Meet the Co-op Leaders

Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals

Presented by the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals. Welcome to Meet the Co-op Leaders, the podcast series that features insightful conversations with the people leading innovative and inspiring co-op and mutual businesses. Co-ops and mutuals are the businesses owned by members rather than shareholders. They are all around us and they include some of the biggest brand names. In fact, 80 per cent of us are members of at least one co-op or mutual, but most of us don’t even know that. In an age of putting purpose before profits, it's more important than ever to learn about the original people-centred business model. So we’re bringing the leaders to you, to tell you in their own words what makes this a better way to do business. Melina Morrison, CEO of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals and co-operative developer and founder of Co-op Bonds, Antony McMullen, present this series. In this series, Melina and Antony will be bringing you a new conversation with a co-op leader every couple of weeks to lift the lid on this business model.

Episodes

  1. 06/14/2023

    E5: Taryn Lane: Empowering communities for climate change solutions

    Meet the Co-op Leaders is a chance to hear from innovative and inspiring leaders in the co-operative and mutual sector, and to hear the stories behind these remarkable organisations. Episode notes: Taryn Lane's remarkable journey has seen her experience the power of co-operation across the world. Working in indigenous women's co-operatives in Mexico, Guatemala and Timor-Leste, she witnessed first-hand how solidarity and leadership were key elements of rebuilding in post-war cultures. Harnessing this knowledge and experience has seen Taryn make a significant impact in her work at Victorian co-op Hepburn Energy, which is a pioneering organisation in the renewable energy sector. Discover how Taryn's empowering approach to leadership has seen this small but mighty co-op consistently punch above its weight – not just in the provision of renewable energy, but in mobilising grassroots support and making itself heard in the political realm. Follow us on: Twitter  – BCCM_AUFacebook – bccmau Links and resources: Listen to all podcasts Find out more about co-ops and mutuals Find out more about the BCCM Contact the Meet the Co-op Leaders Podcast team See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    E5: Taryn Lane: Empowering communities for climate change solutions

  2. 05/23/2023

    E4: The beauty of mutuality: Darlene Mattiske-Wood

    Meet the Co-op Leaders is a chance to hear from innovative and inspiring leaders in the co-operative and mutual sector, and to hear the stories behind these remarkable organisations. Episode notes: Darlene Mattiske-Wood began her career in nursing, where she saw first-hand how high-quality care impacts people and their communities. After finding her home in mutual banking, Darlene rose through the ranks to become CEO of Australian Military Bank, where she has combined her heart for seeing communities thrive with her business and leadership acumen. Darlene's story is one of resilience and determination, and her journey demonstrates what a CEO can achieve when they are truly aligned to the core principles of the organisation they lead. In this episode of Meet the Co-op Leaders, Darlene shares the secrets to her success at Australian Military Bank and how she empowers her team members. Discover how she has learned to work to her strengths, to cultivate a culture of co-operation among team members, and to actively seek to meet the unique needs of the bank’s members. Follow us on: Twitter  – BCCM_AUFacebook – bccmau Links and resources: Listen to all podcasts Find out more about co-ops and mutuals Find out more about the BCCM Contact the Meet the Co-op Leaders Podcast team See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    E4: The beauty of mutuality: Darlene Mattiske-Wood

  3. 04/20/2023

    E3: From accidental co-operator to co-operative chair

    Meet the Co-op Leaders is a chance to hear from innovative and inspiring leaders in the co-operative and mutual sector, and to hear the stories behind these remarkable organisations. Episode notes: Heidi Lee, Director and former Chair of Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL) in Victoria, is on a mission to transform the housing sector through championing co-operative models of housing. Part of what drives her as a leader is her own journey into co-operative housing, where she discovered a business model aligned to her personal values. Discover how this lived experience informs Heidi's work to address some of the big housing challenges facing everyday Australians. Follow us on: Twitter  – BCCM_AUFacebook – bccmau Links and resources: Listen to all podcasts and read transcripts – https://bccm.coop/meet-the-co-op-leaders-podcast/ Find out more about co-ops and mutuals – https://bccm.coop/about-co-ops-mutuals/ Find out more about the BCCM – https://bccm.coop/about/ Find out more about Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL) – https://www.cehl.com.au/ Contact the Meet the Co-op Leaders Podcast team –  https://bccm.coop/about/contact/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    E3: From accidental co-operator to co-operative chair

