In this episode of The Mindful CIO Podcast, host Nathalie Heynderickx is joined by Angela Anthony, Executive General Manager of IT & Digital at DuluxGroup. With over three decades of global tech and transformation experience, Angela offers an inspiring and practical view of what human-centred leadership looks like in the modern CIO role.
Angela reflects on her multicultural family, global career, and what it means to lead with presence, empathy, and humility. She discusses the core values of the Mindful CIO Manifesto — particularly diversity, sustainability and humanity — and how they guide her leadership every day.
She unpacks the true meaning of diversity — going beyond gender to embrace diversity of thought, background, and neurodiversity. Drawing from roles in aviation, health, and manufacturing, Angela shares how diverse teams outperform by covering blind spots and building richer solutions.
We also explore self-care as a leadership practice. Angela reveals her daily rituals — Pilates and regular dog walks — and the importance of reclaiming time for wellbeing in order to show up fully for her team and strategic challenges.
A passionate mentor and people developer, Angela shares stories about the leaders who saw her potential before she did — and how she now pays it forward. We discuss how mentoring and coaching aren’t just altruistic — they create stronger, more resilient organisations.
From navigating complex stakeholder relationships to driving global transformation, Angela speaks candidly about the non-technical side of tech leadership. She highlights the power of storytelling in building buy-in and bringing change to life across all levels of the organisation.
She also tackles the challenges of cybersecurity, data readiness, and the ethical adoption of AI — calling for shared accountability, clear role clarity, and keeping humans firmly in the loop.
Angela’s leadership mantra? Be humble, be present, and be a great storyteller.
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🎬 IN OUR EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome to The Mindful CIO Podcast
01:47 Meet Angela Anthony: Global Tech Leader at Dulux Group
03:15 Personal insights: A “United Nations” family story
04:47 Why diversity, humanity, and sustainability matter more than ever
05:46 Diversity beyond gender - culture, thought, and neurodiversity
06:26 Avoiding the “mini-me” trap in leadership
10:21 Self-care rituals: Pilates, dog walks, and walk-and-talks
14:00 Leadership role models from Barack Obama to workplace mentors
17:00 Mentoring future leaders and quieting the inner critic
24:18 Leading change with a human-centred lens
33:46 Current challenges in AI, data, and cybersecurity at Dulux Group
43:00 Responsible AI - ethics, bias, and keeping humans in the loop
50:50 Final reflections on humility, presence, and storytelling in leadership
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🎙️LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AUDIO PODCAST
✦ Website: https://mindfulcio.community/podcast/
✦ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/mindful-cio-podcast/id1765106205
✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gomcBWSDwdfoEZeZD7Usu
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🔗CONNECT WITH ANGELA ANTHONY
* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasanthony/
In this episode of The Mindful CIO Podcast, Nathalie Heynderickx sits down with Miranda Ratajski, CIO of Group Business Units at Westpac. With a career spanning 25+ years across global industries, Miranda is recognised for her transformative leadership and her advocacy for diversity and psychological safety in tech.
Miranda opens up about her unlikely leadership training — managing 80 teenage girls at Coles as a teen herself — and how that experience shaped her understanding of empathy, communication, and self-awareness.
A core focus of the conversation is healthy culture, one of the four pillars of the Mindful CIO Manifesto. Miranda shares how she fosters psychological safety across Westpac, using skip-level meetings, feedback forums, and inclusive listening techniques to ensure every voice is heard — especially those less inclined to speak up.
She also talks about her self-care practices, including teaching yoga, walking her dogs mindfully, and allowing herself the grace of imperfection. Her honest take on managing energy — not just time — offers valuable insight for leaders navigating complexity.
Miranda reflects on her role in advancing diversity at Westpac, where she sponsors the Diversity in Tech and Accessibility programs. She discusses the success of the “Empower Up” returnship for women re-entering the workforce and Westpac’s long-standing leadership in gender and inclusion. Her mindset: diversity is not optional — it’s a non-negotiable.
On the topic of non-technical challenges, Miranda addresses the real work of prioritisation. From managing competingdemands to knowing when to say no, she offers practical strategies grounded in purpose, transparency, and courage.
She closes with a reminder that true leadership isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters, sustainably. And her favourite quote from Dr. Seuss says it all: “Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
🎬 IN OUR EPISODE:
00:00 – Introduction to the Mindful CIO Podcast
01:00 – Meet Miranda Ratajski: CIO at Westpac
03:00 – Early Lessons in Leadership: Managing 80 Teenage Girls
04:50 – The Mindful CIO Manifesto and Building a Healthy Culture
07:20 – Creating Psychological Safety and Diverse Spaces
09:00 – What COVID Taught Me About Energy and Inclusion
10:20 – Self-Care Routines, Yoga Practice, and Being Present
13:00 – Compassionate Leadership and the Inner Critic
15:00 – Great Leadership Role Models: Authenticity, Integrity & Vision
18:00 – The Power of Empowerment and Situational Leadership
20:00 – Early Resilience: Family, Education and Belief
22:30 – Attracting Talent and Winning Investment Through Clarity
25:00 – Portfolio Mindset: Prioritisation and Saying No
27:00 – Driving Diversity in Tech: Empower Up and Accessibility
30:30 – Final Reflections: Sustainable High Performance in Tech Teams
🎙️ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AUDIO PODCAST
✦ Website: https://mindfulcio.community/podcast/
✦ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/mindful-cio-podcast/id1765106205
✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gomcBWSDwdfoEZeZD7Usu
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🔗 CONNECT WITH MIRANDA RATAJSKI
* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandaratajski/
In this episode of The Mindful CIO Podcast, Nathalie Heynderickx connects with Adam Carthew, Chief Information Officer at Service Victoria and one of Australia’s Top 50 CIOs (2021 to 2023). With a career spanning executive roles at ANZ, Coles Financial Services, and Target Australia, Adam brings a rich perspective on the human side of tech leadership, especially within the shifting dynamics of government and the digital age.
Adam shares his compelling transformation from being “the smartest person in the room” as a solution architect to becoming an empowering, people focused leader. He reflects on a pivotal moment when coaching helped him shift his leadership centre of gravity from self-validation to team outcomes, sparking a lasting change in how he develops others.
Drawing on personal stories, Adam explores how diversity of thought, managing up as well as down, and responding humbly to feedback are essential traits for today’s CIOs. He unpacks his leadership philosophy using a unique metaphor: the Maremma dog versus the Border Collie, illustrating the difference between trust led leadership and fear-based management.
From transitioning between the private and public sectors to navigating AI adoption in government, Adam shares insights on sustainable digital delivery, responsible innovation, and building high performance cultures. He opens up about the pressure of big transformations, leading through crisis, and his belief that “leadership is about behaviour, not title.”
This episode is rich with practical advice for aspiring and seasoned CIOs alike on aligning teams to purpose, leading with humility, and creating cultures where discretionary effort thrives.
Quote of the episode:"Leadership is about who you are. Management is about what you do." – Adam Carthew
🎬 IN OUR EPISODE:
00:00 – Introduction to the Mindful CIOPodcast
02:50 – Meet Adam Carthew: CIO at Service Victoria
03:09 – A Surprising Start: Missionary Work and Early Leadership Lessons
04:13 – Reflections on The Mindful CIO Manifesto
05:46 – The Power of Diversity and Challenging Your Thinking
07:11 – From Architect to People Leader: A Career-Defining Shift
11:09 – Coaching, Humility and the Journey from “Smartest” to “Most Effective”
11:43 – Managing Up, Building Influence and Navigating Perception
12:21 – Staying Grounded: Golf, Family and What Really Matters
16:45 – Private vs Public Sector: Leadership Lessons from Both Worlds
20:59 – Leading Through Crisis: Building a New Team at Target
26:58 – Influence Without Authority: The ANZ Asia-Pacific Story
30:23 – Responsible AI in Government and the Role of Policy
35:57 – The Maremma Metaphor: Leadership by Trust, Not Fear
41:09 – Final Thoughts: Advice for Aspiring Tech Leaders
🎙️ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AUDIO PODCAST
✦ Website: https://mindfulcio.community/podcast/
✦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMindfulCIO-Community
✦ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-cio-podcast/id1765106205
✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gomcBWSDwdfoEZeZD7Usu?si=d5c28da86c984e2a
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🔗 CONNECT WITH ADAM CARTHEW
In this episode of the Mindful CIO Podcast, host Nathalie Heynderickx speaks with Jorge Silveira, a multi-award-winning senior executive recognized for his transformative work in healthcare, automotive, government, and technology sectors. Jorge shares personal anecdotes from his childhood in Brazil and reveals his lesser-known passions for painting, sculpting, and songwriting.
The conversation delves into the principles of the Mindful CIO Manifesto, particularly the support for leaders' growth, and how Jorge fosters a culture of trust and empowerment within his teams. He emphasizes the importance of passion, belief, and behaviour alignment in leadership. The discussion also explores the role of CIOs and CDOs in the age of AI, stressing the need for multidisciplinary oversight and business acumen. Jorge highlights the critical need for organizations to understand their core purpose and align their AI strategies accordingly. This episode offers profound insights into leadership, vulnerability, and the responsible implementation of AI in tech.
🎬 IN OUR EPISODE:
00:00 Introduction to the Mindful CIO Podcast
00:15 Meet Jorge Silveira: A Visionary Leader
03:14 Personal Insights: Beyond the LinkedIn Profile
04:45 The Mindful CIO Manifesto
04:52 Empowering Leadership and Growth
09:00 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership
17:02 Self-Care Strategies for High-Pressure Roles
22:00 Building Strong Team Relationships
22:51 The Sinkhole Metaphor: Supporting Each Other
28:10 Childhood Lessons
33:03 Inspiring Leadership: Role Models and Mentors
38:48 The Importance of Purpose inCareer Choices
41:50 Non-Technical Aspects of TechLeadership
47:44 Learning About a New Organisation
51:23 The Ownership of AI in Organisations
56:55 Keys to Leading High-Performing TechTeams
01:05:21 Final Thoughts and Farewell
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🎙️LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO OUR AUDIO PODCAST
✦ Website: https://mindfulcio.community/podcast/
✦ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMindfulCIO-Community
✦ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-cio-podcast/id1765106205
✦ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gomcBWSDwdfoEZeZD7Usu?si=d5c28da86c984e2a
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🔗 CONNECT WITH JORGE SILVEIRA
In Episode 4 of the MINDFUL CIO podcast, we spoke with Hani Arab, CIO of Seymour Whyte, an award-winning Australian company.
Hani shared his journey from civil engineering in the construction industry to his current role as CIO. He reflected on how leadership in the tech sector has evolved and offered his perspective on servant and mindful leadership.
As a mature leader, Hani emphasised the importance of empathy and adaptability. He discussed how understanding the unique needs of your team and fostering a culture of camaraderie can unlock their full potential. He also highlighted the drawbacks of micromanagement and command-and-control leadership styles, advocating for empowering teams to drive long-term success.
Our conversation was genuine, thought-provoking, and packed with invaluable leadership insights. We trust it will inspire you to adopt some of Hani’s wisdom and take your own leadership journey to the next level.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:56 Guest Introduction: Hani Arab
03:35 Hani's Career Journey
05:30 Personal Insights and Hobbies
07:45 The Mindful CIO Manifesto
08:07 Servant Leadership
08:27 Empathy and Leadership Styles
10:32 Downsides of Micro-managing
12:01 Curiosity and Ongoing Learning
14:15 Command and Control leadership
15:49 Self Care Activities and Routines
16:37 The Power and Benefits of Pause and Prayer
19:31 Roles Models and Inspiration of Great Leadership
23:08 With Great Power comes Great Responsibility
25:24 Sustainable High Performance
28:55 Leading Change and Communicating the Vision
29:40 Stakeholders Relationship Development
31:55 Defining the Future State in a New Role
33:46 A Critical Habit for Successful Leadership
36:25 Engaging the Board with Hard Metrics and ROI
39.15 Getting to Know Your Team and Their Motivations
42:27 Final Thoughts – Snippets of Wisdom
Connect with Us:
Follow the podcast for more discussions on Mindful Leadership in Tech. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our latest episodes!
Links from this episode:
• Connect with Hani Arab on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/hani-arab/recent-activity/articles/
• ADAPT Interview with Hani Arab - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwczvU50jgk
• SIT-DOWN Roundtable with Hani Arab - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Bzl5b9KX8
• Nat’s LinkedIn article on Servant Leadership - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-servant-leadership-nathalie-heynderickx/
#Sefcare #Empathy #ServantLeadership #MindfulLeadership #Podcast #CIO # CTO
In this episode, Henrik Mitsch, VP Digital at Elli Volkswagen Group Charging, discusses his journey from career-driven to purpose-driven leadership. He shares insights from his pioneering work in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and energy trading on the European stock exchange.
Henrik also reflects on his transformative experiences at MIT Sloan School, highlighting the role of systems thinking in addressing complex business and climate challenges. Drawing on lessons from professors John Sterman and Frances Frei, he explores frameworks for building trust and resilience within tech teams.
Henrik details his unique approach to team development, incorporating 5-minute learning sessions on topics like non-violent communication, active listening, bias handling, and delegation. He emphasizes the power of open communication, empowerment, and aligning individual goals with company objectives, fostering a supportive environment for high-performing teams.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:36 From Career-Centered to Purpose-Oriented Focus
05:52 Elli: The Volkswagen Group Charging Company
06:25 Transformation of the Automotive Industry
06:55 Bi-Directional Charging Capabilities
08:44 Mobility, Sustainability, and Climate Change: There Is No Planet B!
10:44 The Mindful CIO Manifesto: The Role of IT Leaders
11:44 Focus and Presence
13:50 Tai Chi and Mindfulness
16:07 The MIT Sloan School Experience
16:50 Professor John Sterman: Systems Thinking
17:31 Professor Frances Frei: The Trust Triangle Framework
20:55 Human Skills: 5-Minute Learning Segments
22:40 Nonviolent Communication, Handling Bias, Levels of Listening, and Delegation Poker
25:18 Leading Change
25:26 Building a Shared Understanding
25:50 Seeking the Truth and Reaching Small Agreements to Collaborate and Learn
28:27 Purpose: Start with the "Why" – Purpose Can Be Found Anywhere
30:50 Feedback: The Radical Candor Framework by Kim Scott
35:35 Delegation Poker: The 7 Levels
39:35 Managing Competing Demands and Priorities
40:40 Systems Thinking: Awareness-Based Systems Change
41:56 Empowering the Edges
42:31 Professor Frances Frei: What Do You Need to Be Wildly Successful?
Connect with Us:
Follow the podcast for more discussions on Mindful Leadership in Tech. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our latest episodes!
Links from this episode:
· MIT Sloan School - https://mitsloan.mit.edu/
· Non-Violen Communication (NVC) - https://www.cnvc.org/
· Professor Frances Frei (HBR) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesfrei/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVeq-0dIqpk
· The Trust Triangle – https://hbr.org/2020/05/begin-with-trust
· Radical candor by Kim Scott - https://www.radicalcandor.com/
· TED Talk – Mike Robbins (high expectations and high nurturance) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2WKQWG_Dg
· Delegation Poker - https://management30.com/practice/delegation-poker/
· TED Talk - Simon Sinek | Start with Why - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA
· Professor John Sterman on Systems Thinking – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3_3IRcgt-8
· Handling bias (purple flag) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEP7_BeXH64
· Levels of Listening – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kFjKUmIVps
#Mobility #Sustainability #TechforGood #MindfulLeadership #Podcast #CIO # CTO
Join us for an engaging conversation with Ben Allwood, CIO of IPD Group, as he shares his inspiring journey from engineering and robotics to leading digital transformation. Ben's passion for technology extends to his home life, where he encourages his children’s interest through hands-on projects.
In this episode, we explore the key elements of a healthy work culture and effective leadership. Ben draws from historical examples to highlight the importance of open communication and respect, even during disagreements. He also shares his strategies for maintaining balance while managing the demands of multiple time zones.
We'll discuss how to preserve company culture amid technological advancements, as well as the critical roles of cybersecurity, AI and data governance. Join us for this insightful discussion on creating a unified and innovative organization.
Chapters
00:00-Introduction
01:50-Interview starts
03:03-Ben’s Journey
07:39-His Baptism by Fire at IDP Group
10:14-Reflections on the Mindful CIO Manifesto
11:06-Defining Healthy Culture
13:53-Self-care and Delegation
16:28-Boundaries and Time Zones
17:57-The Power of Pause
21:24-Acquisitions, Culture and Tech
28:16-Cultural Fit vs. Cultural Diversity
33:34-Board Engagement, Cyber and AI
41:36-Technology as an Enabler
42:15-Successful Change Management
45:02-Outgrowing your role and organization
47:19-Closing Remarks
Connect with Us:
Follow the podcast for more discussions on Mindful Leadership in Tech. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our latest episodes!
