As a Visual Storyteller and graphic scribe I work with many facilitators and James is a real stand out. From the moment the session started I knew I was working with a seasoned professional who is a master of his craft, gets the job done with heart, joy and fun, but focuses on whats most important - getting the group to find their own answers and supporting them on that journey with kindness, candour and useful insight. He knows how to take the participants on a journey while going with the flow and adjusting on the fly to get the right results. He is also extremely knowledgeable, well read and brings all that insight, his own experience and interests to the for in all he does. Not only that but James is genuinely just a great guy and awesome person to be in the room with and be around. He is extremely passionate, full of energy and loves what he does meaning you just want to be in the room doing whatever he is doing! I highly recommend James to anyone needing the power of a great and extremely insightful facilitator he is the perfect guide on your path to success!

Paul Telling

Founder, Lead Visual Storyteller

The Visual Storytellers Group

”What a privilege to have worked with James, and to have the opportunity to promote his ethos. James brings a wealth of unique and varied experiences to his work, underpinned by a deep personal desire to facilitate success... From the outset, James worked with me to determine our unit’s status quo, our perceived future needs and the outcomes we desired from the day’s program. He worked with me to develop a niche program that he then provided for us. James demonstrated a masterful attention to detail and staff receptivity. As an experienced and qualified counsellor and group facilitator myself, I was impressed with James’ skills and left the workshop feeling energised, confident and enriched…. a very high level of facilitatory skills and abilities.

Dr Dagmar Ceamidas

Business Manager

Academic Unit of General Practice

Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology

James is the real deal, a thinker, a leader, professional to the core and a brillant facilitator.

He is across books that cover the wide range of his and his clients interest. He inspires due to his passion to be a leader in the fields of facilitation, coaching, motivating and assisting people with highly developed reasoning problem solving techniques.

He also gives plenty to his community volunteering as Co Chair in the Australasian Federal Government most successful community of Practice, the Government Facilitation Community of Practice. Nudging 900 members across all levels of Government.

In essence James-delivers value where ever he gets engaged.

Nick Housego PSM

Founder of the Australian Government’s Facilitation Community of Practice, and

internationally recognised champion of the profession of facilitation

“James is an excellent and engaging coach and facilitator. He has a way of presenting content and facilitating insights that really connects people to their purpose...”

Kristy Dam

Assistant Commissioner
ATO People
Australian Taxation Office

“I had the great pleasure of being a participant in a course designed and facilitated by James...James is a deep thinker, insightful, highly capable... and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking to develop their skills and approach to leadership.”

Sebastian Hood

Deputy Commissioner
Enterprise Capabilities

Australian Taxation Office

“Some of the best leadership workshops I have ever attended. James taught me to think about language, to identify our teams’ strengths and how to harness our strengths to influence. He reignited my sense of purpose”

Elaine Pretorius

General Manager

Northside Canberra Public Hospital

“I would highly recommend James as a leadership coach/consultant. His workshops are a wonderful mix of information, personal challenge, and opportunity for discussion. ”

Michael Wrathall

Senior Water Adviser

to the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

“I have had the pleasure of learning from James as an SES Participant… James is genuine, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable about all things Government. His mentorship has been so valuable for me.”

Megan Hibbert GAICD

Assistant Secretary
Regional Programs Branch

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communities

“James is an excellent facilitator... Highly recommend workshops James has a hand in, especially if he is facilitating the conversation.”

Peter Finnin

Assistant Secretary

Australian Government Department of
Agriculture and Water Resources

“I thoroughly enjoyed James' workshop. I was very impressed by his depth of knowledge and the ease with which he passed it on. I highly recommend him to others.”

Katrina Jocumsen

Assistant Secretary

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

“ I highly recommend James on a business and a personal level… He is passionate about helping others reach their full potential. If you’re looking for a highly skilled facilitator or consultant who truly cares about your team’s success, look no further than James Samana”

Peter Pullicino

Mediator / Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

Relationship Australia

“James is a highly skilled, empathic and talented coach, who deeply connects with those that he works with to support the development of agency in driving change and development... I would highly recommend James as a coach to those who are prepared to challenge themselves, dig deep and be curious.”

Cheryl Chantry GAICD, ACC, MSc, MBA

Head of Coaching & Transformational Development, Asia Pacific

The Leadership Circle

“I engaged James as an Executive Coach...I can not recommend him highly enough for those seeking that pragmatic, authentic and tailored approach. James is well researched, knowledgable and is able to harness the inner voice to produce outstanding results.”

James Ross

Director - Projects and Practice Management

The Fair Work Ombudsman

“I would strongly endorse James as an inspirational coach, mentor, and sharer of knowledge and insights on leadership-related topics. James did an amazing job of running our team building session!”

Rita Raizis

Director

Australian Department of Health

“James is an exceptional man, well, read, well versed, and... above all, mindful of others and what he can contribute to the benefit of all. He brings out the best in people...is a natural leader and strong member of a management team. I cannot recommend him highly enough”

Rob Stretch

Risk and Compliance Manager

Canberra Grammar School

“James is an engaging coach who takes the time to listen, read the room, watch the body language of the people before him and instinctively know just how to reach each individual. He helped me step into the fire...and not catch alight!”

Catherine Reid

Branch Manager

Department of Social Services

“I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the fantastic session that you facilitated.. Your infectious approach to engage the audience was truly impressive, and the information shared was both informative and actionable...

You created a safe space for participants to share their thoughts and experiences, which fostered an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.

It was clear that you had put thought and effort into designing the context and content to meet the needs of session. “

Guresh Ahuja

Management Consultant
KPMG

“I had the honour to attend workshops facilitated by James in my early career, and his teachings still resonate … to this day. He is an effective and powerful communicator, and his earnest and sincere approach to his work makes him a natural at building rapport and gaining trust with whoever he meets.

Fast forward a few years on, I approached James for his coaching services and he has helped me immensely with career and identity work over the past 6 months. His approach is evidence-based and his sessions help facilitate deep introspection and conversations in ways I hadn't previously explored.

If you are needing some tools and guidance in life or career I would highly recommend giving James a try - his coaching gave me a real, positive impact in my everyday life.

Thank you James!”

Joyce Lau

Senior Budget Officer

Department of Finance

“James, you are a dynamic and engaging facilitator with a deep knowledge of the craft.”

Alistair Kay

Director Regulatory Engagement

Australian Space Agency

“James helped unlock the potential of my branch through a significant change period in a way that was authentic and fun. His structured team building workshops were part of the key to making a diverse and passionate group work together and get the best results and keep smiling in some of the busy times! Thank you!”

Joanna Bunting

Assistant Secretary
Agricultural Traceability Branch

James brought a terrific energy to his role facilitating a room of more than a hundred members of our branch. He confidently led us through a series of activities to identify our strengths, achievements and values and unpacked the barriers to achieving our potential with a view to developing actionable solutions to known and emerging challenges. James sensitively read the mood in the room and constructively moved the group through conflict, bringing evidence-informed insights and drawing on deep public sector expertise.

Colin Peters

Director
Australian Government