AI adoption in the workforce
What AI actually means for your business and your team - the opportunities, the guardrails, and how to bring people along instead of scaring them off.
Speaking & guest training
Straightforward sessions that make AI and social media make sense.
I deliver practical, energising sessions on AI and social media for business audiences - conferences, industry groups, business luncheons and private teams.
No hype. No jargon. No scare tactics.
Just the useful bits, explained in an easy-to-understand way, with real examples and live demos that make the penny drop.
Available in person across Australia, or online anywhere. I'm based in Cairns and work with audiences locally, nationally and internationally online.
Where you might have seen me
From Cairns business luncheons to San Diego
- 2026
Social Media Examiner's AI Business Society - USA, online
Invited to train Social Media Examiner's private AI Business Society group on using NotebookLM in marketing.
- 2025
Mari Smith's VIP client event - San Diego, USA
Invited by Mari Smith to co-present an invitation-only AI tools training session for her VIP clients, following Social Media Marketing World.
- 2025
AI Explored podcast
Guest on Social Media Examiner's AI Explored podcast, interviewed by Michael Stelzner.
Listen to the episode → - 2025
Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon
Presented 'AI Adoption in the Workforce' at the June Business Luncheon - Harnessing the Power of AI in Business.
- 2025
CityLife Annual Business Retreat
Speaker at CityLife Magazine's Annual Business Retreat - 'AI in Business'.
- 2025
AI Marketing MegaClass - online
Delivered a guest training session, 'NotebookLM: Your AI Thought Leadership Companion'.
- 2024
James Cook University/QLD AI Hub - Cairns AI Literacy Series
Part of the Cairns AI Literacy Series, and presented an AI session in the JCU Ideas Lab as part of JCU's Founders-in-Residence Portfolio AI Literacy Series - 'Redefining the Workforce with Artificial Intelligence: New Era, New Technology'.
- 2022–2024
Triple M Cairns - Tech Tuesday
Regular weekly guest on the breakfast show, covering tech, scams, social media and AI in plain English.
Lisa's practical workshop on 'NotebookLM: Your AI thought leadership companion' was a standout. She transformed an audience that had mostly never heard of NotebookLM prior to the session into eager users, inspired to incorporate this tool into their daily workflow. If you're looking for a speaker who delivers practical value, connects effortlessly with the audience, and truly gets the needs of small business owners, I can't recommend Lisa highly enough.
Loren Bartley
Impactiv8, AI Marketing MegaClass
AI Marketing MegaClass - May 2025
Topics
Sessions I'm asked for most
Every session is shaped for your audience and your event. These are the starting points.
Formats can range from 20-minute keynotes and panel sessions to practical guest training and hands-on sessions, in person or online.
Practical AI for small business
For audiences who feel behind, curious or overwhelmed. Real tools, real business uses, zero jargon.
People leave with clearer thinking and practical next steps they can use that same week.
NotebookLM & your business knowledge
My signature AI topic - using NotebookLM to make sense of documents, procedures, research, notes and business knowledge.
This is the demo that helps people understand why AI isn't just about writing content.
AI for marketing & content
How small businesses can use AI to lighten the content load without losing their voice, judgement or customer relationships.
Taught from a marketer's perspective, not a tech evangelist's.
Social media strategy that sticks
Keep it Simple, Social and Strategic - building a social media presence a real business can actually sustain.
On the speaker line-up at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce ‘Harnessing the Power of AI in Business’ luncheon, June 2025.
For event organisers
What to expect
- Sessions tailored to your audience - I'll ask about your people before I build the session.
- Live, real-world demos rather than theory slides. Audiences see the tools actually working.
- Practical takeaways, so what people learn on the day can be used after the session.
- A calm, plain-English approach for non-technical audiences, including people who feel nervous or sceptical about AI.
- Comfortable in boardrooms, business luncheons, conference rooms and online training spaces.
Speaker bio for your program:
Lisa Monks is a Cairns-based social media strategist, consultant and practical AI educator, and the founder of ChipMonk Media.
Since 2011, Lisa has helped small businesses make sense of social media, digital tools and online visibility. Her work has now naturally expanded into practical AI education, helping business owners and teams understand what AI can do, where it fits, and how to use it without handing over their voice, judgement or customer relationships.
Lisa has presented and trained for audiences from local business events to Mari Smith's VIP clients in San Diego, and has been invited to train Social Media Examiner's private AI Business Society group on using NotebookLM in marketing. Her sessions are practical, jargon-free and built for the people in the room.
For organisers
Questions event organisers ask
What do you speak about?
I speak about practical AI, social media strategy, digital tools, AI adoption, NotebookLM, content and marketing, and how small businesses can use technology without getting lost in the jargon.
Do you travel for events?
Yes. I'm based in Cairns and available for events across Australia, as well as online sessions for audiences anywhere.
How long are your sessions?
It depends on the event. I can deliver short keynotes, conference sessions, business luncheon presentations, panel contributions, guest training sessions or more practical hands-on formats.
Will it be too technical for our audience?
No. My sessions are designed for business audiences, not developers. I explain terms clearly, use real examples, and show what the tools can actually do in plain English.
How do I book Lisa for an event?
Send an enquiry with your event date, location or online format, audience type, approximate numbers and the topic you have in mind. I'll come back to you with the best-fit option.
“Lisa Monks is an exceptional presenter and fellow explainer — clear, structured, and wonderfully engaging.”
Want the full story of how a social media strategist ended up teaching AI? That's on the About page.
Got an audience that needs AI explained like a human?
Tell me about your event and your people - or book a free 30-minute discovery call and we'll work out the right session together.