219 Zena Burgess - Chief Executive Officer at Australian Psychological Society

In this episode of the Arete Executive Podcast, I speak with Dr Zena Burgess FAICD FAPS, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Psychological Society, about her leadership journey across psychology, governance, and health reform. Zena shares how she scaled APS into a digitally enabled organisation with influence at state and federal levels, while also balancing a diverse board portfolio that includes Diabetes Australia, Bully Zero, and a psychedelic start-up. We discuss the importance of advocacy, how to navigate ambiguity as a leader, and why coaching, networks and patience are essential for long-term success. Zena also reflects on gender barriers she overcame early in her career, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and why aligning heart and mind is the key to effective profit-for-purpose organisations. Key Timestamps 00:20 – CEO role at APS: representing 26,000 psychologists, influencing government, and transforming the organisation’s digital capability. 02:33 – Board portfolio: Diabetes Australia, Bully Zero, and psychedelic start-up work in PTSD and pain. 06:26 – Early life: convent school, father a judge/hostage negotiator; learning resilience through debate and gender barriers. 10:44 – First CEO role at the College of GPs: stepping up when her CEO retired; focus on enabling teams. 12:59 – Preparing for leadership: continuous learning through Harvard, Columbia, INSEAD, and working with business coaches. 15:24 – Proud RACGP achievements: resolving 25-year GP training issue, influencing government policy, advancing mental health reforms. 23:31 – APS transformation: raising external profile, digitisation, and stronger student/emerging leader engagement. 26:29 – Advocacy philosophy: patience, persistence, and aligning ideas with others to achieve change. 28:09 – Best career advice: “learn the grey,” embrace uncertainty, tolerate imperfection, and learn to say no. 35:08 – Diabetes Australia as a model: blending lived experience with commercial discipline; why it’s rare and effective.

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