The Collab Couch Journey
Kellie Brinkhuis
Kellie's journey is one of resilience, empowerment, and advocacy. After escaping a nearly nine-year domestic violence situation with her three young boys, she transformed her personal struggles into a mission dedicated to preventing domestic and sexual violence. Kellie has become a passionate advocate for change, actively engaging in community initiatives that raise awareness, drive legislative reform, and support domestic violence shelters and programs through her role in Corporate Affairs.
Her efforts culminated in her significant involvement in the company’s 16 Days of WA campaign, where she collaborated with colleagues to amplify the voices of survivors, share impactful messages, and equip individuals with vital resources to escape abusive situations. Kellie also shared her narrative as a panellist at the inaugural Executive Assistant Conference hosted by the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia, where she opened up about the profound effect of domestic violence on her mental health and personal growth, not only for herself but also for her sons.
Driven by her newfound purpose, Kellie founded The Collab Couch, where she serves as a motivational keynote speaker, focusing on mindfulness and self-discovery. Her mission is to inspire others to unlock their true potential, fostering a community where individuals can thrive and live their best lives. Her mission extends to raising awareness on the effects of coercive control, the effects on one's mental health caused by FDV, legislative changes, creating safter communities in rural areas with less access to resources, social justice for victims, as well as stakeholder/community engagement, collaborating with victims, professionals and agencies, striving to bridge the gaps within our systems.
"I have always been passionate about empowering others, and that passion only grew stronger once I was able to free myself – and my boys – and embark on my journey of self-discovery and healing.”