Mentor List

What happens after the start-up phase? In this episode, Adam Schwab, Co-Founder & CEO of Luxury Escapes , shares the realities of scaling a business into a global brand — without losing what made it special in the first place. We explore leadership evolution, saying no at scale, maintaining a premium brand, and the personal discipline required to lead over the long term. Adam also reflects on...

A must-listen for HR and people leaders looking to lead with impact, challenge traditional thinking, and build workplaces that truly put people at the centre. In this episode of the Mentor List Podcast’s HR Connect Leadership Series, we speak to Simone Wright, a strategic HR leader known for driving large-scale transformation and designing globally admired leadership and wellbeing programs. Togeth...

In this episode of the Mentor List Podcast – HR Connect Leadership Series , host Simone Turner sits down with Colin Pritchard , a senior executive with a rare blend of deep HR expertise and commercial leadership experience across Australian and global organisations. With more than 25 years in HR and 15 years in commercial and strategic roles, Colin has led across IT&T and resources industries...

In this episode, we sit down with Peitta Dyball , Chief People Officer at Brown Family Wine Group, to unpack the evolving landscape of HR and the expanding influence of people leadership. Peitta shares insights from her extensive career, spanning aviation, transport, and now a fourth-generation family business, covering everything from leading through disruption and major organisational change to...

In this episode, we sit down with Georgegina Poulos , an extraordinary HR leader and Director of gamma3 Consulting. With a distinguished career spanning global and local roles across multiple industries, Georgegina brings deep expertise in strategic human resources, organisational transformation, and executive coaching. A seasoned senior executive, she is known for driving high-performance culture...

Legendary Formula 1 driver David Brabham joins us to share his mentorship journey with aspiring racer Pat Heuzenroeder, offering listeners a firsthand look into the intricacies of the mentor-mentee dynamic in motorsport. Pat, a rising star in the GB3 Championship, reveals the commitment and sacrifices his family made to support his racing ambitions. Meanwhile, David draws from his illustrious expe...

Dr Shae Wissell joins us to navigate the nuanced and often misunderstood realm of neurodiversity and hidden disabilities. With her personal experiences and insights leading the way, Shea illuminates how neurodiversity, a concept akin to biodiversity, enriches our collective human experience. We explore the genetic influences of neurodevelopmental differences like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, especi...

Steve Vamos, a revered leader with a vibrant history at major companies like Xero, Microsoft, and Apple, joins us to unravel the art of fostering high-performance workplaces. Drawing on a compelling story from an Olympic coach, Steve underscores the transformative power of small, consistent improvements over the allure of chasing big wins. As organizations grow, they often face the challenge of be...

Josh Read, the dynamic Chief Operating Officer at ID Verse, shares his remarkable journey from telecommunications technology to becoming a key player in the identity verification arena. With a career spanning consultancy roles at Telstra, groundbreaking work in financial technology at KPMG, and pivotal roles at Equifax and Yellowfin, Josh brings a wealth of knowledge to our conversation. He delves...

Kathy Doyle, the dynamic Chief People Officer at Symbio, joins us for an insightful discussion on her impressive journey across various industries, from education and aviation to banking. Her passion for humanizing technology shines through as she highlights the crucial role of emotional intelligence in harnessing the potential of individuals within organizations. Kathy also shares the fascinating...

Renowned for his strategic acumen, Robert Iervasi, a veteran leader with experience from Asahi, illuminates the intricate art of mergers and acquisitions. He shares his profound insights on the essence of strategic planning, emphasizing deliberate choices over fleeting opportunities that may detract from overarching goals. Iervasi warns against the trap of chasing "shiny objects" and underlines th...

Jins Kadwood brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this episode, bridging the worlds of sports and business. Known for his transformation from a football coach with the Australian young socceroos to a high-performance coach for business teams, Jin reveals his insights on team dynamics and performance. His upcoming book, "Lead with Love," delves into building relationships and creating a f...

