Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose and Connection

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection, I sit down with Katie, ICF-accredited coach, hospitality leader, and founder of Good Company.

From Little Creatures in Perth to Pirate Life Brewing in Adelaide, Katie’s career has been shaped by a deep belief that hospitality is about more than food and drink — it’s about people, connection, and culture.

We explore:

• What makes a healthy hospitality workplace

• How processes, systems, and training underpin culture

• The power of transparency, accountability, and managing up

• Why people-first leadership creates self-sustaining teams

• Katie’s journey from frontline hospo to coaching leaders for lasting impact

Whether you’re in hospitality or leading in any industry, this conversation offers practical insights into building workplaces where people don’t just survive — they thrive.

@good__company__

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode of Beyond the Boardroom, I sit down with Shannon Marie Hottes — step-mum, dog mum, partner, and Co-Founder of Infinity Training & Coaching. As a Relationship Coach and Breathwork Trainer, Shannon brings a powerful voice to the conversation on nervous system regulation, authentic connection, and how to cultivate truly healthy relationships.

Together, we explore how understanding our bodies and breath can create stronger, sexier relationships and help us show up more powerfully in all areas of life. Shannon shares her own journey, lessons in communication, and the science behind the breath — as well as why nervous system literacy should be a leadership skill.

If you're a leader, a parent, or someone wanting to show up more regulated, more connected, and more empowered — this is your sign to press play.

Topics we explore:

• The connection between the nervous system and communication

• Breathwork as a tool for self-awareness and healing

• Building intimacy and trust in romantic relationships

• Why regulation helps us lead better — at home and in business

• The difference between reaction and response

• How to create safety in your body and your partnerships

🎧 Tune in for a conversation that will expand how you think about leadership, intimacy, and your own inner power.

🔗 Connect with Shannon:
@withshannonmarie | @infinity.training.coaching

🔗 Connect with Jen:
@j.d.consulting | jdconsultingau.com

What does it really take to build meaningful business connections?

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Testar — Co-Founder and CEO of Showcase SA — whose story is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. From arriving in Australia with just a backpack, to leading major property developments, to founding Showcase SA in 2019, Steve has built a platform that connects and supports South Australian businesses across industries.

We dive into:

• The challenges of moving from corporate security into entrepreneurship

• Why running a business can feel lonely — and how community changes that

• How Showcase SA removes barriers and creates opportunities for collaboration

• The role of vulnerability, resilience, and genuine relationships in business success

Steve’s passion is clear: people work with people. And when we focus on connection and contribution, businesses — and communities — thrive.

Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about leadership, community, and the power of connection.

Showcase SA Website: https://showcasesa.com.au/

@Showcase SA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/showcasesa/?viewAsMember=true

@Showcase SA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShowcaseSA/

@Showcase SA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showcasesouthaustralia/?hl=en

n this solo episode of Beyond the Boardroom – Leading with Purpose & Connection, Jen takes on a controversial but timely topic: participation medals. Once designed to build confidence and inclusion for children, these well-intentioned gestures may have created unintended ripple effects that we’re now seeing in today’s workplaces.

Jen unpacks:
✨ Why participation medals mattered — and where they fell short
✨ How childhood conditioning shaped today’s workplace behaviours
✨ The rise of “showing up” cultures and fragile resilience
✨ The danger of perks and hollow recognition at work
✨ What truly drives engagement: growth, purpose, and meaningful recognition

With data, practical insights, and compassionate storytelling, this episode challenges leaders to audit their culture and ask: are we just handing out workplace participation medals, or are we creating spaces where people stretch, grow, and thrive?

If you’re ready to move beyond shallow perks and build cultures of purpose, resilience, and authentic recognition — this one is for you.

"I was just trying to constantly prove that I could do something"

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, I’m joined by mindset coach and Gene Keys practitioner, Kellie Hansen, to explore her transformative journey from a successful television career to uncovering her true purpose through personal development and self-leadership.

Kellie shares how her early beliefs shaped her career choices, how the Gene Keys became a life-changing framework for self-discovery, and why true leadership starts with deep, ongoing self-awareness. We dive into the Activation Sequence, Venus Sequence, and Prosperity Sequence of the Gene Keys — powerful tools for healing, growth, and living with impact.

If you're passionate about personal transformation, leading with authenticity, and unlocking your true genius, this conversation is for you.

"We are actually all here to be working together"

Connect with us:

Kellie Hansen: @withkelliehansen

Jen Demiri: @j.d.consulting | www.jdconsulting.com.au

"It's okay to not always be strong as well."

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, I’m joined by Janne Kleiner — holistic coach, breathwork facilitator, and mother — to explore the profound journey of personal transformation, self-leadership, and resilience.

