Shelly McElroy

As CEO of Dream Culture, Shelly McElroy has helped countless companies and leaders create sustainable cultures, develop high-performing teams, and prioritize psychological safety. She has also used her platform as a thought leader to influence the broader conversation on workplace culture, which she defines as “the behaviour you accept.”
After relocating from Ireland to Australia following university, Shelly immersed herself in Sydney’s hospitality industry, gaining valuable experience that continues to shape her thought leadership.
Key highlights include:
• As Merivale’s Director of Training and Development from 2016 to 2019, Shelly helped steer the organization through a remarkable growth phase, during which the group opened 14 new venues and scaled from 1,000 to 3,200 employees.

• In 2019, Shelly stepped beyond the hospitality sector to consult and facilitate for diverse range of clients across education, elite sports, not-for-profits and even the Australian Antarctic Division team. However, after experiencing workplace bullying by one of her employers, Shelly decided to start a brand that truly practiced what it preached.
• Founded in 2023, Dream Culture’s clients have included Endeavour Group, Macquarie Bank, LVMH/Dior, and New York’s Momofuku restaurant group. In 2024, Shelly expanded her team by hiring Culture & Leadership specialist Julie Davaine.