Turning Down a Million Dollars Over a Nose Ring

It’s one thing to be told you can’t have it all. It’s another to be told you can’t be both a CEO and a mother. 

When an investor said exactly that to Dr Catriona Wallace, she didn’t flinch. She refused to choose and went on to found Flamingo AI, one of the world’s first artificial intelligence companies, becoming one of only two women in history to list a female-led tech company on the ASX. 

In this conversation, Catriona and I talk about what it takes to hold your ground in the face of sexism and scrutiny, how she stayed true to herself while leading a global company, and why she believes you can be both an ambitious leader and a present parent. 

We also dive into her work in ethical AI, exploring how she uses AI tools not just to improve productivity but also to reflect, make better decisions, and even coach her own AI companions toward self-awareness. 

Catriona and I discuss: 

• The investor who told Catriona she couldn’t be both a CEO and a mother - and why she refused to choose 

• The million-dollar investment she walked away from (because of her nose ring) 

• How she learned to lead without compromising who she is 

• What “non-linear thinking” looks like when you’re raising five kids while running a global company 

• How she uses AI companions for reflection, productivity, and even spiritual insight 

• The eight core principles that guide ethical AI development 

• Why authenticity - not conformity - is the future of leadership 

KEY QUOTES 

“The moment you start to compromise and change, more things will compromise and change - and you lose who you are.” 

“I’m in deep love with AI, even though I’m one of the people saying it might kill us - so we’d better do it ethically.” 

Connect with Dr Catriona Wallace on Instagram, LinkedIn, and via her website. 
Check out her book Rapid Transformation for more on how to embrace change through technology and leadership. 

My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/  

Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)  

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai)  

If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe  

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes.  

Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au  

Credits:  

Host: Amantha Imber  

Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler 

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