The New For Purpose CEO

The relationship between a not-for-profit CEO and their board chair is arguably the most important leadership relationship. When it's working well, it creates trust, clarity and better governance. When it's under strain, it can affect decision-making, organisational culture, executive performance and mission impact.
In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle unpack the realities of the Chair–CEO relationship, exploring why tension develops, how CEOs can identify early warning signs, and practical strategies for strengthening one of the most critical partnerships in nonprofit leadership.
Whether you're a first-time CEO, an experienced executive, a board chair or a director, this episode offers practical advice for creating a productive, respectful and high-performing governance relationship.
In this episode you'll learn:
Why the Chair–CEO relationship is the foundation of effective nonprofit governance.
The common causes of tension between CEOs and board chairs.
How unresolved conflict impacts organisational culture, leadership teams and board effectiveness.
Why most Chair–CEO challenges are situational rather than personal.
How CEOs can identify the real source of conflict before it escalates.
The importance of regular communication and structured CEO–Chair check-ins.
How to have difficult conversations without damaging the relationship.
Why focusing on issues—not personalities—leads to better governance outcomes.
Strategies for working with an overcommitted board chair.
Practical advice for first-time CEOs building relationships with their board.
How experienced CEOs can support first-time board chairs while maintaining good governance.
What to do when your board publicly challenges your proposal or business case.
Why curiosity and inquiry are more effective than defensiveness in the boardroom.
How to receive criticism professionally and move discussions towards constructive outcomes.
Why understanding your Chair's communication and leadership style matters.
How to build trust over time through consistency, transparency and strategic alignment.

The most effective leaders avoid making disagreements personal. Instead, they remain focused on organisational outcomes, ask thoughtful questions and work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit the organisation.
When CEOs approach difficult governance conversations with curiosity rather than defensiveness, they strengthen both their leadership and the effectiveness of their board.
Connect with us:
LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn
Website: thenfpceo.com.au
Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn
Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

What keeps non-profit CEOs going when the pressure never seems to stop?
In this episode, we sit down with leadership researcher and resilience expert Dr Alison Taylor to explore one of the most critical capabilities for today's nonprofit leaders: resilience.
From funding uncertainty and workforce shortages to regulatory reform, board expectations and growing community demand, not for profit CEOs are leading in an environment where constant change has become the norm.
Dr Taylor explains why resilience is something you're born with AND a leadership capability that can be intentionally developed. Together, we unpack the practical habits, mindsets and systems that help leaders remain effective, make better decisions under pressure and sustain their wellbeing over the long term.
Whether you're a CEO, executive or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical strategies to move beyond survival mode and build resilience that lasts.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why resilience is a capability, not just a personality trait
The four pillars of leadership resilience
How to build and protect your resilience reserves
The role of trust in reducing leadership stress
How to build a strong support network as a leader
Moving from reactive leadership to intentional resilience
Why the skills that get you into a CEO role aren't always the ones that sustain you

Connect with The NFP CEO Podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with another nonprofit leader who could benefit from the conversation.
Strong organisations need resilient leaders—and resilience is something we can all continue to build.
LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn
Website: thenfpceo.com.au
Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn
Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

What does truly inclusive leadership look like?
In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle speak with Jo-Anne Hewitt, CEO of Achieve Australia, and Finn, CEO of Outloud and participant in the Disability Leadership Institute's CEO Internship Program.
They discuss how creating pathways for leaders with lived experience of disability strengthens organisations, improves governance, and challenges traditional ideas of executive leadership.
In this episode:
Why inclusive leadership is more than diversity.
How lived experience strengthens executive decision-making.
Practical ways CEOs can create more inclusive workplaces.
Lessons from the Disability Leadership Institute's CEO Internship Program.
Why challenging traditional recruitment and leadership pathways benefits everyone.

Whether you lead a charity, NDIS provider or other not-for-profit, this conversation offers practical insights into building stronger, more diverse leadership.
Disability Leadership Institute
Achieve Australia - tailored disability services 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

Many NFP leaders know they should be influencing government, yet too often advocacy becomes reactive, driven by crises, or focused on raising problems rather than presenting solutions.
In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle are joined by advocacy strategist Louise Yablsey to unpack what effective advocacy really looks like and how CEOs can build long-term influence with governments, departments and decision-makers.
Whether you're a CEO of a service provider, a peak body or a growing for-purpose organisation, this conversation provides practical advice on creating an advocacy strategy that delivers impact.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why advocacy is a core responsibility for many not-for-profit CEOs and not an optional extra.
The distinction between advocacy and activism.
Why the most effective advocacy strategies focus on influencing a small number of key decision-makers.
How to move beyond simply highlighting problems and instead present solutions government can act on.
Common advocacy mistakes that limit influence and waste valuable resources.
How CEOs can build trusted relationships with ministers, MPs, advisers and senior public servants.
Why advocacy should be embedded across your organisation's communications, not treated as a standalone activity.
Practical ways boards can support advocacy without becoming involved in day-to-day implementation.
Meaningful advocacy metrics that go beyond counting meetings and submissions.
How to measure influence, build credibility and strengthen your organisation's reputation over time.

Listen if you're:
A CEO or executive in the not-for-profit or for-purpose sector.
A board director wanting to better understand advocacy governance.
Leading an organisation through policy reform or funding change.
Building relationships with government or departmental leaders.
Looking to develop a more strategic and effective advocacy approach.

Subscribe to The NFP CEO for practical conversations on leadership, governance, strategy and the real-world challenges facing today's not-for-profit CEOs.
Louise Yabsley - Watt Advocacy & Communications
Complimentary Advocacy Template to get you started: So where do we start? Creating an effective advocacy strategy, not just a to do list - Watt Advocacy & Communications
Connect with us:
LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn
Website: thenfpceo.com.au
Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn
Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

Board papers are one of the most important tools a CEO has to support effective governance. Yet they're also one of the most common sources of frustration between CEOs and boards.
In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle unpack the three biggest complaints directors raise about board papers and share practical strategies CEOs can use to improve board reporting, strengthen board relationships, and drive better governance outcomes.
If you've ever heard feedback that your board papers are too long, unclear, too detailed, or not strategic enough, this episode is for you.
In This Episode
1. Unclear Purpose and Decision Requests
One of the most common director frustrations is reading an entire board paper and still not knowing:
Why they're receiving it
Whether a decision is required
What action they need to take
What feedback is being sought

A consistent board paper template can dramatically improve board engagement and decision-making.
2. Reporting Activities Instead of Insights
Many CEO reports become lengthy lists of meetings, activities, and operational updates.
The discussion explores how CEOs can structure reporting around strategic priorities and strategic pillars, helping directors connect operational activity to organisational outcomes and long-term strategy.
3. Hiding Risks in the Detail
Trust between a CEO and board can quickly erode when directors feel important information is buried in lengthy reports.
Rather than avoiding bad news, effective CEOs demonstrate leadership by showing that risks have been identified, assessed, and are actively being managed.
Takeaways for CEOs
✔ Make the purpose of every board paper clear from the first page.
✔ Tell directors exactly what you need from them - decision, discussion, feedback, or noting.
✔ Move beyond activity reporting and provide strategic insights.
✔ Structure CEO reports around strategic priorities rather than chronological updates.
✔ Report risks openly and explain how management is responding.
✔ Focus on helping directors govern strategically rather than drawing them into operational detail.
✔ Remember that effective board papers build trust, improve governance, and create better board conversations.
Download our free resource: NFP CEO Resources: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders
Connect with us:
LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn
Website: thenfpceo.com.au
Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn
Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn