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August 2026
Thank you Eva Pool for lighting up the room with Curious Leadership, and Clare Quinlan, for our fireside chat with Steve Gerlach CF APMP, Aurora Marketing - Tenders, Bids, Proposals, Submissions, reminding us what happens when you back yourself and build with heart.
High energy, great people, flowing bubbles.
#VictoriaLeaders #CuriousLeader #LeadershipCulture #MelbourneLeaders #BusinessInsights #WomenFounders #ScaleUp #LeadershipEvents #VictorianBusiness #GrowthMindset …


July 2026
Kickstart Your New Financial Year was what this July event was about and Great to see such strong engagement at our Victorian Leaders
Business leaders explored two topics that are having an increasing impact on organisations today: protecting competitive advantage in an AI-enabled world, and navigating an increasingly complex economic environment.
A big thank you to Helen Mutimer, FB Rice for sharing practical insights on intellectual property, trade secrets and AI, and Matthew De Pasquale, Judo Bank for an engaging economic update covering the key issues shaping business confidence and decision-making.
Thank you to our members, guests, Advisory Board and presenters for contributing to another outstanding event.
If you're a business leader who values trusted peer connections, practical insights and being challenged and held accountable to think differently, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about Victorian Leaders

Email sally@vicleaders.com.au for full deck presentations …


June 2026
Huge thanks to our speakers Pierce Hanlen and Warren Otter for delivering insights that were practical, timely, and immediately usable.
Key takeaways that had the room buzzing:
• Superannuation is still one of the most powerful planning levers — especially when contributions, pensions and estate planning are aligned. With Division 296 now in play, proactive advice isn’t optional; it’s essential.
• Mid‑sized businesses don’t stall because of effort — they stall because of lack of strategy. Working harder won’t fix complacency or ineffective growth tactics. • Strategic acquisition is back on the table — and when paired with strong systems and leadership, it can accelerate growth, lift business value, and give owners back time and choice.
Plenty of sharp discussion, plenty of “aha” moments… and plenty of people lining up for July.
If you weren’t in the room, make sure you are next month. The momentum is building 
Email sally@vicleaders.com.au for full deck presentations …


May Event
May’s Victorian Leaders event is all about clarity, risk, and the decisions that shape the future of your business.
We’re joined by Andrew Ellem & Brett Havlin (Prime Financial Group) to unpack the 2026 Budget and what it really means for tax planning and investment strategy.
Then Hayden McMaster(Synapse IT Consultants) takes us inside a real cyber incident — where risk builds quietly, choices matter, and leadership determines the outcome long before anything hits the news.
Email sally@vicleaders.com.au for full deck presentations …


April 8 2026
Victoria Leaders kicked off its 2026 Advisory Board today with a clear ambition: to position Leaders as the ultimate training sandpit for executives stepping into bigger roles, and the premier succession hub for businesses driving growth and innovation.
A dynamic group, a shared mission, and a big year ahead for shaping Victoria’s leadership pipeline. Scott Thomson Warren Otter Vicki Massey Steve Gerlach CF APMP Sally Davey GAICD If you’re an executive preparing for your next chapter — or a business thinking seriously about succession — now is the time to get involved. …


April 16 2026

How do they do it? Our April Victorian Leaders event delivered big thinking, sharp insights, and a few surprises.
Jeff Bergmann, CLP from Solubility unpacked the world of trademark breaches, obligations, and the practical steps to safeguard your IP —
Steven Browning from The Strategy Institute delivered a powerful call to action for businesses to invest time in NFP alignment — not just for social impact, but for bottom‑line performance and deeper staff engagement.
A huge shout‑out to Melanie Grøndahl and the team at Work Club Global for hosting us in such stunning new digs and making the whole event run seamlessly.
Members: log in to access Steve’s generous offer creating shared impact pilot program and all event resources.
Email sally@vicleaders.com.au for full deck presentations …


Mel James - Social Care Solutions


'Every business, regardless of sector, has a role to play in creating safer communities. Whether you fall under the new Child Safe Org legislation, or not, safeguarding isn't someone else's job—it's everyone's responsibility.'
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It was a brilliant afternoon shaped by our three outstanding speakers Josh Meyer, Dana Dolan and Graeme Clark — full of sharp discussion, practical solutions, and the reminder that great businesses are ready for anything. The theme that kept surfacing was clear: in 2026, smart businesses adapt… but healthy businesses endure

Email sally@vicleaders.com.au for full deck presentations …


Being a business owner can be isolating. That's s why we themed our first event for 2026 as 'Playing it big" It was a fantastic day catching up with our community of like-minded leaders all from different industries, backgrounds and stages of growth.
The presentations from Judo Bank, The Marketing Collab and The Curious Leader Consulting Group challenging your thinking, and expanding your knowledge and support your journey

Email sally@vicleaders.com.au for full deck presentations
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As we move into 2026,SMEs are facing a faster-changing environment than ever before. Here are three key trends you don’t want to miss and how you can act on them. …


Amid the constant demands that come with running an SME, reflection often takes a backseat to execution. Yet taking the time to pause, analyse and learn from your results can be one of the most powerful growth strategies available. Discover how building a rhythm of strategic reflection can shift your business from reactive to proactive and help turn momentum into sustainable success.  …


Customer satisfaction can make or break a growing business, yet many still rely on instinct rather than insight. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) offers a clear, data-driven approach to measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. By asking one simple question, businesses can identify their biggest advocates, uncover potential risks and track how customer sentiment evolves over time.  …


