Meet Dr. Tiff
Dr. Tiffany De Sousa Machado, or 'Dr. Tiff,' is one of Australia’s leading experts in women’s wellbeing, postpartum health, and corporate wellbeing. As the founder and CEO of the award-winning consultancy, The Village Foundation, she's driving the transformation toward more parent-friendly and female-friendly workplaces across Australia.
With a Ph.D. in Psychology and Business, Dr. Tiff is not just a speaker, facilitator, and media commentator; she's a disruptive force, sought after by national organisations, universities, and corporations for her research and refreshing perspectives on enhancing women's well-being and advancing gender equality in the workplace.
Her keynote, titled "Personal Power: What We're Missing in the Conversation About Women & Work", sheds light on the often- overlooked elements crucial to supporting women in the workplace. While acknowledging the indisputable need for structural and cultural changes in realising the full potential of every woman and workplace, Dr. Tiff empowers women to unlock their personal power, fueling the future of work one workplace at a time.
My research
In 2018, Dr. Tiff founded the Village Foundation, reshaping the landscape of corporate well-being with a focus on supporting new parents and employers. Her work, informed by research conducted in Sweden and Australia, delves into postpartum health and well-being, drawing from her own personal experiences of postnatal depression. Her research reveals two critical truths:
Firstly, the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" isn't a cliché—it's a necessity. Tiff’s research emphasises that it's not a "nice-to-have"; it's a fundamental need for wellbeing and successful parenthood.
Secondly, Tiff's research underscores the power of connection. Having the right support network isn't just about socialising; it's about survival and maintaining strong mental health.
My work
Dr. Tiff created the ‘HerAmbassador’ program—an empirically-based training and certification initiative for employees, employers and leaders. This program, rooted in her own research, equips leaders and professionals with the tools and knowledge to support women and parents at work. After completing the half-day program, these ambassadors bring the ‘HerAmbassador’ process into their organisations, fostering more parent and women-friendly workplaces through meaningful connections.
Dr. Tiff earned prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the Westpac Future Leader Scholarship and the Westpac Social Change Fellowship. Beyond accolades, Dr. Tiff serves as the Westpac W100 National Executive Co- Chair and is a finalist and winner in various awards and programs, such as the Australian eChallenge and Winnovation awards. Her social enterprise, the Village Foundation, has received a Fay Fuller Foundation grant and collaborates with Uni SA to design and deliver programs in women's health and development.
My impact
In addition to her speaking and facilitation roles, Dr. Tiff mentors and advises for various corporate and government programs. She has been a dedicated educator at The University of Adelaide for five years, specialising in Psychology and Business and currently serving as the Course Coordinator and Lecturer for the foundational course on Personal Professional Development within the University of Adelaide Business School's Entrepreneurship division.
Dr. Tiff's impact extends far and wide, reaching hundreds of thousands of women and leaders annually through her speaking, writing, videos, and development programs. Her clients include Family Friendly Workplaces/UNICEF Australia, Parents at Work, and Westpac, and she’s the lead program designer and facilitator for several wellbeing-based programs throughout Australia working with Westpac, University Of South Australia Rural Health, Gogo Foundation, and ConNetica. These programs are designed to empower individuals and organisations to not only recognise their potential but to develop lasting personal power.
I can help you.
Reach self-understanding
Personal power begins when you delve deep into the core of who you are, recognising your unique strengths and limitations.
Craft a personal narrative
Learn the art of reframing perspectives and managing emotions by and using empowered language to craft a powerful personal narrative.
Expand your potential
Equip yourself with the tools for a substantial and enduring shift in your life by learning how to establish clear boundaries and form community.