Mary Hoodless
Biography.
BUSINESS NAME
‘Karoo Consulting’
OCCUPATION
'Regional Development & Leadership Consultant’
LOCATION
‘Jingellic, VIC’
Meet Mary — founder of Karoo Consultancy and a Director of Destination Riverina Murray. She is a highly regarded facilitator, consultant, and governance leader who works with regional organisations and communities to design and deliver positive, practical change.
Mary’s approach is grounded in respect, evidence, and outcomes. She helps organisations build confidence, lift capability, and leave with clear, actionable next steps. Clients choose Mary because she combines deep regional credibility with executive-level governance and facilitation expertise. She gets people aligned quickly, anchors decisions in evidence, and leaves teams not only with a clear, workable plan—but also the confidence and capability to deliver it.
Across her career, Mary has chaired complex governance processes, facilitated high-impact workshops, and guided leadership programs that empower individuals to step up and shape their communities. Board members describe her as principled, professional, and unflappable—even in the most challenging contexts. Participants in her governance workshops report transformative experiences, often applying tools immediately to change how they operate. Senior executives commend her results-driven focus and reliability, crediting her with the delivery of critical outcomes such as Community Strategic Plans.
Mary is a trusted partner, an exemplary chair, and a dedicated leader whose work continues to set the benchmark for governance and facilitation across regional Australia.
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Facilitation & Strategic Planning
Community Strategic Plans and regional planning processes
Executive and board strategy workshops
Practical, outcomes-driven facilitation that aligns teams quickly
Governance & Leadership
Governance workshops and training for boards and committees
Board chairing and governance support (including Audit & Finance)
Executive-level governance advisory
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
Evidence-based community engagement design and delivery
Inclusive consultation processes tailored for regional communities
Reporting and recommendations that build trust and clarity
Leadership Development Programs
Program design and delivery for emerging leaders
Inclusive and engaging facilitation that builds networks and capability
Practical tools that participants can apply immediately
Executive & Board Advisory
Trusted partner to boards, executives, and senior leaders
Guidance through complex or challenging periods
Independent facilitation of sensitive or high-stakes discussions
Change & Capability Building
Confidence and skills building for organisations and leaders
Practical frameworks that create clear next steps
Support to implement and embed change
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MAICD Masters Applied Science, Diploma Project Management
Diploma Population Health
Diploma Management
Cert IV TAE
Bachelor of Nursing
Graduate Certificate Education - Tertiary