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 support clients to confidently navigate challenge and change, sharpen their strategic thinking, understand their stakeholders, 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 the Greek philosophers. It is 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 how we know the right course of action in particular circumstances. Aristotle believed phronesis could only develop through lived experience; the lessons learned from taking real world action, the pragmatism that comes with maturity, the insight born of reflection, and the 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 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 have spent over two decades helping some of Australia’s most influential companies, boards and public figures make better decisions in moments that matter.

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.

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 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, generously share our experience and insight, and then 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 directly with a small number of clients and provide tailored services to meet their particular 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.

Our Recent Work

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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