our leadership team
Tahnee Sharp
Founder & Group CEO
Following a successful career responsible for the growth of brands from both agency and client side, Tahnee launched The Marketing Room in late 2018. Tahnee identified the declining understanding of the critical role marketing plays in business growth as an opportunity for an organisation that is dedicated to the development then execution of a strategic marketing plan.
In tandem, Tahnee saw first-hand a highly experienced, passionate, and motivated group of marketing professionals with young children, lost to the industry. Since then, Tahnee has led the business to now be Australia’s largest, dedicated marketing consultancy.
Sonya Aitken
CEO - New Zealand
A strategic brand marketer with 25 years of experience, Sonya has led the way with some of New Zealand’s biggest brands including; Fisher & Paykel Appliances, Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Vodafone NZ (now One NZ), Elders NZ and Naveya & Sloane.
Sonya is passionate about focusing on the customer and brand while delivering excellent growth outcomes for the business. She has led and worked with teams to deliver brand relaunches, design and delivery of New Zealand’s first digital only loyalty programme, new websites, develop and implement integrated CRM systems, ecommerce and retail solutions and customer journey frameworks.
The Marketing Room offers a real opportunity for Small – Medium New Zealand businesses to tap into marketing expertise that enables their business growth. We can’t wait to get amongst it Aotearoa!
Sonya Wilkinson
Business Director, Auckland
With over 20 years of experience across some of New Zealand’s most iconic retail brands—including The Warehouse, Torpedo7, and Bendon Lingerie—as well as luxury names like moochi and Continental Cars, Sonya Wilkinson brings a wealth of marketing expertise and industry knowledge. Her diverse experience also spans the B2B space, having worked with Sime Motors on renowned brands such as Volvo, UD, Palfinger, and Truckstops.
Sonya is passionate about uncovering the heart of a brand and uses data-driven insights to craft marketing strategies that deliver tangible results. Her proven strengths include strategic leadership, brand development, rebrands, digital marketing, customer experience, loyalty, and CRM.
Sonya is committed to elevating local businesses with innovative, results-focused marketing. Her wealth of experience enables her to provide both strategic direction and hands-on expertise to help businesses grow and scale effectively. Sonya thrives on transforming brand stories into meaningful customer experiences that drive success, and she’s excited to support businesses in New Zealand as they navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape.
Kelly-Anne Davis
Pod Leader - Western Australia
Kelly-Anne has 14 years of branding, marketing and advertising experience in Australia and Canada. She managed all facets of brand building from strategy and concept to campaign production, execution and post analysis. Kelly-Anne has worked with a number of large international brands like McDonald’s, IKEA and Thermomix as well as plenty of local West Aussie names such as P&N Bank, Water Corporation, Art Gallery of WA, Wesfarmers and more.
She’s spearheaded a number re-brands, executed traditional mass marketing campaigns on TV and radio, and rolled out a plethora of digital projects – all with a splash of mentoring on the side.
Jonathan Sharp
Chief Growth Officer
With over 20 years of industry experience, Jon is responsible for the business’s growth across the key pillars of people and culture, partnerships and marketing, and expansion and acquisition. Jon utilises his experience leading teams developed in previous professional positions as well as coaching roles with WA’s State 16s and 18s AFL Academy programs.
Following a career that included leading large brand and advertising campaigns for brands such as West Coast Eagles, Tradelink, St John of God and Steel Blue, Jon’s marketing experience is complimented by his understanding of the critical link between marketing, sales, and business strategy.
Emily Watson
Pod Leader - Victoria
Emily’s experience in marketing results from over 15 years in the property and development industry. During this time, she discovered a passion for all things creative, content, marketing, and social media. Emily specialises in organic content, social media management and developing strategies to advance businesses in their niche. Her cup is filled when she has a licence to use her creativity and help other businesses stand out in the ever-evolving social media landscape.
Ultimately, she is a life-loving expert in social media marketing, strategy and content creation. Emily’s creativity, strategic mind and passion will elevate your digital marketing footprint.
