15 Minutes with the Boss

Jess Saxby, CEO of Banjo's Bakery Cafes, led a major rebrand of the family-run chain and balances business with family life. She talks about stepping into leadership, spotting inconsistent store standards, using a business coach and ChatGPT for productivity. Jess also opens up about hitting burnout and the boundaries she put in place to recover and support her team.

Shane Bracken, CEO of Subway Australia & New Zealand and veteran quick-service leader, talks daily routines, international moves and decisive choices that reshaped a franchise business. He discusses managing timezones and trust, keeping momentum when making tough calls, hands-on accessibility with staff, and the ten growth levers used to expand the brand across Australia.

Ruslan Kogan, founder and CEO of Kogan.com, built a consumer-electronics e-commerce group from private-label roots. He talks about his morning fitness rituals, a culture of continuous improvement, decision-making under uncertainty, the COVID inventory crisis that nearly sank the business, and the company’s fast-fail, iterate approach to leadership and promotion.

Lisa Chiba, CEO of Momentum Energy and seasoned energy-sector leader, reflects on a career-defining divestment that taught resilience. She discusses communication and transparency during upheaval. She also covers balancing family and executive life, the value of soft skills, and hiring to uncover candidate self-awareness.

Joseph Healy, former senior banker and co-founder of Judo Bank turned CEO of Malu Health, reflects on leadership from NAB, ANZ and Citi to fintech founding. He talks morning routines, risk management, the harm of outsourcing core tech and analysis, talent retention and succession, and why he shifted focus to mental health after personal loss.

Maud Page, director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and seasoned arts leader, reflects on career turning points and leadership transitions. She discusses morning routines and work-life balance. She shares advice on voicing ambition, navigating restructures with care, and a personal regret about not speaking up while pregnant. She also imagines international First Nations impact work.

When Sanjeev Gandhi was called into the office of German chemical company BASF’s managing director, the young salesman was “tentative and concerned”. It was a meeting that would go on to change the course of his career. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten sits down with the CEO of mining services giant Orica to find out how an unexpected opportunity paved the way to executive leadership. This week’s episode was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Bronte Campbell knows a lot about high-stress situations. But for the co-founder and CEO of sustainable athleisure company Earthletica, there are a few techniques she draws on no matter the circumstance. On this week’s episode, BOSS editor Sally Patten finds out how this athlete-turned-chief executive deals with high-stakes events – in the pool and the office. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing director Dan White says his first day working alongside his father and brother at Australia’s largest real estate company was surreal. A fourth-generation, family-run business, Ray White dominates the country’s competitive property market. In this week’s episode of the new season of 15 Minutes with the BOSS, host Sally Patten sits down with the property leader to find out the perks and challenges of working with family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pete Findlay, CEO of Bega Group, shares insights from his journey in the food industry, emphasizing the significance of brands like Vegemite. He discusses his 5am mornings, the importance of mental preparation, and his focus on protein-rich diets. Findlay explores leadership evolution, arguing for the value of emotional intelligence over traditional metrics. He rejects the tough negotiator stereotype, advocating for respectful interactions and community support during transitions. Lastly, he reflects on his passion for coaching and the joy of mentoring.