MILESTONES & GRATITUDE
Books, Awards & Career Milestones
A career is measured not just in revenue or titles, but in the moments that change how you see yourself and the world. These are some of mine.
PUBLICATIONS
Words that found their way into the world
Australia’s 50 Most Influential Women Entrepreneurs
In 2016, Ivanka was named one of Australia’s 50 Most Influential Women Entrepreneurs by Inspiring Rare Birds. This recognition celebrated women who are building businesses that create real impact – not just revenue. Being included alongside some of Australia’s most extraordinary founders was a moment of deep pride and gratitude.
Postcards From Tomorrow
This book holds a special place in my heart. Postcards From Tomorrow is a collection of letters from inspirational women to their 21-year-old selves, with all proceeds donated to the Marmalade Foundation. I was honoured to contribute to a project that shines a light on what matters most. Some books are about business. This one is about humanity.
My First Book
Every author remembers their first book. Mine was born from years of hands-on experience in IT service management and a desire to make complex frameworks accessible to practitioners. It was raw, practical, and written from the trenches. Publishing it was terrifying – and one of the most important things I ever did. It proved that I had something worth sharing.
Real World Experiences
This book captures real-world case studies and practical applications of service management frameworks. It was written for the practitioners who are actually doing the work – not the consultants who observe from the sidelines. Every chapter is grounded in lessons learned from real implementations, real failures, and real breakthroughs.
Cloud Computing
As cloud computing transformed the technology landscape, I wrote this guide to help professionals and organisations understand what was changing – and what it meant for their careers, their businesses, and their compliance obligations. It became one of the early practical references for cloud adoption in enterprise environments.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Moments of recognition
Awards are not the goal. But they are a reminder that the work matters – that building with integrity, showing up consistently, and investing in others does not go unnoticed. Every recognition I have received is really a reflection of the people who made the work possible: my husband and business partner Gerard, our team, our mentors, and the entrepreneurs I have had the privilege of serving.
DEFINING MOMENTS
The experiences that shaped me
MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program
Being accepted into the MIT Entrepreneurial Masters Program was a watershed moment. Three years of intensive learning alongside some of the world’s most ambitious founders. The program did not just teach me frameworks – it fundamentally rewired how I think about growth, leadership, and what it means to build something that lasts.
Bond University
The executive education programs at Bond University gave me academic frameworks for the challenges I was living every day – particularly around family enterprise and the unique dynamics of building a business with your life partner. Bond combined intellectual rigour with practical application in a way that few institutions manage.
Meeting the King and Queen of the Netherlands
As a Dutch-born entrepreneur who built her career in Australia, being invited to meet the King and Queen of the Netherlands during a royal visit was a moment that brought my two worlds together. It was a recognition not just of business achievement, but of the Dutch entrepreneurial diaspora and the connections that span continents and cultures.
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