Unlock the secrets to maximising the value of AI tools in your business with our insightful conversation featuring Jeremiah Mannings. Understand why not every business problem needs an AI solution and how parallels can be drawn between today's AI and past technologies like blockchain. Discover the challenges organisations face in justifying the costs of AI tools like Microsoft's Copilot, and learn...

What drives a founder to turn an idea into a groundbreaking startup? In this episode, we invite Bede Moore to explore the evolving landscape of startups and venture capital in Australia. Bede shares his journey from studying colonial history to becoming a key player in the venture capital scene. We also discuss the federal government's ESVCLP regime and its significant impact on the growth of thes...

Christine Zeitz, a trailblazer in the defence industry, joins us to share her remarkable journey leading to her ascent in leadership. Christine's diverse experience in finance, commercial contracts, procurement, and business development has equipped her with a unique skill set essential for top-tier leadership roles. As she articulates, balancing commercial returns while maintaining customer satis...

Unlock the secrets of digital transformation and discover how AI is reshaping the business landscape with our special guest, David Banger. We unpack the rapid acceleration of digitalisation driven by the pandemic and explore the emergence of hybrid working models, digital talent acquisition, and health monitoring technologies. Gain invaluable insights into navigating this new digital age, where wo...

Discover the secrets to excelling under pressure as we sit down with Sal Perna, a revered figure in law enforcement and sports tribunals. Sal’s gripping stories from his time in policing, coupled with his expert insights on sports integrity and anti-doping measures, provides a masterclass in balancing intuition with evidence-based decision-making. Hear about the real-life consequences and pressure...

Unlock the secrets of effective regulation and gain unparalleled insights from Sean Hughes, a distinguished veteran in regulatory bodies and commercial roles. Discover why regulation is essential in modern business, often stepping in where self-regulation fails. Sean breaks down the evolution of compliance as a vital profession and the increasing complexity boards face in managing extensive compli...

Ever wondered what separates a good football team from an exceptional one? Join us as we sit down with Gavin Brown, a seasoned player and coach, who shares his wealth of experience on building and maintaining a high-performance culture in football. Gavin delves into the delicate balance between structured roles and creative brilliance and reveals the critical importance of every team member buying...

Unlock the secrets of a thriving global career with our guest, Michele Hardeman, as she takes us through her inspiring journey across continents. From Perth to Sydney, Boston, Hong Kong, and back again, Michele offers a treasure trove of insights on navigating diverse cultural landscapes while effectively managing and influencing within powerhouse organisations like State Street Bank and Trust. Sh...

Ever wondered how dissatisfaction with a seemingly stable career can lead to a flourishing entrepreneurial journey? Meet Suji Sanjeevan , whose pivot from medicine to starting a candle business during her maternity leave in 2015 is nothing short of inspiring. Suji opens up about the early challenges and triumphs of her venture, her intense focus on the psychology of scents, and the crucial moment...

What if you could transform risk into opportunities and enhance high performance? Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Gav Schneider, a renowned criminologist, martial artist, and high-level security expert. Dr. Gav shares captivating stories from his experience in South Africa, emphasizing the significance of preemptive measures in perilous settings and the necessity of relying on verifi...

Discover the forefront of healthcare innovation with Robert Klupacs , CEO of the Bionics Institute. Robert shares his unique perspective on innovation, defining it as finding distinct solutions to well-known challenges. Australia's knack for ingenuity shines through with examples like the cochlear implant, but scaling these innovations globally remains a hurdle. We discuss how transforming edu...

Dive into the mind of John Pollaers , a visionary whose career achievements rival the plot of an inspiring biopic. From ascending to CEO by 35 to pioneering change in assistive technology, John takes us through the chapters of his life that exemplify leadership with a steadfast purpose. His story is not just a roadmap to success but a guide to living with intention, as he breaks down the philosoph...

On today's Mentor List Podcast , we sit down with Arthur Papagiannis , CEO of AP Psychology and Consulting Services, who shares his profound insights into leadership, mental well-being, and the art of creating a supportive work environment. In this episode we unravel the behavioural cues indicative of someone's internal struggle and discuss how to approach these delicate topics with respec...