Contact the Enlighten Education head office on 1300 735 997.

 

Enlighten's Founders and National Directors

Dannielle Miller, OAM. CEO, Enlighten Education

Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Graduate Certificate in Management (Professional Practice), Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training

“When working with teenagers, it is important to engage them emotionally; if you can capture their hearts, their minds will follow. I am incredibly proud of the work we do and passionate about acting as a catalyst for change.”

Dannielle Miller began her career as a high school teacher, then took on a role as a senior educator to develop an innovative program for students at risk of dropping out of school, The Lighthouse Project.

Dannielle is now the co-founder and CEO of Enlighten Education, Australia’s leading provider of in-school workshops for teens since 2003. Enlighten conducts workshops with more than 25,000 young people each year in Australia, New Zealand, and south-east Asia.

Dannielle has been the parenting expert for channel 9’s breakfast programs, se is the author of five books including the best-selling The Butterfly Effect: A Positive New Approach to Raising Happy, Confident Teen Girls (Random House), a weekend newspaper columnist for the Daily Telegraph, and has written cover features on domestic and family violence for Body + Soul magazine.

Dannielle is also the Director of Education and Special Projects at Women’s Community Shelters and initiated and created both their Walk The Talk schools program, and their new corporate domestic and family violence literacy program which centres survivor’s voices and has a clear call to action. In 2021 she delivered fourteen Walk The Talk corporate programs to over one hundred Partners and Directors at KPMG nationally with outstanding engagement; testament to how well the program was received is the fact that they then asked her to complete an additional series of keynote presentations for the audit team.

Other presenting highlights include delivering keynotes on women’s leadership for Mercer nationally and in Singapore, and presenting at the All About Women festival at the Sydney Opera House twice – once on the main stage alongside Germain Greer, Eva Cox and Tara Moss.

In 2021 Dannielle was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to education, to woman, and youth. In 2018 she was one of four Finalists for the NSW Premier’s Award for Woman of the Year, and the winner of the Suicide Prevention Australia Life Award for excellence in media reporting. She has been named the NSW/ACT Small Business Champion Entrepreneur (2007) and received an Australian Leadership Award by the Davos Foundation (2012).

Giving back to community is important to Dannielle. She has been an Ambassador for various charities, a pro bono board member for a women’s refuge, and also launched a social change initiative, The School Toilet Project which has gone global (this aims at encouraging schools to let students reimagine these often bleak spaces).

 

www.danniellemiller.com

Francesca Kaoutal

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

“My greatest achievements include having a wonderful family and a satisfying career. My aim has always been to inspire in young people a belief in their own potential and a belief that learning can be fun and relevant to their world.”

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In Francesca’s teaching career before co-founding Enlighten Education, she combined creativity with technologies expertise. She worked as a Learning Technologies Coordinator and has led curriculum development within various high schools, devised new curriculum for the Higher School Certificate Technology courses in New South Wales, devised a cross-curricular teaching program to integrate social justice into the classroom, and led students to enhance their business IT skills by developing and creating IT-based products and services for the school and business communities.

Francesca has also brought her creativity and her desire to empower students to her role as a costume designer for the annual Rock Eisteddfod. Francesca particularly enjoys sharing her passion and flair for creating and designing in the “Style File” component of our programs. In our “Get It Together” workshops, she specialises in helping young women learn to prioritise, become organised and maximise their potential.

facilitator
Nikki

Nikki Davis – Senior Presenter

Bachelor of Arts (Communications)

“I get the most amazing reaction from people when I tell them about Enlighten and what we do. I believe that many people – both genders, all ages and walks of life – are becoming more and more aware of the need for the work Enlighten does with today’s girls. I have never been more proud to talk about my work and the fact that I get to remind all these gorgeous girls just how special they are.”

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A trained dancer and former dance teacher, Nikki spent a number of years performing as a dancer and modelling professionally after completing her Communications degree. Her passion for writing led to a position as the editor of a magazine for young dancers, and a scriptwriting role with a production company followed. Then she moved into a producer role, working on the creation of videos and special events, and often appearing on camera as host.

Training to be a volunteer telephone counsellor with Lifeline gave Nikki the opportunity to explore her interest in counselling and psychotherapy, which she continues to study. It quickly became clear to Nikki during her time at Lifeline that she was particularly interested in social issues related to girls and women.

