Trusted advice in moments that matter.

For over two decades we have been a trusted adviser to some of Australia’s most well-known companies, boards and public figures - helping them make better decisions in moments that matter.

Phronesis Strategy was founded to help organisations solve complex problems at the intersection of commercial reality, stakeholder expectation and public scrutiny.

We work with Boards, CEOs and senior leaders of ASX‑listed companies, as well as member‑based organisations, not-for-profits and public institutions.

We support clients to confidently navigate challenge and change, sharpen their strategic thinking and understand their stakeholders. We help them communicate with impact and authenticity, build alignment and trust, and protect and strengthen their reputation.

We are sought out when organisations need a trusted adviser who understands their business, and the people, pressures and politics that shape it.

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PHRONESIS (/frəˈniːsɪs/; φρόνησις; fro-NEE-siss)

Phronesis is a concept from Greek philosophy, best understood as sound judgement or practical wisdom.

Aristotle spoke of three types of knowledge - theoretical knowledge (episteme), trade skill (techne) and practical wisdom (phronesis).

Phronesis is knowing the right course of action to take in particular circumstances. It comes from maturity, pragmatism and lived real-world experience, insight, reflection and clarity of purpose, shaped by strong moral and ethical conviction.

Phronesis is what we bring to our clients. Our trusted counsel is based on over 20 years’ experience partnering with leaders, across functions and sectors, developing and leading high performing teams, driving nationally significant reforms, delivering transformational organisational change, nurturing relationships and networks, and operating with clear values and authenticity.

Our Approach

We hit the ground running.

We understand that when the stakes are high you need an adviser who can get across the issues and the business. Our experience means we can quickly understand our clients and their strategic challenges, as well as the broader economic, regulatory, media and political environments they operate in.

We start adding value from day one. Our trusted counsel combines broad function and sector experience in the C-suite, advising at the highest levels of government, in listed and unlisted environments, in times of challenge and crisis, and delivering strategies that build alignment and create long term value.

We build trusted relationships.

We build trust through credible and authentic engagement with boards, CEOs and organisational leaders. We get to the heart of our clients’ concerns quickly, share our experience and insight generously, and work collaboratively to build a collective way forward.

While we draw on our deep networks across Australian business, government, civil society and media, we also support our clients to build their own trusted relationships with key stakeholders, decision‑makers, and those who influence them.

We provide bespoke solutions.

We partner with a small number of clients and tailor our support to meet their needs.

We don’t provide generic services, we don’t use large multi layered project teams, and we don’t impose template frameworks that aren’t fit for purpose.

Instead, we work directly with our clients as a trusted adviser, helping them navigate the moments that matter to them.

How We Help

We provide trusted advice to Boards, CEOs and senior leaders of ASX‑listed companies, as well as member‑based organisations, not-for-profits and public institutions.

Our services are tailored, confidential and focused on helping you make better decisions in moments that matter. Our recent work covers:

Board and CEO advisory on critical negotiations and decisions
Supporting strategy development, risk and governance uplift and transformational change
Building and rebuilding reputation and trust
Navigating stakeholder complexity across major transactions, ownership change, investor relations and asset stewardship
Improving regulatory strategy and engagement
Counsel during crises and high stakes moments
Supporting CEO transition, building aligned cultures and strengthening engagement
Understanding and navigating government, policy and parliamentary dynamics
Board advisory on key management personnel and appointments

Our Recent Work

Advised the Board of a major listed transport company navigating multiple workforce and cost pressures, in the context of regulatory change, complex stakeholder interests and global uncertainty.
Supported the Board of an ASX listed investment fund to better understand the drivers of government policy across their sector, including the impact of changing macroeconomic and fiscal settings, public expectations and political realities. This enabled them to update their strategic outlook, plan with confidence and proactively engage with key investors and stakeholders.
Advised the receivers and managers of a national private healthcare provider with reputation and stakeholder strategies through major asset transactions, transformational organisational change, regulatory complexity and intense public scrutiny.
Advised global capital management firm with new interests in the Australian market to understand the nuances of Australia’s business, political and media landscapes and successfully navigate that complexity to improve their regulatory engagement and public reputation.
Supported a newly appointed Chief Executive to develop a clear organisational vision and purpose, an authentic personal communication style, and key stakeholder strategy, to improve board alignment, generate employee trust and engagement, improve external commentary and investor confidence.
Advised the Chief Executive of a major not for profit on strategies to ensure the proper management of a significant philanthropic relationship, with the aim of building enduring trusted relationships and delivering meaningful community impact, while maintaining board confidence, regulatory compliance and organisational sustainability.
Developed key personnel strategy for fast growing global economic consultancy, to ensure better decision making on executive appointments, greater alignment to the firm’s commercial and strategic goals, and a realignment of leadership behaviours to more closely model it’s cultural ambitions.
Advised the Chair and Chief Executive of a significant privately held tourism asset on developing stakeholder, government relations and engagement strategies ahead of federal and state elections, to maximise opportunities for government support.

Who We Are

Sarah has spent more than two decades providing trusted advice to many of Australia’s most well-known companies, boards and public figures, helping them make better decisions in moments that matter.

She has a proven track record of delivering strategies that create long term value, developing nationally significant economic and social policy reforms, and successfully aligning diverse, cross functional teams around a shared vision and purpose.

Sarah has held senior executive roles at significant Australian companies at times of strategic and reputational challenge, including Chief External Affairs & Government Relations Officer at Crown Resorts Group, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at AustralianSuper and General Manager Corporate Affairs at Coles Group.

Sarah was a well-respected senior adviser to Australian political leaders across four parliamentary terms, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Financial Services & Superannuation, Minister for Education, Employment & Workplace Relations, and the Leader of the Opposition.

Sarah is an experienced Board Director and Board Adviser. Her Non-Executive Director roles have included the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees and the Australian Online Giving Foundation. She has led board reviews and facilitated board workshops across strategy, risk, and reputation.

Earlier in her career, Sarah was a management consultant with a global organisational consulting, board advisory and leadership development firm. She also worked as a Senior Associate with a major Australian law firm, specialising in workplace relations, discrimination and employment law.

Sarah’s qualifications include a Global Executive MBA and Master of Laws from the University of Sydney, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) / Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from the Australian National University.

Sarah is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).

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