Transformation in Turbulent Times with Former Telstra CEO Andy Penn

Transformation continues to be the word at the top of leaders’ minds. Whether it’s due to changes in technology with AI, market shifts, the regulatory landscape, or unexpected global events, leaders are looking to transform their organization’s operations and culture to be more agile, innovative, and resilient.

In today’s Redefiners, Marla Oates and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic talk with former Telstra CEO and managing Director, Andy Penn, about how he led the transformation of Australia’s largest telecommunications company. Andy shares what it was like stepping into the CEO role at Telstra at a turbulent time for the company, its customers, and the board. He talks about the key lessons he learned leading a multi-year company-wide transformation effort, and how he put the right team and culture together to get it done. He also talks about his current roles in cybersecurity, providing critical insights on how to prepare for and deter cyber-attacks.

We’ll also hear from Tuck Rickards, a leadership advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates, who will discuss what he believes is the leadership formula for effective AI transformation.

Andy Penn
Former CEO, Telstra

Andy is a non-executive director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Coles Group, Chair of Visit Victoria, and a Member of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria. He is a Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company and a Special Adviser to Quintessence Labs and a member of the Advisory Board of Glow Financial Services. Andy is a Member of the Board of the Office of National Intelligence Top Secret Cloud Program, Australian Signals Directorate’s REDSPICE program and the Quad Investors Network of the American Frontier Fund. Andy was also the Chair of the Expert Advisory Boards for both Australia’s 2020 and 2023 National Cyber Security Strategies.

From 2015 – 2022, Andy was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company. Prior to his role as CEO, Andy was Telstra’s Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive International.

Before joining Telstra in 2012, Andy spent 23 years with AXA, one of the world’s largest insurance and investment groups. From 2006–2011 Andy was Group Chief Executive Officer of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings, a top 20 ASX (Australian) listed company responsible for the Group’s operations in the Asia Pacific region and was a member of AXA Group’s Executive Committee.

Andy started his career at the P&O Shipping Group based in London and spent nine years in finance and strategy roles.

Andy has received numerous awards during his career and in 2023, he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day honors for distinguished service to business, charitable organizations, youth and the arts.