Di Mantell’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and leadership. Starting as an intensive care nurse, Di’s career took unexpected turns, leading her to become the CEO of a $2.2 billion healthcare company managing one of South Australia’s largest infrastructure projects. At every step, she embraced challenges, made bold decisions, and stayed true to her values of authenticity, ethics, and kindness, which she credits for her success in building trust and strong relationships.

Her story is about more than professional achievements—it’s about courage. From relocating to rural towns to navigating male-dominated boardrooms, Di has always followed her instincts, proving that with confidence and the willingness to step into the unknown, remarkable growth is possible. She now mentors others to embrace change, believe in their potential, and build meaningful connections that drive impact.

Highlights

00:53 - Introduction - Hilary welcomes Di Mantell as a pioneering CEO and explores the theme of values-driven leadership and transformative career shifts.

03:12 - From Nurse to Leader - Her journey from a registered nurse to managing one of South Australia's largest infrastructure projects, highlighting the power of resilience.

06:31 - Embracing Life’s Pivots - Moving away from traditional roles, navigating divorce, and embracing change to carve out a new career path.

09:20 - Taking Risks and Building Confidence - The importance of trusting your instincts, taking risks in your career, and believing in your ability to adapt and succeed.

12:47 - Leading with Authenticity - The value of authenticity, kindness, and ethical behavior in building trust and creating meaningful connections.

14:56 - Representing Rural Communities - Di recounts her experiences advocating for rural health services in Australia, a role that broadened her leadership perspective and skillset.

18:22 - Transition to CEO - Stepping into her role as CEO, managing a $2.2 billion company, and the challenges of leading large-scale infrastructure projects.

23:19 - Mentorship and Legacy - Di’s plans for the future, including transitioning to board roles and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

25:47 - The Power of Female Connections - The importance of building a strong support network of women who uplift and hold each other accountable.

27:31 - Overcoming Challenges in Leadership - Her most significant challenges she faced as a leader and how she turned them into opportunities for growth.

About Our Guest:

Di is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the health and construction industries. Di has held several roles from ballroom and Latin American dance instructor to Executive Director of Nursing in Kalgoorlie, General Manager of the largest (hospital) services contract at Fiona Stanley Hospital to Chief Executive Officer of Celsus the 1st public private partnership in South Australia.

Di is skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Operations Management, Facility Management (FM), and Administration. She is a strong operations professional with a Bachelor of Health Science focused in Health Service Management. Di Mantell loves to achieve the impossible and breakdown stereotypes.

Di was a State Finalist Telstra Business Women's Awards 2020, as well as a Judge in Telstra Best of Business Awards 2022

https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-mantell-b72a174a/ 

Connect with Hilary: 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheReLaunchCo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarydecesare/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hilarydecesare/ 

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@hilarydecesare 

Interested in being a guest on the ReLaunch Podcast or booking Hilary as a guest? Email Us at [email protected] 

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