I’ve been surrounded by storytellers my entire life and I cherish earliest memories of my darling late Latvian Grandmother, Erika sharing fairytales from her childhood and homeland.

My family has the gift of the gab and with an Irish, Scottish, Latvian heritage you could say the power of storytelling is in my blood.

From the age of 15 I knew I wanted to be a journalist and realised my dream with hard work and determination to become a reporter with the Seven Network Australia. It was around this time the nickname “Skubes” stuck and now I rarely get called Kim unless I’m in trouble with Mum!

For more than 25 years, journalism led me around the world chasing yarns and adventures from war zones, to cyclones, sharing stories revealing the best and worst of humanity. Closer to home, I reported on some of Australia’s most emotive and divisive stories and loved every minute of it – well, most days!

In 2015, I had a sliding doors moment while overseas. I realised my “why” was at home in Brisbane – my family – and I longed to spend more time with our boys (ask me how that went during Covid lockdown!!)

It was a scary time opening myself up to the next chapter, and the successful business I run today grew from my passion to help people become the most powerful communicators they can be.

Now I regularly ask client friends, “you may be a confident presenter, but are you a powerful communicator?” They soon learn what I mean, as I support them to overcome fears and realise personal and professional goals mastering many aspects of communications.

Just like journalism, I enjoy the variety of the work I dive into these days, be it as a keynote speaker, communications trainer specialising in media, customer connection and community engagement, storytelling and public speaking coach, crisis communications advisor and emcee/facilitator.

I’m grateful to some of the best in the business who I team up with to deliver professional, fun, informative, safe and supportive group workshops and one-on-one sessions channelling what one client describes as my “hard arse with heart.”

I believe everyone has a story to share, and I hope one day I might hear yours.
Wishing you happiness and success in your next chapter..

Kim (aka Skubes) xo