Welcome to the Institute of Professional Organisers (IOPO) International

The professional industry body that provides a supportive and inclusive network in the organising industry

 

At the IOPO, we understand the needs of individuals and businesses in this industry, and strive to create opportunities for growth and connection that enable our members to flourish as professionals. 

With a dedicated focus on continual learning, we provide the tools and resources that support our members to build sustainable businesses that thrive.

We promote a standard of excellence by leading through advocacy and education on the role of the organising industry, with an Advisory Board made up of Professional Organisers who are industry experts. Our members stand out amongst others in their fields, with the IOPO badge, a sign of quality, credibility and trust.

The demand for Organising Services across Australasia and beyond continues to grow. We champion our members and a broader community of passionate organisers to showcase their professionalism and expertise to meet these needs.

 

Meet our Advisory Board Members

 

                                

 

Susanne Thiebe - Connections

Susanne is a born extravert, nurturer and connector. Her desire to build community within the Professional Organising industry is what drives her approach to inclusivity. She was raised and educated in Germany and has an engineering degree in Interior Architecture.

She started her business LessMess in Sydney in 2006. Her business provides hands-on decluttering and organising for private clients and those with NDIS funding. She is a seasoned workshop facilitator and public speaker and has reached over 8,000 people with her sustainable living message. 

To balance work and life she teaches art to primary school children, and weeds and prunes her award winning garden.

Susanne heads up the Connections role on The IOPO.

Contact [email protected]

 

Roxanne Walker - Professional Development

Roxanne believes in the transformational power of getting organised. Through her business, The Space Specialist, she helps her clients create work, home and life spaces that are fresh, functional and fabulous.  Roxanne started  her business in 2019 and after a marvellous four years working on a range of small, and large, scale assignments, she wonders why she didn't do it sooner. 

She has qualifications in Education, Human Resources and Communication Management and is an accredited career and leadership coach. Roxanne's background in Human Resource Management, has developed her enthusiasm for delivering great customer and employee experiences and she is keen to use this experience in service of the IOPO Members.

Contact [email protected]

 

Jennifer Manefield - Research and Development

Jennifer fills The IOPO Research & Development role and is affectionately called the 'optimistic nitpicker'.

Her Sydney business, Decluttering Solutions, specialises in all phases of the decluttering-to-downsize and relocation journey for retirees and their families. She thrives managing complex projects involving teams of Organisers: Sharing their professional knowledge and mentoring is how she loves contributing to the growth of the industry.

An advocate for professional development as integral to being a "Professional" Organiser, she is one of The IOPO's first Expert Accredited Members. She dabbles in cooking, mosaicking and complains she never has enough time to get her creative juices flowing.

Contact [email protected] 

 

Beverley Scheepers - Website

Beverley is the founder of Home And Life Organising (HALO), helping clients across Sydney with complex organisational challenges due to physical or mental health concerns, as well as technology-related organising. She brings her 13 years' corporate IT experience to the IOPO, helping to manage the website and all other "techy" things required to keep us going. She is a fastidious grammar nerd and a coffee addict, and is not a morning person.

In addition to the website, Beverley is in charge of the mammoth but exciting task of putting our annual conferences together. 

Contact [email protected]

Sarah Le Quesne - Marketing 
Sarah Le Quesne joined the IOPO advisory board to bring her extensive experience in marketing and business integration. Formerly a Deputy National Business Integration Manager, she excels in strategy and client relationship management across various media platforms. She is keen to explore new avenues to raise awareness not only to the industry, but also to our individual Members.

Starting as a Professional Organiser in 2021, her business, Sort by Sarah,  showcases her passion for helping people make the most of their homes. Sarah now assists clients in Sydney with decluttering and organisation. Her blend of creativity and strategic insight makes her a key asset to the IOPO's marketing efforts.

Contact [email protected]


Donna Wallace - Membership 
Our Members are at the core of the IOPO and Donna heads up the Membership Advisory Board role. Donna's background is in Business Administration, Payroll and Office Management. She is keen to ensure that every detail of the Member Journey is a smooth one.

She loves all things paperwork, her 3 children, massages, travelling, movies and gardening. She grew up on a farm in the Wimmera Malle (VIC) and is now based in the Macedon Ranges.

Her Professional Organising business, The Lifestyle Managers, started in 2012 and together with her team she assists clients with life management, decluttering, downsizing and relocation services, locally, nationally & internationally. She is keen to assist Members and help forge the direction of our industry.

Contact [email protected]


Rebecca Mezzino - Member Insight & Development 
Rebecca is the Advisory Board Member for Insight & Development. This is a new role dedicated to strategically enhancing and enriching the Membership experience within the IOPO International. She brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in client relationship management and policy creation. 

A veteran Professional Organiser, Bec has transitioned into Declutter Coaching and Counselling. She is passionate about getting to the core of the problem with her business. 

Contact [email protected]

Sarah Cottman - Chair

Sarah Cottman is the CEO and founder of The IOPO International. She believes that for the organising industry to grow and thrive, it must be built by those who not only have passion for what they do, but also have a vision and strategy for professional excellence. Sarah started her organising career in 2006, believing anyone can learn to be organised. Sarah loves working with The IOPO Team to procure an inclusive, encouraging culture, built on strong networks and supportive educational platforms for all organisers, wherever they are in the world.

Born in England, she came to Australia, caught a good 'un and stayed for a bit. She is an avid tea drinking, small business loving mother of 3. Her school reports said she was a chatterbox which has transitioned nicely into talking about how to get organised to anyone that will listen including the prime time TV show Space Invaders. 

Contact [email protected]