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About

Gabrielle, prefers to be called Ral

especially by those she has previously met. She is also happily married with two lovely adult daughters that keep her honest. She has an MBA and has also completed studies at Harvard which is arguably to compensate for when she failed final year English.

There. In three sentences you already have enough information to start an interesting conversation with Ral should you ever find yourselves stuck in a lift, or in any other opportune situation, with her.

For the ins and outs of Gabrielle’s career, including all relevant scholastic statistics, employment history, and testimonials, download her official bio here.

Gabrielle can tell
you a story or two.

In fact, it was while working in a senior leadership role at National Australia Bank that she realised the power of storytelling in effective business communication. Since that epiphany, Gabrielle has found her calling as a global expert on strategic storytelling and real communication. 

A highly sought-after keynote speaker, educator and author, Gabrielle’s extensive client list includes Telstra, EY, Accenture, VISA, Australia Post, National Australia Bank, Amazon, Vodafone and the Obama Foundation.

Leadership

Gabrielle holds a master’s degree in management and leadership, an associate diploma in education and training and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education.

In 2024 she launched the successful podcast Keeping it Real with Jac and Ral that consistently ranks well in the best business podcast charts. Episodes explore different topics such as personal brand, public speaking, energy management, negotiation and other great ways to keep you real.

Gabrielle is also the bestselling author of seven books. Her latest title, Magnetic Stories: Connect with customers and engage employees with brand storytelling was published by Wiley in March 2021 and debuted at number two on Australia’s best-selling business books.

Watch Gabrielle

I’m Gabrielle Dolan and this is strategic storytelling…

Bringing humanity to the way business people communicate isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. Her dedication to the industry was recognised when Gabrielle was awarded the 2020 Communicator of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators Asia Pacific region. The ultimate expression of her passion for the cause is her Jargon Free Fridays global movement (jargonfreefridays.com).

I would recommend
her …without hesitation

I have been engaging Gabrielle regularly for six years. She has facilitated numerous workshops, masterclasses and keynote speeches. She has connected with audience members from graduate to managing director level. Any leader would be better off for hearing her insights into business, communication, and authentic leadership.

Natalie Mina, Corporate strategy and communication professional, Accenture Australia & New Zealand

Her work is transformational

Gabrielle (aka Ral) is a genius in all things leadership and storytelling. Underneath this genius is a commitment to living (and teaching others) to live with authenticity. What you see with Ral is what you get. Which interestingly makes her one of the best leadership speakers in the country – she’s completely herself on stage … which is surprisingly rare and part of what makes her a world-class speaker.

Peter Cook, CEO of Thought Leaders Business School and Author of Implement.

She is one of my favourite ‘go to’ people

“Gabrielle understands the challenges business leaders face on a day-to-day basis and is an expert at facilitating development aimed at improving their ability to respond to challenges and opportunities that the environment throws at them. She is one of my ‘go to’ people when my clients are facing considerable change and need to work on different strategies to take their people on the journey.”

Kate Colley, Head of People and Culture, Finance and Strategy, National Australia Bank