About Us

High Ideals is a member-based association, with the entrance criteria being based on how our members conduct themselves in business. It is of primary importance that all of our members are committed to setting the very best of standards of positivity, integrity and impact in the work they do.

Click here to download the High Ideals Membership Information Pack.

Once successfully through the assessment process, with membership status awarded, members can then proudly display their new accreditation (MHI) by using the High Ideals' membership logo on business cards, résumés and professional biographies.

If members run businesses that they wish to grow, High Ideals will provide them with a profile page on our directory and with advertising opportunities. Through creating this association, we can provide a way for those in business to find clients, suppliers and employees with the assurance they are dealing with people who operate to the very highest standards in business practice.

Our Ideals

Positivity	Integrity	Impact
To engage openly and warmly with others; to be option and solution focused; to practise active listening and genuine exchange of ideas; to value and consider others' perspectives; to embrace diversity and to consistently show positive regard and appreciation for the contribution of others.	To represent oneself openly, honestly and to be genuine in all interactions; to treat others respectfully and fairly; and to have a reputation of responsiveness, reliability and professionalism in fulfilling one's commitments. To have regard for the well-being of others on the broad and holistic level (the business community, societal and environmental).	To have a profound influence on others through one's commitment to serving unreservedly with integrity and positivity; and through being a conscious and active example of the change we want to see in the world.

Our Mission

To substantially improve the quality and consistency of personal, social, business and environmental conduct on a global level.

We will achieve this by providing information (to challenge, unite and inspire), accreditation and promotion for those who act with consistent integrity, positivity and who have an overarching drive to have a beneficial impact on the greater good of all.

At the core of this are our strategies to raise awareness within the broader community of the benefits that result when we fully commit ourselves to be the best we can be as individuals (both personally and professionally), as businesses (ethical and responsible), in how we support the development of young people (who are our future high idealists), in how we support others to have their needs met (striving to give not just to get), and how we support the protection, improvement and sustainability of the physical environment(s) we share (our home, workplaces, communities and the planet).

Our Members

Our members are individuals who work, or aspire to work, with an active and demonstrable commitment to the guiding principles of positivity, integrity and impact. Our membership base will eventually be a representation of all industries, professions and occupations.

Whether you are a hair-dresser or a surgeon; a technician or a plumber; a musician or a chef; a teacher or a stockbroker; a factory hand or an architect, as long as you are committed to the standards we advocate at High Ideals and have a proven track record demonstrating this, we welcome and encourage you to apply for membership.

Values of High Ideals

Download our Values document for more detailed information.

High Ideals Criteria

Please click here to download the Criteria for High Ideals.

Management Team

Karina Butera, PhD, BA(Hons), ACC, LCA, FHI

Managing Director

I am a sociologist, life coach, corporate trainer, speaker and writer, with a business background in management consulting, sales and recruitment (for more detail see: www.projectbalance.com.au and www.karinabutera.com). I also have a busy personal life as a mother of two energetic teenagers and grateful friend of many very special people (who I never quite manage to get enough time with). Attaining excellence and working with people who share my values about the importance of positivity and contribution in business has been a priority of mine for many years. I started High Ideals because I could see there were others like me in the business world, people who really care about creating enjoyable customer experiences and having a broader positive ripple effect through their character and attitude. High Ideals is my contribution to the business world. By connecting and promoting the positive and idealistic members of the business community I can help them succeed, which I know will hold powerful influence and the potential to change the way others conduct themselves in business. This venture is infused with my belief that when like-minded people draw together, their collective energy and attention to common values creates something a million times more powerful than any single person can achieve alone. This work is the most important I have ever done and all High Ideals members have my personal commitment to helping them achieve success in any way I can.

