Biography of Anne Riches

Anne Riches is an internationally recognized leader in translating neuroscientific research and knowledge into practical, accessible tools and understanding enabling organizational growth and change through improved people engagement.

Anne is the creator of The Almond Effect®, a powerful concept that takes the latest neuroscientific understanding and uses it to explain our human reactions. Anne then uses this understanding as a catalyst to facilitate behavioural change. By unlocking some of the mysteries that explain why we and others behave as we do, Anne opens up an alternate path to create a more productive, cohesive and enjoyable working environment.

Anne is retained by organizations looking to develop sustainable change capabilities and leadership qualities in executives, managers and team leaders. Her material is tailored to address the organization’s specific objectives. It can be delivered as a presentation or workshops for small or large groups.

In this way Anne’s work makes a significant contribution to improving staff performance, reducing friction and politics and creating a positive culture of personal responsibility rather than blame. These are the reasons many clients repeatedly book her services.

Anne brings great credibility and leadership experience from her senior corporate roles in strategy, as a change expert and as a human resources director responsible for leveraging the people resource to deliver the organization’s strategic outcomes.

Anne’s background as a senior academic and her involvement and deep understanding of cutting edge neuroscientific discoveries ensures that her content is fascinating and compelling. Added to this Anne shares her personal experiences by telling stories that illustrate the scientific content and principles. Anne’s style is warm, interactive, empathy based and truly insightful.

Her clients report that it is the powerful combination of this multi-layered, in depth approach that delivers lasting impact and value for participants who experience Anne’s presentations and workshops. She is in demand because she convincingly presents this grounded, serious and complex material in a meaningful and easily understood way. Many participants have described it as a life changing experience.

Anne works with some of Australia’s largest organizations including Qantas, AMP, Fosters, Challenger, Simplot and governments at state and federal levels together with international clients in 8 countries.

Anne was a barrister and a senior lecturer in law at Sydney University and then moved on to lead several challenging start-up and change agent roles in the private and public sectors. Anne has been a member of several boards and held numerous leadership positions including President of the Women Lawyers’ Association of NSW and State and Territory Councillor of the Australian Human Resources Institute.

The calibre of Anne’s keynote speaking engagements has earned her Certified Speaking Professional status, which is the only internationally recognized speaking accreditation.

Anne holds two degrees with honours in law and two postgraduate qualifications, one in jurisprudence, the other in change management. She is the author of one book, has co-authored four others and written over 200 publications including articles, papers and e-books on a range of subjects including neuroscience and leadership, organizational change, leadership and human resources management, organizational development and a variety of ethical and legal issues.