Without purpose there is only mediocrity, without a vision you are stuck in the harbour
Matt McDonald is a dynamic leader and visionary whose career spans across the corporate, education and maritime sectors. Currently the CEO of the Searoad Ferries Group, Matt is renowned for his strategic acumen, innovative mindset, and unparalleled leadership abilities.
With a background as a ship's captain, Matt has navigated some of the most challenging waters across the globe, commanding vessels through unpredictable and often perilous conditions. His firsthand experience at sea gives him a unique perspective on leadership, one that values resilience, quick decision-making, crisis management and an unwavering commitment to his crew's safety and success.
In the corporate arena, Matt has successfully leveraged his maritime expertise to transform Searoad Ferries into a leading player in the Australian tourism and maritime industries. Under his leadership, the company has embraced cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, setting new benchmarks for customer service, infrastructure delivery, operational efficiency, and community stewardship.
Matt’s innovative leadership approach is reflected in his numerous contributions to change and shape the maritime and tourism industries, both through his role as CEO, various board roles and strategic engagements.
As the Chair of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Matt is celebrated for his guidance and resilience during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Matt led the tourism industry in the world’s most locked down city, implementing innovative strategies and complex organisational change to ensuring the industry's survival and laying the groundwork for a robust recovery.
Matt is an energetic and insightful speaker, his insights on leadership, strategy, crisis management and innovation are relevant with audiences around the world. His captivating storytelling, drawn from real-life experiences at sea and in the boardroom, offers valuable lessons on navigating complex challenges and driving transformative change.
Matt holds a Ships Master’s license and an MBA, along with degrees in marine science and education. He is also a board member on several industry associations, where he continues to advocate for the advancement of the maritime and tourism industries. Matt is the Chair of the Waypoint Foundation, a charity dedicated to youth development onboard Tall Ships, building resilience, leadership, teamwork and mental health outcomes for young people.
Whether charting the course of a vessel through stormy seas or guiding a leading corporation through challenging times, Matt exemplifies the essence of strategic leadership and innovation. His profound impact on the maritime and tourism sectors underscores his reputation as a trailblazer and an inspiring leader.
Talking Points
Lead-a-ship: Vision and Strategy through the lens of a ship’s Captain
Ships have provided a platform for the largest changes in human history. They have given us the power to go beyond the village and explore the world. For over 2000 years humans have used ships to bring prosperity and change, and today we rely on them to move 80% of the worlds goods. This keynote draws on the learnings of ships captains and the structure and procedure onboard ships as a metaphor and case study for modern organisations.Lead-a-ship: Vision and Strategy through the lens of a ship’s Captain
In this presentation Matt challenges many of the current organisational norms and provokes critical thinking, strategic leadership and innovation.
Key Themes
- Leadership
- Strategy
- Culture
- Change Management
- Crisis Management
Suitable for
- Corporations
- Not-for-profits
- Business leaders
- Government /public sector
Key Takeaways
- Achieving success involves constant work and effort to maintain your course towards a vision.
- The structure and strategy of an organisation must direct effort in one direction, towards the vision.
- Culture and purpose are key to having staff committed to the journey
- Creating an environment where staff have autonomy and understand their role in the overall success
- Risk and Crisis management are key to growth, learning and rewards. Embrace risk and train to overcome adversity.
Leadership in Crisis
This keynote explores the challenges and crisis Matt has encountered in his career. His firsthand experience at sea gives him a unique perspective on crisis management and an unwavering commitment to his crew's safety and success.Leadership in Crisis
Matt also draws on his experience from the of the Covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of the Chair of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council. Matt led the board to implement innovative strategies and complex organisational change to ensuring the industry's survival and laying the groundwork for a robust recovery. In this keynote Matt explores the strategic change that was delivered and how a crisis became the turning point for an industry and its peak body.
Key Themes
- Strategy
- Change Management
- Leadership
- Government Advocacy
Suitable for
- Membership organisations/ peak bodies
- Not-for-profits
- Business leaders
- Government /public sector
Key Take Aways
- In the darkest of places great change and growth can occur
- When you are in a corner…. Fight
- Don’t waste a good crisis… Take a big leap, bring people onboard and create a new future
