Shona Stephenson, Creative Designer, Brand Designer Manager, THE EXPATRIATE, Founder of Brisbane Trail Ultra (BTU), Australia’s only Spartan Trail World Championship (STWC) event.

Shona is an x-elite ultra-trail athlete, finishing 8th in the world on the Ultra-Trail World Tour in 2014, Australian Ultra Runners Association Trail National Champion in 2013, and a legend of trail running in Australia.

Her multi-media marketing and design skills have created iconic works, allowing her to navigate various platforms and cater to diverse audiences effortlessly. Whether creating compelling visual content for trail-running or finance, her social media, designing eye-catching websites, or developing captivating marketing campaigns through video, she excels in engaging and connecting with people from all walks of life. Her expertise is not limited to a single medium, as she effortlessly utilizes her skills to break through digital barriers and captivate the attention of different target groups. Her versatility and adaptability are unique, making her an invaluable asset in today's ever-evolving world of marketing and design.

With her noteworthy background in Design, Shona boasts an impressive portfolio that includes a string of prestigious accolades such as the Oroton, Cue, Smirnoff, and Peter Lang Design Awards. Her exceptional talent and eye for aesthetics have paved the way for her successful career as the brand designer for reputable entities like Brisbane Trail Ultra, Australian Expatriate Finance, and THE EXPATRIATE. Her creative vision and knack for capturing the essence of a brand set her apart, making her an invaluable asset in the realm of design and branding.

Brisbane Trail Ultra was established in 2019 to provide a world-class trail-running 100-mile event in Australia, utilising the environmental assets of the Rainforest Brisbane Hinterland and connecting the trails to the Brisbane River to become a mecca for international trail runners. The event is one of a handful of Tourism and Events Queensland-supported events, now in its 6th year of racing, attracting 800+ hardened ultra trail runners in 2023.

Her health and fitness knowledge spans over 13 years of industry experience as a personal trainer, running coach, and sports nutritionist. In addition, ten years of racing international ultra-endurance events set her apart as a race director with her intimate knowledge of the human body and how it reacts to the stresses of an endurance event. Shona is passionate about providing a platform to help athletes launch their trail running careers by providing international media exposure opportunities at her events.