andré's story

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experience others draw upon

André walked away at the top. After 26 years rising through some of Australia's most respected corporate and multinational organisations — from HR Manager to Managing Director — he made a deliberate choice to leave it all behind.

He wanted to work directly with people, not around them. To build businesses he believed in. To focus entirely on the thing that had always driven him: developing leaders who change the rooms they walk into.

That was 17 years ago. Since then, he has built and led multiple businesses across Australasia and beyond. He co-founded The Ariel Group Australasia in 2014, bringing actor training and adult learning principles to executive presence development. He established Forum India Learning Solutions in 2008, growing it from the ground up with a team of young professionals — an organisation he now chairs. He runs his own executive coaching, consulting and speaking practice through andrealphonso.com. And his most recent venture, leaderxlr8.studio — a collaboration with Darren Bagshaw in Canada — launched its first e-learning program in 2025, designed to rapidly build the skills and confidence of first-time leaders.

The numbers speak for themselves. Over 30,000 people developed across more than 20 industries. Work conducted across 14 countries. Co-author of Strategic Connections — The New Face of Networking in a Collaborative World, published worldwide in 2015.

He has sat where your leaders sit. That's what makes the difference.

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Over his professional career:

  • he has trained over 30,000 people in leadership skills, selling skills, and professional and personal development areas.
  • he has worked in and consulted with over 20 different industries: ● Advertising ● Airlines ● Automotive ● Banking ● Business Process Outsourcing ● Construction ● Education ● Energy ● Fast Moving Consumer Goods ● Funds Management ● Government ● Hospitality ● Information Technology ● Insurance ● Manufacturing ● Media ● Medical Devices ● Mining ● Not for Profit ● Pharmaceutical ● Professional Services ● Real Estate ● Retail ● Telecommunications.
  • he has physically worked in 14 countries across the world and still counting.
  • he is the co-author of “Strategic Connections – The New Face of Networking in a Collaborative World” released worldwide in 2015. He is featured in the book “50 Unsung Business Heroes Volume 2” released in March 2019.

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what our clients say

A selection of comments from our clients

CEO - Consulting Company

“From the front-line to the C-suite and everywhere he goes, Andre delights his clients”

Kelly McFadden - HR Leader

"Andre engaged with us in an entertaining and authentic way sharing research, inspiring stories and practical tips. He also had us stepping outside our comfort zone and applying techniques real-time."

Group Executive - Bank of Queensland

“Andre brings a beautiful style and persona to his keynote which effortlessly traverses humour, empathy, introspection, curiosity, learning, and emotion. Andre indeed changed a few lives that day.”

Gavin Nelson ex Cuscal

“I am still buzzing after Andre’s session with our team. A smile comes to my face when I think about his intro, the F word and the way he helped us understand the significance of the letters P R E S in the word presence.”

Andrew Wilson - Automic Group CEO

"In a very short period of time, you have played an incredibly pivotal role in the formation of our leadership team here at Automic. The feedback from the session has been unanimously positive. It says a lot about a facilitator when they are more memorable than naked bowling!"

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