WA Leaders aims to inspire the next generation of leading privately-owned companies in Western Australia.
Since 2006, more than one thousand privately-owned companies have benefitted from this unique and immersive experience.
With the right guidance and support, you too can fast-track your desired personal, professional and business outcomes.
The WA Leaders podcast features business owners and industry experts, telling their own stories and providing tips on running successful organisations in beautiful Western Australia.
Dr. Paula Smith, Global Institute of Training and Presenting
In this episode of the WA Leaders podcast, host Charlie Gunningham interviews the "speaking lady" of Perth, Dr. Paula Smith, to discuss her 40-year career in business and the nuances of influential communication in the booming 2026 Western Australian economy. Dr. Smith, founder of the Global Institute of Training and Presenting, shares why many senior executives struggle with public speaking and offers strategic tips such as the rule of primacy and recency and the importance of using frameworks over "death by PowerPoint". The conversation explores her journey from starting a personal development school at age 19 to completing a PhD in leadership, while also touching on her personal philosophy of "quiet leadership" and her recent 1,000-kilometer trek across the Camino Francis in Spain. This episode, recorded at Podwave Studios in Leederville, serves as a masterclass for leaders looking to enhance their visibility and reliability through the power of speaking.
Guest: Dr. Paula Smith
Website: paulasmith.com.au, gitp.com.au, paulasmith.com.au
Interviewer: Charlie Gunningham
Recorded at: Podwave Studios
For more information on WA Leaders, please visit waleaders.com.au
#WALeaders #PerthBusiness #BusinessLeadership #WestAustralia #PublicSpeakingTips #InfluentialCommunication
15 Dec 2025
Michael Malone, the iiNet story
Founder and former CEO Michael Malone recounts building iiNet into a major internet service provider in Western Australia, navigating competition and challenges in an interview with Charlie Gunningham.
1 Dec 2025
Sophia Rossow, Spring Safety
Sophia Rossow of Spring Safety discusses the increasing importance of psycho-social safety in workplaces due to recent legislation changes in an interview with Charlie Gunningham.
17 Nov 2025
John Blake, John Blake Sales Breakthrough Solutions
Sales consultant John Blake discusses his sales system, revealing a simple yet overlooked method for converting sales inquiries, in an interview with Charlie Gunningham.
3 Nov 2025
Richard Kain, Complete Corporate Health
Richard Kain of Complete Corporate Health discusses providing emergency medical attention to workers, highlighting the increasing importance of telehealth, software, and psychosocial treatment, in an interview with Charlie Gunningham.
20 Oct 2025
Dawn Russell, The Heartware Group
Dawn Russell of The Heartware Group discusses her mission to help businesses match the right people to the right roles for increased happiness and success in this interview with Charlie Gunningham.
6 Oct 2025
Paul Mulroney, Logical Developments
Paul Mulroney shares his journey from market gardening roots to leading a software development business, emphasizing the importance of holistic business acumen in this interview with Charlie Gunningham.
22 Sept 2025
Tony Friday, Brainbox
Tony Friday of Brainbox discusses embedding staff within client businesses and emphasizes kindness towards staff, customers, and the community in this interview with Charlie Gunningham.
1 Sept 2025
Tracy Fryer, Perth Design Studio
Charlie Gunningham interviews Tracy Fryer, founder of Design Studio Perth, about building a thriving branding business during the pandemic and embracing bold life changes.
11 Aug 2025
Michael Watts, To Be Advisory
Host Charlie Gunningham interviews Michael Watts of To Be Advisory about his journey from corporate finance to operational efficiency and business growth.
21 Jul 2025
Emma Burdett, Huddle Up Creative
Emma Burdett of Huddle Up Creative discusses her journey setting up a brand and marketing agency, post GFC, with interviewer Charlie Gunningham, revealing how businesses can define their brand.
30 Jun 2025
Andreas Kettemann, 3D Wealth
Andreas Kettemann of 3D Wealth discusses his journey from Germany to establishing his financial advisory business in Western Australia, in an interview with Charlie Gunningham.
9 Jun 2025
Michael Masterson, Intrinsika
Michael Masterson, Intrinsika founder, shares his unique perspectives on identifying, valuing, and protecting a company's intrinsic assets that drive future value in an interview with Charlie Gunningham.