Noel Posus, MECI, Masters Humanities/Adult Education, FHI

Director of Operations

I am a professional coach and educator with over twenty years experience in various countries, cultures and contexts and I love what I do. I'm also very fortunate to have been able to work with so many extraordinary individuals with high ideals over the years. And as strange as it may sound, I'm also grateful for those I've worked with who did not demonstrate Integrity, Positivity and Impact as are our High Ideals standard. I say this because it's made it very easy for me to make choices to only work with people and organisations where there is a sound and positive values match. For this reason, when Karina Butera approached me to be one of the founding members and part of the Senior Leadership Team for High Ideals, I knew once again I had found a perfect match. If you want to know more about me or my values-based businesses, feel invited to explore: http://www.incredibleawareness.com/, http://www.askacoach.com/, http://www.thewheelsoflife.com/, http://www.recreationalwhinge.com/, http://www.thepersonalbalancedscorecard.com/ and of course, http://www.high-ideals.com/.

Julie Saunders, FHI
National Membership Manager & Administration Manager & Events Coordinator

I have many years (too many to dare count!) experience in Executive PA, office administration and events management/coordination roles. I enjoy communication with people at all levels, and pride myself on my very friendly and approachable manner, on being highly organised, diligent, conscientious and highly motivated. I am highly service oriented and believe very strongly in the provision of excellence in customer service. I love my role in the High Ideals team because I get to use these skills working with colleagues who operate with the highest standards of high ideals and serving customers (our members) who also embody the high ideals values! I feel deeply privileged to be associated with High Ideals and I am 100% behind the High Ideals mission to help connect, support and promote those who carry out their dealings with the highest intentions and desire for positive outcomes. I truly believe that this organisation will have an on-going influence on the broader world in a very positive way.

Stephanie Noon, Cert IV Life Coaching, FHI,

Public Relations & Communciations Manager

I am a life coach, speaker, assessor, consultant but more importantly, a Mum. I have a business background in Marketing, PR and Communications with over 25 years experience in the financial services sector. In 2007 I made the shift to life coaching, establishing my own life coaching business, live life coaching (www.livelifecoaching.com.au) and I have never looked back. My deep internal drive and desire is to help others and life coaching allows me to do that in such an authentic way. I am an energised and positive person with life experiences that remind me to be so grateful for the abundance of happiness that I feel today. High Ideals aligns so closely with my own ideals of positivity, integrity and impact. The energy that generates when like-minded people combine is palpable and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Carol McGowan, BBus (Accounting), Grad Dip Bus Comp, Adv Dip CFT, Dip LCIA, CPA, QMACA, JP, FHI
Quality Assurance Manager & Assessor

I am a transitions coach and counsellor specialising in career and 3rd age transitions. I am also a business process and project management specialist with over 30 years experience within large corporate and start up environments. I try to give back by being an educator for both coaching and counselling students as well as running my own coaching and counselling practice. I am also on the management team of http://www.askacoach.com/. Striving for superior performance and helping people determine and achieve their purpose is what drives me and gives me a reason to get up each day and express my gratitude for the delight my work and passion brings me. My involvement with High Ideals perfectly aligns with my personal core values of integrity, passion, professionalism and excellence. I feel High Ideals provides a perfect vehicle for me to share these values across the community at large in order to enhance overall service standards irrespective of industry type and makeup.

Gary Scholz, Dip Life/Exec Coaching, LCIA, ICF, FHI

Global & Environmental Impact Manager

I am a passionate, caring individual, an individual who has a great desire to make a difference in how we can all do things 'better' as individuals, and as a world community. I see it as a privilege within my role to be able to identify opportunities to prompt our leaders to have a positive lasting impact on our planet, as well as inform and inspire our members of ways they can make a difference in their own way. As well as being a committed member of the High Ideals management team, I am also the Managing Director of Project Balance, a company that brings together a wide range of exceptional health and wellbeing practitioners to help companies take care of the emotional, physical and social effectiveness of their employees. As a Life Coach and Mentor to Coaches I contribute to the growth and success of others from all backgrounds; helping them gain the important clarity we all need and seek throughout our lives. Added to this, I love spending time with my three fantastic, lovable, independent children and my two beautiful grandchildren. Being part of the High Ideals team provides me a wonderful opportunity to work with like-minded people from all professions and walks of life who care - a place where I can make a difference. Instead of doing it alone - which isn't much fun - I get the privilege and fulfilment of working in an incredibly positive team of talented people who share my values, commitment and desire to make a positive contribution to society. I strongly believe that High Ideals has come at the right time and that through this business we will create the ripple effect and changes our world needs in these very challenging times.

