Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose and Connection

Most culture issues aren't people problems. They're clarity problems. In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, Jennifer Demiri sits down with Hope Collins, leadership, sales and culture consultant, founder of Hope Collins Advisory, and creator of The Commitments. It's a behavioural framework designed to sit alongside mission, vision and values as the missing fourth pillar of culture. W...

What if the biggest challenge in leadership isn't what is happening around you, but what is happening inside you? In this thought-provoking episode of  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection , I sit down with mindset coach, author and speaker Darren Fleming to explore the hidden forces that shape our decisions, behaviours and leadership effectiveness. Darren has spent deca...

This episode is a powerful conversation about leadership, collective impact, self-reflection, and what it truly means to create meaningful change. In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jennifer Demiri sits down with Dr. Janelle Thompson, physician, leader, and co-founder of the 144K Collective, to explore why collaboration is one of the greatest leadersh...

What changes when leaders stop trying to override themselves and instead learn to lead in alignment with how they're actually wired? In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, Jennifer Demiri sits down with Kathryn Van Der Steege, executive coach, leadership advisor and former senior executive at Woolworths, for a deep exploration of leadership from the inside out. After 28 years in corporate, inclu...

In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jen is joined by Lucy to explore a powerful and often misunderstood concept in business: working with natural cycles rather than against them. From lunar cycles to deeply ingrained sales conditioning, this conversation challenges the traditional “always-on” approach to business growth. Lucy shares how leaders can mov...

Middle managers are expected to execute strategy, protect culture, drive performance, absorb pressure, and somehow not burn out. Most organisations rely on them. Few truly understand what the role demands. In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jen Demiri speaks with Rebecca Houghton, Founder of Bold HR and author of  More Impact, More Easily , about the...

In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jen Demiri sits down with  Jasmin Ilic , CEO and Co-Founder of  CYBR , to explore leadership, cybersecurity, trust, and what it really takes to build impact-driven businesses in industries that weren’t designed with women in mind. Jasmin’s work sits at the intersection of  security, psychology, and leadership . With...

What happens when people are simply given the opportunity to work? In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jen Demiri speaks with Steve from Orange Basket Community Services about the life-changing impact of meaningful employment for people living with disabilities. After more than 20 years working in disability employment services, Steve shares how Orang...

As AI accelerates at unprecedented speed, one question matters more than ever, are we preparing humans, not just roles, for what’s coming next? In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection , host  Jen Demiri  is joined by  Renata Sguario , Founder & CEO of  MAXME  and one of Australia’s leading tech and digital transformation executives. With more than 30 yea...

Most leaders believe their digital presence is “good enough”. In reality, invisible gaps are costing businesses credibility, revenue, talent and trust. In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection , I am joined by Ralph Ayoub, Managing Partner at DSRPT, a Google-accredited digital solutions agency specialising in online visibility and strategic growth. With 92 %...

Leadership doesn’t have to be chaotic or reactive. On this weeks episode of  Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection , I’m joined by Maryanne, a leader whose 30+ years across corporate, education, and wellness have shaped her unique approach to leadership. Maryanne helps leaders shift from performance-driven to presence-led, addressing challenges at their energetic root to cre...

In this episode, Jen sits down with Troy Gray, former AFL footballer, award-winning entrepreneur, media personality, and founder of Gray Advisory – to explore leadership, personal reinvention, and the power of human connection. From elite sport to global media and philanthropy, Troy shares how resilience, emotional intelligence, and courage have guided his journey. He opens up about his advocacy w...

In this powerful episode of  Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jen is joined by the extraordinary  Amy Gildea  — internationally recognised leader, humanitarian strategist, and former Managing Director of Tetra Tech International Development. Across two decades and 33 countries, Amy has led through extraordinary complexity: humanitarian crises, digital health reform, f...

In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection , I sit down with Katie, ICF-accredited coach, hospitality leader, and founder of Good Company. From Little Creatures in Perth to Pirate Life Brewing in Adelaide, Katie’s career has been shaped by a deep belief that hospitality is about more than food and drink — it’s about people, connection, and culture. We explore:...

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode of  Beyond the Boardroom , I sit down with Shannon Marie Hottes — step-mum, dog mum, partner, and Co-Founder of Infinity Training & Coaching. As a Relationship Coach and Breathwork Trainer, Shannon brings a powerful voice to the conversation on nervous system regulation, authentic connection, and how to cultivate truly healthy relationships. Toge...

What does it really take to build meaningful business connections? In this episode, I sit down with Steve Testar — Co-Founder and CEO of Showcase SA — whose story is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. From arriving in Australia with just a backpack, to leading major property developments, to founding Showcase SA in 2019, Steve has built a platform that connects and supp...

n this solo episode of  Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection , Jen takes on a controversial but timely topic: participation medals. Once designed to build confidence and inclusion for children, these well-intentioned gestures may have created unintended ripple effects that we’re now seeing in today’s workplaces. Jen unpacks: ✨ Why participation medals mattered — and where...

"I was just trying to constantly prove that I could do something" In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom , I’m joined by mindset coach and Gene Keys practitioner, Kellie Hansen, to explore her transformative journey from a successful television career to uncovering her true purpose through personal development and self-leadership. Kellie shares how her early beliefs shaped her career choices, ho...

"It's okay to not always be strong as well." In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom , I’m joined by Janne Kleiner — holistic coach, breathwork facilitator, and mother — to explore the profound journey of personal transformation, self-leadership, and resilience. We dive into how breathwork, movement, and nervous system regulation are essential tools for emotional wellbeing, particularly for women...

"I want so much more for my life." In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom , I’m joined by Sasha Eburne — a former Virtual Assistant turned business coach — who shares her journey from corporate employee to building a high-revenue, freedom-based business. We explore what it takes to shift from a “just a VA” mentality to a powerful CEO mindset, why pricing based on value is critical, and how setti...

In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom , I sit down with Melissa — a leader with deep expertise in strategic planning and change management — to explore her powerful journey navigating the workplace with a hidden disability. We dive into the real challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, the importance of open conversations, and how leaders can create more inclusive, accessible, and emp...

In this episode of  Beyond the Boardroom , I’m joined by Rosie Bartlett — Principal Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor and the powerhouse behind Mindseye Training and Consulting. With 18 years of experience, Rosie specialises in helping organisations create mentally healthy, psychologically safe workplaces where people truly thrive. We explore how mental health conversations in the workplac...

... and hello to  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection. Welcome to a brand new chapter of the podcast —  Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection . In this solo episode, I share the heart behind the rebrand, what inspired the shift from  Germaneer Your Business , and why this evolution feels so aligned with the deeper conversations I’m here to lead. This s...

"True hospitality is all about connection." Shaun de Vries is the founder and Chief Hospitality Strategist, Shaun brings a wealth of experience from over 25 years in the industry and his background as a venue owner. His deep understanding of the industry's challenges and his strategic approach to business improvement have been pivotal in our consultancy's success. At the helm of...

Welcome to a special episode of Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection! In this deeply personal conversation, I’m pulling back the curtain on my journey - how I transitioned from Create Again to JD Consulting, the struggles of feeling misaligned, and the breakthrough that brought me back to my true mission: creating a people-first approach to leadership and culture. If you’ve...