  4. 03/14/2023

    E2: Mutually minded – how the Friendlies responded to the health crisis

    Meet the Co-op Leaders is a chance to hear from innovative and inspiring leaders in the co-operative and mutual sector, and to hear the stories behind these remarkable organisations. Episode notes: Our second episode of this new podcast features Lynne McLennan, former CEO of UFS Dispensaries and stalwart of Australia’s Friendly Pharmacies movement. During her long tenure as CEO, Lynne oversaw the expansion of UFS into new markets and opportunities, in particular the government contracting space. Lynne shares her wisdom surrounding the importance of data-driven decision making and the need to maintain a member-first approach to setting the culture of an organisation – a philosophy that enabled UFS to step up and care for its community during the pandemic. Discover why being mutually-minded meant UFS was able to act decisively and act in the best interest of the community during the recent healthcare crisis. Follow us on: Twitter  – BCCM_AUFacebook – bccmau Links and resources: Listen to all podcasts and read transcripts – https://bccm.coop/meet-the-co-op-leaders-podcast/ Find out more about co-ops and mutuals – https://bccm.coop/about-co-ops-mutuals/ Find out more about the BCCM – https://bccm.coop/about/ Find out more about UFS Dispensaries – https://www.ufs.com.au/ Contact the Meet the Co-op Leaders Podcast team –  https://bccm.coop/about/contact/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    E2: Mutually minded – how the Friendlies responded to the health crisis

  5. 02/22/2023

    E1: How to be modern when you're 150 years old

    Meet the Co-op Leaders is a chance to hear from innovative and inspiring leaders in the co-operative and mutual sector, and to hear the stories behind these remarkable organisations. Episode notes: Our first episode features Paul Ranson, CEO of leading Tasmanian mutual bank, Bank of us, which has been going strong for over 150 years. Paul talks about how to build a culture of modernity and innovation in the fast-changing, competitive world of banking, through courage, conviction and sticking to your original purpose, helping people into their own homes. Follow us on: Twitter  – BCCM_AUFacebook – bccmau Links and resources: Listen to all podcasts and read transcripts – https://bccm.coop/meet-the-co-op-leaders-podcast/ Find out more about co-ops and mutuals – https://bccm.coop/about-co-ops-mutuals/ Find out more about the BCCM – https://bccm.coop/about/ Find out more about Bank of Us – https://bankofus.com.au/ Contact the Meet the Co-op Leaders Podcast team –  https://bccm.coop/about/contact/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    E1: How to be modern when you're 150 years old

  6. Season 1 Trailer

    Trailer: Meet the Co-op Leaders

    Welcome to Meet the Co-op Leaders, the podcast series that features insightful conversations with the people leading innovative and inspiring co-op and mutual businesses. Co-ops and mutuals are the businesses owned by members rather than shareholders. They are all around us and they include some of the biggest brand names. In fact, 80 per cent of us are members of at least one co-op or mutual, but most of us don’t even know that. In an age of putting purpose before profits, it's more important than ever to learn about the original people-centred business model. So we’re bringing the leaders to you, to tell you in their own words what makes this a better way to do business. Episode notes:Melina Morrison, CEO of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals and co-operative developer and founder of Co-op Bonds, Antony McMullen, present this series. In this series, Melina and Antony will bring you a new conversation with a co-op leader every couple of weeks to lift the lid on this business model. Follow us on:Twitter  – BCCM_AUFacebook – bccmau Links and resources: Listen to all podcasts – https://bccm.coop/meet-the-co-op-leaders-podcast/ Read about our co-operative leaders – https://bccm.coop/about-co-ops-mutuals/case-studies/ Find out more about co-ops and mutuals – https://bccm.coop/about-co-ops-mutuals/ Find out more about the BCCM – https://bccm.coop/about/ Contact the Meet the Co-op Leaders Podcast team –  https://bccm.coop/about/contact/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

About

Presented by the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals. Welcome to Meet the Co-op Leaders, the podcast series that features insightful conversations with the people leading innovative and inspiring co-op and mutual businesses. Co-ops and mutuals are the businesses owned by members rather than shareholders. They are all around us and they include some of the biggest brand names. In fact, 80 per cent of us are members of at least one co-op or mutual, but most of us don’t even know that. In an age of putting purpose before profits, it's more important than ever to learn about the original people-centred business model. So we’re bringing the leaders to you, to tell you in their own words what makes this a better way to do business. Melina Morrison, CEO of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals and co-operative developer and founder of Co-op Bonds, Antony McMullen, present this series. In this series, Melina and Antony will be bringing you a new conversation with a co-op leader every couple of weeks to lift the lid on this business model.

Information

  • Creator
    Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals
  • Years Active
    2023
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals
  • Show Website
    Meet the Co-op Leaders