About Cassandra

Futurist. Chair. CEO. Advisor. Human.

I help leaders turn disruption into competitive advantage.

I’ve spent my career at the intersection of technology, governance, and global strategy—working with boards, CEOs, and governments to navigate uncertainty and transformation with judgment and courage. As a futurist—and former CEO and board chair—I bring strategic foresight grounded in real-world experience. I understand what it takes to lead when the old playbook no longer works.

My work has spanned advising the G20 (including the B20 Digitalization, Health, and Infrastructure Taskforces), NATO, and the United Nations, to guiding multinational corporations and investors through periods of profound change. I’ve addressed global forums including the European Union, the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the Aspen Institute.
Cassandra Kelly Business Coach

International Director & Advisor

CEO Meets Entrepreneur

Community Impact

International Director & Advisor

I chair the Treasury Corporation of Victoria, the state’s central financing authority. I serve as a founding member of the EU Global Tech Panel, appointed in 2018 alongside leaders from Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Siemens, and the World Economic Forum.

CEO To Founder

Drawing on experience as a financial services CEO and senior roles at McKinsey, HSBC, and Deutsche Bank, I co-founded Pottinger—an award-winning global advisory firm that has advised multinational executives and boards in major economies including the US, UK, Europe, Asia and Australia since 2003. I bring the perspective of someone who has run companies, not just advised them.

Community Impact

I co-founded The Glass Elevator, an initiative that connects, engages, and inspires women in industry and government. Most Top 100 multinationals in Australia have participated, including Unilever, Microsoft, Kraft, Virgin, and BHP. We have since extended this work to the United States through The Glass Elevator Executive Circles.
Working with women leaders across the globe has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. This work continues to be a priority as we accelerate their advancement and contribution.

Drawing on experience as a management consultant at McKinsey, investment banker at HSBC and Deutsche Bank, financial services CEO, entrepreneur and trusted advisor, I’ve come to value the balance between foresight and humility—and the discipline it takes to lead with both.

 

I was appointed as a founding member of the EU Global Tech Panel in 2018. I’m particularly thankful for the work we do there and for the lessons learned and friendships that came from co-founding Pottinger. Both continue to shape how I think about leadership, ethics, and impact across borders.


I’ve been recognized internationally as a leading voice on governance, leadership, and technology—named one of 12 directors to watch in North America (Directors & Boards), one of Australia’s Best Chairs, and one of the country’s most influential women in business. I was awarded the Order of Australia (King’s Honours List, 2019) for significant service to business through executive roles and as an advocate for gender equity.

 

I believe good leadership isn’t about control—it’s about courage, clarity, and care.
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My Philosophy

I believe good leadership isn’t about control—it’s about courage, clarity, and care.

The world is changing faster than leadership is. Boards and executives are making decisions in systems being rewired by technology, risk, and societal shifts—yet still relying on old instincts. My work is about helping leaders think differently about how we lead, decide, and govern in this new reality.

I guide my clients as a peer. My expertise in innovation, technology, sustainability, and financial services—alongside my experience as CEO, board chair, and entrepreneur—allows me to understand the complexity leaders face.

Through my newsletter Rewired, I create a place to think differently about how we lead, decide and govern in a world rewired by technology, risk, and societal shifts—helping leaders turn disruption into competitive advantage.

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