{"id":280001,"date":"2025-06-07T19:56:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T19:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/alumni-spotlight-raoul-gaynor-massey\/"},"modified":"2025-06-07T19:56:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T19:56:57","slug":"alumni-spotlight-raoul-gaynor-massey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=280001","title":{"rendered":"Alumni Spotlight: Raoul Gaynor-Massey"},"content":{"rendered":"


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From Business Analyst to Senior Event Consultant at PwC<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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When Raoul Gaynor-Massey made the bold decision to leave a career in business analysis and pursue event management, he had no idea just how far the leap would take him. Since graduating from College of Event Management in 2015, Raoul has steadily earned a reputation as a strategic and creative force in the world of high-end corporate events.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now based in Sydney and working as a Senior Event Consultant for PwC, Raoul shares what it took to make a major career pivot, the lessons he\u2019s learned along the way, and why he believes it\u2019s never too late to pursue work you truly love.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Candid<\/p>\n

CoEM Graduate Raoul – 2015<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Taking the Leap from Business Analysis to Events<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Working as a BA was challenging, but it didn\u2019t engage me creatively. I knew it wasn\u2019t my long-term path \u2014 I just didn\u2019t know what was.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Raoul\u2019s journey into events wasn\u2019t as straightforward as it seems. While working in a corporate role, he was given the opportunity to explore different departments through internal secondments. Marketing, corporate affairs, and studio production all made the list \u2014 but it was a six-month placement in events that changed everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I knew almost immediately it was right for me. I credit that to having a strong sense of self. I’ve always had a good understanding of who I am and what energises me, so when I landed in events, it just felt right.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Navigating Career Change<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Switching careers in your late 20s \u2014 especially as a homeowner \u2014 isn\u2019t without its challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The biggest challenge was financial. Changing industries is a huge shift, and I had to be really intentional about budgeting and planning. But it was absolutely worth it.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Raoul credits CoEM with helping him navigate the transition. From course content that built on his transferable skills, to teachers who became professional references, the support he received made a real difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

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CoEM was awesome in supporting the transition. There are so many transferable skills \u2014 time management, stakeholder engagement, budgeting \u2014 and CoEM helped me connect the dots between what I already knew and what the industry needed.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Starting Strong After Graduation<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

After completing his Diploma of Event Management, Raoul landed a role at an agency and stayed there for 2 \u2014 3 years to gain foundational experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I felt agile and prepared. Having the qualification gave me confidence \u2014 that \u2018piece of paper\u2019 meant something. But the real test was proving myself on the ground.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

His biggest learning?<\/span><\/p>\n

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There will always be situations, people, or processes that aren\u2019t ideal. You learn to pick your battles and just get on with it.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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A Senior Role at PwC<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Today, Raoul is thriving as a National Event Manager at PwC, leading high-profile strategic events across Australia.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Anything that\u2019s considered a top strategic priority \u2014 especially with a client-facing lens \u2014 lands on my desk. Most of my work is in Sydney, but I also deliver events in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Despite the fast pace, he appreciates the clarity that comes with working in a corporate setting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Blending Strategy with Creativity<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Raoul\u2019s background in business analysis gives him a unique edge when it comes to planning and executing events.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I can do the florals, the lighting, the tablescapes \u2014 but I also help clients understand the why behind their decisions. If I can show that spending a little more or less in a certain area will help them hit their goals, they\u2019re far more likely to get on board.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Final Words of Advice<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

For anyone considering a similar leap \u2014 from one industry to another \u2014 Raoul\u2019s message is clear:<\/span><\/p>\n

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DO. IT. NOW. Life is way too short not to. Even though it\u2019s my job, it never feels like work \u2014 because I love it that much.<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Many thanks to Raoul for assisting us with his inspiring ‘Alumni Spotlight’ blog post. You can find Raoul on Linkedin<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Graduates from College of Event Management are job-ready! If you’re wanting to find out more about a career in event management there’s plenty of information:<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n