In this episode of Leaders Insights, we sat down with Peter de Cure who’s helped shape some of South Australia's most trusted organisations, but you'd never hear that from him.

From his early days in tax at KPMG to chairing the Royal Flying Doctor Service, he’s built a career on values, not ego. We talked about what makes a good leader (and what doesn’t), why long-term relationships matter and the lessons you only learn after 25 years in one place and the courage to leave it.

No buzzwords. No clichés. Just a real conversation with someone who’s seen a lot and still believes in doing the right thing.

#Authenticleadership # Businesstransformation #RoyalFlyingDoctorService

In our latest Leaders Insights episode, we spoke with Sandy Ortmanns whose journey started off the typical track, shy, under the radar and unsure about university.

From choosing business college, to working across multiple industries, raising a family and eventually stepping into roles in defence and higher education, her story is one of persistence, adaptability and leading with heart.

What really shines through is her belief that great leadership comes from knowing your people, recognising their strengths and giving credit where it’s due.

For anyone navigating their own leadership path, this conversation offers real, relatable insights on growing through life’s twists and turns.

#UNISA # DefenceInnovation #EducationAndDefence

In our latest Leaders Insights episode, we sat down with Shaun Westcott, CEO of Mitsubishi Australia, whose leadership journey has spanned countries, industries and decades. From commanding a platoon at 18 during military service in South Africa, to studying two degrees while working full-time to holding senior roles across Coca-Cola and Anglo American, his story is a masterclass in resilience, self-awareness and people-first leadership.

What stood out most was his belief that leadership isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about listening, being intentional with the people you surround yourself with and continually broadening your perspective.

For anyone on the path to the C-suite, this conversation is filled with lessons on growth, sacrifice, and the value of staying curious.

#mitsubishimotors #executiveleadership #globalexecutive

“It’s not I, it’s we.”

That’s the philosophy Anthony Kittel has led with since the day he bought REDARC.

From mortgaging his house with a young family to building a business with global reach, he's led with culture, care and courage at every step. In this episode of Leaders Insights, Anthony shares how he scaled without sacrificing values, why he still listens to every piece of employee feedback and how a conversation at a golf day changed his entire branding strategy. He also reflects on the challenges of maintaining a strong company culture through rapid growth and the importance of putting people first in every decision.

This conversation offers valuable lessons for any leader committed to sustainable success. If you’re growing a business or leading through change, this one’s packed with lessons.

#SAmanufacturing #scaling #globalleadership #redarcelectronics

In this episode of Leaders Insights, James reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his journey, from a single conversation that sparked the creation of Silentium Defence to the challenges of launching a startup from a spare room. He shares candid insights on why building culture deliberately from day one is vital, and how leadership is about investing in the long game, not just immediate results.

We discuss the pressures of leading innovation in deep tech, the importance of sovereign capability in national defence, and the responsibility leaders carry to future generations.

James’s story is a reminder that true leadership impact often unfolds slowly, built on persistence, trust, and vision.

#globaldefence #silentiumdefence #defencecareers #passiveradar

In this episode of Leaders Insights, Libby shares her journey, one shaped by curiosity, courage and a willingness to say yes before she felt ready. We talked about: 

• The difference between mentoring and sponsoring women
• Self-belief (and why men often back themselves sooner)
• Leading global teams across cultures before Teams even existed
• Reinventing herself after 25 years away from Adelaide
• And the power of having someone say, “You can do this.”

One of the most grounding things she said?

“It’s not about being the smartest person in the room. That’s a very dangerous model for leadership.”

This one’s for anyone navigating change, leadership or a return to where it all began.

#saleader #dtc #defencesa #leadingthroughcourage

Jeremy’s story goes from a sheep farm in Victoria to Army Air Defence Officer and now Head of Industry Capability at BAE Systems Australia. Along the way, he’s led with authenticity, navigated the complexity of transition out of defence and stayed grounded in purpose and service.

He shares what it really feels like to leave the military, how long it takes to truly transition and why “paying it forward” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a responsibility. This conversation is real, reflective and packed with insights for leaders, veterans and anyone working in or around defence.

#DefenceIndustry #AuthenticLeadership #BAE

On this episode of Leaders Insights, we sat down with Tiffany Sharp, CEO of Cambrian Executive to explore what genuine leadership looks like and how it’s often misunderstood.

Tiffany doesn’t just talk about leadership. She’s lived it. From growing up on a country farm, to working in clinical nutrition, to launching duckweed into space and advancing medical innovation through microgravity. Her journey is anything but linear but it’s driven by values, purpose and a relentless focus on impact.

This conversation goes beyond titles. It's about ethics over ego, substance over spin, and space as a platform for solving real human problems.

#LeadersInsights #DefenceAndSpace #SpaceIndustry #cambrianexecutive

In our latest episode of Leaders Insights, Richard shares his leadership mantra and the winding path that took him from apprentice refrigeration mechanic to global executive, industry cluster lead, founding CEO of a med-tech business and now CEO of the Industry Leaders Fund. We talked about:

• Why great leadership is about painting the picture, not issuing instructions
• The power of bringing people together around a goal
• What happens when you hire the best people, give them a clear vision and get out of their way
• How we can help leaders stay, grow and build their careers here in South Australia 

Richard’s story is grounded, direct and full of sharp observations from decades across industry, government, and business.

🎧 Listen to the episode here

#ILF #MEDTech #executiveleadership

In our latest Leaders Insights episode, we sat down with a Marjoljin Woods whose career path is anything but traditional.

She shares powerful reflections on:

• The role of mentorship and timing in building confidence
• Navigating introversion and imposter syndrome in executive roles
• What it really takes to build a connected culture across global teams

From the Qantas desk in Alice Springs to leading people strategy in a 1,000+ strong business, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now to hear how curiosity, courage, and community shaped her journey.

#PeopleLeadership #CareerGrowth #WomenInLeadership #codan