The New For Purpose CEO

Michelle Cutler and Danielle Ballantine

Ever wondered what happens when CEOs of purpose-driven organisations sit down together for a chat? With 30 years’ of combined experience in the for-purpose space, we knew these conversations should be stored and shared!! We tackle the real questions: How do you build and sustain a thriving organisational culture? How do you manage relationships with your board and your chair? How do you preserve your peace of mind while carrying the weight of responsibility of being a for-purpose CEO. For those who are new to the role or eyeing it on the horizon, the importance of a support network cannot be overstated. This is why this podcast was created - to be a valuable source of information and support, offering ideas and insights you can implement in your organisation immediately. We share the stories and challenges CEOs tell each other when we get together - and chat through how to address issues unique to NFP CEOs in every episode. Wherever you are in your NPF CEO journey, there’s something here for you. We are about our community supporting each other. Creating more impact and driving better outcomes for the sector and those that we serve is what we are all about. LINKS Website: https://thenfpceo.com.au/ This podcast is recorded on country of the Cameraygal and Darramuragal Peoples.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    What the Star Case Shows CEOs About Risk Reporting

    In this episode, we continue unpacking the implications of the Star Entertainment Group governance case—one of the most significant corporate governance rulings in decades. While much of the public conversation has focused on large, listed companies, the lessons are just as critical for CEOs in the for-purpose sector. If you report to a board, operate under the Corporations Act 2001, and are responsible for organisational performance, this case applies to you. We move beyond theory and explore what CEOs must actually do—in practice—to discharge their duties when it comes to risk. We cover: Why simply reporting risks is no longer enoughHow CEOs can demonstrate they’ve exercised care and diligenceWhat boards really need from you when it comes to riskHow to structure risk reporting so it cuts through complexityThe critical (and often overlooked) role of culture in risk management If this episode has raised questions or highlighted gaps, Danielle and Michelle invite you to connect via LinkedIn or through The NFP CEO website. Sometimes a short conversation can make a significant difference. The content in this episode is not to be taken as legal advice. We are not lawyers. CEOs should consider these points thoughtfully and determine what applies to their own organisation. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

    27 min
  2. 1 APR

    The First Year - Lessons from a 1st time CEO

    In this episode of The NFP CEO, we sit down with Ethne Irving, CEO of the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons, for a refreshingly honest conversation about stepping into the top job. Ethne didn’t come in cold—she spent over a decade as Deputy CEO at the Australian Dental Association and even stepped in as Interim CEO. But as she shares, nothing quite prepares you for the moment when you realise: There’s no one else to turn to. The decision is yours. One of the biggest shifts Ethne talks about is surprisingly simple—but significant. As a deputy, you always have someone to bounce ideas off. Someone to sense-check. Someone to ultimately make the call. As CEO? You are that person. Ethne describes missing those informal “chew the fat” moments—while also stepping into a new level of responsibility where every decision, big or small, lands with you. Her approach hasn’t been to go it alone though. Instead, she leans into collaboration, constantly asking her team: “What would you do if you were in my seat?” Letting Go of the Detail (Even When It’s Uncomfortable) Another big adjustment? Not knowing everything. After years being deep in the detail, Ethne found herself needing to make decisions without having the full history or all the moving parts in her head. And that’s the role. With a strong leadership team in place, she’s had to shift from knowing everything to: Asking better questionsTrusting others’ expertiseGetting just enough information to move forward It’s a different kind of confidence. If you’re stepping into a CEO role or thinking about it, this conversation is a grounded, honest reminder that: You don’t need to have all the answersYou do need to ask better questionsLeadership is as much about presence as it is about strategy And most importantly - You figure it out by doing the job. If you’re navigating that step up into CEO, this is a very real, very practical conversation. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

    31 min
  3. 18 MAR

    The Star Entertainment Group Case from the NFP CEO perspective

    This week on The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle take a timely look at a major corporate governance case making headlines across Australia: the court judgment involving Star Entertainment Group. The ruling has been described as one of the most significant corporate governance decisions in decades. While the case centres on a large listed company, the implications reach far beyond the corporate sector, including CEOs in not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations. In this episode, Michelle and Danielle unpack the key themes emerging from the judgment and explore what CEOs can learn from it. In particular, the court found that the former Managing Director and CEO, along with the Chief Legal and Risk Officer, breached their duties of care and diligence. Interestingly, the case against the non-executive directors was unsuccessful. So what does that mean for CEOs? Most commentary so far has focused on the responsibilities of directors. But in this conversation, Michelle and Danielle flip the lens and examine what the decision signals for CEOs, especially when it comes to reporting, organisational culture, risk escalation, and the relationship between management and the board. Michelle and Danielle describe this judgment as a “check-in moment” for CEOs. Not a cause for alarm but an opportunity to pause and ask: Are the right risks being escalated?Are reporting systems strong enough?Would the board easily see the most important issues?Is the organisational culture one where problems surface quickly? This discussion reinforces a simple truth: being a CEO carries enormous responsibility and good governance is built not just on processes, but on transparency, curiosity, and culture. Enjoying the podcast? If this episode sparked a new perspective on leadership in the for-purpose sector, share The NFP CEO with a colleague or fellow CEO. Your support helps more leaders build stronger organisation's and create greater impact. To review the judgement: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Bekier (Liability Judgment) [2026] FCA 196 The content in this episode is not to be taken as legal advice. We are not lawyers. CEOs should consider these points thoughtfully and determine what applies to their own organisation. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

    24 min
  4. 25 FEB

    The CEOs role in Onboarding a Director

    Effective director onboarding is critical for strong governance, productive board relationships, and organisational performance. In this episode, Michelle and Danielle explore how CEOs can play an active role in onboarding new board directors, even when recruitment decisions sit with the board or members. This conversation focuses on practical steps CEOs can take to build clarity and trust early, helping new directors quickly align and understand the organisation’s strategy, risks and operating environment. New directors shape board dynamics immediately. A strong onboarding process helps: Accelerate understanding of organisational context and strategyClarify governance boundaries and communication protocolsReduce unnecessary friction in early board meetingsBuild productive CEO–board relationships from day oneSupport faster, more informed decision-making Early CEO involvement ensures new directors gain insight into how the organisation actually operates beyond documents and formal induction materials. Key Topics CoveredClarifying the CEO–Board RelationshipHelping Directors Understand the Operating ContextWalking Through Strategy Governance Expectations and Board ValueIntroducing the Leadership TeamCulture, Clients, and Real-World ExposureTalking About Risk and OpportunityPractical Logistics and Early Support Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

    28 min

About

Ever wondered what happens when CEOs of purpose-driven organisations sit down together for a chat? With 30 years’ of combined experience in the for-purpose space, we knew these conversations should be stored and shared!! We tackle the real questions: How do you build and sustain a thriving organisational culture? How do you manage relationships with your board and your chair? How do you preserve your peace of mind while carrying the weight of responsibility of being a for-purpose CEO. For those who are new to the role or eyeing it on the horizon, the importance of a support network cannot be overstated. This is why this podcast was created - to be a valuable source of information and support, offering ideas and insights you can implement in your organisation immediately. We share the stories and challenges CEOs tell each other when we get together - and chat through how to address issues unique to NFP CEOs in every episode. Wherever you are in your NPF CEO journey, there’s something here for you. We are about our community supporting each other. Creating more impact and driving better outcomes for the sector and those that we serve is what we are all about. LINKS Website: https://thenfpceo.com.au/ This podcast is recorded on country of the Cameraygal and Darramuragal Peoples.

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