BWA Podcast Show: Leading in Uncertain Times: AI, Culture and Courage with Marion Burchell
AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the way we work, lead and make decisions. Successful adoption is about far more than the technology itself.
In this episode of the Business Women Australia Podcast, Karina Seng speaks with Marion Burchell about the leadership and cultural conditions needed for organisations to embrace AI, innovation and continuous learning.
Together, they explore why leaders need to become more comfortable with uncertainty, why admitting “I don’t know” can build rather than diminish trust, and how perfectionism can quietly stifle innovation. The conversation also examines the pivotal role of middle managers, who are often expected to translate ambitious technology strategies into everyday practice while managing already stretched teams and competing priorities.
Marion shares her perspective on how organisations can create safer workplaces for experimentation, where people are encouraged to try, test, share, learn and adapt without fear of blame. She also considers how an excessive focus on immediate outcomes can prevent organisations from building the curiosity, capability and confidence required for longer-term growth.
Don’t miss this episode as we delve into Marion’s thoughts about Australia’s position in the global innovation landscape. With our natural resources, research capability, strategic location, trusted institutions and relative stability, we will explore what it takes to become a confident creator and leader rather than simply a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
https://youtube.com/live/aTUPpiCeYsg
About Marion Burchell
Marion Burchell is the Managing Director of management consulting firm Azolla Holdings. She is an experienced strategy, innovation, and change agent in the public and private sectors. Previous to establishing Azolla Holdings, Marion was a Director at Deloitte, co-leading the Civil Government practice, a member of the national open data and the national GovLab team.
Marion was the first female Government Chief Information Officer for Western Australia, delivering whole of government to deliver better services to people using technology. During this time, she drove the social inclusion and digital divide agenda, created the cyber security CRC in WA, created greater transparency and governance of the GovNext-ICT reform, and laid the foundation for the inter-jurisdictional data sharing initiative. In her role as the Executive Director, Policy and Governance, she delivered the State’s first innovation strategy and implemented a number of programs aimed at growing the startup ecosystem. She led the development and implementation of the State’s Open Data policy, including regularly supporting hackathons that delivered solutions to challenges.
Marion led the whole of government innovation agenda, which sought to inculcate a culture of innovation. The program received a Premier’s Award nomination for collaboration across government agencies.
Her experience spans a range of areas such as water, agriculture, intergovernmental relations, social policy, and data and digital reform.
She has been published nationally and internationally in over 20 publications, including peer-reviewed journals. Her work in public sector innovation and public participation in the development of public policy has been adopted by international governments as best practice.
Marion believes that the world is multi-disciplinary and therefore has degrees in Science, Sociology, Policy, and Planning. She has also studied at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, graduating with a Certificate in Public Leadership. She is an UNSW adjunct faculty member, an active Board member, and a Distinguished Fellow @ Future Government Institute.
Marion is an international award-winning advisor featured in over 800 media outlets, including abc, NBC, CBS, Telemundo, and more.
About Karina Seng
Karina Seng is a transformation leader with over 20 years in financial and professional services, known for building capability that holds and embedding change that actually sticks. She’s led enterprise transformations, partnered with executive teams, and built organisational capability from the ground up – in how people work, lead, and show up every day.
Recognised as a Women in Finance Innovator of the Year finalist, she’s passionate about creating spaces where people thrive, and collaboration fuels results. As the founder of Work Besties, Karina helps professionals grow through genuine connection, career insights, and leadership conversations.
Karina believes leadership is about action, impact, and empowering others to rise.
About Business Women Australia
Business Women Australia is a community of bold, brilliant women from across the nation who are ready to support, inspire, and grow together. We bring together:
- Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
- Executives and Managers
- Professionals
- Women on Boards
- Emerging Leaders
Our focus areas include:
- Leadership Development – Lead Self, Lead Others
- Lifelong Learning
- Business Growth
- Personal and Professional Transformation
- Meaningful Connections
Join Business Women Australia Today
Head to https://businesswomenaustralia.com.au/membership/
Book a Meeting with Lyn to discuss: https://calendly.com/lyn-hawkins