In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle unpack the essential steps for purpose CEOs can take at the start of the year to set up 2026 for success. From strategic reviews to leadership rhythm, stakeholder planning, budgeting and personal sustainability, this conversation is a practical roadmap for CEOs who want to lead with intention.

• How to start the year without carrying last year’s exhaustion
• Reviewing your strategic plan, assumptions and operational progress
• Mapping your calendar, meetings and leadership rhythm
• Reviewing budget performance and preparing early for forecasting
• Funding acquittals: avoiding mid-year scrambles
• Planning stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Choosing your CEO “signature project” for the year
• Building sustainability: personal commitments, boundaries and holidays
• Clearing old to-do lists and setting realistic goals

Connect with us:

LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn

Website: thenfpceo.com.au

Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn

Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

In this special end-of-year episode, Michelle and Danielle wrap up 2025 with a look at the most downloaded episodes, the hottest topics for new and aspiring CEOs, and the insights listeners told us mattered most. From CEO reporting to board relationships to organisational culture, this episode reveals what resonated deeply with nonprofit leaders across Australia, the United States, New Zealand and beyond.

We’re incredibly grateful for your time, feedback and encouragement in 2025. What started over a quick coffee turned into a global community of CEOs and leaders committed to doing good work, better.

We’ll see you on 8 January 2026 for more The NFP CEO - Season 2!

Connect with us:

LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn

Website: thenfpceo.com.au

Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn

Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

When a real crisis hits your not for profit, the first 24 hours are everything. In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle bring back crisis-communications expert Luke Starr to break down exactly what CEOs can do when things go wrong. From the moment you realise you’re in trouble, through to stabilising operations, managing staff anxiety, communicating with stakeholders, dealing with regulators and media, and rebuilding trust afterwards.

This is a practical, no-fluff, deeply actionable conversation designed to help you lead with confidence when the pressure is on.

In this episode, we cover:

• What to do in the first moments of a crisis
• Escalation to the board
• When to start communicating (and when to pause)
• Legal and contractual obligations
• Scenario planning before the crisis hits
• Communicating with staff during a crisis
• Stakeholders and client communication
• Facing the media (without melting down)
• Rebuilding trust after the crisis
• Turning a crisis into an opportunity

Guest: Luke Starr, Principal Consultant from Phronesis Consulting: Phronesis | Full service communications digital marketing agency in Sydney

Related Episode:

Leading Through Crisis: Preparation is what you can control, with Luke Starr

Connect with us:

LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn

Website: thenfpceo.com.au

Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn

Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn