Staff Profiles

Diana Pilling

Managing Director

Diana Pilling established Australian Internships after many years in education and training with Queensland Government. Diana started her teaching career in Hervey Bay with a new concept in education that recognised the value of both the academic and technical/vocational development of students. She eventually moved into the role of Director of Business Development where much of the training was developed to respond to industry demands. Diana was actively involved international education and this served as a catalyst for the establishment of her own business Australian Internships – the first company in Australia to welcome and support students from over 45 countries. Diana was a founding member of the Australian Internships Industry Association and is an active member. Diana still enjoys meeting the many students and young professionals each year from countries all over the world. 

Rebekah Gilchrist

Marketing Manager

Rebekah joined Australian Internships in 2003. Throughout her time with Australian Internships Rebekah has gained an in-depth understanding of the business, working across a range of departments including Administration, Client Service and Marketing. Rebekah spent two years living and travelling through Latin America and is fluent in Portuguese. Her experience helps her understand the cultural and personal barriers faced by internationals travelling to Australia. Currently pursuing studies in International Business and Management at QUT, Rebekah has a strong passion for the industry and believes that the internship program is a magnificent contribution to an international-oriented career. 

Natalia Piedrahita

Public Relations & Marketing Executive

Natalia has a Bachelor in Mass Communication and Journalism from her home country Colombia. She then relocated to Australia to complete a Master in Business majoring Public Relations. Natalia has seven years of experience in international education, with three years focussing on internships. Passionate about her work Natalia strives for constant improvement of the Australian Internships programs and enjoys seeing the wonderful benefits the programs bring to candidates from around the globe. Natalia speaks Spanish and English, loves travelling, social work, playing guitar and singing.

Ania Preston

Marketing Executive

Originally from Poland, Ania is fluent in both Polish and English. Ania has a strong and extensive business background, with a BA in Business English, Advanced Certificate in Public Relations and 10 years of experience in the International Education industry. Having worked in London for 5 years Ania has a great knowledge of the European market and a high sensitivity for other cultures’ needs. Passionate about travel and language, Ania enjoys assisting international students achieve their professional and personal goals through the internship program.

Nathalie Ferquel

Marketing Executive

Nathalie has a Master in Management and International Business. She is originally from France and has completed part of her studies in Australia.

Having completed two internships during her studies including one in Australia, she wants to give International students the opportunity to benefit from Australian Internships’ services. Nathalie speaks French, English and Spanish. As a previous education agent for 3 years, she has the knowledge and understanding of the education industry.

Nathalie has travelled in Europe (Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium) and has also lived for several years in The Reunion Island, New Caledonia and Australia so she has a good understanding of the apprehensions and also benefits of travelling overseas.

Marion Gazzard

Business Development Executive

Marion is bringing strong skills from her previous roles in Customer Service to the Australian Internships team. She worked for Ansett Airlines for 23 years, spending 5 years in Sales and Promotions and then moved into a Customer Service Manager role for 18 years. Marion has also spent 4 years as a Personal Assistant to a senior retired partner at KPMG. She is an avid sports lover – played competitively in squash, softball, swimming and golf. German born, Marion is fluent in German and has travelled extensively over the past 25 years.

Mark Wellington

Business Development Executive

Mark joined Australian Internships in 2011 bringing strong skills from his previous role in the tertiary sector. He is a ‘solutions focused’ person who is able to listen, inform and persuade in a very effective manner. Mark is a very experienced individual who approaches tasks with a constructive and positive attitude and is very dedicated to his role as Business Development Executive.  He has travelled extensively to over 75 countries most recently to Malta, Tunisia, China, and Iceland, but as varied as Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Uruguay, Mauritania, Syria, El Salvador and Canary Islands.

Bernadette Hinkley

Hospitality Program Manager

As the Hospitality Program Manager, Bernadette is responsible for maintaining and facilitating the important relationships between Australian Internships and our Host Organisations. She has 18 years’ experience in the hospitality field working in 5 star hotels and resorts in the areas of Management, Corporate Training, Operations and Administration and holds a Diploma in Business Management. She has extensive experience in corporate networking, specialises in people management and relationships and is committed to ensuring the Host Organisations business consistently benefits from the high calibre of international interns.

