Live lead learn

Gail Kelly’s presence reaches far beyond her own profession. The first female CEO of one of Australia’s big four banks, listed by Forbes in 2010 as the eighth most powerful woman in the world, and mother of four (including triplets), Gail is celebrated as one of the finest, most innovative thinkers on leadership and workplace culture. In these personal, practical chapters, Gail shares what she has learned over her remarkable career, drawing from her personal and professional life. As a leader, she argues passionately for the importance of putting people and customers at the heart of a business; of leading with courage and generosity of spirit; and of resilience. Some of these lessons were learned at times of high pressure, and Gail takes us into her thinking as she led Westpac through the global financial crisis and the merger with St.George. But Gail’s voice speaks to each of us, whatever our role in life. She explores the absolute importance of loving what you do; learning to learn; backing yourself; and, most importantly, placing your family above all things. At the heart of Gail’s refreshing, authentic, integrated approach is how both individuals and companies thrive when they openly address the meaning of what they do, and understand the need to live a whole life. Live Lead Learn is the inspiring story of one of the world’s most prominent businesspeople. It is also the story of a Pretoria girl who started out as a Latin teacher before making a shift to banking. Her executive career in the financial services industry spanned 35 years, equally split between the two countries she loves – South Africa and Australia. Her first role was as a teller at the Simmonds Street branch of the SA Perm in Johannesburg. Her last role was that of CEO of Westpac in Australia. Gail describes her journey as an improbable one. It is certainly a fascinating one.

Gail Kelly holds a number of international roles: member of the Group of Thirty, the Global Board of Advisors to the US Council on Foreign Relations, member of the PLuS Alliance Advisory Board and the McKinsey Advisory Council, senior global adviser to UBS and director of Woolworths Holdings in South Africa. In addition, she is a director of Australian Philanthropic Services, an adjunct professor at the University of New South Wales, and ambassador for women’s empowerment for CARE Australia. Gail retired as CEO of the Westpac Group in February 2015, which marked the culmination of her 35-year career in banking. She is married to Allan and they have four children.

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