Books To The Boardroom

Embark on an inspiring leadership journey as we delve into the remarkable career of Denice Bennett, Group CFO of Third Age Health, in this week's episode of Books to the Boardroom.

Denice's journey is a striking testament to her exceptional leadership acumen, one that originated in a completely different realm—working with a London-based karaoke company. Her story showcases her remarkable ability to recognise and seize unanticipated opportunities, steering them towards transformation.

What truly distinguishes Denice as a leader is her unwavering focus on actively chosen opportunities, rather than dwelling on the paths she didn't take. Her leadership style is nothing short of inspirational; she leads by example, opting to lead from behind, thereby empowering her team to excel.

Denice's extensive background, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS), Chartered Accountant, and Certified Change Manager qualifications, equips her with the tools to seamlessly merge her passion for change with meticulous attention to detail and astute business acumen.

Join us as we delve deep into the profound impact of Denice's leadership style, her mastery of change management and how her relentless pursuit of excellence has made her a true exemplar in the realm of leadership.

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Until next week, keep reading, keep listening!

In this episode of the Books to the Boardroom Podcast, Season Three CFO Catalyst, I welcomed Scott Walkinshaw, CFO of New North Feed, Western Australia's largest vehicle equipment, transport, and crane company. Scott shared how businesses face tremendous pressure today - squeezed between clients demanding more for less and staff wanting flexible arrangements. Technology is the key to doing more without adding overhead.

Scott had a fascinating journey, including meeting the Queen at 19 as an apprentice mechanic, working as a bouncer, and eventually finding his way to finance after his grandmother's advice. "Numbers make sense to me," he explained.

We laughed about how our families still think CFOs are just tax accountants at shopping centers! Scott reflected on finance's evolution from number-crunching to strategic partnership, with automation handling transactions so people can focus on adding real value.

Scott is a big fan of cloud technology, enabling work from anywhere while eliminating infrastructure costs. Though automation helps with workloads, compliance requirements keep increasing, requiring specialized tools and proper planning.

Looking ahead, Scott believes humans will always be crucial in finance. His advice for upcoming CFOs emphasises emotional intelligence alongside technical skills - understanding people and staying curious are essential in our evolving profession

Thanks for tuning in to Books to the Boardroom! If you enjoyed today's episode, take your leadership journey further:

🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
🔔 Never miss an episode—follow us on LinkedIn and your favourite podcast platform
📱 Share your takeaways with #CFOCatalyst

Are you a CFO with insights to share or know someone who is? We're always looking for financial leaders to join us on the show—reach out at [email protected] to discuss featuring your expertise on a future episode.

Until next week, keep reading, keep listening!

In this week's episode of Books to the Boardroom, we welcome James Harvey, the Head of Strategic Alliances & Growth at Energy Locals. James is not your typical corporate leader. Before embarking on his successful corporate journey, he spent an impressive 16 years as a professional basketball player, achieving remarkable milestones like 2 x NBL championships, captaining the Australian Boomers at World Championships and playing in the EuroLeague while living in Italy and Israel. He's a true testament to the power of determination and perseverance.

He believes that true success isn't just about hard work or luck but emerges from consistent effort, continuous learning and well-informed decision-making. James shares his five pillars for sustained success and how his MBA journey at AIB (Australian Institute of Business) has further shaped his approach to leadership. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect:

1. Lone Wolf Mentality: James introduces the concept of the "Lone Wolf Mentality," emphasising the importance of intrinsic motivation and developing a growth mindset. He draws from his experiences in basketball and explains how self-belief and resilience are key factors in achieving success.
2. You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don't Take: James delves into the idea that success is about preparation meeting opportunity and the need for unwavering self-belief. He shares personal anecdotes and discusses the power of embracing pressure and taking calculated risks.
3. It Is Better to Have People's Respect Than Their Sympathy: James speaks to the sense of pride that comes from proving doubters wrong and not seeking sympathy. He reflects on a pivotal moment in his basketball career and the wisdom his father shared with him, emphasising the importance of earning respect.
4. Always Resort to Plan A: James highlights the importance of playing to one's strengths and building a supportive network. He provides insights from his time as a basketball player and how focusing on what you do best can lead to success, even in the face of challenges.
5. Focus on the Process, Not the Result: He discusses the significance of establishing personal trademarks and non-negotiables and applying them consistently in both professional and personal life. He encourages listeners to focus on the journey and the development of good habits.

