The Sparkle Story

Not your typical consultancy. And proud of it.

Sparkle Ideas Lab was never meant to be polished.

It started as an experiment. A pushback against cookie-cutter strategy and jargon-heavy “innovation” that forgot the humans in the room.

Founded by Professor Hannah Brown, Sparkle is what happens when a neurodivergent trained-academic, strategist, and rebel-in-residence decides to stop playing by the rules and start shaping strategy that actually works.

It’s an independent strategy and innovation studio helping ambitious people and businesses find clarity, unlock opportunities and move forward with confidence.

We believe in clarity over complexity, difference as a design advantage, and people as the beating heart of change.

But why “Sparkle”?

Meet our CEO and Rebel in Residence

Professor Hannah Brown PhD. MBA. GAICD.

Hannah lives on Kaurna Country with her wife, Sam, and their much-loved (and occasionally mischievous) labradoodles, Lenny and Hugo.

Locally educated and internationally trained, Hannah is an executive leader in the research, development, and innovation space — with a career spanning public and private enterprise, academia, industry, and government.

Originally trained as an academic in women’s health, she’s since found her sweet spot at the interface between science and the rest of the world — turning big ideas into real-world impact through relationships, partnerships, and a knack for connecting the right people at the right time. She’s known for breaking down barriers, cutting through noise, and helping others move from “good idea” to “let’s make this happen.”

Authenticity isn’t a buzzword for Hannah — it’s how she shows up. Her neurodivergent edge means she sees patterns others miss, connects dots in unexpected ways, and isn’t afraid to ask the sharp questions that unlock clarity. She thrives in the space where creativity meets strategy, and she brings her whole self to the work — curiosity, candour, empathy, and, unapologetically, a love of pink.

Hannah believes in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire. For her, great communication blends clarity with authenticity, integrity, and a spark of humour — the secret ingredients for building trust and lasting relationships.

Over the past decade, she’s consulted across research strategy, business strategy, strategic communications, and diversity, equity and inclusion. She’s run workshops, led high-energy “scramble sessions,” and delivered keynotes that leave people thinking (and laughing).

What makes Sparkle different?

We’re not your typical consultancy.

There’s more pink. There’s less suits.

And there’s a whole lot more personality and heart.