Jacquie McCann
Partner
Coach
Jacquie is an executive coach, mentor and consultant, and former COO/CFO with 20+ years’ leadership experience across banking, finance, technology, media, biosciences and education. She began her career with global multinationals including IBM, NAB, Macquarie and Santander, building a strong foundation in complex corporate environments.
Background
I bring a diverse career across banking, finance, media, technology, biosciences and education, with more than 20 years in senior executive roles including COO, CFO and Company Secretary. Having sat in the C-suite and reported directly to Boards, I know first-hand the weight of executive responsibility and the realities of leading through growth, transformation and challenge. These experiences shape the way I coach today with empathy for the pressures leaders face and the courage to challenge them to grow.
I have led teams across HR, IT, marketing, finance and property, giving me a deep appreciation of how different disciplines connect to drive organisational success. My career has spanned both start-ups and multinationals from IBM, NAB, Macquarie, Santander and the NFP sector to coaching senior leaders at Deloitte, Optus, KFC and Carphone Warehouse. This breadth allows me to adapt my coaching to diverse contexts while keeping a consistent focus on clarity, presence and impact.
Born in Australia, raised in Scotland and having lived and worked in China, I bring a global perspective to my coaching. After a successful executive career, I chose to transition into coaching because I had seen the power of creating space for leaders to pause, reflect and unlock their potential. Alongside my coaching practice, I serve as a Non-Executive Director, including on the Board of the International Coaching Federation, which deepens both my strategic perspective and my commitment to the profession.
My Why
I believe leadership is about more than surviving the day-to-day, it’s about creating the clarity, confidence and courage to thrive.
Coaching became my path when I realised that the most meaningful parts of my executive career were always about developing people, unlocking potential and helping others succeed.
I coach because I know how challenging leadership can feel and how transformative it is when you have the right support to grow. Seeing leaders shift from surviving to thriving, and witnessing the “aha” moments where confidence and clarity break through, is what fuels my work.
How I Work
I create a safe yet stretching coaching space, balancing support with challenge so leaders can think deeply, test new approaches and grow with confidence. My style is frank, authentic and results-driven, with a touch of good humour to keep the process engaging. I draw on strengths-based coaching and Positive Intelligence to help leaders cut through complexity, align strategy with people and lead with purpose. Forward-focused by nature, I also help leaders prepare for the future of work, drawing on emerging insights and tools to spark reflection and growth.
What I Do
I work one-to-one with senior and emerging leaders, often during moments of transition or complexity. My coaching focuses on building clarity, confidence and presence so leaders can step into bigger roles, navigate change and lead authentically. I also support leadership teams as they align around shared purpose, improve collaboration and balance strategic priorities with people leadership.
What I Love
I love seeing leaders shift from surviving to thriving. Those “aha” moments, when a leader gains clarity, reframes a challenge as an opportunity or recognises untapped strengths, are the most rewarding part of my work. I love blending serious strategy with a light, human touch, helping leaders achieve meaningful results while staying grounded and authentic.
