Our People | Ellen Reed
A Customer Value Specialist at Suncorp, Ellen Reed is also a professional singer-songwriter with over a decade's experience in the industry, most recently singing the national anthem at the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.
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For Ellen Reed, the ability to connect with people comes as second nature. A Customer Value Specialist means her working day is spent ensuring Suncorp’s customers are supported, connecting with people in both the everyday moments and in times of hardship.
But outside of her day-to-day job at Suncorp, Ellen is a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter with more than two decades in the industry, having featured on stages and TV shows across the country. Recently, she also represented Australia, singing the national anthem at the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.
A multi-tasking extraordinaire doesn’t even begin to cover it for this passionate creative.
Learning to play the piano and singing since she was only six years old, it wasn’t until Ellen was a teenager that she began performing in front of a crowd, competing in local competitions. “It was my first taste at performing. I loved every second of it and I knew I wanted to do that for the rest of my life.”
Since then, she’s not looked back. In the years that followed, Ellen has worked full-time in the industry, establishing herself as talented singer songwriter, performing both on stages and TV shows around the country. Then in 2016, Ellen competed on The Voice, changing the course of her career.
“I was a Grand Finalist on the Voice in 2016 and it was the wildest experience of my life. It was an absolute rollercoaster of a time and a crash course in the industry; but I am beyond grateful for the experience. After the show ended, I worked incredibly hard to continue to work in Brisbane and around Australia and I was able to make performing my full-time career until the COVID-19 pandemic pressed pause on the music industry.”
In 2017, Ellen was brought on as an ambassador for the QLD Firebirds Netball Team, sparking a passion for not only the sport, but for the drive and dedication shown on the court. A proud partner of the Super Netball for five years, Suncorp could not be more proud of the dedication Ellen brings to the court.
“I have loved being involved with the Netball,” Ellen says of her passion for the sport. “These women work so hard every day for a sport they love and more often than not have day jobs as well as play for these elite sporting teams.”
“I understood their hustle and I fell in love with how dedicated and passionate they were to both career paths they had chosen. To be surrounded by such inspiring women on the daily and to be an Ambassador for the Firebirds and fall in love with Netball have been some of my favourite moments from the last couple of years.”
A strong synergy for the team’s values and work ethic, Ellen has performed at every opportunity for team events, connecting with the fans and the teams throughout the seasons.
I have loved being involved with the Netball,” Ellen says of her passion for the sport. “These women work so hard every day for a sport they love and more often than not have day jobs as well as play for these elite sporting teams.
“I perform at QLD Firebird events at every chance. The energy is incredible, and is a fantastic platform for me, having had the opportunity to launch some original songs at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and the new Nissan Arena thanks to our working relationship.”
At the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, Ellen performed an original song, ‘Never Surrender’; chosen as the official anthem for the Qld Firebirds in 2017. “My debut performance of this song was at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre back in 2017 and it was an absolute honour!” Ellen says proudly.
Ellen’s dedication and passion as an artist means she is now a regular at Brisbane’s largest events, a familiar face as a headlining act. As well as numerous performances at the Brisbane Powerhouse, City Hall and ODI Cricket series, Ellen is a regular entertainer for the Lord Mayor’s annual Christmas Carols.
“I grew up watching the Carols every year and it feels so special to be a part of something in my hometown and love that it’s an event that my entire family attends. It almost doesn’t feel like Christmas now without performing at the Riverstage.”
