About the IOPO
The Institute of Professional Organisers (IOPO) exists to serve our Members within the Professional Organising industry in Australasia and beyond. This industry is predominantly SMEs, which is why our main objective is providing an opportunity for those Organisers to be part of something bigger. The IOPO provides benefits to its Members, including an online business directory which assists prospective clients to find the right Organiser to suit their needs, along with development and education opportunities for business growth. If you would like to find out more, please contact us
Commitment to Excellence:
Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated in the actions of continuous improvement, the reinvestment of funds for the development of the IOPO to provide Accreditation, Professional Development options and further research into industry related issues.
Advisory Board:
The IOPO International is governed by an Advisory Board of 5 women, all of whom have their own Professional Organising businesses. We believe that by seeking excellence from inside the industry, we are able to deliver the services that meet the needs of our Members.
Introducing IOPO's Advisory Board members:
Sarah Cottman
CEO and founder of the Institute of Professional Organisers. She owns Heavenly Order and knows that anybody can learn to become organised. Born in England, she found herself in Australia, caught a good ‘un & stayed. An avid tea drinking, nervous motorbike riding, gun skiing (ahem) mother of 3, she's happiest travelling & telling people she’s an Organiser with ADHD.
She believes that for the industry to grow and thrive, it must be built by those who not only have passion for what they do but also have vision & strategy for professional excellence. Sarah is looking forward to steering the IOPO to provide an inclusive, encouraging culture, building strong networks and a supportive, educational platform for all Organisers. Contact chair@iopo.com.au
Susanne Thiebe
Susanne was born in Germany but currently resides in Sydney. Her business LessMess has helped the overwhelmed since 2006 with hands-on decluttering and organising. A seasoned workshop facilitator and public speaker she has reached over 5000 people with her sustainable living message.
To balance work and life she teaches art to primary school children, weeds and prunes her award winning garden.
Susanne heads up the membership and accreditation department of the IOPO. She is the first point of contact and fosters creative and useful dialogue amongst the IOPO tribe.
Contact membership@iopo.com.au
Carolyn Verhoef
Contact pd@iopo.com.au
Jennifer Manefield
Contact research@iopo.com.au
Beverley Scheepers
Contact website@iopo.com.au or events@iopo.com.au
We are proud to be a gold certified skilled workplace. Each one of our Advisory Board Members are Mental Health First Aid trained and Certified.
In 2015, Mental Health First Aid Australia launched the Mental Health First Aid Skilled Workplaces Initiative to recognise and reward the many workplaces across Australia that are doing wonderful work in increasing mental health literacy by rolling out MHFA Courses for employees. The Skilled Workplaces Initiative will continue to be assessed to make it more accessible to and inclusive of workplaces of varying sizes.
We advocate getting skilled in this area and currently have exclusive courses, for Professional Organisers, in most capital cities. See more here. Read the IOPO International Anti-Bullying policy here.
IOPO International
As well as our Advisory Board Members on the ground in Australasia, we are delighted have Members you can contact across the globe to find out more about how you can become part of the Institute of Professional Organisers.
