vistage reviews
Leadership. Connection. Impact.
Our members aren’t just running businesses — they’re shaping industries, building high-performing teams and creating lasting impact. Vistage provides the space, guidance and peer support to step back, think strategically and take action on new opportunities.
See what members say about how Vistage has helped them grow revenue, strengthen leadership, improve culture and achieve measurable results through a trusted peer network.
VISTAGE REVIEWS
CULTIVATING HERITAGE, GROWING INTO THE FUTURE
Chris Tyrrell
CEO, Tyrrell’s Wines
Under Chris’ leadership Tyrrell’s Wines has strengthened its position as one of Australia’s most celebrated family wineries. It was topped Halliday’s Top 100 Wineries, named among the most-cellared wines in Australia, and continues to achieve strong growth while preserving its heritage and style.
BREAKING NEW GROUND WITH INNOVATIVE DESIGN
Sara Blunt
CEO, Kalyra Communities
Sara led Kalyra Communities to become the first in Australia to open a co-located aged care facility (Kalyra Woodcroft) and a primary school, achieving regulatory approval in 18 months, with positive community engagement and enriched life for both older residents and young students.
DIVERSIFYING FOR A FUTURE-READY BUSINESS
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.
GAINING PERSPECTIVE THROUGH A CEO NETWORK
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.’
The Conversations That Change How You Lead
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.’
GROWING A BUSINESS TWENTY-FOLD
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.’
THE POWER OF PEER INSIGHTS
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.’
FROM SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS TO GLOBALLY RECOGINSED BRAND
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.’
WHERE COMMITMENT MEETS GROWTH
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.’
TRANSFORMING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITY
Kirk Kikirekov
Managing Director, h-trak
Through peer support and executive coaching, Kirk transformed h-trak into a high-performing, client-focused healthcare technology company. His leadership evolution drove strategic clarity, team alignment, and operational growth, strengthening h-trak’s position in the healthcare sector.
GROWTH, INNOVATION, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
Jodie Hawkes
CEO, Bowhill Engineering
Jodie Hawkes strengthened Bowhill Engineering’s business performance and culture, enabling operational efficiency, growth, and a measurable positive impact on employees and the broader community. Demonstrating leadership that drives both economic and social impact.
SCALING SUCCESS WITH A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
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.
GAINING PERSPECTIVE THROUGH A CEO NETWORK
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.’
BREAKING OUT OF INDUSTRY SILOS
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.’
STEPPING BACK TO LEAD BETTER
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.’
Next-level leadership starts here
ALIGNING PEOPLE STRATEGY WITH BUSINESS SUCCESS
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.
Challenged to Lead Differently
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.’
DOUBLING PROFITABILITY THROUGH STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
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.’
DRIVING PERFORMANCE THROUGH PEOPLE
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.
PEER EXPERIENCE THAT SHAPES DECISIONS
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.’
Vistage Perspectives Magazine
FROM ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT TO INDUSTRY LEADER
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.
LEADERSHIP THAT DRIVES SOCIAL AND BUSINESS IMPACT
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.
COLLABORATION THAT DRIVES RESULTS
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.’
A PARTNER IN EVERY STEP OF THE JOURNEY
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.’
PEER SUPPORT THAT DRIVES SUCCESS
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.’
Better decisions start with perspective
Find out why our members rely on their peer advisory groups to make critical decisions, navigate their greatest challenges and unlock their biggest opportunities.