Elena Gosse OAM

Elena Gosse OAM’s journey is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and leading with purpose - driven by one powerful vision: to Enhance Life and disrupt the world positively by advancing people, innovation, and the common good. Born in the former Soviet Union, Elena began in the performing arts before migrating to Australia as a single mother of two daughters, one with a disability. With limited English and no business background, she rebuilt her life - learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and transforming her career from the stage to the boardroom. Determined to excel, she earned a Bachelor of Business (double major in Accounting) from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Today, she is CEO and Co-Owner of AIS Water, a global leader in sustainable water disinfection technology and one of Australia’s most innovative manufacturing companies. Elena has received over 50 national and international awards, including the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Businessperson of the Year, and Outstanding QUT Alumni. She is celebrated for her bold, heart-led leadership, her ability to navigate complexity with compassion, and her commitment to challenging the notion of the “male-dominated industry.” She proves daily that remarkable women are shaping and driving progress - and that true leadership means embracing creativity, authenticity, vulnerability, and collaboration. An acclaimed public speaker, Elena inspires audiences worldwide with her story of resilience, transformation, and purpose. She is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, inclusion, and the prevention of domestic and family violence. Having experienced such violence as a child, she actively supports prevention and recovery initiatives, including the Dancing CEOs fundraiser - where she was recognised as Fundraising Champion, Community Awareness Champion, and awarded Judges’ Choice for Best Dance - and later as a Westfield Local Hero. Elena is a published author. Her debut book, Leadership Sh!t Show - a raw and unfiltered guide to navigating chaos and reinvention - launched in November 2024 at NeueHouse in New York to critical acclaim. Her second book, The 3-3-3 Water Wisdom Protocol, shares timeless lessons from water about adaptability, clarity, and flow. Through speaking, writing, and leadership, Elena empowers others to rise above limitations, embrace authenticity, and create positive change - proving adversity can become opportunity and vision, reality.