Brad Welsh has built a career defined by reinvention — from child protection officer to political adviser, CEO of Energy Resources of Australia, board member at nib, and now founder of Mawal. In this conversation, Brad reflects on the choices, opportunities and turning points that shaped his path, and how curiosity and ambition have guided every reinvention.

Brad discusses the lessons learned leading ERA through the complex rehabilitation of a major uranium mine, what long-term projects teach leaders about managing risk, and how to balance the expectations of diverse stakeholders. He also shares his powerful vision for the next generation of First Nations leadership in Australia — building capability in capital and risk, broadening pathways into commercial roles, and helping more Indigenous talent step into the boardroom.

Key Themes:

• Career reinvention and ambition — seizing "windows" of opportunity, stepping back to go forward, and using each pivot to build range.

• Curiosity as a governing principle — staying relentlessly curious about how organisations, balance sheets and communities actually work.

• Capital and risk as a global language — why cultures flourish by managing capital and risk in their own way, and what that means for First Nations Australia.

• Long-term rehabilitation, short-term milestones — lessons from ERA's Ranger uranium rehabilitation on balancing horizon goals with near-term delivery.

• Stakeholders and judgement — putting yourself in others' shoes, making decisions with imperfect information, and knowing when to change course.

• The next generation — building a cohort of First Nations leaders for executive and board roles.

S3E6 – Brad Welsh: Career re-invention, curiosity in the boardroom, and unlocking First Nations talent

Boardroom Confidential

S3E6 – Brad Welsh: Career re-invention, curiosity in the boardroom, and unlocking First Nations talent