Empowering Leaders

This week we’re joined by Scott Parkinson, Head Assistant Coach at Seattle Reign FC in the US National Women’s Soccer League.
In this episode, Scott reflects on his career in high performance sport, and the huge impact working in women’s football has had on his life, leadership, and the way he approaches feedback and communication. You’ll also hear about his passion for championing women in sport, and why creating opportunities for others has become such an integral part of his leadership.
Scott explains why authenticity is a leadership superpower, how genuine human connection unlocks the best in yourself and others, and why treating people fairly doesn't always mean treating them the same.
There’s also Scott’s brilliant take on the Aleda Connect program as a form of ‘professional self-care’, and the childhood lesson from his grandfather that taught him why fairness, not winning, is the greatest victory of all.
Listen to our episode with Scott Kerr referenced in this episode here.
Listen to our episode with Chris Lendrum referenced in this episode here.
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We’re proud to have Scott as part of our Aleda Connect community.
Aleda Connect was created to provide unique collaborative opportunities for leaders at the top of their fields. We connect a small but diverse group of successful leaders who understand the challenges of high-level leadership. With them, they bring their willingness to share, learn and grow. Aleda Connect provides a supportive, confidential environment where creativity and connection thrive.
Ready to be in the room with exceptional leaders like Scott? Take the next step here: https://bit.ly/3IYnLrS
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re joined by performance strategy and innovation advisor, founder of Heretic Performance and the current Head of Innovation at the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Keith D’Amelio,
For over two decades, Keith has worked with some of the world’s top sporting teams and organisations, including the NBA’s Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, and Nike.
In this episode, he shares the mindset, habits and leadership principles that drive high performance, and provides insight into what truly separates the very good from the very best.
Keith discusses the key roles curiosity and clear communication play in impactful leadership and innovation, shares his experience in the Aleda Connect program, and tells us why so often, the best ideas are found when you venture outside your own industry.
You can find out more about Heretic Performance here.
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We’re proud to have Keith as part of our Aleda Connect community.
Aleda Connect was created to provide unique collaborative opportunities for leaders at the top of their fields. We connect a small but diverse group of successful leaders who understand the challenges of high-level leadership. With them, they bring their willingness to share, learn and grow. Aleda Connect provides a supportive, confidential environment where creativity and connection thrive.
Ready to be in the room with exceptional leaders like Keith? Take the next step here: https://bit.ly/3IYnLrS
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world designed to constantly capture our attention, learning how to focus has become one of the most valuable skills we can develop.
This week, Luke Darcy sits down with Dandapani, a Hindu priest, entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker and former monk who spent 10 years living and training in a monastery.
In this episode, Dandapani explains the important distinction between the mind and awareness, using simple imagery to reveal how, through practice, we can CHOOSE where our awareness goes, rather than allowing external factors to dictate it for us.
You’ll hear Dandapani’s thoughts on why focus is a skill that must be practised like any other, the powerful connection between purpose and priorities, and why undivided attention is one of the greatest gifts you can give another human.
To learn more about Dandapani's work and access some incredible resources, visit the dedicated gift page for the Empowering Leaders audience here.
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Aleda Connect was created to provide unique collaborative opportunities for leaders at the top of their fields. We connect a small but diverse group of successful leaders who understand the challenges of high-level leadership. With them, they bring their willingness to share, learn and grow. Aleda Connect provides a supportive, confidential environment where creativity and connection thrive.
Curious about Aleda Connect? Take the next step and find out more here: https://bit.ly/3IYnLrS
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s guest is Jess Bala, the former Managing Director of General Motors Australia and New Zealand.
In this deeply personal episode, Jess opens up about the devastating loss of her brother, beloved sports journalist Sam Landsberger. She shares how Sam’s passing has impacted her family, and shaped the way she approaches leadership, vulnerability and the relationship between work and life.
Jess tells us about her unwavering passion for the Western Bulldogs, and the special way football connected her family, and continues to today. She reflects on building a global career with GM, her experience working in the US alongside GM Chair and CEO, Mary Barra, and what she learnt about the importance of backing yourself.
This is a conversation that extends far beyond conventional leadership. It’s about family, love, loss, resilience, authenticity, and above all, making the most of the one precious life we have.
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Aleda Connect was created to provide unique collaborative opportunities for leaders at the top of their fields. We connect a small but diverse group of successful leaders who understand the challenges of high-level leadership. With them, they bring their willingness to share, learn and grow. Aleda Connect provides a supportive, confidential environment where creativity and connection thrive.
Ready to be in the room with exceptional leaders like Jess? Take the next step here.
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Luke Darcy sits down with one of Australia’s most respected investigative journalists and two-time Gold Walkley Award winner, Hedley Thomas.
For over four decades, Hedley has been pursuing stories that matter, with a career that has taken him from the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the groundbreaking investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Dawson in The Teacher’s Pet podcast.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the experiences that shaped Hedley’s career, including the influence of his parents on both his storytelling style, and commitment to facts and detail. He reflects on the personal connection between his family history and The Teacher’s Pet, and the impact of bringing renewed attention to criminal cases that have remained unsolved for decades.
Hedley openly discusses the personal toll that comes with covering traumatic events, his most terrifying moments, and reveals the surprisingly simple tool that helped him navigate his way through it all.
This is a truly insightful conversation about the pursuit of justice through storytelling, with a man dedicated to leading with genuine care and compassion.
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Aleda Connect was created to provide unique collaborative opportunities for leaders at the top of their fields. We connect a small but diverse group of successful leaders who understand the challenges of high-level leadership. With them, they bring their willingness to share, learn and grow. Aleda Connect provides a supportive, confidential environment where creativity and connection thrive.
Ready to be in the room with exceptional leaders? Take the next step here: https://bit.ly/3IYnLrS
Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.