The Glass Ceiling

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , Marissa Hankinson speaks with Matthew Dew, State Manager of SMAART Recruitment in South Australia. Matt brings a refreshing lens to recruitment. His background spans tech, retail and financial services, but it’s his people-first mindset that stands out. He believes hiring should be about alignment, values and long-term fit, not just checking boxes on a CV. We...

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , Marissa Hankinson is joined by Tyson Gundersen, CEO of With Bureau and national finalist in the Emerging category of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2026. With Bureau is not your typical design company. What started in Adelaide has now expanded into New York, Singapore, Sydney and London, reshaping how the world thinks about modular workspaces. Tyson shares h...

What do fruit blocks, ad agencies and strategy rooms have in common? Rod Buchecker. In this episode, Marissa Hankinson speaks with Rod about his journey from growing up in the Riverland to shaping leadership across Australia. With a career that began on a weighbridge at 17 and moved through the fast-paced world of Clemenger and BBDO, Rod shares how asking the right questions became his sharpest le...

What do you do with a $134 French martini fail and a bottle of Chambord you’ll never use again? If you’re Jesse Cordoma, you build a business around it. In this episode, Marissa Hankinson chats to South Australia’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year about his inventive journey from cocktail disaster to launching Cusion — a sleek, pod-based drinks system designed to deliver bar-quality cocktails at the...

Bram Lagrou didn’t move to Australia for business. He moved for love and found himself rebuilding his career from scratch. What followed was a bold leap into entrepreneurship, drawing on decades of international sales and coaching experience to help leaders connect, grow and lead from within. In this episode, Marissa Hankinson chats to the Belgian-born psychologist, strategist and founder of Lagro...

When Jane Pappin left her hospital shift one night, she didn’t just walk out the door. She walked straight into entrepreneurship and never looked back. With over 35 years of nursing experience, Jane saw first-hand the gaps in post-discharge care and decided to do something about it. No side hustle. No safety net. Just a belief that she could create a better model. In this episode, Marissa Hankinso...

Danielle Colley didn’t follow a traditional path. She left high school, went to drama school, and built a life from a series of reinventions — actor, audio producer, TV producer, journalist, and now confidence coach. But what stayed constant? Her ability to back herself, even when it felt terrifying.   In this episode, Danielle shares her raw and relatable story of rebuilding from scratch — raisin...

Nick Simpson’s business story starts in a citrus orchard and weaves through everything from beef filtration to landscape gardening, injury recovery and now pet nutrition. In this episode, Marissa Hankinson speaks to the founder of Port Lincoln Pet Treats about growing up in a Riverland repatriation scheme, launching his first business after school, and the messy, nonlinear path to building somethi...

What do hairdressing, fast food and corporate boardrooms have in common? For Roland Roccioletti — everything. In this episode, Roland speaks with Marissa Hankinson about the unconventional path that led him to become a trusted advisor and boardroom leader across industries as diverse as defence, dairy, digital, and racing. From his early trade apprenticeship to international roles in packaging and...

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , Marissa Hankinson is joined by Lynda Schenk — a seasoned brand strategist and executive who opens up about the reality behind high performance: the burnout, the boundaries, and the brave decisions it takes to make a career sustainable. Lynda shares insights from years of leading brands and businesses, including what she’s learned about navigating pressure, cr...

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , Marissa Hankinson speaks with Rebekah Tucker — a globally experienced business leader with a sharp strategic mind and a grounded leadership style. Rebekah shares insights from her international career, including the importance of cultural intelligence, purpose-driven decision-making, and how to stay connected to what really matters as a leader. From corporate...

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , Marissa Hankinson speaks with Oliver Ciancio — a mergers and acquisitions specialist helping businesses navigate complex deals, strategic growth, and high-stakes decisions. Oliver shares what really goes on behind closed boardroom doors — from preparing a business for sale to acquiring companies for growth. Whether it’s a family-run business or a major corpor...

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , Marissa Hankinson speaks with George Belperio, the founder of Fasta Pasta one of South Australia’s most recognisable hospitality success stories. George shares how he turned one humble pasta restaurant into a multi-location operation across the state. From the early days of hands-on hustle to navigating the challenges of growth in a dynamic industry, this epi...

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling , host Marissa Hankinson sits down with Cassie Day, a seasoned entrepreneur, business leader, and dedicated carer. Cassie shares her journey of building a purpose-driven business while juggling the demands of family life, being a carer, and maintaining her own wellbeing. Through candid reflections, she discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the realities...

Join Marissa and Drew Knowles as they explore the intersection of human behavior, AI, and personal growth. From understanding the impact of technology on human behavior to leveraging AI for augmentation, not replacement, this conversation delves into the future of work and life.

Meet Sam Quist, the entrepreneur bringing pickleball to Australia and making a difference in the sports industry. With a family legacy in tennis and a passion for innovation, Sam is manufacturing equipment and apparel for the fast-growing sport while working with schools to promote its inclusive benefits. Tune in for an insightful conversation on turning a vision into reality, the power of family...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Ben Howard, founder of Monopoly Property Group. Ben shares his personal story of overcoming adversity, including the impact of family suicide and the loss of loved ones. Despite these challenges, Ben has cultivated a mindset of success and a drive to live life to the fullest. In this episode, Ben opens up about: The emotional journey of coping with family s...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Julie Height, a commercial lawyer who embarked on an extraordinary adventure with her family, sailing around Australia and Indonesia for two years during COVID. While navigating the challenges of homeschooling and life on the water, Julie also founded her own business! In this episode, Julie shares:  Her family's incredible journey and the lessons learned...

Join us for a insightful conversation with Samantha Boardman, a renowned spending expert who's helped countless individuals and families manage their finances effectively. Samantha shares her unique approach to money management, emphasizing that it's not about how much you earn, but how you manage it. In this episode, Samantha dives into: Her personal journey and how she became a spending expert T...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with James Begley, founder of PickStar and former AFL player. James shares his raw and relatable journey of struggling to find his purpose after retiring from professional sports. He opens up about the challenges he faced, from feeling lost to finding his niche and building a successful business. In this episode, James dives into: His transition from professio...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Marina Walkley, a resilient entrepreneur who's approaching a decade of running her own business. Born in Russia, Marina moved to New Zealand at 12 and later settled in Australia. She shares her remarkable journey of navigating a new language, school, and culture, all while building a successful business. In this episode, Marina opens up about: Her childho...

Join us for Season 2, Episode 1 of The Glass Ceiling podcast, as we chat with Adam Peach, a trusted advisor and business coach who's scaled his family business, Adelaide Tools, to new heights. Adam shares his journey of selling to a larger company, Bunnings, and navigating the transition. Today, he's paying it forward through his advisory business, Peach Tree, helping others achieve income freedom...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Sarah Reimann, a keynote speaker, virtual CFO, and strategic business advisor. Sarah shares her expertise on the importance of understanding your financial landscape as a business owner and how a virtual CFO can help you drive growth and success. In this episode, Sarah dives into: The critical role of financial literacy in business decision-making How...

Join us for an enthralling conversation with Eduardo Donoso, a Chilean-born entrepreneur who's lived an extraordinary life. From fleeing political persecution to building a global corporation, Eduardo shares his 40-year journey of resilience, determination, and success. In this episode, Eduardo takes us through: His arrival in Australia as a refugee and building a new life Founding a business in r...

Join us for an exhilarating conversation with Jo Thomas, a seasoned corporate leader who's taken the leap into the startup world! Jo shares her insights on navigating the fast-paced and often unpredictable realm of venture capital, multitasking, and innovation. With her extensive background in corporate leadership, Jo dives into the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a startup environment, whe...