SYDNEY FPA Keynote - NOV 2026 - The NFP CEO: In Person CEO Insights - The conversations behind the conversations

You may have listened to THE NFP CEO podcast. Now, join Michelle and Danielle in person for an interactive conversation that takes you beyond the podcast and into the issues sitting at the heart of NFP leadership.

Michelle and Danielle launched THE NFP CEO in March 2025 to be the kind of partner they wished they had during their own leadership journeys.

With more than 30 years of collective executive experience across the health, legal, community and care sectors, they know first-hand that leading a purpose-driven organisation can be incredibly rewarding, but also complex, demanding and, at times, isolating.

Their belief was simple: by sharing their own experiences and creating a platform for other leaders to share theirs, CEOs across the sector could learn from one another, strengthen their leadership and ultimately increase the impact of their organisations.

Over the past 18 months, that idea has taken them into conversations with leaders across Australia and around the world. Through their globally listened-to podcast and their work across the sector, they have had a front-row seat to the realities of NFP leadership: the difficult decisions, competing priorities, board dynamics, people challenges and constant pressure to deliver impact today while building organisations that are sustainable for the future.

And while every CEO and organisation is different, three themes continue to surface:

 The Board: navigating relationships, expectations, accountability and the conversations that aren't always easy to have.

 Culture: creating an organisation where people can perform, belong and thrive, particularly through periods of pressure and change.

 Organisational sustainability: balancing mission and impact with people, financial resilience and the long-term health of the organisation.

This session brings those conversations off the podcast and into the room.

Rather than a traditional keynote, Michelle and Danielle will draw on their own leadership experience, alongside the insights, experiences and recurring themes they hear from CEOs, and invite you into the conversation.

Together, we’ll explore what leaders are grappling with right now, what sits beneath the strategy and board papers, and the challenges that CEOs don't always have many places to talk about openly.

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, share experiences with fellow CEOs and explore the issues most relevant to you and your organisation.

 Come with the questions you're navigating. Leave with fresh perspectives, practical insights and the reminder that many of the challenges of leading an NFP are shared by CEOs around the world.

The Sydney November keynote will be expertly facilitated by:

Michelle Cutler | Co-Host, The NFP CEO

Michelle is a former finance lawyer and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and currently acts as an advisor to social purpose organisations, where she helps boards and CEOs increase their impact and deliver on their strategic goals.

Her work encompasses advising for purpose organisations in governance, regulatory and compliance issues, data and financial management, community and stakeholder engagement, people and culture as well as funding.

She is a current board and executive advisor and has held senior leadership roles (CEO) across the health, legal and community sectors focused on service delivery, community and stakeholder engagement, growth and change management.

Danielle Ballantine | Co-Host, The NFP CEO

Danielle is an experienced for-purpose leader with expertise across aged care, disability, employment, vocational training, Aboriginal services and mental health. As CEO of Your Side, she has led significant growth and transformation, increasing turnover by more than 450% over seven years while expanding services and developing innovative models of care. Passionate about accessible, seamless and high-quality support for vulnerable Australians, Danielle is also a strong accessibility advocate, drawing on her lived experience of low vision. In 2025, she co-launched The NFP CEO, a podcast supporting new and aspiring CEOs in the for-purpose sector.

EVENT DETAILS: 

• Date: Thursday 5th November

• Time: 2.45pm - 4.00 pm followed by casual networking drinks 

• Location: Cliftons Event Space, Level 13 - 60 Margaret St, Sydney

PRICE: 

• FREE for FPA members (FPA Leadership HUB; Coaching; Associate Members only)

• $49 for Guests/Non-members 

Register/purchase your tickets below. We look forward to you joining us.