19 May 2025
Lauren Gonzalez, Aveling
Lauren began her career as a physiotherapist in the public health sector before joining Aveling, her family’s 28 year old business, in 2006. Working her way up from the ground level, she recently took over as MD 18 months ago. What’s it been like taking over as the second generation leader?
“A lot of support networks that I have, it’s not just about the professional side, it’s more about your personal site as well. Work and your personal side always mesh together…” ~ Lauren Gonzalez.
~~
Guest: Lauren Gonzalez, Aveling
Website: https://www.aveling.com.au
Interviewer: Charlie Gunningham
Recorded at: The Hub, Technology Park, Bentley WA 6102
For more information on WA Leaders, please visit www.waleaders.com.au
28 Apr 2025
Suzzanne Laidlaw, Business Coaching and Business Planning
Gifted in sports and full of confidence, Suzzanne left home at 17 to move across the country to sell encyclopedias. She quickly became the leading salesperson in the country. Better yet, she met her future husband Tony in the job, going on to great success in business and property investment together. Then the GFC hit, and to recover she set up a successful business coaching firm, which she has been running for the last 15 years.
“Sometimes dogged determination without research can lead to ignorance and falls, but the ones that I’ve seen be very successful are very determined. They don’t get scared by failure but they are very deep in their investigation to cover every alternative." ~ Suzzanne Laidlaw
~~
Guest: Suzzanne Laidlaw
Web site: https://www.suzzannelaidlaw.com.au
Suzanne’s Book: What’s your plan?
Interviewer: Charlie Gunningham
Recorded at: The Hub, Technology Park, Bentley WA 6102
For more information on WA Leaders, please visit www.waleaders.com.au
31 Mar 2025
Lachie Stretton, KBI Group
In this our third episode, we talk with Lachie Stretton, Director at KBI Group, insurance brokers.
Insurance - what a subject! Lachie takes us through his journey from the banking world into insurance. In fact, he was lured into his current insurance company after arranging finance for their founder years earlier. Never burn bridges...
"I would say business operators need to be aware of technology, and being more comfortable with it. It's not an age thing, but a lot of people are just scared of technology, and really should be excited to use it as a tool to make your life easier, better and more productive." ~ Lachie Stretton.
~~
Guest: Lachie Stretton, KBI Group: https://kbi.com.au
Interviewer: Charlie Gunningham
Recording: The Hub, Technology Park, Bentley WA 6102
For more information on WA Leaders, please visit www.waleaders.com.au
17 Mar 2025
Graham Hall, A Guy I Know
In this our second episode, we talk with the founder of A Guy I Know, Graham Hall.
Originally from the UK, he set up a business in Western Australian that helps organisations deliver training that (actually!) engages staff. In a fun talk through his life and work, Graham's infectious enthusiasm shines through.
"So at 4 o clock in the morning, in Joondalup, if anyone's on the road, be careful because there is a middle aged man with an electric skateboard with light, hooning, carving across the road, and it is amazing and I love it, and that is every morning, I literally have that thrill, I love it." ~ Graham Hall.
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Guest: Graham Hall, A Guy I Know: https://www.aguyiknow.com.au
Interviewer: Charlie Gunningham
Recording: The Hub, Technology Park, Bentley WA 6102
For more information on WA Leaders, please visit https://www.waleaders.com.au
23 Feb 2025
Rupen Kotecha, WA Leaders
In this our first episode, we talk with the founder of WA Leaders, Rupen Kotecha.
Rupen talks about his early upbringing in Kenya, his move to Wales for university, then working in London, before ending up in Western Australia where he founded the CFO Centre, and then WA Leaders.
"The entrepreneur spirit I've seen here in WA is amazing because WA goes through feast and famine, it's got these cycles, but the business owners are making it through those ups and downs. They've got the grit to get through it. It's pretty amazing to see it." ~ Rupen Kotecha.
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For more information, please visit www.waleaders.com.au
Interviewer: Charlie Gunningham
Recording: The Hub, Technology Park, Bentley WA 6102
Who has been a guest on WA Leaders
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Michael Malone
Sophia Rossow
John Blake
Richard Kain
Dawn Russell
Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100
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