In this episode of Vistage LIVE, host Stephanie Christopher is joined by Dr Chris Stevenson — a transformational leader with over 25 years of global executive experience and a doctorate in strategic decision-making. Chris has led company turnarounds across 12 countries and now mentors CEOs, helping them navigate complexity, make smarter choices, and unlock transformational growth.

Chris unpacks why so many boards and leadership teams fall into the trap of suboptimal decisions, how politics inside organisations can derail strategy, and why diversity of thought is vital to overcoming blind spots. He also shares his simple markers for identifying whether decision-making is strong or flawed — and offers practical insights CEOs can apply immediately to sharpen focus, drive innovation, and lead with greater confidence.

Key highlights:

Why 85% of top management decisions are suboptimal — and how to change that

The hidden role of organisational politics in shaping outcomes

How CEOs can build safe spaces for challenge and diversity of thought

The importance of hiring for attitude, not just skills

Why leaders must embrace boldness, experimentation, and adaptability

In this episode of Vistage LIVE, host Stephanie Christopher is joined by Ron Gauci—new Vistage Chair, seasoned CEO, and transformation expert whose leadership career spans Telstra, IBM, Microsoft, Melbourne Storm, Federation Square and more.

Ron shares hard-won insights from leading organisations through adversity, uncovering potential, and achieving sustainable turnarounds—not just in crisis, but in complacency.

Key Highlights:

Three-Phase Turnaround Approach:
Ron’s model of 30 days observation, 30 days planning, 30 days execution allows him to tailor unique strategies for each organisation.

Creating Momentum:
In the absence of urgency, Ron isn’t afraid to "manufacture a crisis" to overcome complacency and mobilise teams.

The Power of Culture and Mindset:
Execution starts with clarity—clear roles, accountability, and defining what success looks like. Ron draws from elite sport to foster a high-performance, “never-settle” mindset.

Tough Conversations, Delivered Well:
Authentic leadership means honesty with care—Ron is known for difficult conversations that earn trust, even from those he’s had to let go.

Stories of Impact:
From revitalising Melbourne’s Fed Square to rebuilding the Melbourne Storm after its salary cap crisis, Ron’s legacy is one of transformation and empowerment.

Now stepping into his role as a Vistage Chair, Ron is seeking growth-focused business leaders ready to stretch themselves—and support others—in a confidential, high-calibre peer group.

What does it take to build a profitable business without compromising your values?

In this episode of Vistage LIVE, Stephanie sits down with Vanessa Cullen — founder of Forward Thinking Design and a true pioneer of sustainable, values-led leadership. With over 20 years’ experience across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, Vanessa shares how she’s turned ethics into enterprise, designing both spaces and strategies that create meaningful impact.

We explore what it really means to be a social enterprise, how circular economy thinking is reshaping the future, and why being values-aligned from day one was the most strategic decision she ever made. Vanessa also opens up about her early challenges, the role of peer support in her journey, and the quiet power of doing business differently.

Key Takeaways 

1. A Social Enterprise Built on Values, Not Buzzwords
2. Social Enterprise vs. B Corp vs. NFP — Know the Difference
3. Circular Economy Is More Than Recycling
4. Purpose and Profit Can Coexist
5. A Business Leader Forged by Ethics, Resilience and Lived Experience
6. The Power of Peer Support
7. Advocacy and Giving Back Are Core to Her Mission
8. Leadership That Minimises Waste and Maximises Meaning

In this episode of Vistage LIVE, Vistage Australia and New Zealand MD Stephanie Christopher interviews Rob Ristagno, President, International at Vistage. Rob shares his insights on the evolving landscape of leadership and the challenges CEOs face in a rapidly changing business environment. He emphasises the importance of adaptability, strategic decision-making, and leveraging community-based learning for growth and resilience. Rob also discusses how Vistage is supporting CEOs with resources that foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable success.

Key takeaways include:

Embracing change as a constant and leading with flexibility.

Building stronger networks through peer learning and global connections.

Developing leadership skills that prioritise long-term strategy over short-term gains.

Understanding how Vistage's unique ecosystem empowers leaders to navigate complexity with confidence.

In this insightful episode of Vistage Live, Stephanie Christopher sits down with Ari Galper, the world’s leading authority on trust-based selling and the founder of "Unlock the Sales Game." Ari shares his journey from high-tech sales to pioneering a sales philosophy that flips traditional methods on their head. He introduces the revolutionary concept of trust-based selling, where the key to closing deals is not about pitching your product but creating a genuine human connection rooted in trust. Ari explains how breaking free from outdated sales tactics and embracing a doctor-patient mindset transforms the sales process, allowing prospects to feel safe, understood, and open to engaging deeply. Listen in as Ari reveals why letting go of "selling" to focus purely on understanding your client's pain points is the true differentiator in today’s market.

