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Leaders

This Month

Quantium CEO Adam Driussi uses generative AI to coach staff.

An employee stuffed up in a meeting, so this CEO used AI to coach him

When a team member needed help communicating better in meetings, Adam Driussi used generative AI to provide feedback.

Lululemon managing director Tim Holland.

Why the Lululemon MD doesn’t prioritise physical health any more

There was a time when Trevor Holland would tell people his Lululemon role was a side job, even though he was working there 40 hours a week as store manager.

Chair of Brambles, Qantas and Treasury Wine Estates John Mullen says: “If you want something done then give it to a busy person.”

How John Mullen juggles chairing Qantas and a $30b firm no one knows

The winner of the Chair of the Year – Large Company, was mentored by some of the country’s best directors, but has some sage advice for the next generation.

David Gonski says directors need strong professional support and mentoring: “I sometimes wonder who directors talk to when they are in a hole.”

How failed architect David Gonski became the chairman of everything

David Gonski has won the Lifetime Achievement Award winner in the inaugural Financial Review BOSS Director Awards.

May

Bridget Loudon-Harris, Telstra director.

In Pictures: Financial Review Director Awards dinner 2025

AFR Director Awards celebrate outstanding leadership in enhancing value for investors and strengthening governance in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

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Gonski rejects one-year term idea for directors

Receiving a Lifetime Achievement award at the BOSS Director Awards, David Gonski took the opportunity to do what he has always done: push for change.

Why this boss says AUKUS is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money

Think tank boss Michael Shoebridge says the US-UK-Australia defence alliance is an unserious attempt at defending Australian security.

Meet the winners of the Financial Review BOSS Director Awards

The inaugural awards celebrate outstanding leadership in enhancing value for investors and strengthening governance.

Bridget Loudon-Harris.

How an ‘unusual director’ rose to the boardroom at age 32

Bridget Loudon-Harris, winner of the Alvarez & Marsal Special Award, thought Telstra had the wrong person when she was asked to join as a director.

How Ilana Atlas convinces business leaders to go bush for six weeks

The chair of Jawun, winner in the Not-for-Profit category, says “everyone wins” from the charity’s program seconding corporates employees to Indigenous communities.

Boards need to evolve rapidly to navigate a constantly shifting landscape.

Redefining leadership: The evolving responsibilities of directors

Being a board director has never been harder. The demands have surged – higher workloads, greater expectations, increased scrutiny and a sharper focus on risk.

Katrina Rathie says her time as a corporate lawyer provided important skills when she headed into the Bubs boardroom.

‘I didn’t want to be a lawyer for my whole life’: Bubs chair Rathie

Katrina Rathie – a Chair of the Year in the inaugural Financial Review BOSS Director Awards – says being on a board is becoming more onerous and complex.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Nvidia built its culture around 1 principle. And it saved the company

The chip giant’s survival is not only a story of technical innovation. It is a story of humility in the face of failure and the courage to pivot when it matters most.

Steven Bartlett – Redefining Leadership & Future of Business

Financial Review subscribers can access early bird pricing.

This week’s AFR podcast 15 Minutes with the Boss with Paul McGrath, chief executive officer of YHA.

This CEO was given a 5pc chance of survival. That was 21 years ago

With his wife pregnant with their third child, YHA Australia chief Paul McGrath was diagnosed with a blood cancer. It taught him a lot about the power of the mind.

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Online training, workshops and gatherings give not for profit leaders the chance to be inspired and better connected.

Leadership training builds capacity in not-for-profit sector

The America Express Leadership Academy strengthens the non-profit sector and gives its leaders the chance to be inspired and better connected.

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by American Express

Melinda Petrunoff

Why you should feel uncomfortable in your job 20pc of the time

Melinda Petrunoff, the Australian MD of Pinterest, realised early in her career that being out of her comfort zone drove her to find creative ways to solve problems.

Brian Hartzer, former CEO of Westpac, is the chairman of Beforepay.

How Brian Hartzer uses AI to get free advice from a top investment banker

When former Westpac boss Brian Hartzer wants advice about a transaction, he asks a chatbot to tell him what Barrenjoey’s co-executive would say.

John Longmire.

Why this former Swans coach swears by his 7 out of 10 leadership rule

Leaders are in their jobs because they get most things right. “I think that’s all you can expect,” says former Swans coach John Longmire.

Cathy Sparks, Nike’s head of APAC at the Sydney Swans HQ.

Why this top Nike exec starts her day with a protein coffee

Cathy Sparks, Nike’s vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific and Latin America has learnt to eat a protein-rich breakfast.

How this exec transferred her skills from luxury retail to health

Holly Masters used to run a luxury brand business. Now she is the CEO of the McGrath Foundation. The two jobs are not as different as you might think.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/leaders