A former high school student of Enlighten’s CEO, Dannielle Miller, Nikki wanted to be involved the moment she saw the work Enlighten was doing in the community. Experienced in front of a crowd, with lots of stories to tell and a special interest in young women, Nikki has a proven rapport with school-aged girls and offers a unique insight into the worlds of fashion, entertainment and the arts.

Testimonials from local schools

Students and staff both loved the event! Chloe’s personality and energy was excellent! The event had positive messages that taught the girls valuable information. I would definitely recommend Enlighten to other schools.

Belinda Page / Head of Health, Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School

An engaging, worthwhile program that gets girls thinking about themselves and their friendships in a positive manner. They walk away with an empowered feeling and strategies to use. Highly recommend.

Linda Lightwood / Deputy Head of Middle School, Haileybury Brighton

Thanks Danni for another successful day. Being the year 9 level leader who regularly follows up on student issues, I find that the girls benefit significantly after the enlighten program. We as teachers always refer to some of the lessons presented to remind students. We strategically place the program just before camp to enhance the great rapport between students and to remind students of safety in public. Thank you once again.

Aphroditi Nikitiuk / Year 9 Level Leader, Marian College, Sunshine West

Danni…what can I say! I have just read the comments on facebook… What you achieved with our girls yesterday was remarkable. It is a message that we could not achieve in two years!! I really want to thank you. Being a new (relatively young) Principal in a girls school, yesterday really gave me a good opportunity to reflect on my own wishes for our students. I love being a Teacher and a Principal and I really love Clonard and each of the students that I have been blessed with in caring for. Watching our students respond to you was an amazing experience. Clonard is a truly special place. I am very proud of our girls. It was an absolute privilege to sit through all of your sessions finding myself captivated by every moment. What I really couldn’t get over at the end was the line of girls that just wanted to hug you and say thanks. Talk about special!!! A number of the teachers there yesterday came up to me and said how much they had learnt. It’s true…you can teach a teacher!!! I feel that your powerful message will stay with these students for their journey through Clonard. I know it will be something that I will refer back to when the going gets tough. I feel privileged to have met you, listened to you and learnt from you. I do know now what Jemma and Mel (our two Yr 11 girls who attended the Insight Conference) were talking about!!! Thank you and I hope that we can have you back in 2011.

Damian McKew / Principal, Clonard College, Geelong West, Victoria

Just wanted to pass on to your company what a wonderful afternoon our Year 7-9 girls have just experienced. Your presenter Nikki was just terrific and she had the girls eating out of her hands! The content was spot on and the girls certainly left on a real high. It was a pleasure reading the feedback sheets and we look forward to working with your company again.

Kristen Waldron / Hamilton College, Hamilton, Victoria

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the day, and I believe they took a lot away with them. The topics covered on the day were very relevant to the girls and where they are in their lives. Dannielle knew her material and knew how to reach out to the girls in a way that made them want to listen and change and take on board the messages she presented to them. The information night presented to parents was informative and the parents came away enlightened and with positive strategies on how to deal with their teenage girls. Parents were very grateful for the opportunity to listen to Dannielle. We will definitely invite Enlighten Education to work with our students again and hope we will have the opportunity for Dannielle to present to our parents again in the future.

Kathy Harris / Year 8 Coordinator, Mt Lilydale Mercy College, Lilydale, Victoria
Read more testimonials

It was a great day and when asked the girls respond with enthusiasm this far down the line (2 weeks). Many of our students live so much in the moment that they move on within days so ‘The Journey’ day definitely had an impact.
Colleen Brown, Health and Wellbeing Officer, Portland Area Schools – 8 schools

Now! This was a hugely successful event. The girls were tentative to their approach as they walked in but Sonia had them eating out of her hands the minute she greeted them. A lovely, soft, gentle yet powerful facilitator – a role model for girls. Our group of girls are still absolutely buzzing. They really do feel empowered and loved Sonia’s enthusiasm and positive approach. We (the staff) appreciated being able to participate without having to worry about doing anything. Everything was taken care of.
Bronwyn Heath, Year 8 Coordinator, Ballarat Grammar

I read the girls’ responses from the day with great delight, Sonia. You have done well. I don’t think I can remember such an overwhelmingly positive response to a workshop before! Congratulations.
Renata Rowe, Head of Secondary (Plenty Campus), Ivanhoe Grammar School

The workshops provided where delivered with professionalism and passion. Sonia demonstrated the traits she was encouraging within her own story and in her dealings with the girls at all times. Sonia’s group management was a credit to her experience but also to her genuine appreciation for young girls and their value and uniqueness. This group of girls arrived very skeptical and somewhat reluctantly and left buzzing, enthusiastic and pleasantly surprised and encouraged, as was very evident in the feedback forms. The content of the workshops was up-to-date, relevant and fun as well as informative.
Analy Alfonso, Welfare Officer, Heritage College Narre Warren Campus

I think the day was fantastic! It was very valuable to the girls who gained so much from the day. Sonia’s energy and enthusiasm really hit a cord with the group. They leant some vital skills and information about body image, self confidence and valuing who you are. Excellent!! Even the following week, some of the students were saying that they were still on a high and others were saying that they do the affirmations and positive self talk.
Donna Taylor, B UR Best Coordinator, St Joseph’s College Echuca

I thought the day was a wonderful experience for our year 9 girls. They were interested in each workshop and Sonia’s positive demeanor had a huge impact on the girls. They learnt important information about staying safe, standing up for themselves and how to further appreciate / value who they are. Even now, the girls are still talking about their experience from the day, showing that they really valued those workshops. Sonia was able to very quickly gain the trust of the girls and they just loved her!! They also provided ample detail on their self reflections which were all very positive. I can not speak highly enough about the program. Thank you so much.
Kristen Watson, Year 9 Focus Day Coordinator, St Joseph’s College Echuca

The girls from Year 8 loved ‘The Butterfly Effect’ and it has definitely had a lasting impact on them. Our school has had feedback from the parents to say what a difference it has made to their daughter’s attitude to things at home and teachers were positive about the program. I would definitely be interested in running a program for our girls in the future. Thank you.
Belinda Frew, Year 8 Coordinator, Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School

Having read the girl’s evaluations, how can one doubt that this experience was an outstanding and positive one for them. As Year Level Co-Ordinator, I have had girls come to me re issues of bullying, in an assertive manner, as a result of this program. On Monday, there was a real positive vibe around the school, as if the girls had discovered something new. The girls are proudly wearing their pink arm bands. Thank you for a rewarding experience.
Olga Cymbalak, Year 8 Co-Ordinator, Catholic Regional College, Nth Keilor

This is our second dealing with Enlighten Education and Nikki as the key presenter. The information leading up to the event is extremely informative and relevant, it certainly makes things easy to organise from this end. Nikki is a brilliant speaker and presenter and they are without doubt the best workshops our students have attended. The kids were simply glowing in their praise and I know many of Nikki’s key messages will remain with the girls. If our school can receive similar grants again in 2012 Enlighten Education will be the first company we will book.
Regards Kristen Waldron
Kristen Waldron, Hamilton and Alexandra College

Thank you so very much Enlighten! Everything was so easy and ran so smoothly from the initial booking to the day itself. You were so engaging and the girls loved you. The program has provided a fantastic springboard for us to base our Pastoral Care program on.
Hayley Keel, Catholic Regional College, Caroline Springs

Dannielle Miller is gold! Her rapport with our Year 7 girls (and then Year 8’s the following day) was instant! Their eyes and ears were glued to her the entire day. The topics covered were exactly what they needed to be and we believe that our students did walk away from the event more informed, more inspired and more self-confident. Thank you Enlighten Education.
Yvette Egonidis, Year 7 Coordinator, Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School

You really engaged with our students. The material was presented in an honest and heartfelt manner. St Margaret’s would love to have you present the workshops again in the future. It was a terrific way to end the term. Thank you.
Georgie Armstrong, Head of Life Skills, St Margaret’s School, Berwick VIC

Thank you for another great day. The students really enjoyed the day and they got so much out of the program. We feel it is a really valuable day for our students and enables the students to gain important life skills as well as being able to spend the day together as a group. Excellent.
Jenny-May Wilson, Marian College, Sunshine West, Victoria

Seeing as the event is for students, I usually evaluate based on student feedback. The girls were extremely positive about the program and seem to get a great deal out of it. It also addressed a number of teacher concerns related to students at year 9. The program was extremely successful. Thank you.
Aphroditi Nikituk, Year 9 Coordinator, Marian College, Sunshine West

