About

Catriona Pollard is a leading authority on presentation skills, personal branding, media interview training, and confident communication. As the founder of CP Communications, she has trained thousands of professionals, executives, and teams to transform how they communicate.

She delivers engaging, practical, and motivational presentations that empower attendees to immediately implement new insights for real results. She has shared her dynamic and practical expertise with people both in Australia and around the world for organisations such as TEDx, DELL, CeBIT, Women on Boards, CEO Institute, Commonwealth Bank and Macquarie University, just to name a few.

With over 20 years of experience in communications and media, Catriona brings a unique blend of strategic insight and practical, results-driven training. Her highly engaging workshops and coaching programs are designed to build confidence, refine messaging, and elevate professional presence — whether participants are presenting to a boardroom, being interviewed by the media, or speaking at a major event.

Catriona is passionate about helping individuals uncover their unique voice and position themselves as credible, visible leaders. Through her personal branding programs, she guides professionals in shaping a powerful and authentic presence that resonates with their audience and supports their career or business goals.

She is also a sought-after media trainer, equipping spokespeople and leaders with the skills to deliver compelling messages in high-pressure interview environments. Her training covers everything from managing difficult questions to staying on message and projecting confidence on camera

She founded CP Communications in 2001 and built it into one of Australia’s leading PR and social media agencies. Catriona was named as one of the top 50 most influential women entrepreneurs in Australia as part of the Inspiring Rare Birds project.

Her acclaimed book, From Unknown To Expert: How to use clever PR and Social Media to become a recognised expert, is a comprehensive step-by-step program for entrepreneurs and business owners to learn how to become a recognised expert and thought leader. Catriona’s step-by-step Unknown To Expert 5 Star System has been used by thousands of people around the world to become highly paid and sought after experts and thought leaders.

Catriona presented an inspirational and motivational talk at TEDx on the topic of Being Open To Yes. She encouraged people to move from the shadows into the spotlight, to redefine the spotlight so it means something to everyone and to understand we all deserve to be there and share our voice with the world.

Renowned for being an inspiring speaker and trainer, Catriona shares her personal insights and experience to help others, whether it’s with practical advice or shared wisdom. With every training session, Catriona aims to ensure her audience takes away useful insights, inspiration and tips that will help them succeed. Catriona empowers people to step into the spotlight — with purpose, professionalism, and presence.

Where it all started
Sitting in the sunroom of her rented apartment in 2001, founder Catriona Pollard dreamt of building an Agency that was focused on customised public relations that could build the reputation, businesses and sales of her clients. Fast forward and CP Communications became one of Australia’s most respected and innovative PR and social media agencies. Recognised as an industry influencer, Catriona is an international speaker and trainer, author. You can read about her media coverage here.

Finding nature based creativity
In addition to her communication training and presenting career, Catriona is an award-winning fibre artist and nature based creativity trainer. As a result of intense stress and pressure from her business she recognised she was facing burnout, and to help resolve this she decided to reconnect with creativity—not as a pursuit of perfection but as a form of exploration, play, and mindfulness.

This shift was transformational, unlocking new ways of thinking, problem-solving, and embracing change. In addition to making changes to her business, it led to writing a book, launching online business, and developing a fresh leadership approach that harnessed the collective strength of her team. Creativity became the foundation for resilience, clarity, and success.

Through nature-based art, she discovered new perspectives on business challenges, risk, and innovation. This journey not only reshaped her business but also propelled her to international recognition as an acclaimed artist, using traditional fibre techniques to transform foraged plant fibres and recycled metals into evocative sculptural works.

Her art investigates the deep relationship between humans and nature, exploring transformation, energy flow, and the potential for harmony with the ecological world. Her intricate weaving techniques create repetitive patterns that symbolise interconnection, while the interplay of shadows and form sparks conversation around light, dark, and balance.

Catriona has exhibited in numerous solo, group, and touring exhibitions. Her work has been recognised in major art awards, including the Australian Textile Art Award, International Art Textile Biennale, National Capital Art Prize, Environmental Art & Design Award, and Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize.

Her sculptures are featured in galleries, high-end design spaces, and private collections nationwide, and her work has been profiled across major art and design media. She has been featured on ABC TV and Gardening Australia and a feature in Good Weekend, SMH/The Age. and is profiled in the book Woven Together: Weavers and Their Stories.

As a passionate educator, for over 10 years she has facilitated nature based training and sculptural basketry workshops in globally, she teaches for leading design and craft institutions, and founded The School of Basketry Art, an online platform with students worldwide.

Discover more about Catriona Pollard’s art, speaking engagements, and workshops.  You can see Catriona present here and watch her interview on ABC TV Gardening Australia and see her talk through a body of work “The Volume of Hope”.