Driving Positive Change in Australia through Transformative Customer Experiences and Community Empowerment: Anita Siassios

Anita's journey in Customer Experience (CX) traces back to her childhood spent in a small family business in 1970s and 1980s Melbourne, Australia. Raised with the ethos instilled by her father - that personalized and genuine customer service was key to prosperity - Anita has carried this philosophy throughout her extensive career.

An esteemed Experience leader and certified professional coach recognized by the World Coaching Institution and Australia’s First Experience Economy Certified Practitioner, Anita has over 30 years of experience with Fortune's top 20 multinational organizations, including ANZ Banking Group, National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank, and Colonial First State. Starting her career in customer service at ANZ Banking Group, she spent the next two decades implementing Customer Experience Improvement programs across Asia Pacific countries.

In 2018, Anita's entrepreneurial spirit led her to address a gap in CX capabilities, prompting the founding of ManagingCX. Notably, she became the first Australian leader to deliver CXPA authorized training, collaborating with CX thought leader Lynn Hunsaker, CCXP. Her authenticity and inclusive approach propelled her to international consulting and speaking engagements, spanning private and government organizations in Saudi Arabia, Amsterdam, and the USA, particularly in the fields of Health, Utilities, and Education.

Recognized for her expertise and community-building passion, Anita founded the award-winning non-profit CXPA Melbourne Network. Her leadership earned her the 2018 CXPA Extra Mile Award and CXPA Best Network Award. Anita's contributions continued through co-designing the Emerging CX Leader Award and developing the CX in Operations Monograph, accessed by over 4.5K members. In 2021, she became the first Australian elected to the CXPA Board of Directors, and in 2023, she received a nomination for the Customer Centricity World Series 2023 Customer Experience Professional of the Year award.

Beyond CX, Anita's impact extends into Privacy and Cyber Security. In 2020, she established the Australian Women in Cyber Security (WiCyS) Affiliate, aiming to advance, recruit, and promote women in the field. Her efforts were recognized with the Best Volunteer Award Finalist by Australian Women in Security in 2021 and 2022, and in 2023, she was elected co-chair of the International Privacy Professional Association (IAPP) Melbourne Chapter.

Anita's commitment to community service is evident in her active roles within various organizations, including the Cabrini Patient and Consumer committee, Portsea Life Saving Club Member Engagement, ANZ Bank Retired Officers Club, and Embroidery Guild Member Exhibition committees.

Driven by a passion for learning and research, Anita is a member of the prestigious International Golden Key Honour Society. She holds a Masters in Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, and Organisational Change, along with a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology (Honours).