Starting your first CEO role is never simple and stepping into one with a powerful purpose-driven mission adds an entirely new layer of expectation, and personal growth.

In this episode, Michelle and Danielle sit down with Alex Ksugas, CEO of Mojo Crowe to discuss what it really feels like to transition from the corporate world into leading a values-based organisation founded by Ben Crowe. Alex speaks openly about pressure, people-pleasing, decision-making, team culture, and redefining success as a leader. This is a deeply human, practical, and encouraging conversation for any CEO navigating uncertainty, complexity, and the constant visibility of leadership.

• The Reality of Being a First-Time CEO
• Leadership Visibility & Human Impact
• Managing pressure while remaining authentic
• What it’s like leading an organisation built on someone else’s life’s work
• Decision-Making, People-Pleasing & Tough Calls
• Letting go of others’ opinions without losing compassion
• Shifting from fear to curiosity when facing the unknown
• Why celebrating small wins protects you and your team from burnout
• Perspective-taking as a protective factor for CEO wellbeing

Guest: Alex Ksugas, CEO of Mojo • The Perspective Company

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 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

In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle speak with Dale Cleaver, CEO of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, one of Australia’s most trusted and recognisable nonprofit brands.

This conversation explores what it takes to lead a heritage brand through modernisation, manage cultural transformation, navigate shifting sector expectations, and balance emotional brand equity with the need for innovation.

What we cover:

1. The Privilege and Pressure of Leading a Trusted Brand

2. Culture, Values and Leadership Behaviour

3. Innovation, Technology and the Future of Mobility Support

4. Inside the Creation of See Way

5. Managing Change, Stakeholders and Internal Alignment

This episode is essential listening for nonprofit CEOs, executives and board members navigating organisational growth, cultural change and brand stewardship.

Dale offers practical insights into leading a purpose-driven organisation through modernisation while maintaining trust, authenticity and connection.

To learn more:

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

SeeWay

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 episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle explore the most common challenges CEOs face in managing their relationship with the board. While many boards function well, recurring issues can undermine organisational performance, decision-making and the CEO’s ability to lead effectively. This episode outlines the typical problems, why they occur, and practical steps CEOs can take to improve board dynamics and governance outcomes.

• Directors not reading board papers or coming unprepared
• Boards becoming too operational instead of focusing on strategy
• Repeated questions already addressed in reports
• Directors contacting staff directly and bypassing the CEO
• Attendance problems, late arrivals and rescheduling
• Boards resistant to organisational or governance change

A well-functioning board–CEO relationship is essential for strong nonprofit governance. By using the right tools, engaging the Chair, clarifying roles and building consistent processes, CEOs can address common board challenges and strengthen organisational performance.

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 crisis hits, your response as a not-for-profit CEO can define your organisation’s future.

In this episode of The NFP CEO, we sit down with Luke Starr from Phronesis Consulting, a crisis communications and reputation management expert with more than two decades of experience helping businesses and NFPs navigate tough moments.

Luke shares what every NFP leader needs to know about crisis preparedness, reputation management, and how to lead through uncertainty with confidence and clarity.

We cover:

Why every not-for-profit needs a crisis communications strategy and why ignoring it is a false economy.

The anatomy of a crisis: understanding how risk manifests and how reputation risk can threaten your organisation’s ability to operate.

Crisis readiness vs. crisis response: the essential mindset shift for CEOs and boards.

Valuing your “reputation capital” — and why goodwill from your community and funders can quickly vanish when trust is broken.

Business Continuity Plans (BCP) that includes a reputation and communications strategy.

The human side of crisis leadership: managing fear, maintaining trust, and leading with empathy.

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

Connect with us:

LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn

Website: thenfpceo.com.au

Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn

Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

First, congratulations on your CEO appointment!

Stepping into a new CEO role in the for-purpose (NFP) sector is exciting and intense. Forget the “first 90 days”, lets focus on your first 30 days that sets you up for leadership success. In this episode, Michelle and Danielle break down exactly what new and aspiring CEOs in the not-for-profit sector need to focus on when they first step into the chair.

From building relationships with your board chair and senior team to understanding your funding contracts, financials, risk registers, and culture dynamics.

Whether you’re about to start a new CEO role, preparing for your first leadership transition, or coaching someone through theirs, this conversation offers a detailed checklist of what to tackle in your first month.

What You’ll Learn

• How to prepare before day one, and why your “first day” starts earlier than you think
• The critical conversations to have with your board chair and executive team
• How to assess culture, capability, and risk in your first month
• The key documents every new CEO must review - from budgets to delegations to compliance
• Why stakeholder mapping and understanding your funding ecosystem is essential
• Managing pace, expectations, and decision-making when you’re “on a moving train”
• The importance of self-awareness, communication, and setting leadership tone early

Who This Episode Is For

• Newly appointed CEOs in the NFP or for-purpose sector
• Aspiring leaders preparing for their first executive role
• Board members or chairs onboarding a new CEO
• Consultants and advisors supporting leadership transitions

Connect with us:

LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn

Website: thenfpceo.com.au

Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn

Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn