Vistage Member Stories

Sara Blunt

CEO, Kalyra Communities

Sara led Kalyra Communities to become the first in Australia to open a co-located aged care facility and primary school, achieving regulatory approval within 18 months and creating opportunities for meaningful interaction between older residents and young students.

Rodney Frost

Group CEO, The Lamson Group

The Lamson Group transformed from a traditional trade printer into a diversified communications and automation business, expanding operations across Australia and the Philippines while maintaining its core values of trust, integrity, and partnership.

Anne-Marie Sutton

CEO, NXP

‘Vistage has been a completely different ballgame for me. It’s not just about networking or hearing useful speakers. It goes another layer deeper into how I lead, how I manage, and how I change my approach so the business performs better.

One of the biggest benefits has been being able to talk openly with people in similar roles. Leadership can be lonely, and Vistage creates a space where people are willing to be challenged, be uncomfortable, and share the real gritty issues. That’s where so much of the value comes from.’

Shane Kelly

R&D, Kelly Tillage Australia

‘Vistage became my board, my mentors and my peers as I grew a business twenty fold in a regional area of South Australia. I needed to surround myself with interesting and challenging people who could help me understand and shape a company that grew in isolation, where I couldn’t go for a coffee with a colleague or mentor, where I couldn’t benchmark or call in for inspiration. Our journey from farming to manufacturing in three continents and servicing the globe was supported at every step by the skills, the relationships, the challenging and care that Vistage provided.’

Bill Maloukis

Managing Director, Construction Specialties Australia

‘Vistage’s structured peer advisory model has been instrumental in my growth as a leader and has made a significant difference to how I approach challenges and opportunities. I highly recommend Vistage to any executive or C-suite leader seeking an impactful development experience.’

Alister Haigh

CEO, Haigh’s Chocolates

‘I have been a member of Vistage (previously TEC) since 1996 and when I joined, we were a small family company with no outside Board directors.  I joined not only to improve my management and leadership skills but also to set our company up for future generations.  Our sales and profits are now ten times what they were then, we have 3 non-executive directors, including a non-family Chair on our Board and a very strong non-family executive team thanks to what I have learnt over the years, mainly through Vistage and my great Chair Keith Brooks.’

Craig Furness

CEO, TAI Insurance

‘The difference with Vistage versus other groups I’ve been in is that it asks for a different level of commitment — to yourself and to the group. In other groups, you could drift in and out and be half committed. They were more about coming along, listening to an interesting presenter, and hearing good stories. Vistage feels very different. It’s about real challenge, real growth, and real development — both for you personally and for the business.’

Chris Nelson

Managing Director, Juicebox

Chris grew Juicebox from a small start-up into a nationally recognised digital agency by embracing innovation, educating clients on digital transformation, and strategically expanding services. With a hybrid and specialised workforce, the agency is positioned for ongoing growth, including international markets such as Singapore and Indonesia.

Danie Blom

Founder, Accesstel

‘Vistage provides the opportunity to learn from others and as a leader, if you don’t have a network of CEOs you don’t know what’s happening in other businesses. Seeing similar problems tells me that I’m not unique and that we’re okay. Making time to think about the business is so valuable, and has allowed me to work on the business rather than in the business.’

Timna Kerr

Sales Director, GAMA Healthcare

‘Planning and being held accountable is magic, I actually get to stop, sit down and map out professionally and personally, what is it that I want to do in the next 12 months. It makes such a difference.’

Ben Tindale

Owner, JSJ Roofing

‘What I value most is the emotional clarity Vistage creates. On difficult days, my cohort helps me reframe problems and find solutions I couldn’t see alone. On good days, they push me to think bigger. And because we meet monthly, I’m forced to carve out a dedicated day to step back, reflect, and work on the business instead of in it—a habit that’s transformed how I lead. If you’re a leader craving honest feedback, a safe space to be vulnerable, and a structured way to rise above the daily grind, Vistage is worth every moment. It’s not just a peer group; it’s the sounding board every CEO needs.’

Bronwyn Condon

Managing Partner, Marsh & Partners

The alignment of people strategy with business objectives has led to improved performance and client satisfaction. The firm’s focus on strategic development has positioned it for sustainable growth and success. The integration of Vistage’s insights has led to a more dynamic and resilient organisational culture, with increased employee satisfaction and retention.

Scott Johnson

CEO, BLIS Technologies

‘I’ve been in other CEO groups before, and Vistage is different. Other groups can be useful for networking and speakers, but that wears out over time. What Vistage gives me is a trusted environment where I can be vulnerable, get underneath the face-value issue, and be genuinely challenged to become a better leader. The one-to-one sessions are a big part of that too — the real value often comes from the third or fourth question, not the first answer.’

Marty Matassoni

Managing Director, Beechworth Bakery

‘Before joining Vistage, our business grew rapidly but struggled with people issues, structure, and profitability. Now, four years later, profitability has doubled, and our business is stronger and less reliant on me. Interacting with like-minded leaders in my group has shown me better ways to succeed. Joining Vistage requires commitment, readiness to change, and effort, but the results are clear.’ 

Ross Sardi

CEO, First Focus IT

Ross has strengthened First Focus, the leading Managed Service Provider, by cultivating a high-performing leadership team and including senior employees in the Key Executive Program to improve decision-making and operational efficiency. The company continues to grow its client base, deliver innovative IT solutions, and maintain a resilient, future-ready culture, while empowering the next generation of leaders.

Ben Friedlander

Head of Quality, Mentholatum Australia

‘My ability to look at trends in the future and see around corners has probably increased dramatically as well, because Vistage provides me with great insights from others that are in senior positions that are not in our industry, that have had great experiences.’

Frank Caruso

Founder, Caruso’s Natural Health

Frank Caruso transformed Caruso’s Natural Health from a single store into a nationally recognised brand, implementing robust systems, expanding product lines, and building a high-performing team, while sustaining growth and delivering high-quality natural health solutions.

Aisha Punga

CEO, Toitu Envirocare

“What makes Vistage so valuable is the unique combination of coaching, peer support, and expert speakers. It’s not just a place to talk through ideas — it’s a structured, practical forum that helps get to the real issues and find ways to solve them.

I was initially worried about taking a full day out each month, not now. I look forward to having a full day to work on the business. Vistage has become a valuable contributor to moving our business forward.”

Ala Mobedi

Founder, Mentor Healthcare

Ala Mobedi grew Mentor Healthcare from a sole trader operation into a 60-employee organisation by implementing strong policies, enhancing service quality, and building a self-sufficient leadership team, allowing the business to scale while staying true to its values.

Jim Prior

CEO, Holloway Group

‘The quality of the members in my group is first class. The high level of camaraderie amongst has been a highlight. Everyone genuinely cares for each other and therefore the issue processing sessions are impactful and valuable. The speakers have all been excellent and my one-on-one time with my Chair has been enjoyable. Something I haven’t really had throughout my career.’

Steve Alley

Director, Di Marca

‘The last 25 ‘wonderful’ years in Vistage has allowed me to be exposed to such a wide range of businesses, individuals, and talented presenters. The value and support I’ve received over my business and personal journeys has been exceptional and exactly what I needed along the way. I’ve made some great friends that I still stay in contact with and on reflection, I can’t imagine running my brand agency without the support and guidance Vistage offers.’

Craig Thomas

Managing Director, Caribou Lighting

‘Being part of Vistage has been transformative for my business. Joining in 2017, after acquiring Caribou Lighting in 2011, I sought a structured peer advisory group to navigate the challenges of business ownership. Vistage provided just that—a confidential environment where I could engage with like-minded, driven, and diverse business leaders. Overall, Vistage has not only shaped my company but also significantly improved my business acumen, providing a platform for continuous growth and learning.’