You were amazing with the girls and the knowledge and wisdom you shared with them has had a positive impact and will no doubt be long lasting. Thank you! X x x It was lovely to meet you and I really enjoyed reading all the positive feedback from the girls. Feedback from parents was also very positive. Many of the girls (including me!) are still wearing the pink bands with pride.
Miranda Gazis, Year 8 Coordinator, Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School

I love the Enlighten program and have enjoyed it here at Marian for many years even when I wasn’t teaching a class that attended I would go. Now as part of my role as a year 9 homeroom teacher, I read the book aloud in class prior to the workshops to enhance the experience and get the girls thinking about the issues beforehand. Afterwards I refer to the day and talk about the issues it raises ALL THE TIME!! We download the iphone app and continue to wear the bracelets for the time. By the time my students leave my year 9 homeroom at the end of the year, I hope that I have instilled feminism in them in a meaningful way. Thank you for helping me to do that.
Kellie Illichmann, Marian College, Sunshine West

The program presented to our girls was everything and more we had hoped it would be. As a school it supported our values and the vision we have for our girls to be proud, passionate and respectful young women. The impact of an outside organisation delivering the same message was very powerful. Enlighten provided a day that allowed our girls to reflect on themselves, their friendships and how they see their place in the world. It empowered them with confidence and a sense of pride and happiness within themselves. The girls loved the experience but more importantly really felt a connection with Nikki, our Enlighten presenter for the day. Her manner & tone with the girls was lovely and her enthusiasm was infectious!! The girls all loved her and felt they had made a new best friend! We will definitely have Enlighten back in the future. Thank you.
Carly McLatchie, Head of Girls Middle School, Haileybury Edrington

Enlighten Education is to be congratulated on such a wonderful program that is not only incredibly engaging but very relevant to young people. Dannielle’s kind and generous spirit enabled her to connect with our students and create a very warm and encouraging environment. The feedback from both our students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. The pace of the workshops ensured that the students were completely engaged throughout the day. Thanks for providing our girls with such a wonderful opportunity.
Lee-Anne Marsh, Head of Health & PE, Coordinator of Wellbeing, Toorak College

Thanks for another fabulous day. Having heard so many positive reports from girls and staff who had participated previously, I was looking forward to seeing Enlighten Day first hand this year. The presentations were dynamic, in tune with the girls and informative. As I teach all of the Year 7 Health classes, it was really affirming for me to see many of the topics & concepts reiterated by other professionals and much of the discussion was followed up in the ensuing classes, where I could talk with the girls about what had happened at Enlighten Day and how it complemented what we had/were doing in class. The timing was perfect for us with friendship issues rearing their head at Year 7 after the ‘honeymoon’ period and excitement and ‘newness’ of term 1 is over.
Michelle Holding, Year 7 Coordinator, Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School

We are proud to work with these schools

Ballarat Grammar
Beaconhills College
Bolwarra Primary School
Camberwell Girls’ Grammar School
Caroline Chisholm College, Braybrook
Catholic Regional College, Caroline Springs
Catholic Regional College, North Keilor
Clonard College
Cornish College
Dartmoor Primary School
Donvale Christian College
Fintona Girls’ School
Firbank Grammar
Genazzano FCJ College
Girton Grammar School
Good Shepherd College
Hamilton College
Haileybury – Keysborough, Berwick, Brighton & City Campuses
Henderson College
Heritage College
Heywood Consolidated School
Ivanhoe Grammar School
Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School
Kilvington Grammar School
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
Loreto College Ballarat
Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School
Marian College, Sunshine West
Mater Christi College
Melbourne Girls College
Mentone Girls’ Grammar School
Mount Saint Joseph Girls’ College
Mount Lilydale Mercy College
Narrawong District Primary School
Point Cook Senior Secondary College
Portland South Primary School
Portland North Primary School
Sacre Coeur
Sacred Heart College Geelong
St Columba’s College, Essendon
St Joseph’s College Echuca
St Margaret’s School
Star of the Sea College, Brighton
Strathcona Baptist Girls’ Grammar School
The King David School
The Knox School
Timbarra P-9 College
Tintern Girls Grammar School
Toorak College, Mount Eliza
Victory Christian College
Wantirna College
Yarra Valley Grammar School