Links from this episode:
IDP Group - https://ipdgroup.com.au/
Ben Allwood LinkedIn Profile - www.linkedin.com/in/ben-allwood-65095419IDP
AICD – Australian Institute of Company Directors - https://www.aicd.com.au/
The Mindful CIO Manifesto 1.0 - https://mindfulcio.community/manifesto-1-0/
The Mindful CIO Manifesto 2.0 - https://mindfulcio.community/manifesto-2-0/
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team (healthy conflict) – Patrick Lencioni - https://www.amazon.com.au/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Fable/dp/0787960756
#MindfulLeadership #Podcast #CIO # CTO
--------- EPISODE SUMMARY ---------
What if the key to successful tech leadership lies not in your technical skills but in your ability to understand and motivate people? This episode of the Mindful CIO Podcast features Andrew Ogbourne, an IT veteran whose career spans across publishing, insurance, and community services. Andrew takes us on a journey from his academic roots in physics and maths to his present role where he emphasizes the human elements of technology leadership. Discover how technology serves as an enabler rather than the star of the show and gain insights into creating sustainable, inspiring work environments.
Andrew shares the principles of the Mindful CIO Manifesto, advocating for the power of emotional intelligence and the importance of recognizing neurodiversity within teams. By understanding personal motivations and valuing different strengths, leaders can cultivate a high-performing and enjoyable workplace culture. We explore how caring about employees can lead to greater commitment and discretionary effort, and why human skills often trump technical proficiency in effective leadership.
Finally, the conversation shifts to the complexities of leading organizational change and the importance of prioritization and adaptability. Andrew underscores the necessity of self-acceptance, self-compassion, and empathy, drawing inspiration from Kristen Neff’s work. Learn how to embrace uncertainty, plan flexibly, and lead with vulnerability to foster trust and open problem-solving within your team. This episode offers a comprehensive guide to human-centered tech leadership, blending personal anecdotes with practical advice to ensure productivity and well-being.
--------- REFERENCES ---------
• Andrew Ogbourne LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aogbourne/
• Kristen Neff research on self-compassion - https://self-compassion.org/the-research/
• Martin Seligman – Achievement, one of the 5 pillars of holistic wellbeing - PERMA Model - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/perma-wellbeing-model-nathalie-heynderickx/
--------- ENTITIES ---------
• Make a Wish Foundation – https://www.makeawish.org.au/
Murdoch Children's Research Institute - https://www.mcri.edu.au/
• Deloitte Australia - https://www.deloitte.com/au/en.html
--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------
(0:00:03) - Leadership in Tech
(0:10:10) - The Mindful CIO Manifesto - Human Skills over Technical Prowess
(0:24:10) - Building Empathy and Positive Relationships
(0:32:50) - Leading Change
(0:41:03) - Leading With Focus and Adaptability
(0:48:37) - Embracing Uncertainty in Leadership
--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------
Tech Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Human Skills, Positive Workplace, Neurodiversity, Organizational Change, Purposeful Organizations, Sustainable Work Environments, Mindful CIO Manifesto, Empathy, Positive Relationships, Self-Acceptance, Self-Compassion, Kristen Neff, Empowering Work Environment, Leading Change, IT Departments, Prioritization, Adaptability, Vulnerability, High-Performance Teams, Eisenhower, Humility, Problem-Solving, Leading by Example, Mindfulness Meditation
--------- EPISODE SUMMARY ---------
Welcome to the Mindful CIO podcast! Join me, your host Nathalie Heynderickx, as we explore the human side of tech leadership and what it takes to lead high-performing tech teams mindfully and sustainably. With over 15 years of experience in tech leadership across Fortune 500 companies in Brazil and Australia, I now wear many hats as an executive coach, founder of the Mindful CIO community, and educator in positive psychology. In this episode, I introduce the podcast's purpose and format, including monthly interviews with inspiring tech leaders from diverse industries. Together, we will learn about their professional journeys, leadership experiences, and the keys to success for mindful and sustainable leadership.
In this episode, I share my personal journey, from my beginnings in Rio, navigating various tech roles in Brazil and Australia, to my transformative experience with corporate mindfulness training. You'll hear about my career milestones, the challenges I faced, and the pivotal moments that led me to specialize in mindfulness-based leadership. Listen in as I recount the best and worst leadership. Whether you're a seasoned tech executive or an aspiring leader, this podcast aims to inspire and equip you with the strategies and lessons needed to elevate your tech leadership impact in the age of AI.
--------- EPISODE KEYWORDS ---------
Mindful CIO, Tech Leadership, Mindfulness, Mindful Leadership, AI, Professional Paths, Leadership Experiences, High-Performing Teams, Sustainable Leadership, Executive Coach, Positive Psychology, Mindful CIO, Corporate Mindfulness Training