Lead In: Mindsets to Lead, Live and Work Differently.
Unlikely Leaders: Lessons in Leadership from the Village Classroom offers a ground breaking and deeply relevant perspective on leadership. This book is a distillation of key leadership insights Cathy Burke learned through two decades partnering with villagers across South Asia and Africa, as Global Vice President at The Hunger Project, and before that CEO of The Hunger Project Australia.
The women and men she met gave her enduring lessons in life and leadership. From this experience Cathy authored Unlikely Leaders. If illiteracy, poverty, and malnutrition are no barriers to affecting visionary change, then what are we all truly capable of as leaders?
‘I have known Cathy for many years and watched her in action as a mother, manager and leader. Her understanding of hunger and poverty, and the subsequent leadership she has taken, is based in her belief that all people are the same but conditioned differently. The resources that Cathy has mobilised around the world to end hunger are visible and impressive. As a woman leader from Africa, I’m proud to be her partner for the end of hunger. What Cathy Burke has to say should be listened to.’
Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe
UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
Former Vice President of Uganda
‘Cathy lives and breathes a fierce commitment to women’s empowerment and global issues. She is a remarkable social entrepreneur, with something profound to say about leadership and the power of humanity. At Business Chicks we showcase some of the most influential global thinkers, and Cathy is undoubtedly one of these. Through our partnership with THP, I have personally seen Cathy in action in Uganda and India, and of course Australia. She is a fresh voice of inspiration, humanity and intellect, with stories the world needs to hear.’
Emma Isaacs
CEO, Business Chicks
‘Cathy Burke is such an innovative thinker and a passionate agitator for change in the world – and she does it with enormous heart, insightful vision, and an infectious sense of humour. I find her unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women and the way she engages others to inspire change incredibly positive and powerful. Her work for The Hunger Project has moved everyone at Mecca, and we’re so proud to be supporting an initiative that’s so committed to helping women change their present and their future.’
Jo Horgan
Mecca Cosmetica Founder and CEO
‘Cathy is a fearless and courageous leader whom I admire immensely. Her perspective, based on the unusual life she has led as a leader in this global organisation, is innovative and refreshing. Cathy has the ability to have everyone feel uplifted, inspired and engaged. She has something unique and important to say, and she is able to communicate this with such lightness and grace.’
Belinda Hutchinson AM
Chancellor, University of Sydney
‘I remember clearly the impact Cathy first had on me at what I thought would be another routine business breakfast. I saw her understanding of women’s desire to create a better future for their children and their resourcefulness to make it happen. I also saw her recognition of the importance of helping communities envision and create their own future. Cathy makes the work of The Hunger Project relevant and inspiring.’
Alison Watkins
CEO, Coca-Cola Amatil Australia
‘Cathy Burke’s strength lies in mobilising people and resources. She is a transformational leader who makes things happen. Cathy is one of the most inspiring women I know. She has transformed my thinking and my actions and tuned me in to a bigger game.’
Daniel Priestley
Author of The Entrepreneur Revolution
‘Since I met Cathy I have been inspired by her ability to harness the strengths of those around her and create dynamic partnerships that create such a profound change. Cathy has such an open heart and brilliant mind that those around her can’t help but be inspired to do more than they think they can. She is a true leader.’
Jacinta McDonell
Anytime Fitness Australia Co-Founder
‘Succeeding in the NGO world takes passion, patience, and persistence, as well as a well developed sense of humour. Cathy Burke has buckets of these, along with immense enthusiasm and energy for the challenge of ending world hunger. I visited a number of epicentres in Africa, one of which she had opened thirteen years earlier. The reception she received and the way she interacted with her wider ‘family’ was a testimony to everything she has built during her career at THP.’
Cameron O’Reilly
CEO, Bayard Capital AG
‘Cathy is a truly unique leader. Her ability to connect with people from all walks of life is rare indeed. Cathy makes the impossible and the implausible seem remarkably achievable. Her leadership is passionate, humble and visionary. Cathy combines these attributes with genuine “out of the box” thinking.’
Symon Brewis-Weston
CEO, Sovereign Insurance
Recent Comments