The New For Purpose CEO

Michelle Cutler and Danielle Ballantine
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Non-Profit

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. 22h ago

    Making Strategy Everyone’s Business - A CEO's Guide to Socialising Strategy

    You've invested months developing your organisation's strategic plan. The board has approved it. So, what happens next? For many not-for-profit CEOs, the real work starts after the plan is signed off: making sure staff, managers, funders and stakeholders understand the direction, their role in delivering it, and how progress will be measured. In this episode of The NFP CEO podcast, Michelle and Danielle explore what it really means to socialise a strategic plan, both internally and externally. They discuss how CEOs can communicate strategic priorities to funders and stakeholders, align senior and middle managers, connect operational plans to organisational goals, and build accountability for delivery. In this episode, we explore: How to communicate your strategic direction to external stakeholders and funders.Why socialising an approved strategy is different from undertaking another round of consultation.How to equip middle managers to translate strategic priorities into meaningful actions for their teams.Connecting government-funded program requirements and KPIs to your organisation's broader purpose.Making the link between individual roles, operational plans and strategic outcomes.Building reporting, performance measures and accountability into strategy implementation.Why CEOs need to keep listening, asking questions and checking whether the strategy is understood across the organisation. Practical takeaway for CEOs: Your strategic plan needs to become part of everyday conversations, decisions, operational plans and performance reporting. Start by asking your leadership team one question: Can every person in our organisation explain how their work contributes to our strategic priorities? Because a strategy only delivers value when people understand it and can act on it. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  2. Oct 28

    What does co-creation of a strategic plan mean?

    How can not-for-profit CEOs and boards work together to develop a clear, evidence-based strategy that delivers meaningful community impact? In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle explore a recurring challenge in not-for-profit leadership: who is responsible for creating the organisation’s strategy? Boards may expect management to develop a strategic plan for approval, while CEOs may expect the board to provide strategic direction. The result can be confusion about responsibilities, unrealistic timelines and strategic plans that lack genuine collaboration. Michelle and Danielle discuss how to establish a clear process for co-creating strategy in not-for-profit organisations, bringing together board expertise, management insight and perspectives from staff, service recipients, funders and the wider community. They also explain how CEOs can turn stakeholder feedback into strategic choices, assess competing priorities and build a decision-making framework that keeps the board focused on strategic outcomes rather than operational detail. In this episode, you'll learn:Clarifying CEO and board responsibilities: How to agree on who leads, contributes to and approves the strategic planning process.Building stakeholder input into strategy: How to gather meaningful insights from staff, service recipients, funders and external stakeholders.Making strategic choices: How to translate stakeholder feedback into options, priorities and clear organisational direction.Managing strategic planning timelines: Why organisations should avoid rushed planning processes and consider extending an existing strategy when more time is needed.Prioritising with a decision-making framework: How to assess strategic options against purpose, community impact, financial sustainability, organisational capability, risk and investment.Improving board reporting: How to connect reporting to strategic outcomes and keep board discussions at the right level.Reviewing strategy as conditions change: How to build regular review points into a strategic system so priorities can evolve when circumstances change.Testing whether a strategy is deliverable: Why boards and CEOs need to discuss organisational capacity, resources and realistic expectations before approving strategic priorities. Who should listen?This episode is particularly relevant to not-for-profit & for purpose CEOs, executive leaders, board chairs, directors and senior managers responsible for organisational strategy, governance, funding and service delivery. Whether your organisation is developing a new strategic plan, reviewing existing priorities or navigating significant sector change, this discussion offers a practical approach to making strategy a shared, evidence-informed leadership process. Listen to the episode to explore how your organisation can improve strategic planning, strengthen board–CEO collaboration and make better decisions about where to focus its resources. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  3. Oct 21

    Thinking about a move from Corporate into CEO at a Not for Profit?

    Are your skills transferable to the not-for-profit sector? If you're considering a move from corporate leadership, professional services or a commercial business into a for-purpose organisation, you may have more relevant experience than you realise. In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle shares lessons from her own transition from private practice as a finance and corporate lawyer into business development, strategy and not-for-profit CEO role. She explains why commercial experience is valuable in the for-purpose sector, how success is measured differently, and what aspiring not-for-profit leaders need to understand about funding, governance, stakeholder relationships and working with limited resources. In this episode, you'll learn:How to identify your transferable skills: Why commercial acumen, financial management, negotiation, business development, operations and data skills are relevant to not-for-profit leadership.How to connect your skills to purpose: How to explain the contribution you want to make, even if your role won't involve direct service delivery.What success looks like in a not-for-profit: How financial sustainability supports broader goals such as service delivery, advocacy and social change.Why stakeholder management matters: How to navigate the different priorities of boards, funders, government, donors, staff, clients, families, volunteers and regulators.What to expect from resource constraints: Why you may need to take a hands-on approach and find practical ways to deliver results with smaller teams and less internal support.How to build a strong CEO–board relationship: Why understanding governance, delegations, communication and the respective roles of the CEO and board is essential.Why collaboration and consultation are important: How decision-making and working across organisational boundaries can differ from the private sector.How to prepare for the transition: Ways to learn about your chosen sector, including volunteering, attending sector events and speaking with people already working in it.How to answer “Why do you want to work in the for-purpose sector?”: Why a specific, credible explanation is more persuasive than simply saying you want to give back. Practical advice for people considering a moveBefore applying for a not-for-profit leadership role, take time to understand the organisation's funding model, regulatory environment, beneficiaries and key stakeholders. Think about how your existing skills would apply in that context, and be ready to explain how you would use them to support the organisation's purpose. Michelle's central message is that your commercial experience can be a significant asset. The transition is about learning the sector, adapting your approach and understanding what success means in a purpose-led organisation. Listen to the episode to learn how to prepare for a move into the for-purpose sector and make your existing experience relevant to a new leadership context. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  4. Oct 14

