THE COURAGE TO LEAD INTERVIEW SERIES

In this episode of The Courage to Lead Interview Series, Allan Sicard speaks with Debbie Lee, owner and publisher of Ginninderra Press and Festival Director of Melbourne Jewish Book Week. From her childhood instinct to protect the kid being left out, to her early days as a book rep, to inheriting Ginninderra Press from its founder Stephen Matthews, Debbie’s story is all about connection.

She shares how she builds strong networks across the publishing world, champions First Nations and social justice stories, helps an 81-year-old survivor bring a lifelong secret to light, and supports advocates tackling gambling harm and homelessness. Debbie also reflects on identity, antisemitism, and hosting Israeli–Palestinian peace-builders in an era of deep division.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership can simply be the courage to

Connect, Include and Listen.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Listen now to The Courage to Lead Podcast and explore more stories of leaders who are redefining courage into action, empowering others to create supportive and inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

In this episode of The Courage to Lead Interview Series, I sit down with Matt LaHood, founder and real estate CEO of The Agency. Matt shares how his leadership was shaped by his parents — a father who brought thongs to Australia and a mother who backed him to take courageous risks — and by giants like John McGrath and John Symond.

We explore how he built an “attraction business” where people queue to join, why he believes you “can’t coach care,” and how he spots and supports team members with “black clouds” over their heads. Matt opens up about difficult conversations, rejection, retention, and doing the right thing every time.

This is leadership with

Heart, Consistency and Courage.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Listen now to The Courage to Lead Podcast and explore more stories of leaders who are redefining courage into action, empowering others to create supportive and inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

Captain Michelle Huntington — pilot, author of Lady MacGyver, and breast-cancer survivor — shares how curiosity, preparation, and mentoring forged her leadership. From conquering air-sickness by teaching the lesson to ferrying a Beechcraft across the Pacific with a 750-kg fuel bladder and a syringe-fed oil hack, she shows why you must “fly one hour in a thousand different ways.” As a 737 Captain she led with questions, analogies, and trust, proving that checklists and compassion can coexist. Her three beacons: don’t take “no” as final, choose the hard reps, and treat every person as significant. This is a blueprint for staying calm when the air gets bumpy — in the cockpit and in life.

This conversation is about:

COMPASSION, PREPARATION, KINDNESS

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Listen now to The Courage to Lead Podcast and explore more stories of leaders who are redefining courage into action, empowering others to create supportive and inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

The Humanity of Hugh Brasher: Leading the World’s Greatest Marathon with Heart

In this episode, on The Courage to Lead Interview Series, Hugh Brasher — CEO of the TCS London Marathon — shares his deeply human approach to leadership. From growing up as the son of Olympic and tennis champions to leading one of the world’s most inspiring events, Hugh reveals the values that guide him: curiosity, humility, and compassion. He reflects on learning from mistakes, leading through values, and uniting communities through sport. His message is clear — togetherness beats competition. This is a story of humanity, courage, and what it truly means to lead.

This conversation is about:

Togetherness. Curiosity. Humanity.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Listen now to The Courage to Lead Podcast and explore more stories of leaders who are redefining courage into action, empowering others to create supportive and inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

In this powerful episode of The Courage to Lead, Allan Sicard sits down with Ally Kelly, Founder and CEO of MindBlank, to explore how early intervention and prevention can transform mental health outcomes. Ally shares her personal journey from carer to changemaker and explains how MindBlank’s innovative interactive theatre empowers people to “Spot, Share, and Refer” before crisis strikes. Through lived experience and practical wisdom, she shows how leaders, teachers, and workplaces can hold space for others and build resilience through empathy and awareness.

This is a conversation about Prevention. Compassion. Empowerment.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Listen now to The Courage to Lead Podcast and explore more stories of leaders who are redefining courage into action, empowering others to create supportive and inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

From a shy 14-year-old questioning how newspapers were delivered to leading Australia’s largest digital youth mental health platform, Gary Groves’ story is a masterclass in courage, curiosity, and compassion. In this episode, Gary reveals how vulnerability became his greatest strength — transforming command-and-control leadership into collaborative, evidence-based change. From the frontline of policing to shaping national reform, he shows that real leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers — it’s about asking the right questions.

