AIB Cast

What does it take to build a high-performing team culture?

In this Career Under Construction episode, Dr Alicia Stanway is joined by AIB graduates Kristy Skwaruk, Dr Daniele Dal Cengio and Sarah Bekkers to explore how managers shape workplace culture and influence team performance.

The panel shares practical perspectives on creating environments where teams can perform at their best without increasing burnout. Drawing on their experience across executive leadership, consulting and operations, they discuss what high-performing cultures look like in practice and where managers can unintentionally hold their teams back.

The conversation also explores how building a strong team culture can support career progression, offering insights for professionals currently managing people or preparing to take on leadership roles.

How can defence experience become a strategic advantage in your career?

In this Career Under Construction episode, Dr Alicia Stanway is joined by AIB graduates Amanda MacKinnell, Lachlan Triggs and Blair Boyd to explore their experiences transitioning from military service into leadership roles across different industries.

The panel shares practical insights on adapting to new professional environments, overcoming self-doubt and translating military experience into skills that employers value. They also discuss the role of education, mentorship and finding a renewed sense of purpose in shaping their career paths.

Drawing on their personal experiences, the conversation explores how leadership skills developed through military service can continue to evolve and create opportunities beyond defence.

What does it take to become board ready?

In this Career Under Construction episode, Dr Alicia Stanway is joined by AIB graduates Adam Yeomans, Vivienne Mossman and Ryan Thorburn to discuss their experiences moving into board roles and what they learned along the way.

The panel shares practical perspectives on building relevant experience, understanding the move into governance and recognising the strengths you can bring to a board. They also discuss stewardship, directors’ responsibilities and how board appointments can happen in practice.

The conversation is shaped by questions submitted by the AIB community, covering what experienced professionals wanted to know about preparing for their first appointment and contributing at board level.

Careers in Play steps out of the office and into the world of our AIB alumni for real conversations about what shapes a career.

In this episode, we meet AIB graduate Ferdy Bong, Head of Retail and Business Development at Sigma Healthcare. Ferdy works across Asian markets, drawing on his cultural knowledge and experience to help Australian brands understand how business is done differently across the region. In 2025, he was named the winner of the Asian-Australian Leadership Award in the Corporate category.

Ferdy shares how he approaches leadership, the role his AIB MBA has played in his career and why understanding different cultures can make a real difference when doing business internationally.

Hear Ferdy’s story and his perspective on building a career that crosses markets and cultures.

Careers in Play steps out of the office and into the world of our AIB alumni for real conversations about what shapes a career.In this episode, we meet AIB graduate Cain Cooke at Leki Electric. Cain’s career has taken him from leading a $40 million business at just 21 to working with brands including Boost Juice and Specsavers, completing his MBA and moving into entrepreneurship with Leki Electric and modular building business ModMade.Cain shares the lessons he’s picked up along the way, from learning that you don’t need to have all the answers to staying curious, backing yourself and simply saying yes.Hear Cain’s story, the experiences that have shaped his approach to business and the advice he’d give to others building their own careers.

What does it take to build a successful career in a world shaped by AI, changing workplace expectations and increasing competition for attention?

In this episode, we sit down with Andrea Rule, Head of Large Customer at LinkedIn ANZ, to explore how professionals can build credibility, grow their influence and stay relevant in the evolving world of work.

LinkedIn has become far more than a networking platform. It's where professional reputations are built, opportunities are discovered and conversations shaping the future of work happen every day. But with more content, more competition and new AI-powered tools changing how people are found online, how do you stand out authentically?

Andrea shares practical insights on:

• Building a professional presence that creates trust and credibility
• Using LinkedIn effectively without feeling self-promotional
• The role of AI in career development and professional discovery
• Personal branding and thought leadership
• Skills professionals need to remain future-ready
• What the future of work means for ambitious professionals

Whether you're looking to take the next step in your career, expand your professional network or better understand how work is changing, this episode offers practical advice you can apply immediately.

Presented by the Australian Institute of Business (AIB).

Kicking off our new series 'Careers in Play', where we step out of the office and into the world of our AIB alumni for real conversations about what really shapes careers. In the first episode we meet AIB alumni Dean Talbot, at the Kew Golf Club.

From finance to AFL to golf, Dean’s career path has been anything but linear. Join us on the green to hear Dean’s story and pick up practical advice for your own career or MBA journey.

Personal branding has become a key part of professional success. Your reputation can sometimes carry as much weight as your résumé. But how can you create a personal brand that conveys what you stand for? In this AIB Career Under Construction session, our expert panellists (and AIB alumni) explore how they have shaped visible, authentic and trusted personal brands.

Are you contemplating a career change? Whether you’re looking to make a complete shift into a new profession or simply want to refine your path to better align with your passions, a career pivot can open the door to a more rewarding and purpose-driven professional life. We’ve got you covered. 

Learn the key factors that drive a successful career pivot, including how to identify your next move and develop a concrete plan to make it a reality. Our ⁠AIB⁠ alumni panellists share their experiences on building credibility in a new field, the importance of support networks, and the critical skills they developed along the way. Learn about the mindset shifts necessary to overcome challenges, the role of an ⁠MBA⁠ in supporting career transitions, and actionable strategies to confidently pursue your own career pivot. 

Meet our panellists:

• ⁠Cain Cooke ⁠

CEO, Leki Electric 

2018 AIB MBA Graduate 

• Sallina Jeffrey 

CEO and Founder, The Mentoring Movement 

2022 AIB MBA Graduate 

• Zach McCool 

Manager of HR Operations, Pattison Food Group 

2020 AIB MBA Graduate 

About AIB:

AIB (Australian Institute of Business) is Australia’s largest ⁠⁠online MBA⁠⁠ provider*. With 40 years of history, AIB has a global network of more than 20,000 students and alumni from over 100 countries. The AIB MBA degree is delivered online. Known as The Practical Business School, AIB's programs are industry-focused and designed for mid career professionals.

*see 20 Biggest Online MBA Providers, ⁠⁠MBA News⁠⁠  (July 2024)TEQSA PRV#12090, Institute of Higher Education.

The path to the C-suite is rarely a straight line. In this Career Under Construction episode we help you get ready, stay focused, and confidently navigate the twists and turns of a career toward executive leadership. Hear from AIB graduates who’ve made it to the top, as they share their real-world experiences, lessons learned, and practical advice for taking your next step.

Meet our pannelists:

• Manar El Mugammar

Chief Operating Officer at Shine Talent Group

2023 AIB MBA Graduate

• Craig Chadwick

Director, Department of Health and Aged Care 
2022 AIB MBA Graduate

• Chris Ogilvie

Chief Marketing Officer at Jones Radiology 
2008 AIB MBA Graduate

About AIB:

AIB (Australian Institute of Business) is Australia’s largest ⁠online MBA⁠ provider*. With 40 years of history, AIB has a global network of more than 20,000 students and alumni from over 100 countries. The AIB MBA degree is delivered online. Known as The Practical Business School, AIB's programs are industry-focused and designed for mid career professionals.

*see 20 Biggest Online MBA Providers, ⁠MBA News⁠  (July 2024)TEQSA PRV#12090, Institute of Higher Education.