In this dynamic episode of Vistage LIVE, Stephanie Christopher speaks with Emma Doyle — a former elite tennis player turned corporate high-performance coach. Emma shares how her early coaching experiences on the tennis court shaped her leadership philosophy, ultimately driving her to work with CEOs and business leaders across the world.

Drawing parallels between sport and leadership, Emma unpacks what it takes to lead with energy, curiosity, and empathy under pressure. She explains why “leader as coach” is not just a philosophy, but the way of now. With practical tips on how to build trust, communicate across personality types, and turn pressure into performance, Emma offers powerful insights for leaders looking to unlock potential — in themselves and in others.

Key themes include:

Coaching as a mindset: Pulling out potential vs pushing information in.

The opponent in your head: How internal blocks limit performance.

The Grow Model: A simple but powerful framework for coaching teams.

Emotional intelligence, trust, and curiosity as modern leadership superpowers.

The importance of grounding: “Get your head where your feet are.”

Emma’s energy and authenticity shine as she shares stories from her career in sport and business, making this episode a must-listen for leaders ready to step up under pressure.

In this engaging episode of Vistage LIVE, host Stephanie Christopher sits down with Tony Chamberlain—Vistage Chair, seasoned executive, and former Undercover Boss—to explore the power of leadership forged through real-world experience. Tony reflects on his early ambitions to run businesses, his transformative leadership at Staging Connections, and his evolution from hands-on CEO to thoughtful mentor and peer group facilitator.

With candid insights, Tony reveals the lessons he's learned from turning around underperforming businesses, cultivating high-performing leadership teams, and creating trusted spaces for business leaders through his Vistage groups. He shares why he wishes he had discovered Vistage earlier, how he balances being a non-executive director with chairing peer groups, and what makes peer advisory so powerful for CEOs and business owners.

And yes—he even shares the funny story of going undercover for the reality TV show Undercover Boss, wig mishaps and all.

Mark Bregman, a distinguished global business leader with a rich background in technology strategy and entrepreneurship, delivers profound insights into leadership, innovation and strategic thinking. Drawing from his extensive experience across Fortune 500 companies and startups, Bregman explores the nuanced art of leading organisations, emphasising the critical balance between operational excellence and strategic vision.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

Leaders must challenge their own thinking – Recognising cognitive bias helps avoid decision-making pitfalls.
Change is constant; adaptability is key – Organisations that embrace change will stay ahead of their competition.
Technology is a leadership tool, not a threat – AI and automation should be leveraged to enhance decision-making, not replace human leadership.
Strategy needs a long-term lens – Making decisions for short-term gains often leads to long-term struggles.
Culture drives success – A strong, adaptable team culture is the foundation of sustainable business growth.

In this episode of Vistage LIVE, Stephanie Christopher speaks with Mark Puncher, a leading expert in employer branding and talent marketing, about how business leaders can navigate today’s rapidly changing workforce landscape. With economic pressures mounting and employee expectations shifting, Mark explores the risks of employer-employee disconnection and the crucial role of leadership in fostering engagement, performance, and loyalty.

Key themes include:

This episode is essential for CEOs, business owners, and leaders who want to build a high-performance team in an evolving workplace. Mark offers practical strategies for creating a culture where people are genuinely engaged, empowered, and committed—not just compliant. 

In this insightful episode of Vistage Live, host Stephanie Christopher sits down with Michael Donoghue, founder of AdvisorAI, to demystify the critical journey of AI adoption for businesses. Drawing from his 16 years of expertise in fintech, digital payments, and AI innovation, Donoghue provides a pragmatic roadmap for organisations navigating artificial intelligence. The conversation cuts through the hype and confusion, offering clear guidance on how businesses can strategically approach AI integration, emphasising the importance of understanding AI's transformative potential across entire organisations, large or small.

The discussion offers a practical approach to AI adoption, highlighting key strategies such as developing simple yet comprehensive AI policies, focusing on staff education, and embedding AI across all departments. Donoghue challenges business leaders to look beyond technological complexity and instead view AI as a powerful tool for strategic planning, creativity, and productivity.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into how to upskill employees, ensure data security, and proactively prepare for the significant technological shifts expected in the coming years, with a particular focus on 2025 as a pivotal moment of AI transformation.