Today’s guest, Di Mantell, is a powerhouse of purpose-driven leadership and innovation in the Australian healthcare industry. Starting as a nurse unit manager in critical care at just 23, Di now serves as CEO of Celsus, where she oversees the largest infrastructure project in South Australian history—the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Under her visionary leadership, Celsus secured the world’s largest sustainability loan of $2.2 billion, aligning healthcare with groundbreaking environmental and social practices.

In this conversation, Di Mantell shares her remarkable journey of reinvention and leadership in the healthcare sector. Di discusses the importance of seizing opportunities, embracing change, and the value of continuous learning. She emphasizes the need for sustainability in leadership and reflects on her experiences, challenges, and aspirations for the future.

Di was a State Finalist for the Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards in 2021 a judge for the Telstra Best of Business Awards in 2022 and 2023, a former Mentor for the Australian Mental Health Leaders Fellowship Programs and currently a Mentor for Mentor Walks. Di is on the Health Week Australia Advisory Board, Adelaide Contemporary Experimental Development Committee, and Australian College of Health Service Management South Australian Council, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Board Director.

I wanted to talk to Di about her trailblazing journey, her commitment to sustainability, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, purpose, and creating impact. 

Takeaways

• Seize opportunities when they arise, as they may not come again.
• Embrace change and be open to new experiences.
• Continuous learning is essential for career growth.
• Volunteer experiences can enhance your CV and skills.
• Mentorship can reveal strengths you may not see in yourself.
• Sustainability should be embedded in all organizational practices.
• Leadership requires a balance of personal and professional commitments.
• Reflect on your journey without regrets, focusing on growth.
• Being brave in your career can lead to unexpected paths.
• Giving back to the community enriches both personal and professional life.

For more information about Di, check out these places;-

Instagram:   Di Mantell

Linkedin: Di Mantell

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