From Small Business Owner to CEO to Executive Coach

My leadership journey didn’t start in a corporate office. It started in my garage.

 

Over several decades, I scaled from a one-person operation to CEO of one of Queensland’s largest commercial energy companies — with factories in Australia and Thailand, partners across Asia, and projects delivered throughout the USA, China, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, and the Middle East.

Along the way, I:

  • Led national operations across Australia

  • Built systems installed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic venues

  • Developed benchmark heat-pump technologies still used today

  • Won the Queensland Energy Efficiency Award for design excellence

  • Oversaw major commercial energy projects and large-scale installations

  • Helped dozens of employees grow into leaders — with many building their own companies

But before all of that, I struggled. I lacked experience, confidence, and access to the kind of coaching leaders have today. My turning point came 38 years ago, when a mentor and a powerful coaching program changed everything.

Why I Founded Zilzie Executive Coaching

I built Zilzie to give leaders what I never had early in my career: a clear pathway to developing executive-level influence, clarity, and decision-making before the title arrives.

Since then, I’ve coached:

900+ leaders and executives

Across 212 global companies

In more than 4,500 coaching sessions

Leaders come to me because I’ve lived every part of the journey — from scrappy founder to global CEO — and I understand exactly what senior decision-makers look for when elevating leaders into top-tier roles.

The Executive Influence Ascension™

Coaching Program

A CEO-led coaching experience for leaders preparing for senior executive or C-suite roles.

What the Program Helps You Achieve:

  • Think and operate like an executive - Shift from task and performance thinking to enterprise-level judgement, decision-making, and scope.

  • Communicate with clarity, confidence, and authority - Frame ideas and decisions in a way that earns trust, alignment, and action at senior levels.

  • Build a powerful executive presence - Project calm authority and credibility so others orient around your leadership without effort or force.

  • Influence high-level decisions and stakeholders - Shape direction early by influencing how issues, risks, and opportunities are understood.

  • Lead strategically without overwhelm - Focus on what truly matters at the executive level while reducing noise, reactivity, and unnecessary workload.

  • Become the obvious successor for senior roles - Demonstrate readiness through expanded ownership, trust, and visible leadership at the next level.

Program Components

  • 1:1 Executive Coaching

    Personalised sessions focused on your behaviour, communication, presence, and mindset.

  • The Executive Influence Ascension™ Framework

    A step-by-step roadmap to build senior-level influence and performance.

  • Executive-Level Communication Coaching

    Board presentations, strategic messaging, difficult conversations, and senior stakeholder influence.

  • Leadership Performance Coaching

    Learn to navigate complexity, lead teams effectively, and operate at higher levels of strategic clarity.

  • Promotion Positioning & Career Strategy

    Identify your executive value proposition and develop a pathway to senior opportunities.

Who This Is For

  • Senior managers preparing for Director or GM roles

  • Leaders aiming for C-suite promotion or transitions

  • New executives needing to strengthen presence and influence

  • Technical experts shifting into strategic leadership roles

Expected Outcomes

Clients experience:

  • Accelerated promotion pathways

  • Increased visibility with executives

  • Higher leadership effectiveness across teams

  • Reduced overwhelm and increased strategic calm

  • Greater clarity and confidence in decision-making

  • Measurable improvements in influence and communication