Janelle and Nicki grew up in Carrickalinga, SA and were from an early age best friends. After finishing school they decided to travel to Canada working at a ski resort. It was during this time Janelle met her now partner Shane. Coming back to Australia, Janelle worked as a fitness instructor and tours on the Kokoda Trail. Today Janelle lives with her husband and kids in Noosa, were she design ethical made clothes with her soul sister Nicki for their brand The Travelling Kimono.

Monica grew up in Sydney and then spent several years living in the Southern Highlands of Bowral NSW. Now she resides in the gorgeous Sunshine Coast of QLD Intuitive healer and Energy therapist, teacher and trainer Monica has worked in her professional practice of the Sunshine Coast for the past 6years with over 20yrs of experience in this field.

Pete grew up in Victoria and is one of 9 siblings in Victoria. Being very artistic, Pete eventually started to work with landscape design and also had the opportunity to work with Rick Eckersley and Jamie Durie. Today Pete lives in Noosa with his partner David, and he works as an artist, landscape designer and rent out their two-bedroom self-contained holiday shack “Boheme” to people who want to enjoy beautiful Noosa with their dog.

Connor James Hill grew up in Kansas, USA and studied to become an engineer in Boston. One day though he decided to quit and backpack around the world. During this time Connor studied to became an Access Consciousness facilitator and got the opportunity to be a speaker at The Mind-Body Festival in Brisbane. Today Connor lives at Peregian Beach and works as an Access Consciousness facilitator on the Sunshine Coast, online and runs workshops at different locations in Australia.

An early career as a British Army officer catapulted Paul forward into a career focused on improving the effectiveness and well being of people and organisations. Paul is passionate about helping people connect to what truly matters. Paul has worked with thousands of people from a wide range of market sectors, government departments and countries. He uses a range of methodologies including positive psychology, mindfulness, neuroscience and outdoor experiences.

Plastic Free Noosa is a whole-of-community plan to reduce Noosa's plastic footprint. This year, they have set an aspirational goal to reduce the use of identified single-use plastic packaging in Noosa by 50% by November 2018. To achieve this, Plastic Free Noosa engages directly with food outlets, events, markets, and other organisations to switch from single-use plastics to better alternatives.

When Susan turned 4 years old, her family moved to Palmwoods and started a farm growing pineapples and strawberries. Growing up, Susan decided to get into the corporate world which led her to move to Asheville, North Carolina - USA. This place inspired Susan to get into photography and it has been no turning back since then. Today Susan lives in the Noosa Hinterlands and works as a portrait photographer and has her exhibition “Window to a woman’s soul” the 6th to the 30th of March at at The J.

Russell Green moved to Cooroy in 1971 with his family. Growing up he loved going fishing with his dad at Munna Point and frequently cycled from Cooroy to Noosa with his friends to go for a surf. At a later stage, Russell worked as a plumber and gas-fitter but his passion to create change in the Noosa community he decided to become a councillor in the Noosa and Sunshine Council and worked there for 17 years. Today Russell runs RG Strategic and love visiting his partner in Zurich.

Peter Petzold was born in Germany and grew up in Mainz – close to Frankfurt. As a young boy, he had an intense interest in rally cars but was too young for racing. As an 8-year-old, Peter was given an Omega watch by his father, kick-starting a passion for watches that blossomed and continues through his adult life. After being a supplier to most of the big names in the Swiss and German watch industry in Germany, Peter and his family are now happy to call beautiful Noosa, Australia their home.

Today I have chatted with Jeanette Dal Santo (founder and director) & Amanda Blennerhassett (marketing and media) of WINDO Inc - Women Initiating New Directions Organization. In this interview, they’ll share the inspiring story of how WINDO was born, The International Women’s Week Festival coming up the 5th to the 11th of March in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, and the importance of building bridges between men and women.