At Tradewind Australia, we know that the strength of the social services sector lies in its people - not only the dedicated professionals on the frontline, but also the leaders who guide organisations with vision, empathy, and determination.
These leaders shape how services are delivered, how communities are supported, and how meaningful change is achieved.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new blog & podcast series, Leadership Spotlight. Through this series, we’ll be speaking directly with leaders of social services organisations to bring their stories, insights, and experiences to life. Our aim is twofold:
For job seekers: to give you a deeper understanding of the organisations you may one day join. You’ll discover what they stand for, the culture they foster, and the impact you could be part of.
For organisations and leaders: to provide a genuine platform to showcase your mission, attract talent, and build awareness of the incredible work being done in the sector.
Each edition of Leadership Spotlight will explore:
The organisation’s story and the communities it serves
The impact they aim to create, and the challenges they’re tackling head-on
The personal leadership journey of the CEO/leader - from their early career to the boardroom
Why their organisation is a great place for people who want to make a real difference
By shining a spotlight on these leaders, we hope to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and innovation within the sector, while helping job seekers and professionals connect with organisations where their skills and passion can thrive. For our client partners, it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your voice in the market and position your organisation as an employer of choice.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Charlie Spendlove on Leading for Lasting Social Impact
In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Charlie Spendlove, CEO of Vinnies Victoria, joins us to explore leadership, social impact and what it takes to lead one of Victoria's most recognised community organisations at a time of growing need.
Drawing on a career spanning government, disability services and the for-purpose sector, Charlie reflects on the experiences that have shaped her as a leader, her transition into the CEO role, and how commercial thinking and social purpose can work together to build stronger, more sustainable organisations.
The conversation also explores some of the challenges facing Victorian communities today. Charlie discusses Vinnies Victoria's focus on shifting from crisis response towards prevention, the importance of collaboration between government and the community sector, and why addressing homelessness requires us to look beyond housing alone.
Charlie also shares her perspective on building high-performing teams in purpose-driven environments, the extraordinary contribution of volunteers, and what gives her optimism about the future.
Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about leading with purpose, influencing systems, and creating lasting social impact.
Read the Blog! (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/blog/2018/10/leadership-spotlight-episode-six-charlie-spendlove-ceo-of-vinnies-victoria)
View our live jobs (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/jobs) - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.
Submit a job vacancy (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/register-vacancy-social-work) - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.
Connect with the Tradewind Team (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/contact) – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Jul 2026
Leadership Spotlight: Ben Spooner on Curiosity, Courage & Leading with Humanity
In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Ben Spooner, Chief Operating Officer at St John of God Accord, shares a refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, personal growth and the future of disability services in Australia.
Drawing on more than two decades across allied health, disability and leadership, Ben reflects on the lessons that shaped his career. From early leadership failures and learning to replace certainty with curiosity, to discovering that play, compassion and humility are essential ingredients of high-performing teams.
The conversation also explores the evolving role of the NDIS, what genuine inclusion looks like in practice, and why great leaders create environments where people feel valued, empowered and able to grow.
Whether you're leading a frontline team, an organisation or simply looking to become a better leader, this episode offers practical insights, thoughtful reflection and a reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about asking better questions.
Tune in for a conversation that will challenge how you think about leadership, resilience, inclusion and what it truly means to lead people well.
Loved this episode? Let's keep the conversation going.
Read the Blog (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/blog/2026/07/leadership-spotlight-episode-five-ben-spooner-coo-of-st-john-of-god-accord) – Explore the key leadership insights from Ben's conversation.
View our live jobs (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/jobs)– Discover the latest disability, community services and health opportunities across Australia.
Submit a job vacancy (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/register-vacancy-social-work) - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.
Connect with the Tradewind Team (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/contact) – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Jun 2026
Leadership Spotlight: Jason Trethowan on Youth Voice, Leadership and the Future of Mental Health
In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Jason Trethowan, CEO of headspace, shares his leadership journey from hospitals and community health into leading one of Australia's most recognised youth mental health organisations.
