If you love naturopathy but clinical practice doesn’t feel like your calling, you’re not alone. With study so focussed on becoming a practitioner, many students and new graduates struggle to see what might lie beyond the clinic.
The truth is, your qualifications can open doors to incredible opportunities! Pathways to Success is an exclusive panel discussion at the Naturopathic Symposium 2025, designed to help you discover the exciting possibilities that await.
Our 2025 Pathways to Success panel featured speakers are:
- Emica Penklis – Founder of Loco Love Chocolates
- Dr Hope Foley – Researcher Extraordinaire
- Gina Crowe – Public Health Program Manager
- Jacqui Fahey – NHAA Executive Officer will moderate this session
As part of our commitment to supporting students on their journey, this session is FREE to NHAA student members, and you can attend even if you don’t have a ticket to the Symposium.
Where might your Naturopathy qualification lead you? … come along to find out!
Date: Friday – 2 May
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Ionic Room, Sydney Masonic Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney
Cost: Free to NHAA student members or $20 for non-members
Following the panel discussion, you’re invited to join our delegates and sponsors for a cocktail hour – a great opportunity to start on your pathway to success! You’ll also receive a bag of goodies curated from our valued sponsors! Please register at the bottom of this page.
While you don’t need a ticket to the Naturopathic Symposium to attend Pathways to Success, it conveniently follows our Deep Dive Friday intensive workshop ‘Nurturing the Inner Ecosystem: Microbiome and Extracellular Health Across the Lifespan, with Dr Jason Hawrelak, Dawn Whitten and Dr Moira Bradfield-Strydom. Learn more about Deep Dive Friday by clicking here.
In the meantime, meet our fabulous Pathways to Success panelists:
Emica Penklis
Emica Penklis is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Loco Love Pty Ltd, a trailblazing Australian chocolate company renowned for its innovative products. At 40 years old, Emica has expertly guided her company since its inception in 2013, steering it through exponential growth by doubling its revenue each year. This remarkable trajectory earned Loco Love a spot on the 2023 Australian Financial Review’s list of the top 100 fastest-growing companies in Australia, as well as the Telstra business awards finalist for outstanding growth in 2024.
More
Before entering the chocolate industry, Emica was a committed Naturopath and Nutritionist in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, having graduated in 2011. She has further broadened her professional scope with qualifications in eating psychology, integrative quantum medicine, and spinal attunement. Emica’s leadership style integrates her diverse skills in heart-focused leadership, inspired marketing, market trend prediction, product development, and comprehensive chocolate manufacturing and distribution. She also incorporates her knowledge in energy healing, intuition and somatics into her management approach, inspiring her team of over 60 employees to take proactive roles in their work.
In addition to her business endeavors, Emica has had a successful international modeling career, represented by top agencies such as Storm London and Chadwick and Vivien’s Models in Australia. Her modeling work has taken her across continents, from the US, UK, Europe, and New Zealand, working for brands such as Burberry, Clinique, Levis, Selfridges, stella macartney and many more.
Emica’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on when she launched her own fashion label, Emi May, at 19. Her design talent was recognised when she became a finalist in the 2005 Mercedes Startup award for ‘New Upcoming Designer.’ Launching her second label ‘Never where’ in 2006. At just 12 years old, Emica earned a black belt in martial arts, showcasing her discipline and commitment from a young age.
Today, Emica is not only a successful businesswoman but also a devoted mother to her two sons, Lennon, aged 5, and Hart Isaiah, aged 2. She resides in Byron Bay with her husband, Jesse, where she balances her professional achievements with a fulfilling family life.
Dr Hope Foley
Dr Hope Foley is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (UTS). Hope draws on her background in naturopathic practice to conduct research that aligns with real-world needs and holistic philosophies. Her expertise and interests extend from person-centred care and grassroots engagement to health sociology and planetary health. Hope’s experiences in sharing naturopathic knowledge and health coaching with grassroots activist communities has been a defining force in how she conceptualises accessibility, reflexivity and ethics in holistic health care.
Gina Crowe
Gina is a Clinical Naturopath and Program Manager working in the field of Health Promotion – a sector within Public Health. Gina’s degree in Naturopathy has allowed her to work one-on-one with patients but also apply this knowledge to large preventative health programs. Developing skills in project management, and understanding the funding and implementation of preventative public health strategies at a large scale.
Jacqui Fahey – Moderator
With over 25 years of experience as a naturopath, educator and business developer, Jacqui is passionate about driving advocacy and supporting continued growth for complementary medicine through business partnerships, collaboration with practitioners and assisting higher education training institutions.
More
In her previous role as Head of Education, Jacqui helped build an education team, delivering engaging and informative content for healthcare professionals and the public.
She is committed to building and nurturing partnerships with the practitioner community, industry, professional associations, government agencies and leading education institutions, fostering a collaborative and supportive team culture for improving public health and increasing support and awareness for the complementary medicine sector. Jacqui has been involved in several projects and initiatives to promote nutrition in hospitals and patient advocacy with Healthshare NSW.
In her spare time, she is an avid reader and traveller and loves a good chai tea.