Building Melbourne's Business Community Together
American Media Collective is powered by a diverse team of editors, community builders, entrepreneurs, and industry specialists who share a common passion: connecting and elevating Melbourne's business ecosystem.
We come from varied backgrounds—journalism, hospitality, finance, technology, and small business—but we're united by the belief that authentic storytelling and genuine human connection can transform how entrepreneurs support each other.
Our team works behind the scenes researching businesses, conducting interviews, organizing events, building technology platforms, and fostering the community connections that make AMC more than just a media platform—it's a movement.
Leadership Team
The leadership guiding American Media Collective's vision and operations
Michael Chen
Michael founded American Media Collective in 2024 after spending a decade in business journalism covering Melbourne's entrepreneurial scene. His vision was simple: create a platform that tells authentic business stories while building real community connections. Prior to AMC, Michael was senior business editor at a major Australian publication and advised numerous startups on their media strategy.
Sarah Rodriguez
Sarah leads all community initiatives including the Visionary Exchange event series and AMC+ membership program. With a background in hospitality management and event production, she's created some of Melbourne's most successful networking events. Sarah believes great communities aren't built—they're cultivated through intentional design and genuine care for members. She personally knows hundreds of AMC members by name and business.
James Thompson
James manages relationships with featured businesses, sponsors, and partners to ensure mutually beneficial collaborations. His entrepreneurial background—he founded and exited two Melbourne-based businesses—gives him unique insight into the challenges business owners face. James is passionate about creating partnerships that deliver real value rather than just logo placement, and he's known for his ability to connect complementary businesses for meaningful collaborations.
Emma Williams
Emma crafts many of the in-depth business features that define AMC's editorial voice. Her journalism career spans 15 years covering everything from neighborhood cafes to ASX-listed companies. Emma has an uncanny ability to identify what makes a business special and translate that into compelling stories that resonate with readers. She's interviewed over 500 entrepreneurs for AMC and can find a fascinating angle in any business story.
Editorial & Content Team
The storytellers bringing Melbourne's business landscape to life
David Park
David heads our investment guides vertical, bringing 12 years of financial journalism experience to AMC. As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, he combines technical expertise with accessible writing to help entrepreneurs understand investment opportunities and financial markets. David previously covered ASX companies and has a talent for explaining complex financial concepts in plain English without losing important nuance.
Lisa Nguyen
Lisa covers Melbourne's dining scene with depth and authenticity that comes from 10 years working in restaurants before transitioning to food writing. She understands both the guest experience and the operational challenges behind great hospitality. Lisa's features go beyond menu descriptions to explore restaurant philosophy, kitchen culture, and what makes Melbourne's dining scene special. Her rolodex of restaurant contacts across Melbourne is unmatched.
Tom Harrison
Tom oversees all photography and visual content for AMC features. His commercial photography background combined with an eye for authentic moments results in images that capture the essence of each business. Tom believes photography should do more than document—it should convey feeling, culture, and story. He's photographed over 250 Melbourne businesses for AMC and has developed a distinctive visual style that balances professionalism with warmth.
Rebecca Martinez
Rebecca specializes in professional services features—lawyers, financial advisors, consultants, and B2B companies. Her talent lies in making traditionally "boring" industries fascinating by focusing on the people behind the services and the problems they solve. Rebecca has a law degree and practiced corporate law before pivoting to writing, giving her unique insight into professional services marketing and positioning.
Operations & Technology
The team keeping AMC running smoothly behind the scenes
Alex Kumar
Alex leads platform development and technology infrastructure for AMC. His focus is on building systems that enhance human connection rather than replace it—technology as a tool for community, not a substitute. Alex previously worked as a senior developer at several Melbourne startups and brings a pragmatic, user-centered approach to AMC's technical decisions. He's currently leading development of enhanced member features and improved content discovery.
Sophie Anderson
Sophie ensures AMC+ members get maximum value from their membership. She conducts onboarding calls with new members, facilitates introductions between complementary businesses, and acts as a liaison between members and the AMC team. Sophie's previous experience in customer success at SaaS companies taught her that successful communities require proactive engagement, not just passive access. She tracks member engagement and regularly checks in to ensure satisfaction.
Daniel O'Brien
Daniel keeps AMC running smoothly by managing workflows, coordinating between teams, and ensuring projects ship on time. His background in project management and operations consulting means nothing falls through the cracks. Daniel created many of the internal systems and processes that allow AMC to maintain quality while scaling. He's also the person who remembers everyone's coffee order and somehow knows exactly what's happening across every department.
Joseph Cruz
Joseph leads audience development and strategic partnerships that expand AMC's reach across Melbourne. With a background in growth marketing and community programs, he focuses on sustainable audience growth through referral networks, local collaborations, and high-integrity sponsorships. Joseph works closely with the editorial team to ensure the right stories reach the right founders, without compromising AMC's editorial independence.
Dina Osman
Dina shapes the people experience at AMC, from hiring and onboarding to culture programs and internal communications. She brings a decade of experience in talent operations and organizational design, helping fast-growing teams stay aligned and resilient. Dina's focus is on building a healthy, high-performing culture that protects creative energy while delivering consistent results.
Join Our Mission
We're always looking for talented individuals who share our passion for authentic storytelling and community building. Whether you're a writer, photographer, community manager, or entrepreneur with unique skills to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.
American Media Collective succeeds because of the diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences our team brings. If you're interested in being part of what we're building, check out our current opportunities.
View Career Opportunities