As AI takes on routine tasks, the true determiner will be human skills. Generative AI is transforming workplace learning not by replacing humans, but by making skills like creativity and problem-solving more critical than ever.  …


Meetings are a vital part of collaboration but too often they consume hours without delivering real outcome. From automated scheduling that eliminates endless back-and-forth, to real time transcription that captures action items instantly, to smart analytics that highlight team dynamics; AI is transforming meetings into focused, productive sessions that propel work forward.  …


For many business owners, their business is more than a livelihood; it forms part of their identity. That is why planning your succession isn't just about crunching numbers or maximising sale price. Taking the time to reflect and prepare can transform succession from a stressful ending into a meaningful new beginning.  …


Leaders often hesitate to delegate decisions to preserve quality and momentum, but overholding control can backfire, causing blocked workflow, blurred accountability and missed opportunities for team growth. Recognising that not all decisions carry the same weight or risk, this article by the Harvard Business Review suggests four questions to determine whether delegation is appropriate and strategic.  …


From cutting costs to boosting accuracy, more businesses are turning to professional bookkeeping services to save time and focus on growth. Our latest guide from Prime Financial Group breaks down the top benefits and how to choose the right provider for your needs. …


Trust isn’t just one thing, and it’s not always about “liking” someone.
In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown reminds us that trust is a cognitive assessment. But what exactly are we assessing? In this piece, our industry experts Matthew Vandermeer and Carlos Del Cueto unpack three distinct kinds of trust;  predictive, vulnerability-based, and performance-based and share real-life examples of how each plays out in teams and relationships. You’ll learn why relying on the wrong kind of trust can hold your team back, and how to build the kind that truly drives performance. …


Sustainable growth isn’t just about innovation, it’s about listening. In this article, we explore how business owners can use customer feedback, smart product testing, and a strong internal culture to drive meaningful, long-term success. Discover practical strategies to validate ideas, refine your product, and build a loyal customer base through a clear, value-driven approach. …


In today’s talent market, technical skills alone aren’t enough. The real challenge lies in finding someone who fits seamlessly into your workplace culture. In this blog, we explore how forward-thinking business leaders are reshaping recruitment by prioritising cultural alignment from day one, with practical, people-first strategies that go beyond the CV.  …


The ATO is intensifying its focus on overdue Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) Annual Returns. Failure to comply can lead to penalties, loss of tax concessions, and potential regulatory scrutiny. Discover what’s required, the risks of non-lodgment, and how trustees can stay on top of their obligations. …


Discover how empowering HR to take charge of the initial stages of recruitment can improve hiring quality, boost efficiency, and free up managers to focus on strategic priorities. Research shows that when HR leads early candidate selection, businesses benefit from a more objective, consistent process, resulting in better outcomes for both teams and candidates. Explore how shifting your recruitment strategy can make all the difference.
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Is leadership the driving force behind a team's success, or does a strong culture lay the foundation for effective leadership? In this insightful article from Leading Teams, facilitator Carlos del Cueto explores this pivotal question drawing on personal experiences. …


When your team is overloaded and delegating isn’t an option, it’s time to rethink your approach. Learn 3 strategies endorsed by the Harvard Business Review to help lighten the load, boost efficiency, and keep your team focused on what truly matters. …


What could be causing us stress and strain in 2025? Is stress the enemy, and how best can we thrive in 2025? Listen as Dr. Ian Haslam ponders these problems and brings us some well researched solutions.
Dr. Ian Haslam | Mapien   …


Reimagine how positions in your organisation are structured.  Consider what it would look like if you deconstructed jobs and matched people's skill levels to specific projects.   …


Technology, geopolitics, and consumer habits are driving an unprecedented rate of change at a time when the organisations are already in flux with the rise of generative AI, remote work, and an aging workforce. Against this backdrop, employee learning and development is more critical than ever, yet a recent report from LinkedIn and a series of interviews with 25 CLOs suggest that learning professionals don’t always feel aligned with their organization’s strategic priorities.  …


If you’re looking to embrace these critical areas in 2025 but feel the complexity could be overwhelming, consider seeking support. Partnering with industry experts at Victorian Leaders can help guide you through the implementation of ESG initiatives, identify AI solutions tailored to your needs, and set measurable milestones. …


Making your strategy visible and easy to understand through storytelling, leveraging existing frameworks, and ensuring ongoing communication with stakeholders, you can shift perceptions, align your team with long-term goals, and be recognised for your strategic approach. …


How to create your unique proposition, when someone asks, "What do you do?". Create your elevator pitch so it will stick and encourage follow- up questions.  …


Most business owners are focused on investing money back into the business, rather than investing into their own personal wealth or financial future. This blog explores the importance of creating a passive income to ensure when you stop working you aren't having to drastically adjust your lifestyle.      …


When the business world discusses leaders, we focus on formal roles, such as Founders or the CEO. This view undervalues the role of informal leaders—team members who influence outcomes by the tone they set, how they conduct themselves, and how they interact with their peers. Their job title doesn’t include the word “manager,” but they play an outsize role in how teams perform.

In this Harvard Business article, NFL great Tom Brady and Nitin Nohria, of Harvard Business School, present a set of principles that people in any realm can apply to help teams successfully work together toward common goals. …


There is a buzz around AI, but not everyone is certain on the best way to incorporate it into everyday work life. An assessment is required to see what purposes AI can help benefit your business. Gen AI won't help achieve sustained growth unless it’s truly needed. It is important to find and test the right AI tools to use in your daily work practice.  …

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