006.
Jacinta doesn’t just run workshops—she creates experiences that bring people together, inspire action, and leave a lasting impact.
Jay Vella
Business Manager
Jay is the powerhouse behind the scenes here at the Deliberate Leader. As Business Manager, she’s the backbone of the operation – keeping projects on track, managing all the moving pieces, and building smart systems that support sustainable growth.
With deep experience across operations, client management, and business strategy, Jay has a knack for bringing order to complexity. She’s steered large-scale projects, refined internal processes, and set up frameworks that allow businesses to scale without the usual growing pains. She’s all about making things run better, faster, and smarter, allowing the team to focus on delivering impact.
Jay thrives in fast-paced environments where agility and precision matter. She anticipates needs before they arise, solves problems before they escalate, and ensures nothing falls through the cracks. With Jay at the helm of operations, things don’t just run smoothly – they run effortlessly. If you get the chance to work with her, you’ll see exactly why the team wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jen Sarrosa
Executive Assistant
Jen is the glue that holds everything together, keeping the team organised, informed, and moving forward. As Executive Assistant, she expertly manages behind-the-scene, ensuring schedules run smoothly, priorities stay clear, and nothing falls through the cracks.
Juggling multiple tasks with ease, Jen keeps communication flowing, coordinates meetings, manages deadlines, and ensures that every detail is handled. Whether it’s organising calendars, liaising with stakeholders, or keeping projects on track, she makes it all look effortless.
With her keen eye for detail and ability to stay one step ahead, Jen helps create a seamless experience for the team and clients alike. When things need to get done, she’s the one making it happen – efficiently, effectively, and always with a calm, can-do attitude. Clients love working with Jen because of her friendly and approachable nature, professionalism, and reliability in getting things done.
Rebecca Hopkins
Expert Coach & Facilitator
With 20 years of experience working with multinational organisations across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong, Rebecca Hopkins is on a mission to bring humanity back into the workplace. She helps individuals, leadership teams, and organisations build stronger connections with themselves and each other, creating the foundation for improved performance and delivery.
Rebecca’s approach blends curiosity, clarity, and challenge. Her sessions are engaging, fun, and highly practical, providing teams with the confidence and tools to apply what they’ve learned immediately. Whether it’s leadership training, cultural transformation, coaching, or facilitating impactful offsites, Rebecca draws on her wealth of experience to ensure every solution resonates with participants and drives meaningful change.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Business (Technology & Finance) and multiple coaching certifications, including Professional Certified Coach (PCC – ICF), Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, Co-Active Coach, and Gallup Strengths Coach.
Her workshops and coaching experiences are always tailored, meaningful, and delivered to the highest standard. Outside of work, Rebecca is an expert hula hooper—once winning a snowboard for her absurdly long spins!
Partner with Rebecca for leadership development and culture transformation that’s as impactful as it is enjoyable.