Shendelle Oliver- Head of Events

Shendelle Oliver- Head of Events - IFMS

With her energy and vision, the future of Sodexo events is shaping up to be bold, creative, and full of life.

At Sodexo Australia, events are about much more than filling a calendar. They are the heartbeat of our villages, the BBQs that bring laughter after a long day, the Eat Street events that spark excitement, the wellness pop-ups that remind people to pause and care for themselves, and the cultural celebrations that make everyone feel at home no matter how far they are from family.

For Shendelle Oliver, our new Head of Events for Sodexo’s Rio Tinto Iron Ore (IFMS) contract, this is exactly what makes her role so rewarding. With over 20 years in the events industry, she’s seen how a single moment can bring people together, change someone’s outlook, or simply make a tough day brighter. Now, she’s excited to bring that passion, energy, and creativity to Sodexo, and she says she already feels right at home.

“I knew I wanted to be part of Sodexo.”

Shendelle’s journey into events wasn’t planned, it started with a simple act of volunteering.

“I fell into events more than 20 years ago while helping a car dealer host a fundraiser for a not-for-profit. I didn’t expect it, but I loved it - the pace, the moving parts, and the joy of seeing it all come together on the day. From that moment, I knew I’d found something special.”

Since then, she has built a career around creating meaningful experiences. For six years, she ran the WA Mental Health Awards, a role that gave her a front-row seat to the power of events in sparking conversations, raising awareness, and building community. It was through this work that Sodexo first came onto her radar.

“In 2020, when Sodexo won the WA Mentally Healthy Workplace Award, it stood out to me. It showed me this is a company that truly values its people and their wellbeing. That spoke volumes to me. So, when the Head of Events role came up, I knew it was my chance to combine creativity, innovation and my passion for workplace wellbeing in a role where I could really make an impact. I wanted to be part of a company that doesn’t just say it cares, but shows it, and Sodexo does exactly that.”

Diving In

Stepping into such a large-scale contract could easily feel daunting, and Shendelle admits she did feel a little overwhelmed at first.

“The contract is massive, it’s exciting and a little daunting when you first look at it on paper. But once I went out to site, met the teams, and saw the spaces where we deliver our work, that feeling changed completely. The scale isn’t intimidating anymore - it’s inspiring. I see so much opportunity for growth, innovation and creativity here. That’s what excites me most, the chance to shape events that can have a real, lasting impact on people’s lives.”

More Than Just Events

For Shendelle, being Head of Events is about so much more than logistics or running programs.

“To me, this role is about leading with purpose. Every event should have a purpose. When we get the purpose right, the rest falls into place. It’s about making sure every event we deliver is meaningful, professional, and aligns with Sodexo’s values. It’s about serving others; helping people feel a sense of community, joy, and support even while living away from home. If someone leaves feeling lighter, more connected or just a bit happier than when they arrived, then we’ve done our job.”

She’s already impressed with the strong foundations laid by Sodexo’s events and is eager to raise the bar even higher.

“Our goal is consistency and excitement. We want residents to see events as part of life here; something reliable, uplifting, and always a little surprising. No two events should ever feel the same. We want people to be delighted, to talk about what they’ve just experienced, and to look forward to what’s next.”

Shaping the Future

Looking ahead, Shendelle and her team are focused on delivering events that combine fun, creativity, and wellbeing in ways that feel fresh and meaningful.

Eat Street with a Twist - Shendelle plans to reimagine Eat Street with themed experiences that spark connection and excitement. In October, the team hosted Oktoberfest Eat Street, transforming the village with German-inspired cuisine, themed styling, and optional entertainment such as accordion players and polka bands, bringing a vibrant festival atmosphere to site.
Seasonal Celebrations - The team will draw inspiration from what’s happening across the world, weaving real-time events into the calendar. Whether it’s the Olympics or other major milestones, these occasions will help residents feel connected to global moments even while living away from home.
Wellbeing Woven In - For Shendelle, Eat Street is about more than great food, it’s about creating experiences that build connection, foster belonging, and lift spirits. Each event is designed to offer a safe and positive space where people can come together, share a laugh, and create memories.
Signature “Only at Sodexo” Moments - The future of Sodexo events will also include unique, unexpected experiences that set our villages apart, from wellness pop-ups to onsite massage therapists. These thoughtful touches not only enhance wellbeing but also highlight Sodexo’s commitment to excellence and care for its people.

“We’re not here just to run events, we’re here to create memories. We want our villages to feel alive with energy and connection, so that people look back and remember not just where they worked, but the experiences they shared while they were here.”

Loving Life at Sodexo

Shendelle says what has made the biggest impression so far is the people she’s met across Sodexo.

“I love it here. From day one, I’ve felt welcomed and supported. Sodexo has such a genuine culture of care, and it’s energising to be part of that. It’s a place where people’s ideas matter, where creativity is encouraged, and where wellbeing is taken seriously. That’s not something you find everywhere, and it makes me proud to be part of this organisation.”

Shendelle knows her team is still new, but she says the energy is already buzzing.

“Right now, we’re busy building processes and finding our rhythm, but I can feel the momentum already. The ideas are flowing, and the passion is there. I can’t wait to see where we’ll be a year from now. Our job is to make life easier, but also to add that extra spark of fun, flair, and charisma. That’s the Sodexo way.”

With her passion for people and her love for Sodexo’s culture, Shendelle is set to shape a new era of events - bold, purposeful, and full of life.