Sharon Chisholm, FHI

Promotions Manager & Youth Initiatives Manager

I am a life design coach, writer, trainer and speaker who is passionate about inspiring others to fulfil their potential with passion and purpose. I grew up in the UK, working for many years in management, recruitment, sales and customer service before deciding to move "down under" in 2002. I have a busy home life trying to keep up with two incredibly lively children, a wonderful husband, fantastically supportive friends and a family in the UK that I miss terribly. I believe that as human beings we have the power to achieve great things by working together not against each other, with collaboration rather than competition. High Ideals stands for everything I believe in - integrity, compassion, positivity, equality and contribution to others. By setting high standards, our aim is to inspire others to take action and join us.

Claire Stretch, BA Hons (Eng Lit), FHI

Public Relations & Communications Consultant

I am a writer, speaker, trainer, coach and consultant, specialising in the areas of perception and communication; developing successful strategies and programs that allow clients to draw out personal and group wisdom, and find ways to infuse wisdom into leadership (see www.clairestretch.com.au). My background includes PR, small business management, management consultancy and corporate training as well as being a professional writer with many credits to my name. I am delighted to be able to use these skills in my role in copy writing and providing assistance and quality assurance in developing the assessment processes at High Ideals. Given the times we live in, with all the challenges facing the global village, I believe it is vital that all of us, who are willing and able, aim to stretch ourselves to live out more and more of our true potential. I am passionate about playing my part in this endeavour, which means supporting others in this work, as well as doing the work myself. I want to be part of the solution and positive change generation, which I believe will enable us to raise the quality of our own life and the life of our communities. When I was introduced to High Ideals, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved as the values it propounds so profoundly overlap with my own core values of integrity, authenticity, respect and potentiality focus.

Heather Maloney, MTech (IT), GDip C.Sc, FHI

Website Manager

I am the Managing Director of Contact Point IT Services Pty Ltd, a boutique internet solutions provider helping businesses to keep in contact with their customers and suppliers using technology. My business and examples of our work can be viewed at http://www.contactpoint.com.au/ and http://www.enudge.com.au/ (our in-house developed email and sms marketing solution). In providing technology solutions for my clients, meeting expectations in a polite and friendly way, making it easy for my non-techncial peers to understand technical constraints and concerns, and delivering a quality solution, combined with a good measure of commercial practicality have always been key. I have been delighted to work with Karina Butera over the last couple of years as Karina makes such an effort to make working together professional and enjoyable. So when Karina spoke to me about the High Ideals concept, I was glad to be involved; being able to choose business partners and clients knowing that they have similar underlying principles will be a great asset to all.

Leighton Hill, BSc(Hons), ACMA, AsCPA, FHI
Financial Controller

I am a Management Accountant, Company Director, business owner and investor. I specialise in business financial management with expertise in systems design and management, planning, business modelling and cash control. I see my expertise as providing a vital support role to business operational management. I became a qualified accountant in 1976 having completed a degree in Accounting and Economics in 1972. I have over 30 years experience in a wide variety of businesses including white goods manufacturing, oil and gas exploration, commercial cleaning, coal mining, transport, retailing, software development and recruitment and out sourced human resources services. I joined High Ideals because I have great respect for Karina, its founder, and admire her energy and vision. I share her philosophy of business and believe that truly successfully businesses are conducted ethically with win-win outcomes for all stakeholders: clients, suppliers, employees and shareholders.

Ambassadors

Angela Scaffidi, FHI

Ambassador

In 2003 with the support and encouragement of a small group of family and friends I founded the Scaffidi Foundation to help families living with cancer. The Foundation ws established in honour of my remarkable mother and sister, who both passed away from cancer. They were selfless, determined ladies who channelled much of their time and energy into caring for others. The Foundation was created to carry on their legacy. Each year the Foundation provides a scholarship to a young person (or sibling) impacted by cancer, as well as financial assistance for household and medical bills and family breaks to Queensland. My vision for the Foundation is that it will continue to provide much-needed support to families well into the future. I was drawn to High Ideals because of the passion and generosity of its founder and the values of the organisation, which align closely to the values of the Scaffidi Foundation. I am proud to be a High Ideals Ambassador and Member. I am also on the Board of Challenge: supporting kids with cancer and the Future Cambodia Fund. Professionally I am a partner in a specialist communication consultancy, scaffidihugh-jones.