Jason reflects on how his leadership style has evolved over time, the lessons learned from leading through growth and change, and why he believes the best leaders don't solve problems alone-they create environments where teams can solve them together.
The conversation explores the growing complexity of youth mental health, the challenges facing Australia's health and community services workforce, and the opportunities technology presents in supporting young people. Jason also discusses the importance of keeping young people at the centre of decision-making, sharing how youth voices influence everything from local service design to national strategy at headspace.
View our live jobs (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/jobs) - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.
Submit a job vacancy (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/register-vacancy-social-work) - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.
Connect with the Tradewind Team (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/contact) – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Jan 2026
Leadership Spotlight: Andrea Christie-David on Values-Driven Growth
In this episode of Leadership Spotlight by Tradewind Australia, Andrea Christie-David, Director of Mental Health at Bupa, delivers powerful insights on purpose-led leadership, scaling social impact, and building a modern workplace culture that unlocks human potential.
Andrea shares how early experiences in law, social justice, and entrepreneurship shaped her beliefs about meaningful work, and how pivotal moments in her career redirected her toward advocating for families, children, and communities whose needs aren’t met by mainstream services.
Listeners will gain practical perspectives on talent acquisition, particularly the urgent reforms needed to strengthen Australia’s care and allied health workforce—from paid placements to improving recognition of overseas qualifications. Andrea also explores Bupa’s innovative shift toward a whole-of-person model for mental health, bringing multidisciplinary care together under one roof to improve access, outcomes, and long-term wellbeing.
Tune in for an inspiring episode that will challenge how you think about leadership, impact, and the future of mental health care.
Loved this episode? Let’s keep the momentum going - Read the Blog! (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/blog/2026/01/leadership-spotlight-episode-three-andrea-christie-david-of-bupa)
View our live jobs (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/jobs) - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.
Submit a job vacancy (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/register-vacancy-social-work) - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.
Connect with the Tradewind Team (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/contact) – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Dec 2025
Inside Unison: James King on Leading with Purpose
We’re excited to continue the Leadership Spotlight podcast series with James King of Unison - an inspiring leader transforming how social housing is delivered in Victoria. In this episode, James reflects on the evolution of his leadership since stepping into the not-for-profit sector, the power of values-driven partnerships, and the profound impact that safe, stable housing can have on a person’s life. From bold reforms to award-winning projects and a renewed focus on people-first decision-making, James offers rich insights into what it truly means to lead with purpose.
Loved this episode? Let’s keep the momentum going - Read the Blog! (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/blog/2025/12/leadership-spotlight-episode-two-james-king-of-unison)
View our live jobs (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/jobs) - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.
Submit a job vacancy (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/register-vacancy-social-work) - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.
Connect with the Tradewind Team (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/contact) – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Nov 2025
Inside Neami: A Conversation With CEO Tom Dalton
In this episode, we speak with Tom Dalton, CEO of Neami, about the future of community mental health in Australia. Tom shares his unconventional path into leadership, the lessons he learned along the way, and how emotional intelligence and reflection shape his approach as a CEO.
We explore Neami’s growth, their innovative lived-experience workforce, and the challenges facing the mental health sector, including funding gaps, workforce turnover, and the need for consumer-led outcome measures.
Tom also offers practical advice for anyone building a career in mental health or community services, and explains why collaboration, not competition, is essential for lasting impact.
Loved this episode? Let’s keep the momentum going - Read the Blog! (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/blog/2025/09/leadership-spotlight-episode-one-tom-dalton-of-neami-international)
View our live jobs (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/jobs) - Discover the latest mental health and community services opportunities across Australia.
Submit a job vacancy (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/register-vacancy-social-work) - Need great people now? Post your job and we’ll link you with standout sector talent.
Connect with the Tradewind Team (https://www.twrecruitment.com.au/contact) – Whether you’re a practitioner or a senior leader, our specialist consultants are here to help.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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