15 Minutes with the Boss

Kristian Fok, the CEO of Cbus, leads Australia's $105 billion superannuation fund with a unique perspective shaped by his actuarial background. He discusses the challenges of navigating crises, like delayed insurance payments, and how these moments reveal the double-edged sword of leadership. Kristian emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking in decision-making and shares insights on the best growth sectors today, including AI and biotech. He also reflects on the difficulties of making tough people decisions, revealing the emotional weight behind leadership.

Professor Shelley Dolan, Chief Executive of Royal Melbourne Hospital, shares her journey from nursing to leadership, highlighting the challenges of managing stress in healthcare. She emphasizes the importance of trusting one's gut instincts in decision-making, recounting a pivotal moment when she corrected a pressured report that felt wrong. Dolan also discusses balancing short-term pressures with a long-term vision, daily stress management tactics, and her dedication to connecting with the hospital's diverse community. Plus, a glimpse into her unexpected path from aspiring theater director to nursing!

In this engaging discussion, Alex Pollak, Chief Investment Officer of Loftus Peak and a pioneer in tech investments, shares his journey from Macquarie Bank to focusing on disruptive technologies. He reflects on his life-changing meeting with SEEK founders and how it reshaped his approach to investment. Alex dives into the significance of machine learning, highlighting his 2016 investment in NVIDIA. He emphasizes the importance of culture in fund management and reveals his process for sourcing great investment ideas through unstructured conversations.

When it comes to her morning routine, Carolyn Creswell describes herself as a bit of a “biohacker”, trying out different types of alternative therapies. But it’s not just in the mornings that the founder of Carman’s Kitchen explores new ways to get the most out of each day; the chief executive is also looking to AI to boost the company's productivity. This week, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out about the career and lifestyle hacks of this muesli boss. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Koczkar reached exhilarating heights during the launch of Jetstar, but the stressful role came at a cost.  In this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the chief executive of Medibank to find out how he learnt a new, more mindful pace of leadership. This podcast was sponsored by 5 in 5 with ANZ podcast.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ready to retire at 45, everything changed for Monika Tu when she met her third husband and took on a whole new career. In this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the founder of property concierge Black Diamondz Group to find out how the celebrity agent rose to the top of luxury real estate. This podcast was sponsored by 5 in 5 with ANZ podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How I Made It is back with new hosts Lauren Sams & Yolanda Redrup. Join us to learn how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Teperson, Chief Executive of Baby Bunting and a former footwear retailer, shares his unconventional journey into retail. He reveals how a simple shoe sale shifted his career focus from finance to retail management. Mark discusses the resilience he developed through school challenges and emphasizes that time is the most valuable resource in career growth. He also highlights the influence of family on his choices and reveals his favorite interview questions that assess honesty and work style.

Clayton Utz chief executive partner Emma Covacevich always tells her grads to keep an open mind: sometimes your career “true love” can arrive in unexpected places. This week, the leader of one of Australia’s top-tier law firms speaks to BOSS editor Sally Patten about how an unexpected move to Melbourne helped propel her to partner at the age of 29. This podcast was sponsored by 5 in 5 with ANZ podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join celebrity chef Luke Mangan, an influential restaurateur in Australia with nine venues and five cookbooks to his name, as he discusses his remarkable journey through the culinary world. He shares the importance of resilience, revealing how he transformed setbacks into success and advocates for positive leadership and inclusivity in kitchens. Luke also reflects on morning routines that fuel creativity and the importance of detail in dining, emphasizing the need for adaptability and customer feedback in the ever-evolving restaurant landscape.