Leigh Mathews, AHI
Ambassador

At the age of 23, I founded a successful non-profit organisation, Future Cambodia Fund, which has gone on to deliver innovative community development solutions to Cambodia's most marginalised communities. I have also worked in a diverse range of areas including human rights, homelessness, disability and the protection of children from trafficking, abuse and violence. As the current Victorian Young Australian of the Year for 2009, recipient of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award 2009 and 2009 Future Summit Australian Leadership Awardee, I am well placed to inspire and empower other Australians to make positive change in the world. I am also an Australian Youth Leadership Ambassador, enhacing my capacity to use my voice as a catalyst for social change and responsibility for young Australians. I have worked for a range of organisations bringing my unique skills and insight to diverse projects. In addition to my role as Managing Director of Future Cambodia Fund, I run an independent consultancy providing support in non-profit management, non-profit startup, project design, project management and ethical funding.

Shane Holst, AHI
Ambassador

Hello there. Firstly I commend Karina and her team on this strong initiative. Bravo. The endeavours of Altruism Australia support our vision of an ethically and psychologically healthy Australia. It has been my experience that until self-awareness of any individual has been achieved just about anything can happen! We are certainly at the mercy of external influences until we 'know ourselves'. The programs of Altruism Australia have a core emphasis of 'humanising' the world around us and the world within us. My personal history includes 4 years in the Royal Australian Navy in the communication/security area, commercial radio (both as a broadcaster and senior manager), author of 5 books (one of which has been published) and corporate training and coaching.

Abbey Cappiello, FHI

Ambassador

My professional life has been an interesting journey that centres on my passion for people. For over 10 years I have been assessing people for their drive, enthusiasm and motivators and assisting them to move forward in their careers, which I love. Having worked in New South Wales, Victoria and now returning to sunny Queensland I have recruited in a wide range of industries and environments. Apart from my professional experience I am an Artist and when time permits create very colourful abstract art which has been a pleasure and a distraction. Taking up a position with High Ideals has been a wonderful opportunity as well as a natural process for me as I believe High Ideals is a progressive move in aligning people and business to the standards that I believe in deeply. It is a very exciting time to see the impact HI will make in others lives as well as the calibre of people we will meet that will enhance our lives.

Narelle Holland, Cert IV Life Coaching, FHI

Ambassador

I am a chef, mother, life coach and certified trainer and assessor. I have two beautiful sons who are the light of my life and a wonderful husband who is my best friend. My journey through life has taken me on many adventures where I have learned and gained amazing and valuable experiences. My background in hospitality has been in 5 star hotels and teaching. Cooking has fuelled my creative talents, my philosophy is life is full of amazing ingredients and the world is my kitchen, so I am inspired to create wonderful things in life and everything I create is one of my recipes, garnished with love. Motherhood has given me life in a way I never could have imagined and my boys have been the greatest gift I have been blessed with, and they have been a major part in why, who, and how I am today. I naturally became attracted to being a part of the dedicated high ideals team as I believe in all that High Ideals stands for and by standing up for what we believe in much can be achieved and we can make a difference with positive impact.

Mags Bell, CPDC, MILM, AMECI, FHI

Ambassador

I am a coach, author and speaker specialising in people management in both private and public sectors. I also coach teenagers who are being bullied, along with the family as a whole. My business background is in sales management from the Fundraising and Pharmaceutical sectors. I also operate Coaching Potential Results Pty Ltd, a company which strives in 'Developing the person within' (see http://www.cpr-coaching.com/ for further details). I love working with people who are positive, caring, honest, and work to standards that great people work to. My values and principles are very important to me in my life. So it seemed obvious to join such a like-minded team as High Ideals. I believe great businesses, leaders and individuals have been waiting for such a great association as High Ideals to come along for years and that's why I wanted to be in from the start. Working with and for people who have similar values, beliefs and work ethics, means that it is a joy to work and play with those associated with High Ideals. Why shouldn't life and work be fun!