James' journey from the basketball court to the boardroom is a testament to the power of self-motivation, perseverance and adaptability. His story will inspire you to embrace challenges, develop your own toolkit of skills, and continuously strive for excellence in your leadership journey.

Thanks for tuning in to Books to the Boardroom! If you enjoyed today's episode, take your leadership journey further:

🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
🔔 Never miss an episode—follow us on LinkedIn and your favourite podcast platform
📱 Share your takeaways with #CFOCatalyst

Are you a CFO with insights to share or know someone who is? We're always looking for financial leaders to join us on the show—reach out at [email protected] to discuss featuring your expertise on a future episode.

Until next week, keep reading, keep listening!

In this captivating episode of Books to the Boardroom, we dive into the remarkable journey of Michelle Gallaher, a digital health entrepreneur, speaker, advocate, and the visionary founder of Opyl Ltd, TrialKey, and Opin.ai. With a deep-rooted passion for AI and data science, Michelle is a robust leader in these dynamic fields.

What sets Michelle apart is not only her impressive career but her exceptional leadership style. She believes in the power of storytelling and is equally committed to being an active listener, valuing her team members' visions and contributions, regardless of hierarchy. Her upbringing, with both parents as entrepreneurs, instilled a unique blend of creativity and a profound love for science and technology.

Michelle's perspective is both inspiring and enlightening. She encourages us to shift our focus from what we want to do to the impact we want to have, a philosophy that has shaped her extraordinary career. She shares the importance of mentorship, offering invaluable insights gained from her own mentor, who emphasised the critical role of company culture, asserting that a company is only as strong as its people. Michelle has created a nurturing environment built on a "no blame" culture, and she passionately advocates for its significance.

Throughout this episode, Michelle also motivates us to take time for ourselves when needed and to embrace ambition while taking calculated risks. Her journey from books to the boardroom is a testament to the power of vision, mentorship and the courage to pioneer new horizons.

Thanks for tuning in to Books to the Boardroom! If you enjoyed today's episode, take your leadership journey further:

🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
🔔 Never miss an episode—follow us on LinkedIn and your favourite podcast platform
📱 Share your takeaways with #CFOCatalyst

Are you a CFO with insights to share or know someone who is? We're always looking for financial leaders to join us on the show—reach out at [email protected] to discuss featuring your expertise on a future episode.

Until next week, keep reading, keep listening!

It’s been a big year for Kate Farrar, CEO of Brighter Super. Brighter Super was formed in July 2021 from three smaller superannuation funds including Energy Super and LGIAsuper. Currently, the fund has 255,000 members and has around $30 billion under management. She shares her experience of consolidating the back office systems, underlying portfolios and bringing together a team under a new single administrative system which is now known as Brighter Super.

Before Brighter Super, Kate spent 8 years building an electric retailer start up, QEnergy. Before selling the company, she grew QEnergy to 25,000 members and generated around $100 million in revenue. Kate also shares some background on her undergraduate degree in music, her first job at NSW Treasury Corp as a Bond Quantitative Analyst and her time abroad as a DJ. You don’t want to miss this episode.

Have a listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3Nikos4

This episode was hosted by Sumith Dissanayake.

Thanks for tuning in to Books to the Boardroom! If you enjoyed today's episode, take your leadership journey further:

🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
🔔 Never miss an episode—follow us on LinkedIn and your favourite podcast platform
📱 Share your takeaways with #CFOCatalyst

Are you a CFO with insights to share or know someone who is? We're always looking for financial leaders to join us on the show—reach out at [email protected] to discuss featuring your expertise on a future episode.

Until next week, keep reading, keep listening!