I started exactly where you are.
Invisible in rooms I had worked hard to earn a seat in.
Voice tightening. Ideas disappearing.
Preparation meticulous — and somehow it still didn't land.
That frustration changed everything.
About Heidi Dugan
The Power of Presence is not something you’re born with — it’s something you build.
And for over 30 years, I’ve been mastering, teaching, and living it — on international stages, in boardrooms, and in front of six million viewers every day.
As a CEO, award-winning entrepreneur, and the first foreign TV host in China, I’ve built my career on one principle:
When you own your presence, you change what’s possible.
From leading Arete Group, to chairing AustCham Shanghai, and advising global leaders, my mission has always been to help people communicate with authenticity, confidence, and influence across cultures and industries.
From Stage to Strategy
I began as a trained actor from Australia, passionate about connection.
I never imagined I’d become the only foreigner licensed to live-broadcast on Chinese national television, reaching millions and driving $2 million in sales in just 90 minutes.
That experience taught me something priceless:
Presence isn’t about perfection — it’s about energy, clarity, and connection.
Whether on live TV, in a boardroom, or on stage with Fortune 500 leaders, I learned that how you show up determines the impact you create.
Leading with Presence
Today, I teach leaders and organizations around the world to cultivate that same power — to lead with authenticity, speak with authority, and influence with intention.
As Chair of AustCham Shanghai, Board Director at the University of Southern Queensland, and CEO of Arete Group, I’ve helped governments, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurs bridge cultures, build trust, and scale success.
Results that Speak for Itself
✔ Reached 6 million daily viewers and achieved multi-million-dollar live sales
✔ Advised major brands including Twining’s, McCain, Ford, IBM, Fragomen, and Alibaba
✔ Featured in Channel 9 News, Australian Financial Review, Harper’s Bazaar, and China Daily
✔ Honoured by both Australian and Chinese governments in Fifty People, Fifty Stories and 45 Years of China–Australia Relations
✔ Named International Leading Woman in Business, Best Foreign TV Host, Global Ambassador for Queensland, and International Alumnus of the Year
Why the Power of Presence Matters
In a world full of noise, true influence comes from how you show up — not just what you say.
Presence isn’t performance.
It’s clarity. Confidence. Connection.
It’s the ability to walk into any room and command respect without demanding it.
That’s what I’ve spent a lifetime mastering — and what I now empower others to embody through The Power of Presence.
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