Lu Yung Lay

Program & Admissions Manager

Prior to joining Australian Internships Lu successfully completed an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management and gained 3 years experience in HR Management which gives her the edge to advise and help interns throughout their internships. Responsible for the Programs and Admissions at Australian Internships Lu is dedicated to ensuring that all interns accepted into the program are of a high standard and have realistic objectives for their internships.

Izumi Davis

Internship Program Supervisor

Japanese born and educated, Izumi joined Australian Internships in 2006. Izumi has a strong background in Sales and Marketing. Previously she has spent many years living and working abroad with her family in Japan and Bali. Prior to moving to Australia in 2006 Izumi was working as Sales Manager for a Tourism Operations Firm in Bali. Izumi is fluent in English, Japanese and conversational Indonesian. Izumi has a strong understanding of many different cultures and is extremely conscientious about her role and the internship opportunities provided to her interns. 

Maria Bitzova

Internship Program Supervisor

Maria, originally from Bulgaria, has joined the Australian Internships team as an Internship Program Supervisor. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as well as a Master of Business from the University of Queensland. Maria has completed three internships herself during her studies and is thus well-equipped for assisting our international interns throughout their internships. As a true people person, Maria is dedicated to fairness and achieving outstanding results for her clients.

Stacey-Leigh Messenger

Internship Program Supervisor

Stacey-Leigh has a strong background in Hospitality having completed a Bachelor of Hospitality Management and a Diploma of Hospitality Management and Accommodation Services. In addition, Stacey-Leigh has had 8 years operational experience in hotels. Her strong hospitality foundation is crucial in guiding Interns in the Hospitality Industry in Australia. Stacey-Leigh is passionate about travel and culture. Originally from South Africa, she immigrated to Australia to commence High School and has travelled throughout Europe. Having had extensive travel experience, Stacey Leigh has an understanding of the excitement the travel bug instils among young people. Her eyes have been well and truly opened to the possibilities Australia and the rest of the world has to offer.

Amanda Bohnen

Program Admissions

Amanda has a diverse background in psychology, education and international politics. She has travelled extensively around Australia and the world, including living for three years in Switzerland and three years in New Caledonia. She has acquired a good working knowledge of the French language. Amanda has broad experience in administration, customer service and teaching and enjoys working with clients very much. It is her desire to make the internship experience a smooth and rewarding one for the interns.

Pauline Draheim

Personal Assistant to Managing Director / Accounts Officer

Pauline is the Accounts Officer at Australian Internships. With over 20 years experience in Administration covering bookkeeping, payroll and personal assistant duties Pauline has strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Helena Fitzpatrick

Visa Officer

Helena is originally from Sweden and speaks fluent Swedish and English. Helena has a Bachelor of Business and worked as a Consular Assistant at the Swedish Consulate in Brisbane for ten years prior to joining the Australian Internships team. She has extensive experience working with visas and is well equipped to help interns in this regard. Helena has lived in Australia for over 17 years, and previously lived in Sweden, France and USA. Her prior experience as an exchange student makes her accessible and able to identify with our interns. Helena enjoys travelling, languages, meeting new people and playing tennis.

Annette McKay

Services/ Reception

Annette has had 38 years in the Service Industry with extensive Hospitality experience. Her duties are making Accommodation bookings and booking Airport Pickups to provide a less stressful arrival to Australia for the Intern. Annette strives to find the right accommodation within easy access to public transport, as close to the interns work place as possible.  Annette also assists on the Reception Desk.

Elizabeth Stewart

Administrative Assistant

Libby started working for Australian Internships in November 2011. She is currently completing a dual degree in Business Management and Arts with majors in Human Resource and Political Science. Being a current university student, Libby understands the importance and significance that an internship can have in creating future career opportunities.  Libby enjoys being outdoors and has travelled throughout Europe, Canada and America and wishes to continue her travels in the future. 

Kayleigh Korn

Administrative Officer

Kayleigh has been working in administration for over 15 years. She began her career with the Queensland State Government as an administrative trainee.

After many years of working with this Government Department, Kayleigh went to work for Diana Pilling as she established Australian Internships. Over the years Kayleigh has moved away to work within other private organisations in administration and sales positions, even undertaking volunteer roles for non-profit organisations.

Kayleigh was welcomed back to Australian Internships this year for her third stint and remains a valued team member who continues to impress all with her strong organisation and administration skills. Kayleigh offers high level administration support to the other team members while also reviewing the systems and procedures of the organisation. Kayleigh is dedicated and passionate about the company she has worked for and watched grow into the Australian Internships we know today.