    When Your Best Leaders Aren’t the Right Leaders

    What do you do when the executive team that got your organisation to where it is today is no longer the team you need for the future? In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle explore how nonprofit and for-purpose CEOs can approach executive team restructuring following growth, a merger, changes in funding or a shift in strategic direction. They discuss how to recognise when leadership capabilities no longer match organisational needs, assess the skills required to deliver your strategy, and make difficult decisions without letting personal relationships dictate the structure. In this episode, you'll learn: The warning signs that your executive team may no longer fit your organisation.How to assess leadership capability against your three-to-five-year strategy.Why you should design roles around organisational needs, not individual personalities.How to improve role clarity, reporting lines and executive accountability.When to seek independent advice, and how to involve your board.How to communicate a restructure and manage redundancies with dignity and respect. A practical takeaway for CEOs: Start with your strategy, define the capabilities and structure you need, then assess your existing team against those requirements. Don't start with the people and build the structure around them. Executive restructuring isn't necessarily a judgement on past performance. It's about ensuring your leadership team has the capability to deliver your organisation's future mission. Listen to the episode for practical guidance on making difficult leadership decisions with clarity, fairness and purpose. Reach out if you are looking for support in restructuring or building your senior leadership team. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  5. Oct 7

    The Imperfect CEO with Jim Brown

    What if being a better CEO doesn’t mean having all the answers? In this episode, Michelle and Danielle speak with Jim Brown, author of The Imperfect CEO and The Imperfect Board Member, about what it really takes to lead when you don’t and can’t have all the answers. They explore how CEOs can use humility, complementary leadership strengths and healthy disagreement to build stronger executive teams and more effective organisations. In this episode:Why CEOs need to stop trying to appear perfectHow acknowledging your weaknesses can strengthen your leadership teamCreating a culture where people feel safe to challenge the CEOWhy humility strengthens authority rather than diminishing itThe CEO’s role as a “translator” between the board and executive teamThe critical distinction between the board’s “what” and management’s “how”How boards can avoid slipping into operational managementTurning disagreement into better decision-making Ask yourself: Where am I trying to be the expert when I actually need to create space for someone else’s expertise? Great leadership is about creating the conditions for the right people to bring their best thinking. Access to the book: The Imperfect CEO: Making the Climb to Organizational Health Connect with Jim Brown: linkedin.com/in/authorjimbrown Connect with The NFP CEO: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  6. Sep 30

    5 Ways I use AI as a CEO

    AI is quickly becoming another tool in the CEO toolkit, but how can a not-for-profit CEO actually use it in the day-to-day work of leading an organisation? In this episode of The NFP CEO, Danielle shares five practical ways she uses Microsoft Copilot in her own CEO role. This episode is about using AI as a CEO's chief of staff, strategic thinking partner and productivity amplifier. In this episodeDanielle explains how she uses AI to: 1. Create a personalised AI assistant 2. Build a CEO weekly briefing 3. Create slide decks and presentations faster 4. Improve board reports and business cases 5. Use AI as a strategic thinking partner The lesson for NFP CEOsThe most useful application of AI may not be automating tasks. It may be reducing cognitive load while increasing the quality of CEO thinking and communication. AI can act as a readily available Chief of Staff, strategic adviser and thinking partner but the CEO still needs to provide the judgement, context and accountability. And one final rule: AI makes mistakes. Check the output before you send it, publish it or rely on it. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  7. Sep 23

    Dysfunctional Executives. Actions for the CEO

    What happens when the problem isn’t one difficult executive, but the executive team itself? In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle explore what CEOs can do when their leadership team is operating in silos, avoiding difficult conversations, undermining decisions or relying on the CEO to resolve disputes. They discuss: The difference between healthy debate and destructive conflictWhy CEOs need to look at their own leadership role in creating or reinforcing dysfunctionHow functional silos can affect the people and communities an organisation servesWhy CEOs need to set clear expectations for executive team behaviourThe importance of accountability for leadership behaviours, not just functional performanceWhen coaching, mediation or other interventions may be appropriateWhy an executive team needs to think beyond individual portfolios and take an organisation-wide view A key message for CEOs: you can’t manage around executive team dysfunction indefinitely. If the leadership team isn’t functioning as a team, it ultimately becomes the CEO’s responsibility to address it. Listen to the episode for a practical conversation about leading a high-performing executive team in a not-for-profit organisation. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  8. Sep 16

    Aligning your senior leadership team

    High-performing leaders don’t always make a high-performing leadership team. In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle explore how CEOs can build a more aligned, cohesive executive team. They discuss shared priorities, collective accountability, healthy disagreement, decision-making and leading beyond individual functions to achieve the best outcomes for the organisation. This episode covers: Top 5 Topics DiscussedBuilding a cohesive senior leadership team – Moving from high-performing functional leaders to one aligned executive team.Shared priorities and organisational strategy – Ensuring leaders focus on what the organisation needs to achieve, not just their own functions.Healthy disagreement and decision-making – Creating space for debate while achieving alignment and collective accountability.The CEO’s role in leadership alignment – Setting clear expectations, decision-making responsibilities and leading across the organisation.Breaking down silos and strengthening culture – Improving collaboration, resource allocation and consistent communication across teams. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

See All (85)

Trailer

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Cutler and Danielle Ballantine
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Michelle Cutler and Danielle Ballantine
  • Show Website
    The New For Purpose CEO

You Might Also Like