Angela Derks

Angela Derks is one of Australia’s most experienced and qualified wellness leadership experts. With over 25 years of industry experience, she has established herself as a leader in operational excellence, transformational change, and wellness leadership training. Angela’s work has reshaped how organisations approach wellbeing, integrating it into their core strategies for sustainable success.

As the Founder and CEO of the Australasian Sustainable Wellness Academy (ASWA), Angela has pioneered innovative approaches to workplace wellbeing, including developing the world’s first accredited Diploma of Wellness Leadership qualification for specialist workplace wellbeing professionals. Since its inception in 2010, ASWA has partnered with work and community organisations across a wide range of industries—including oil and gas, mining and power, banking and finance, transport and logistics, health and wellbeing, education, hospitality, and tourism—helping them to build thriving cultures of wellness and resilience.

Angela has collaborated with organisations such as Six Senses Resorts, Soneva Resorts, the Ampol Group, Edith Cowan University, Christmas Island Phosphates, and Silkwood School. Her work has enhanced positive work cultures, strengthened capabilities, and delivered measurable improvements in organisational performance.

A Holistic Philosophy
Angela’s approach is deeply rooted in the principles of naturopathy, which emphasise the interconnectedness of individual and organisational health. She believes in creating environments where people and businesses can thrive by focusing on:

• First, Do No Harm: Ensuring strategies are ethical, sustainable, and supportive.
• The Healing Power of Nature: Leveraging natural processes to embed restorative practices and strengthen resilience.
• Identify and Treat the Causes: Addressing systemic challenges and root causes of inefficiencies.
• Educate and Empower: Equipping leaders and team members with knowledge and tools for sustained success.
• Treat the Whole Person and Organisation: Recognising and honouring the dynamic relationship between employee wellbeing and organisational performance.
• Prevention Over Cure: Embedding proactive strategies to mitigate risks and foster long-term growth and adaptability.

Qualifications and Expertise

Angela holds formal qualifications in Health Science, Commerce, Business Management, and Marketing, which underpin her ability to align strategic business goals with human-centric leadership. Her career has been defined by her ability to lead businesses through rapid growth, change and crises, including the Thailand Tsunami recovery, always ensuring that mental health and wellbeing remains at the core of sustainable success.

Her expertise includes:

• Scaling Operations Sustainably: Creating frameworks and systems that support growth without compromising wellbeing.
• Building Organisational Capability: Strengthening leadership and team resilience to navigate transformation effectively.
• Embedding Wellness as Strategy: Positioning wellness as a driver of engagement, innovation, and performance.
• Leading Cultural Transformation: Guiding organisations, including those with volunteer members, through significant operational and cultural shifts with alignment and shared purpose.

Angela’s passion for empowering people leaders and creating thriving work cultures has made her a sought-after speaker, facilitator, advisor, and consultant. She delivers practical insights and inspiring strategies to help organisations align wellness with sustainable growth and success.

Work With Angela and ASWA
Angela and ASWA’s network of experienced workplace Wellness Leaders are available to support your team. Whether on a part-time, full-time, or as-needed consultancy basis, they bring tailored solutions to enhance wellness culture and organisational performance.