She grew up as one of seven children on a dairy farm in Nungurner, the daughter of Ray and Maureen Kleinitz – a family that has called this corner of Gippsland home for more than a century.
Now, after an international career that has taken her to corporate boardrooms from New York to London, and stages from NASA to Google, Dr Margie Warrell is bringing her insights back to East Gippsland, the place she still considers home.
On August 1, Dr Warrell will host Live Brave Day Gippsland at The Bellevue in Lakes Entrance.
The one-day workshop is specifically designed to help women navigate personal and professional challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and courage.
Her connection to the local community runs deep. Dr Warrell attended Nungurner Primary School alongside her six siblings – with her nieces and nephews continuing the family tradition there today – before completing her secondary education at Nagle College in Bairnsdale.
This is not the first time her endeavours have featured in local news.
In 2024, her participation in the New York City Marathon was highlighted, a personal challenge she undertook to raise funds for individuals living with spinal injuries, inspired by her brother Frank, who sustained a spinal injury in a motorbike accident.
That same blend of grit and community focus drives her decision to bring her latest event to the region.
“Regional communities have had to carry a tough load in recent years and have far less access to personal development opportunities than people in the cities,” Dr Warrell said.
“I wanted to change that – even if just for one day.”
Now based in Washington DC, Dr Warrell is a six-time bestselling author and an internationally recognised leadership coach.
Her latest book, The Courage Gap, continues her career-long focus on helping individuals prevent fear from dictating their future.
Live Brave Day Gippsland will run on August 1 from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are available online.
