Professional eBay & ecommerce Sellers Alliance (PeSA) Advisory Board

The PeSA Advisory Board consists of professionals that have demonstrated success as online retailers.

People that work hands on in the online industry deliver the PeSA Internet Conference. We are attracted to facts and best practices. PeSA's charter is to assist the Australian e-commerce industry with vital information and provide the opportunity to network with industry peers.

Phil Leahy

PeSA Internet Conference (Founder & Managing Director)

Phil Leahy a former high volume seller on eBay Australia has been a member of PeSA in the USA since 2004. Phil was invited by the USA founder Joe Cortese to assist eBay sellers in Australia by providing annual event for sellers to share ideas and network. PeSA Australia is also a voice for the eBay community and was notably the lead organisation in halting eBay's PayPal only policy in 2008.

After a long music industry career at Sony Entertainment & Kiss FM, Phil launched and built one of the largest eBay businesses over many years, retailing CDs & DVDs - reaching over 200,000 feedback. He was awarded Australia's #1 eBay seller in 2007 & 2008.

After selling the business in 2008, Phil moved on to the world of SEO & SEM, where he has built considerable skills, expertise and partnerships. He also spends months working on PeSA internet Conference every year, ensuring its value to the online seller community continues to grow.

Phil also consults to business on SEO, PPC management, eBay & Google Strategy & Website construction.

Visit the Phil Leahy eCommerce Blog

Shaun O'Brien

Shaun O’Brien

President of PeSA Australia
Successful eBay & Online Entrepreneur

Shaun O’Brien draws from over 20 years of retail experience working for some of the largest and most respected retail chains within Australia and New Zealand, including over 5 years as a retail manager.

8 Years ago Shaun was no different from the vast majority of new eBay sellers. He was a Manager at the local Bunnings store and sold a few items on eBay to bolster his income, starting with $100 in his pocket.

In 2002, while still working full time, Shaun started his first online trading business selling HDMI Cables, Selby Acoustics. After two years of late nights and early morning answering emails, listing products and many trips to the post office, Selby Acoustics had grown to the point where it needed Shaun full time.

Fast forward 9 years and today Shaun is a well respected and successful eBay entrepreneur with:

Over 250,000 Feedback at 100% Positive
Two Retail Stores
A 24,000 square foot Warehouse in Hallam
20 fulltime staff
3 eBay profiles and 3 websites
And over 500,000 transactions

Jonathan Garriss

Jonathan Garriss (USA)

CEO, Gotham City Online; CEO, Poster Revolution; Executive Director, PeSA & eCommerce Merchant Traders Association

Jonathan's two companies, Gotham City Online and Poster Revolution, have sold over 3 million units online. As part of PeSA and eCMTA Jonathan has helped bring together, and develop the knowledge, of thousands of sellers. His finance background, and extensive selling experience, make Jonathan a true expert in building a successful business online. In 2012, Jonathan sold the poster business and is now Vice President of Art.com, heading the Trend Division

Nathan Huppatz

Co-Founder of Directshop Pty Ltd

Nathan is co founder of Directshop, an online retail and consulting business located in Melbourne Australia. Having transacted over 200,000 orders in the last five years on eBay, websites and other channels he is a true online veteran with broad experience in eCommerce strategy, multi channel online retailing, web development and project management, online fraud and online marketing.

His business Directshop offers an automated shipping solution called www.readytoship.com.au , born from Directshop's own needs to streamline the shipping process, and now focuses heavily on Magento and eBay development. Directshop is an Australian Magento Partner specialising in building Magento Commerce websites for Community, Professional and Enterprise editions. With a focus on integrations and custom development, Directshop is a leader in Magento to eBay integrations, dealing with SME clients turning over $20k to $5mil+ pa, and Nathan and his team's expertise is critical to the success of his business.

Nathan is also a board member of PeSA Australia, and regular speaker at PeSA functions and events.

Adam Hersh

CMO & Founder, Poster Revolution

Adam started his first online company in 1998 at the young age of 19. By his early twenties he was one of largest sellers on eBay, consulted for both the South Korean Government and several Fortune 500 companies, and was recognised by over 50 national magazine and television shows for his success.

In his mid twenties he began to teach Nationwide seminars covering various eCommerce topics which led to a major published DVD learning series. At of the age of 30, Adam’s eCommerce company was acquired for a second time, this time by Gotham City Online.

Today, at 31 years old, Adam is one of the few people in the world who has sold well over 1,000,000 items on both eBay and Amazon. His most recent achievement was his recognition last month by the Wall Street Journal regarding his innovative social marketing initiatives.

Adam is currently the Chief Marketing Officer of both Gotham City Online and Poster Revolution.

Kimberly Palmer

Marketing Consultant - Brazen Productions

Kimberly is a senior marketing consultant, who has worked at in-house marketing roles, or in agencies, for seventeen years. Kimberly has also run several of her own businesses, which relied heavily on online. She has particular expertise in events, direct and online marketing, and in successfully launching new products and brands. Kimberly is an extremely versatile marketer who has worked across a huge range of industries including: Transport, automotive, telecommunications, health, IT, fashion, education, tourism, events and sustainability. Kimberly has also been the PeSA event manager for six years.

Kimberly holds Bachelors of Business in Marketing and Management and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. She is a published author, marketing blogger, a regular speaker on marketing and networking and was a 2005 Churchill Fellowship recipient. She is a volunteer fundraiser for charity Helping Hand Helping Hearts, helping raise $40,000 in donations in 2011. She's an ambassador for youth not-for-profit JustBU.

Justin Bohlmann

Founder of eCommerce Results specialising in Magento ecommerce web development and eCommerce strategy.

Back in 2004 he caught the ecommerce bug and decided making a living in the online space was safer then jumping out of military planes with heavy packs and rifles. 7 years on he says “I know I made the right decision”.

In 2005 Justin worked for eBay as a Seller Development Consultant helping high volume sellers optimise listings, improve branding, drive more traffic, minimise costs and increase overall sales. From there Justin moved onto Marketworks as the Australian Sales and Accounts Manager where his major responsibilities were new business acquisition and to scale existing business through education and workflow optimisation.

As well as helping his clients achieve eCommerce greatness Justin is an accomplished eBay Powerseller and continues to learn and work at the coalface on www.fitnessandstrength.com.au selling gym equipment .