Giovanna Lever
Managing Director, Principal Consultant, Facilitator and Mentor
“I help organisations and communities plan for the future, whether that’s growing their economy, supporting businesses or creating better opportunities for people.”
Giovanna Lever is the Managing Director and Principal Consultant at Sparrowly Group, a Sydney-based economic and community development, workforce planning and tourism strategy advisory serving Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia.
With over 25 years’ commercial experience across public and private sectors including education, workforce development, tourism, agriculture and community development, Giovanna leads strategic advisory, business mentoring and capability programs that deliver measurable impact.
She has guided over 1,000 businesses through mentoring and training, facilitated and co-designed complex stakeholder engagement processes, and led major business cases and evaluations that have secured more than $1.3 billion in funding for public and private sector initiatives.
Well known for her expertise in transformational change management, collaborative stakeholder engagement and co-design facilitation, Giovanna helps clients turn insight into implementable strategy.
Giovanna is an Australian Certified Economic Developer (ACEcD), a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and a TEDx speaker.
She is the author of a research paper on cultivating wellness through agritourism, and co-author of workforce development transitions, accessible tourism and career pathways research papers.
Giovanna is a director on the board of IMPACT Community Services and Great Walks of Australia. Giovanna is also a Co-Founder of AccessA, a structured assessment platform for businesses to understand where they are on their access and inclusion journey.
Based in Sydney, she works regionally, nationally and globally to strengthen communities, industries and government outcomes.
Recent projects delivered by Giovanna
Insights from Giovanna
Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever investigates how research, collaboration and curiosity can strengthen Australia's visitor economy. Drawing on conversations with Western Sydney University, she explores the value of partnerships between academia, industry and government in creating more inclusive, resilient and sustainable tourism outcomes.
Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever explores leadership, mindset and personal growth, reflecting on how stepping back, asking better questions and creating space for reflection can unlock clarity, stronger decision-making and fresh perspective. Sometimes, the best solutions are found with your head in the clouds.
Strong local economies are built on connection, not just strategy. In this article, Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever unpacks the role of local business communities in driving collaboration, capability and resilience, offering practical insights for SME leaders and regional decision-makers looking to unlock growth through meaningful engagement.
Family businesses don’t struggle because they lack commitment. They struggle because commitment, legacy and identity sit at the same table as decision making. Learn how independent directors strengthen family business governance, support succession planning and improve decision making. Insights from Sparrowly Group Managing Director, Giovanna Lever on building resilient, future-ready family enterprises.
Resilience isn’t about disaster plans, it’s about helping businesses adapt to whatever comes next. Learn why proactive preparedness delivers stronger outcomes for regional economies than traditional post-crisis recovery programs.
Explore how Malaysia’s culture, food and community-led development drive inclusive economic growth, with insights for Australian regions.
Agritourism in Australia has evolved from a trend into a proven pathway for farm diversification. Drawing on more than a decade of hands-on experience, Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever and Jackie Hicks share what truly makes agritourism work - from authenticity and viable business models to accessibility, policy alignment and place-based collaboration.
Leadership resilience and wellbeing are tested most when energy is depleted. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever reflects on how leaders can stay authentic under pressure, drawing on values like integrity, curiosity and collaboration. It also introduces a practical year-end ritual to help leaders reconnect with purpose, challenge assumptions, and lead more sustainably into the year ahead.
Workforce and education trends in Australia for 2026 are already reshaping productivity, skills supply, and regional opportunity. Drawing on five years of evaluation and national research, the Sparrowly Group team examines critical shifts - from AI-disrupted entry roles to trades shortages and transport barriers - and outlines practical strategies to strengthen workforce systems and economic resilience.
Leadership development and team performance improve when leaders take time to slow down and reflect. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever introduces her Six C’s framework, showing how deliberate reflection builds stronger alignment, deeper connection, and greater consistency - helping leaders move forward with clarity and confidence.
Career pathways and vocational education are vital to Australia’s future workforce, yet social bias still favours university routes. Drawing on Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever and the teams evaluation work across Australia, this piece highlights the need to value every pathway, from trades to technology, and close the gap between workforce policy and how we guide young people.
Team communication and workplace collaboration improve when we understand how people think and process information differently. Sparrowly Groups Giovanna Lever explores the three brain types that shape decision-making and performance, and shares five practical strategies leaders can use to harness these differences for stronger teamwork, clearer communication and better business outcomes.
Collaboration and connection are the often-overlooked forces behind innovation and progress. Sparrowly Group's Giovanna Lever explores the vital role of the conduit - those who link people, ideas and opportunities to create momentum. It’s a reflection on why we undervalue this quiet skill and how recognising it can transform teams, leadership and community impact.
Workforce planning and culture development are at the core of building high-performing, connected teams. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever reveals her approach to creating the 'workforce holy trinity' - balancing performance, cultural connection and happiness to strengthen organisations, boost retention and drive long-term business and community success.
Workforce development and skills growth are vital to thriving communities and resilient economies. Drawing on Sparrowly Group’s national experience in place-based strategies, program design and evaluation, Giovanna Lever explains why workforce development goes beyond training, it’s a shared responsibility that strengthens businesses, supports people and drives sustainable economic success.
Workplace communication and engagement are at the heart of strong relationships and successful teams - yet genuine listening is often the missing skill. Sparrowly Group’s Giovanna Lever shares practical strategies to master active listening, build deeper connections and create lasting engagement that drives better collaboration and business outcomes.