Helen Souness is a senior executive with a career that spans more than 30 years of commercial experience working in digital strategy, marketing and product across market-leading companies including Lonely Planet and ground breaking marketplaces SEEK, Envato and Etsy.  She is a Non-Executive Board Director at Sendle, Australia's first 100% carbon neutral shipping service and Camplify, a leading marketplace for RV hire. As CEO of RMIT Online, Helen has grown a 130+ strong team to support a thriving community of learners to successfully navigate the world of work through relevant, accessible and flexible education online. She has spearheaded a suite of Australian first courses in areas like blockchain, AI, 5G and IoT technology, in partnership with over 70 global and local industry partners, including Salesforce, AWS and REA Group. Through Helen’s leadership, RMIT Online has disrupted education models, tripled in size and helped to upskill over 26,000 online students in 2020.

Helen Souness - Women In Leadership Series

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Imagine falling head-over-heels for a problem, not just the solution. That's the philosophy Scott Thomson from Google Cloud brings to the table. In this episode of the Mentor List Podcast we unpack the art of innovation in solving business dilemmas. Scott takes us behind the scenes at Google Cloud, where challenges are embraced with open arms.
Scott's approach goes beyond surface-level solutions; he dives deep into the core of issues, gathering insights from a diverse range of voices, from seasoned industry veterans to eager newcomers. This conversation is all about igniting growth and transformative change.
Scott shares secrets from the Google playbook, such as the 20% time policy, which fosters creativity without compromising productivity.It's a discussion that traverses the boundaries of where great ideas originate and how they're sculpted to fit new molds in different industries.
Tune in as we explore the nuances of leadership and mentorship with Scott, dissecting the ingredients that make for a thriving business environment. From hiring creative thinkers to nurturing careers through guidance, we confront the balance essential for innovation-led growth.


Podcast Chapters:
00:00 - Innovation and Problem Solving at Google
12:00 - Importance of Prioritising Business Value
20:23 - Leadership, Culture, and Mentorship in Business
32:10 - Prioritisation and Process Improvement in Business
37:56 - Driving Operational Efficiency Through Innovation
51:42 - Navigating Technology Trends in the US


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Alexander Smith LinkedIn
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Scott Thomson LinkedIn



Mastering Innovation: Scott Thomson's Approach to Transformative Problem-Solving and Sustainable Growth

In this episode of the Mentor List Podcast, we share a captivating conversation with Stephen Leane, the former Former CEO of 000 Victoria. With a wealth of experience in critical response and emergency management, Stephen shares his journey at the helm of one of the most pivotal organizations in emergency services, providing insights into leadership, innovation, and the importance of communication in times of crisis.


0:00 - Introduction: Stephen Leane's path to leading ESTA.
5:49 - The critical role of ESTA in emergency response and public safety.
10:19 - Leadership lessons learned in high-stakes environments.
15:07 - Innovations in emergency telecommunications under Stephen's tenure.
20:24 - The challenges and rewards of managing crisis response teams.
25:44 - Strengthening community and responder communication.
30:16 - The evolution of emergency services technology.
35:16 - Stephen's approach to mentorship and leadership development.
40:35 - The importance of resilience and adaptability in emergency management.
45:26 - Future directions for emergency telecommunications and public


Connect with us:
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Website: https://mentorlist.com/
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Dave Lewis | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlewiscv/
Alexander Smith | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-smith-48a2088/
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Stephen Leane | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-leane-0a4a3912

Navigating Crisis: Stephen Leane's Insights from Leading ESTA

In this episode of The Mentor List Podcast we share a conversations with James Calder, a visionary in the world of workplace design and urban development. Delving deep into the transformation of office spaces and the dynamic evolution of cities, James shares his profound insights on how the pandemic has accelerated changes in how we interact with our working environments and urban landscapes.

0:00 - Unveiling the future of workspaces.
5:49 - The sustainability edge in modern real estate.
10:19 - A radical shift towards space as a service.
15:07 - The spatial web: A new frontier in property.
20:24 - Reimagining property valuation in a flexible world.
25:44 - Blending biophilia with business: A green revolution.
30:16 - Encouraging innovation through design.
35:16 - The evolving dynamics of city living.
40:35 - Rethinking last-mile delivery in urban planning.
45:26 - The transformative power of technology in property.

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Website: https://mentorlist.com/

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Alexander Smith | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-smith-48a2088/

Follow Your Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-calder-578abb10

Redefining Spaces: James Calder on the Evolution of Workplaces and Cities

In this episode of The Mentor List podcast, we sit down with Anna Marinkovic, a seasoned leader in the banking industry & Executive General Manager, Small Business Bank at NAB, to explore her insights into supporting and nurturing small businesses in Australia. With her extensive experience and passion for entrepreneurship, Anna offers invaluable advice on how small businesses can thrive in today's competitive environment.

0:00 - Peek into Anna's transformative role at NAB.
5:49 - What truly sets successful entrepreneurs apart?
10:19 - Insightful revelations from the heart of small business banking.
15:07 - The art and science of building winning teams.
20:24 - Navigating the complexities of regulations.
25:44 - The untold struggles and victories of female entrepreneurs.
30:16 - How does childcare shape the business landscape for women?
35:16 - Personal growth secrets from a banking maven.
40:35 - Cultivating a high-performance culture within and beyond work.
45:26 - Discover the personal passions that fuel Anna's professional drive.

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Website: https://mentorlist.com/

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Dave Lewis | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlewiscv/

Alexander Smith | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-smith-48a2088/

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Anna Marinkovic | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamarinkovic/

Empowering Entrepreneurs: Anna Marinkovic on Cultivating Success in the Small Business Ecosystem

In this episode of The Mentor List Podcast, we're joined by Tony Nash, the CEO of Booktopia, Australia's largest online bookstore. Tony opens up about his incredible journey from experiencing bankruptcy to founding and scaling Booktopia into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. This conversation delves into the power of resilience, the art of identifying opportunities, and the importance of personal growth in entrepreneurship.

0:00 - Founding of Booktopia and Early Challenges.
15:30 - Lessons Learned from Bankruptcy to Building an Empire.
22:50 - Key Strategies Behind Booktopia's Explosive Growth.
35:20 - Cultivating Champions: The Art of Building a Winning Team and Culture.
41:15 - Personal Growth and Overcoming ADHD in Leadership.
53:30 - Rapid-Fire Revelations with Tony Nash.
59:00 - Tony Nash on the Future of Retail and Evolving with Booktopia.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentorlist/

Website: https://mentorlist.com/

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Alexander Smith | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-smith-48a2088/

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Tony Nash | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nashtony

Helen Souness - Women In Leadership Series

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