June 6, 2025
Meet Brad Lisle, the Corporate Events Coordinator at Sydney Business School, UOW
Brad, who has been part of the team for over seven years, started his journey in a client services role before moving into the Corporate Events Coordinator position. Since then, he has led the planning and delivery of numerous successful corporate events, always bringing a mix of organisation, creativity, and his signature sense of humour to the job.
Tell us a bit about your journey from studying politics at UOW to becoming the Corporate Events Coordinator?
Sure! I studied politics at UOW—which basically means you can’t find a job with it, he smiles sarcastically—so I applied here. I’ve been at Sydney Business School for about 7.5 years now. Started in client services, got involved with projects like Business International Peer Mentor Network (BIPMN) and student events, and eventually found myself helping out with pretty much everything. One day, they looked around and said, “Brad’s weirdly organised and can politely boss people around—should we just make that his job?” And here I am, Corporate Events Coordinator.
You’ve been involved in lots of student programs. Any favourite moments?
Too many! But one standout has to be when we took the Business International Peer Mentor Network (BIPMN) team to the Scarborough pub. A genuinely fond smile flickers across his face—great views, great banter, and one of those “how did we end up here?” kind of days. It was chaotic in the best way.
What’s one event you’ve planned recently that you’re particularly proud of?
The Sydney CBD campus opening event when we moved into the new location. It was a biggie—lots of moving parts, but everything came together (with only minor panic).
What’s one thing students might not realise about what goes into event planning at the university?
How much chaos is hidden behind the scenes. The event coordinator is usually the only one not enjoying the event—they’re too busy sprinting between AV tech and catering crises.
Any advice for students wanting to get involved in student programs or events?
Be good at talking to people. That’s honestly the magic skill. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just show up, smile, and say hi.
Describe your job in 3 words.
Long. Tiring. Rewarding.
What’s your secret to staying calm during big events?
Deep breaths, strategic snacking, and reminding myself that no one remembers the Wi-Fi password not working... except me, forever.
Any last friendly words for students thinking of following a similar career path or just trying to figure things out?
Don’t stress if you don’t have it all figured out. I studied politics and now run large-scale corporate events at a university—so paths aren’t always straight lines. Say yes to new opportunities, get involved wherever you can, and don’t underestimate how much you learn from hands-on experience. Oh, and always carry a spare USB. Seriously.