Steve Michelson is the Founder and Director of strategic communications firm Michelson Alexander Pty Ltd. Prior to this, Steve enjoyed a diverse career spanning the private sector, politics, and the law. He is a respected corporate adviser and an experienced strategic communications strategist who has worked on several national campaigns.
He was a key architect in the fight for marriage equality in Australia, and more recently, he helped to establish the historic Rethink Addiction campaign, which is changing the conversations we have about addiction.
After growing up in north-east Victoria, Steve completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the Australian National University in Canberra, where he was awarded a full CAS Hawker Scholarship. He subsequently moved to Melbourne and has since worked for the Victorian Department of Health as a Senior Industrial Relations Consultant and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers as a Senior Lawyer, giving him an intimate understanding of employer, employee, private and public-sector issues.
He also spent six years as a trusted adviser to the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, then Leader of the Opposition. As Director of Caucus and Stakeholder Relations, he provided advice regarding highly complex policy, political and communications issues, often in sensitive media environments, and built Australia wide networks with business, unions, the media, and community sector.
Steve holds a Master of Laws from Melbourne Law School, where he was awarded the Frank Pinkerton Scholarship. He has also completed study at Harvard Business School.
He is currently on the committee of Wallara Disability Australia, the board of the International Association of Business Communicators, and is an avid member and supporter of the Geelong Football Club.