Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia

Tradewind Australia

At Tradewind Australia, we know that the strength of the social services sector lies in its people - not only the dedicated professionals on the frontline, but also the leaders who guide organisations with vision, empathy, and determination.    These leaders shape how services are delivered, how communities are supported, and how meaningful change is achieved.   That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new blog & podcast series, Leadership Spotlight. Through this series, we’ll be speaking directly with leaders of social services organisations to bring their stories, insights, and experiences to life. Our aim is twofold: For job seekers: to give you a deeper understanding of the organisations you may one day join. You’ll discover what they stand for, the culture they foster, and the impact you could be part of.For organisations and leaders: to provide a genuine platform to showcase your mission, attract talent, and build awareness of the incredible work being done in the sector.Each edition of Leadership Spotlight will explore: The organisation’s story and the communities it servesThe impact they aim to create, and the challenges they’re tackling head-onThe personal leadership journey of the CEO/leader - from their early career to the boardroomWhy their organisation is a great place for people who want to make a real differenceBy shining a spotlight on these leaders, we hope to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and innovation within the sector, while helping job seekers and professionals connect with organisations where their skills and passion can thrive. For our client partners, it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your voice in the market and position your organisation as an employer of choice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 4 Oct

    Charlie Spendlove on Leading for Lasting Social Impact

    In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Charlie Spendlove, CEO of Vinnies Victoria, joins us to explore leadership, social impact and what it takes to lead one of Victoria's most recognised community organisations at a time of growing need.   Drawing on a career spanning government, disability services and the for-purpose sector, Charlie reflects on the experiences that have shaped her as a leader, her transition into the CEO role, and how commercial thinking and social purpose can work together to build stronger, more sustainable organisations.   The conversation also explores some of the challenges facing Victorian communities today. Charlie discusses Vinnies Victoria's focus on shifting from crisis response towards prevention, the importance of collaboration between government and the community sector, and why addressing homelessness requires us to look beyond housing alone.   Charlie also shares her perspective on building high-performing teams in purpose-driven environments, the extraordinary contribution of volunteers, and what gives her optimism about the future.   Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about leading with purpose, influencing systems, and creating lasting social impact.   Read the Blog! View our live jobs - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia. Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent. Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Charlie Spendlove on Leading for Lasting Social Impact
  2. 19 Jul

    Leadership Spotlight: Ben Spooner on Curiosity, Courage & Leading with Humanity

    In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Ben Spooner, Chief Operating Officer at St John of God Accord, shares a refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, personal growth and the future of disability services in Australia. Drawing on more than two decades across allied health, disability and leadership, Ben reflects on the lessons that shaped his career. From early leadership failures and learning to replace certainty with curiosity, to discovering that play, compassion and humility are essential ingredients of high-performing teams. The conversation also explores the evolving role of the NDIS, what genuine inclusion looks like in practice, and why great leaders create environments where people feel valued, empowered and able to grow. Whether you're leading a frontline team, an organisation or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights, thoughtful reflection and a reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about asking better questions.   Tune in for a conversation that will challenge how you think about leadership, resilience, inclusion and what it truly means to lead people well. Loved this episode? Let's keep the conversation going. Read the Blog – Explore the key leadership insights from Ben's conversation. View our live jobs– Discover the latest disability, community services and health opportunities across Australia. Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent. Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Leadership Spotlight: Ben Spooner on Curiosity, Courage & Leading with Humanity
  3. 12 Jan

    Leadership Spotlight: Andrea Christie-David on Values-Driven Growth

    In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Andrea Christie-David, Director of Mental Health at Bupa, delivers powerful insights on purpose-led leadership, scaling social impact, and building a modern workplace culture that unlocks human potential. Andrea shares how early experiences in law, social justice, and entrepreneurship shaped her beliefs about meaningful work, and how pivotal moments in her career redirected her toward advocating for families, children, and communities whose needs aren’t met by mainstream services. Listeners will gain practical perspectives on talent acquisition, particularly the urgent reforms needed to strengthen Australia’s care and allied health workforce—from paid placements to improving recognition of overseas qualifications. Andrea also explores Bupa’s innovative shift toward a whole-of-person model for mental health, bringing multidisciplinary care together under one roof to improve access, outcomes, and long-term wellbeing. Tune in for an inspiring episode that will challenge how you think about leadership, impact, and the future of mental health care. Loved this episode? Let’s keep the momentum going - Read the Blog! View our live jobs - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia. Submit a job vacancy - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent. Connect with the Tradewind Team – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About

At Tradewind Australia, we know that the strength of the social services sector lies in its people - not only the dedicated professionals on the frontline, but also the leaders who guide organisations with vision, empathy, and determination.    These leaders shape how services are delivered, how communities are supported, and how meaningful change is achieved.   That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new blog & podcast series, Leadership Spotlight. Through this series, we’ll be speaking directly with leaders of social services organisations to bring their stories, insights, and experiences to life. Our aim is twofold: For job seekers: to give you a deeper understanding of the organisations you may one day join. You’ll discover what they stand for, the culture they foster, and the impact you could be part of.For organisations and leaders: to provide a genuine platform to showcase your mission, attract talent, and build awareness of the incredible work being done in the sector.Each edition of Leadership Spotlight will explore: The organisation’s story and the communities it servesThe impact they aim to create, and the challenges they’re tackling head-onThe personal leadership journey of the CEO/leader - from their early career to the boardroomWhy their organisation is a great place for people who want to make a real differenceBy shining a spotlight on these leaders, we hope to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and innovation within the sector, while helping job seekers and professionals connect with organisations where their skills and passion can thrive. For our client partners, it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your voice in the market and position your organisation as an employer of choice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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