Meet Our Team

Our approach is collaborative, culturally responsive, and adaptive. Let us know what you’re working on and we’ll build a team from our international network. That means; one point of contact, lean delivery and access to all the expertise you need.

Here are some of our regular collaborators.

  • Welcome to Wake Studio, where strategy, story, and culture converge to amplify your impact. I’m Shantel Wetherall, a Creative Strategist and cultural leader with over 15 years of experience working across DE&I, gender equity, and narrative-driven transformation.

    As the founder of Wake Studio, I help purpose-driven organisations braid together story, culture, and system change to drive meaningful outcomes. My approach is informed by my lived experience as a Belize Creole woman, my role as a member of the Caribbean Research Methodologies Group, and my ongoing Master’s research, which explores the narrative preferences of culturally diverse communities.

    My professional journey has taken me from global organisations like Clifford Chance LLP and Accenture to leading cultural equity and community strategies for Arts Centre Melbourne, Cohealth, and Google’s Rare Leadership Academy. I’ve worked with brands such as Nike and platforms like The Guardian, bringing transformative narratives to life that resonate with diverse audiences.

    Through Wake Studio, I partner with organisations committed to equity and purpose, offering expertise in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, and creative execution. My process combines rigorous discovery, insights-driven strategy, and co-design practices to craft compelling stories that center communities and drive impact.

    Whether it’s amplifying First Nations voices, creating culturally enriching projects, or building frameworks that enable health equity, my work is about creating authentic, lasting connections between organisations and the people they serve.

    Let’s collaborate to shape the legacy you want to leave behind.


  • Strategy - Engagement - Governance for social change.

    Jade is known for her work as a leader, executive, facilitator, and specialist in community and stakeholder engagement.

    She works as a consultant, facilitator and advisor for organisations specialising in strategy, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, co-design, executive leadership recruitment, governance, people and culture. Her clients are Australia-wide, spanning the creative, cultural, community, private and public service sectors. 

    Jade has worked in government (local, state and federal) and not for profit sectors with experience in regional, remote and metropolitan locations across Australia and SE Asia. 

    In 2018, she received the prestigious Sidney Myer Fellowship for her thought leadership in community engaged practice and advocacy following her role as the Director and CEO at Footscray Community Arts Centre (2012 – 2017). Other roles include: Head of Industry Development (Creative Australia), Executive Director, Public Affairs (cohealth); Team Leader, Arts and Cultural Development (Brisbane City Council) and Executive Manager, Youth and Community Programs (SpeakOut).

    A history of excellent work in collaboration with artists, organisations and communities has led to Jade’s leadership in the field, continually shaping and articulating what contemporary models of service design, community engaged practice and industry development can be. She has a cross sector approach and works extensively with health, education and community organisations within Australia, connecting them with the broader local and national conversations in which she participates in and drives. 

    Whilst Jade has held a number of leadership roles in the sector, she is primarily known and respected for her skills and expertise in facilitation, strategy development, governance capabilities and her commitment to collaboration, cultural leadership and advocacy in championing diversity and access. 

    She is the curator and editor for The Relationship is the Project, a book about how to engage effectively with communities with over twenty contributors from across Australia. It is the only practitioner-led resource of this kind. The second edition has been published by New South Books and was launched in March 2024.

    Jade is a passionate advocate of knowledge-sharing, co-design and self-determination. She is the proud Chairperson for All the Queens Men.