What does experience teach us about leading well?
There are some things about leadership you only learn by living them.
Through the decisions that stay with you. The people you have been responsible for. The moments that have tested you. The mistakes, the uncertainty, the change and the years spent learning when to hold on, when to let go and what really matters.
It’s Lonely at the Top brings together four extraordinary leaders with decades of collective experience for the kind of candid conversation we rarely get access to.
This conversation is not about polished leadership theory. It reflects the hard earned wisdom that only comes from years of experience.
Together they will explore some of the tensions that sit inside leadership at every level:
Privilege AND pressure
Confidence AND uncertainty
Care AND accountability
Visibility AND vulnerability
And share what experience has taught them about navigating those tensions along the way.
MEET THE LEADERS
Between them sits an extraordinary depth of experience:
Hosted by Jo Tarnawsky, former Chief of Staff to Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister
Bringing decades of experience across government, diplomacy and senior leadership, alongside a deeply personal perspective on speaking up, power and what can happen when workplace trust breaks down.
Steve Reid, Chief People Officer and Culture Officer, Australian Payments Plus
A deeply experienced People and Culture executive who has led through growth, transformation, M&A, start ups and scale ups, Steve now leads People and Culture across AP+.
Craig Banning: CEO, Director and Senior Wealth Adviser, Navwealth
With more than 30 years in financial services, Craig brings the perspective of a leader who has spent decades growing a business, guiding people and carrying responsibility for clients and teams.
Lara Bourguignon: CEO and Executive Director, Entregar Partners
Lara brings more than 25 years across banking, superannuation, insurance and wealth, including senior leadership roles with NAB, AMP and SuperConcepts.
Shelley Abrams Executive Director People & Culture, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Shelley has worked for RP International, PwC and Coles Group – before moving into the health space with roles at Medibank and, now, Lifeblood.
WHY BE PART OF THIS CONVERSATION?
If you lead people, you will recognise these tensions. It’s likely you may be navigating them right now.
And how often do we get the opportunity to hear leaders with this depth of experience step beyond the title, speak candidly about what leadership has taught them and generously share the wisdom they have earned along the way?
It’s Lonely at the Top is just one of the powerful conversations waiting for you across two days at The Thriving Workplace.
With just over two weeks to go, we still have a small number of places available.
We invite you to come and be part of two magical days designed to get beneath the surface of work, leadership and performance and into the conversations that really matter.
Join us at the 2026 Thriving Workplace – 27+28 August, Q Station, Manly
Check out the full program and what is in store over the two days, here.
We cant wait to see you there!