
Hosted by Craig Goldberg · EN

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Greg Gokavi-Whaley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-gokavi-whaley-30b4352/) to explore his fascinating journey into the world of risk and resilience. We delve into Greg's unique career path, which began with a move from music to financial services, eventually leading him to become a risk professional and CRO. Greg shares insights on the importance of creativity and design thinking in risk management, emphasising the need for an agile mindset and innovative approaches. We also discuss the evolving role of resilience in risk management and how it requires a holistic, system-wide perspective. Throughout our conversation, Greg highlights the value of maintaining a creative outlet, like music, to balance the analytical demands of the profession. Join us for an engaging discussion on navigating the complexities of risk and resilience with creativity and strategic thinking.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Jag Narayan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagnarayan/) on the sidelines of RMIA 2026 in Canberra. We delve into Jag's fascinating career journey, from his start in Westpac's internal audit to becoming the Chief Risk Officer at State Super. Jag shares insights into his career transitions, including his move from audit to credit analysis and his experiences across various industries like banking, manufacturing, and insurance. We explore the evolving landscape of risk management, particularly within the superannuation industry, and the critical role it plays in safeguarding Australians' financial futures. Join us as we discuss the challenges and opportunities in risk management and the importance of strategic exercises in preparing for potential crises.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Zack Gurdon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-g-751719a/) at the RMIA 2026 conference in Canberra to explore his fascinating journey in the world of risk management. From his early days in security and intelligence to his pivotal roles at Australia Post, Telstra, NBN, and now as Chief Risk Officer at ASIC, Zack shares insights into how he navigated career transitions and embraced the challenges of different organisational cultures. We delve into the evolving concept of resilience, discussing its integral components of risk management, business continuity, and crisis management. Zack's experiences highlight the importance of adaptability and the need for simplicity in complex environments. Join us for an engaging conversation that offers a deep dive into the intricacies of risk and resilience in today's dynamic landscape.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Chris Krause (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-krause-7495511b/) to explore her fascinating journey in the risk and resilience sector. Chris shares how she unexpectedly found herself in the world of risk management after starting her career in accounting and auditing at KPMG. We delve into her experiences transitioning from external to internal audit, and her subsequent roles at PwC and Future Fund, where she discovered her passion for risk management. Chris discusses the evolving landscape of risk, particularly the rising importance of crisis management and cybersecurity. We also explore the challenges and rewards of working in risk within mature organizations and the significance of maintaining a risk mindset. Join us as Chris offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of risk and her current role in the superannuation sector.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Jack Salkild (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksalkild/), a former paramedic turned risk and resilience expert. Jack shares his journey from working with New South Wales Ambulance to his current role at Battleground, highlighting the critical lessons learned along the way. We delve into the importance of decision-making under pressure and the HALT factors—hungry, angry, late, and tired—that can impair judgment. Jack also emphasizes the value of checklists in high-stakes environments, drawing parallels between aviation and medicine. Join us as we explore how these insights translate into effective crisis management and resilience planning. (As mentioned in the podcast: https://atulgawande.com/book/the-checklist-manifesto/)

Join Joe McDavitt & Paul Minter, on Battleground Chats as we dive into the world of non-financial risk management, Fit and Proper Non-Financial Risk Management. Paul Minter, a former regulator, and Joe explore the complexities of non-financial risk, the challenges of aligning risk management with operational leadership, and the significance of CPS 230. We discuss the often adversarial relationship between COOs and CROs, the importance of understanding context in risk management, and the balance between quantification and qualitative insights. Tune in as we unravel the essentials of proper risk management and share insights from our extensive experience in the field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the subject, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the battleground of non-financial risk.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Helen Lipscombe (https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-lipscombe-fbci-b14a1621/) live from BCI World Hybrid in London. Helen shares her unique journey from working on oil rigs as a geologist to becoming a leader in business continuity and crisis management. We delve into how her scientific background shaped her structured approach to resilience planning. Helen emphasises the importance of mindset and culture in building effective resilience strategies, advocating for plans that focus on outcomes rather than rigid scenarios. We discuss the significance of engaging leadership and fostering a culture of adaptability and preparedness. Join us for an insightful conversation on navigating uncertainty and building resilient organizations.

Join me, Craig Goldberg, on Battleground Chats for our special year-end episode, "Battleground Chats - 2025 in Review with the Battleground Crew." I'm joined by Directors Luke Smailes, Joe McDavitt, and Peter Duffy as we delve into the lessons learned from a transformative 2025. We explore the challenges of keeping business continuity plans relevant and the importance of understanding severe but plausible disruptions. Joe highlights the significance of CPS 230 compliance, while Peter discusses moving beyond COVID-era resilience strategies. We also touch on the evolving landscape of risk management, emphasizing the need to address a broader range of threats beyond cyber risks. As we wrap up the year, we reflect on the resilience required to navigate these complexities and look forward to what 2026 may bring. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the state of risk and resilience across industries.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with my long-time friend and resilience expert, Jodie Wentworth (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-wentworth-12896a33/). We delve into Jodie's journey from her early days in the UK, where she stumbled into the field of business continuity, to her pivotal role at London Underground and then in Australia across consulting, utilities and critical infrastructure. Jodie shares her experiences managing crises, from gas leaks to the 7th of July bombings, and how these events shaped her understanding of resilience. We discuss the challenges of connecting back-office operations with frontline crisis management and the continuous learning required in this field. Jodie also reflects on her consulting career, highlighting the importance of demonstrating value and fostering crisis leadership. Join us for an insightful conversation about resilience, risk management, and the lessons learned from a career dedicated to keeping organisations prepared for the unexpected.

In this episode of Battleground Chats, I sit down with Sarah Hobday-Mitchell https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hobday-mitchell-b9bb713/ at the BCI World Conference in London. We delve into her unexpected journey into the world of risk and resilience, beginning with a role at the CDC and leading to her pivotal work with the US Navy. Sarah shares how her early experiences, like navigating family road trips, shaped her career in business continuity. We explore her insights on the importance of continuous learning, networking, and the challenges of transitioning military skills to civilian resilience roles. Sarah also discusses the future of the industry, emphasising the need for integrated approaches across departments. Join us as we uncover the intricacies of crisis management and the evolving landscape of business continuity.