We dive into how breathwork, movement, and nervous system regulation are essential tools for emotional wellbeing, particularly for women balancing business, family, and self-identity. Janne shares her experiences of running a gym, navigating motherhood, embracing imperfections, and carving her own authentic path in life.

If you’re passionate about holistic health, dynamic parenting, emotional resilience, and redefining what personal success looks like — this conversation will inspire you to lead with more compassion, trust, and connection to yourself.

"Let go of perfectionism and accept help."

Connect with Janne:

Instagram: @theholisticcoachingcollective | @the.janne.k 

Connect with Jen:

Instagram: @j.d.consulting

Website: www.jdconsulting.com.au

LinkedIn: Jennifer Demiri

"I want so much more for my life."

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, I’m joined by Sasha Eburne — a former Virtual Assistant turned business coach — who shares her journey from corporate employee to building a high-revenue, freedom-based business.

We explore what it takes to shift from a “just a VA” mentality to a powerful CEO mindset, why pricing based on value is critical, and how setting strong boundaries creates sustainable growth.

Sasha also shares insights on networking, connection-building, outsourcing, and the latest trends shaping the VA industry.If you're ready to grow your VA or service-based business with confidence, simplicity, and strategy — this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom and motivation.

   "Do things before you're ready."

Connect with Sasha:

Website: sashaeburne.com

Instagram: @sashaeburne__

Facebook: Sasha Eburne Coaching

LinkedIn: Sasha Eburne 

Connect with Jen:

Instagram: @j.d.consulting

Website: www.jdconsulting.com.au

LinkedIn: Jennifer Demiri

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, I sit down with Melissa — a leader with deep expertise in strategic planning and change management — to explore her powerful journey navigating the workplace with a hidden disability.

We dive into the real challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, the importance of open conversations, and how leaders can create more inclusive, accessible, and empowering workplace cultures.

Melissa shares practical strategies around authentic leadership, problem solving, and the role of vulnerability in driving meaningful change.

If you're passionate about building workplaces that value every individual’s contribution, this conversation is for you.

"Inclusivity is beneficial for everyone."

Connect with Melissa:

Website: www.inclusivebusinesssolutions.com.au

Connect with me:

Instagram: @j.d.consulting

LinkedIn: Jennifer Demiri

Website: www.jdconsulting.com.au

In this episode of Beyond the Boardroom, I’m joined by Rosie Bartlett — Principal Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor and the powerhouse behind Mindseye Training and Consulting. With 18 years of experience, Rosie specialises in helping organisations create mentally healthy, psychologically safe workplaces where people truly thrive.

We explore how mental health conversations in the workplace have evolved, the crucial role of leadership in supporting wellbeing, and why meaningful connection — not quick fixes — is key to sustainable culture change. We also touch on the importance of self-care, the impact of remote work on mental health, and how leaders can model the behaviours they want to see in their teams.

If you care about leading with empathy, building resilient teams, and transforming workplace wellbeing from a tick-the-box task into a strategic priority — this conversation is for you.

·       "We are human, we're not machines."

To get in touch with Rosie check out the below:

Website: www.mindseyetraining.com.au

LinkedIn: @mindseyetraining

Facebook: @mindseyetraining

Connect with Jen

Instagram: @j.d.consultingWebsite: www.jdconsulting.com.auLinkedIn: Jennifer Demiri

... and hello to Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection.

Welcome to a brand new chapter of the podcast — Beyond the Boardroom: Leading with Purpose & Connection. In this solo episode, I share the heart behind the rebrand, what inspired the shift from Germaneer Your Business, and why this evolution feels so aligned with the deeper conversations I’m here to lead.

This space has always been about more than strategy. It's about the human side of leadership — presence, purpose, emotional intelligence, and culture. It’s about creating businesses and environments where people thrive, not just survive.

💬 In this episode, I dive into:
✨ Why the original podcast name no longer fit
✨ The importance of honouring your growth and realigning with your purpose
✨ What you can expect from future episodes — solo insights, powerful guest conversations, and practical leadership takeaways
✨ Why business is a force for good when people come first

This isn’t just a name change.

It’s a reflection of the conversations we’re really here to have.

→ Leadership with heart

→ Culture with intention

→ Business with meaning

If you're a leader, entrepreneur, or passionate changemaker ready to build more human, connected workplaces — you're right where you belong.

It’s time to go deeper than boardroom strategies.

To talk about real connection, purpose-led leadership, and what it takes to build thriving workplaces and lives.

New name. Same mission.

More aligned than ever.

—

Connect with me:
Instagram: @j.d.consulting
LinkedIn: Jennifer Demiri on LinkedIn
Website: www.jdconsulting.com.au

#BeyondTheBoardroom #PodcastLaunch #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LeadershipWithHeart #WorkplaceCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #AuthenticLeadership #CultureMatters #HospitalityLeadership