This is a conversation about courage, curiosity and compassion.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Listen now to The Courage to Lead Podcast and explore more stories of leaders who are redefining courage into action, empowering others to create supportive and inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

The Courage to Lead: From Ten Pound Pom to Triple G — The Extraordinary Life of Gillian Whan OAM

In this warm and inspiring episode, Allan Sicard sits down with Gillian Whan OAM — nurse, migrant, political campaigner, radio announcer, theatre stage manager, historian, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Gillian’s story spans a wartime childhood in rural England (including the day she saw Winston Churchill), her migration to Australia as a “Ten Pound Pom” aboard the Orontes, and her early nursing career in Canberra. She shares vivid memories of campaigning with her husband Bob Whan, alongside Gough Whitlam in 1972, bringing to life one of the most transformative moments in Australian politics.

Her life has been one of service and participation: leading the Woden Valley VIEW Club, broadcasting for community radio, reading for the vision-impaired, managing stage productions, and later preserving local history in Sydney.

Family is at the heart of Gillian’s story — from her children Stephen and Susan to her grandchildren Lachie (“Triple G”), Maddie, Georgie, and Jamie, and her great-granddaughters Harriet and Elizabeth .

This is a conversation about resilience, adaptability, and never being a bystander — a masterclass in leadership, community, and love across generations.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

Leading with Empathy, Humanity, and Competence: Erin Longbottom on Healthcare for the Homeless.  In this powerful episode of The Courage to Lead, Allan Sicard reconnects with Erin Longbottom, Nurse Unit Manager of the Homeless Health Service at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney. Erin shares her transformative leadership journey since stepping into the role in 2016, building a comprehensive street-based outreach model that serves Sydney’s most vulnerable populations.

From assertive health care for people sleeping rough to navigating the trauma of a deeply religious upbringing, Erin speaks candidly about her purpose, pain, and passion for justice. This episode dives into the real-world impact of intergenerational trauma, why systemic empathy matters, and how Erin grew her team from one nurse to a multi-disciplinary powerhouse supporting people on the margins.

A must-listen for leaders committed to equity, compassion, and sustainable change.  Erin 3 pillars of Leadership are:

✨ Empathy

This episode isn’t just about homelessness — it’s about leading a movement for equity, one courageous act at a time.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

“From Redfern to Reform: Belinda Hughes on Courageous, Compassionate Leadership”

📄 Episode Summary:

Belinda shares her extraordinary journey from her early days as a probationary constable in Redfern, to becoming a trailblazing prosecutor with Strike Force Raptor, and eventually taking her skills and values to the international stage. Along the way, she opens up about navigating motherhood in the police force, studying law while raising a daughter, and leading major cultural change in some of the most complex environments in Australia and the Pacific.

With warmth and candour, Belinda reveals how she broke down barriers—sometimes literally with a netball team—and challenged the status quo with intelligence and heart.

🔑 Key Themes Discussed:

Leading without rank: her first experience of real leadership as a junior constable

Creating innovation and cultural change within police, transport, and regulatory agencies

The importance of mentorship, authenticity, and ‘prosecuting nicely’

How she built trust in PNG through connection, culture—and netball

Why emotional intelligence is a leadership superpower

Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned professional, or just in need of a fresh perspective, this episode will leave you reflecting on what it truly means to lead with courage and compassion.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book

A Life of Service and Leadership: Danny Doherty’s Courage to Lead

In the latest Courage to Lead Interview Series, I spoke with recently retired Detective Superintendent Danny “Dasha” Doherty, whose remarkable 40-year career in the NSW Police culminated in commanding the Homicide Squad. Reflecting on his journey, Danny shared how his formative years, shaped by a caring teacher and challenging family life, instilled early lessons in trust and leadership.

A true servant leader, Danny’s career spanned undercover operations, major crime squads, and leading complex homicide investigations. He spoke powerfully about Winston Churchill’s words, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” which guided his life of service.

Danny reminded us that resilience, trust, and staying true to yourself are non-negotiable traits for leaders under pressure. He credited his wife Jane, his love for music, and his team for keeping him grounded through tough times—including the loss of a colleague and confronting organised crime.

🔊 Listen now to learn how leadership can be about lighting other candles while keeping your own flame burning bright. His story is an inspiring testament to courage, compassion, and the power of leading with heart. through the concept of gratitude.  This is truly a different way of approaching leadership and creating a team of leaders around you.

Follow Allan Sicard on LinkedIn, Instagram and ALLANSICARD.COM.

The Courage to Lead - The Book