‘Mentoring a young immigrant entrepreneur as he built confidence, gained skills, and launched a successful business was incredibly rewarding. Seeing him recognised for his passion and talent—and realising he was finally more than ‘enough’—was all the reward I needed. That sense of joy and self-respect is the ‘whole person’ experience of success I strive to bring to every Vistage member I mentor, whether they’re just starting out or well into their journey.’

Vanessa Cullen is a seasoned strategist and business design expert with more than two decades of leadership in impact and innovation. As Founder and CEO of Forward-Thinking Design (FTD), Vanessa has built a nationally recognised consultancy that supports Boards, owners and senior management in shaping successful organisations and their environments.

Vanessa’s leadership spans both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, blending both lived experience and professional acumen. Vanessa is currently a Director on the boards of PKD Australia and the Animal Justice Party Ltd, and serves on committees of the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Living Evidence Collaboration, Australasian Kidney Trials Network and Design Institute of Australia.

A published author and respected thought leader, Vanessa is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors who believes in paying forward the education and mentoring that has shaped their career and business success to date.

Vanessa brings deep cross-sectoral, ‘boots on the ground’ experience, from governance to strategy and design to risk mitigation, research, stakeholder experience and advocacy. Vanessa’s wide-ranging expertise and person-centred, values-driven approach make for an insightful and empowering peer advisory champion.

Career highlights

• Over 20 years in the business of supporting others to succeed
• Founder and CEO of Forward-Thinking Design (FTD), an award-winning Certified Social Enterprise (now also trading as FTD Circular)
• A portfolio career sitting on multiple national boards and committees spanning health, animal welfare, design and sustainability
• Polymath with specialities in governance, SME and social enterprise strategy and management, design thinking, research, stakeholder experience and engagement, brand positioning, ESG impact, advocacy, circular economy, built environment, retail, hospitality/F&B, professional services
• Graduate of Harvard Manage Mentor Plus and the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.