Helen Davies
CEO - UK & Ireland
Helen Davies leads our UK & Ireland operations, bringing over 25 years of experience across marketing, communications, and strategic advisory roles in both the public and private sectors. Her career spans leadership positions in global consultancies, government departments, and major organisations across the UK, US, Asia-Pacific, and Australasia.
Helen has held roles including Deputy Global COO at Edelman Global Advisory, CEO of BPRI, Managing Director at both Added Value and Breakthrough Media, and Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications for the City of Melbourne. She has also led national behaviour change campaigns, advised on crisis communications at the highest levels of government, and partnered with boards and executive teams to shape strategic direction.
She is known for her ability to distil complexity into clear, actionable strategies and to unite stakeholders behind meaningful outcomes. As an experienced marketeer, Helen brings deep expertise across brand, communications, engagement, and organisational transformation.
As CEO, Helen focuses on connecting businesses and government bodies with highly capable, flexible marketing talent who can unlock fresh thinking, drive performance, and build lasting impact through experienced, agile, marketing leadership.
Neil Davies
Regional Partner - North West, UK
Gabrielle Woodbridge
Business Director, Queensland
Having worked with some of the world’s most innovative brands across SaaS, biotech, sustainability, and technology, Gabrielle has seen first-hand what makes business communities thrive. Originally from Sydney and having lived and worked across the globe, she believes Queensland is the place to be—especially as Brisbane steps onto the world stage in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics. With a dynamic, growing economy and a surge in innovation, it’s an incredible time for businesses here to take their marketing to the next level.
With over 15 years of experience spanning SaaS, technology, biotech, and sustainability, Gabrielle is a strategic marketing powerhouse who thrives on crafting data-driven, authentic campaigns that connect brands with their audiences. From leading customer adoption and engagement strategies across APAC at SAP to pioneering carbon market innovation with BlueBlock as an entrepreneur, her career is a testament to strategic innovation, leadership, and commercial impact.
A UQ (university of Queensland) MBA graduate and award-winning marketing leader, Gabrielle has a passion for challenging the status quo, amplifying brand narratives, and driving business growth. Her expertise in ABM, digital transformation, and go-to-market strategy makes her the perfect fit to lead and support our talented marketers in Queensland.
As a working mum of three girls (including twins!), Gabrielle is passionate about The Marketing Room’s model, which provides seasoned marketing leaders with meaningful opportunities while offering growing companies the flexibility they need to scale their strategy effectively. Having led large regional field marketing teams throughout Asia for global organisations, she sees the TMR approach as an ideal solution for businesses needing expert leadership, agile execution, and strategic direction during periods of change and growth.
Gabrielle is excited to champion Queensland businesses, helping them elevate their marketing, drive growth, and make their mark on a global scale.
Katherine Rafferty
Business Director - Western Australia
Katherine has extensive experience in delivering impactful brand and marketing campaigns across various sectors, including health, retail, government, and not-for-profit organisations. With over 15 years of experience, Katherine has a proven track record in driving brand growth, commercial success, and innovation. Her expertise spans strategic planning, integrated campaign execution, brand management, PR, media buying, and stakeholder engagement.
Katherine has held several senior marketing roles, including her recent role as Senior Marketing Specialist at St John WA, where she led marketing efforts for a $28 million government-funded project establishing new St John Urgent Care health centres in Perth. Her responsibilities included branding, patient experience, and acquisition strategies, showcasing her ability to drive meaningful results in both health and corporate sectors. Katherine has also worked as the Local Area Marketing Manager for Kmart Australia, overseeing campaigns for new and refurbished stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Throughout her career, Katherine has honed her skills in managing complex projects and budgets, engaging with a range of stakeholders, and ensuring that campaigns deliver on key performance metrics. She blends creative strategy with a results-driven approach, empowering brands to reach their full potential.
Her passion for creating tailored marketing solutions is backed by a solid academic foundation, including a Bachelor of Business and Marketing, a Certificate IV in Graphic Design, and Mini MBAs in Brand Management and Marketing. Katherine leverages her strategic insights and creative capabilities to deliver comprehensive, tailored marketing solutions that ensure lasting impact.
