Verena Maclean
Principle Consultant
Verena is sought after globally by top organisations for her expertise in individual and organisational capability to thrive in a complex world. Having worked across many sectors internationally (including telecommunications, mining, not-for-profit, and finance) she brings an appreciation and humanity to the delivery of projects and support for leadership. The basis of her work and approach originates in complexity thinking, systems leadership and developing organisations that thrive in the longer term. Her work has often been described as bringing clarity - to organisations, individuals and leadership.
Beyond high-level consulting, she has also implemented succession planning and talent management systems in large, multinational organisations. This included adapting and adopting new approaches and insights to understand capability. Verena was one of the first trainers in Career Path Appreciation globally and has worked with organisations in the changing world of work and decision-making.
Her recent projects have included:
- Organisational Complexity and roles; Analysed effectiveness of new structure in the face of increasing complexity for a global organisation. Advised leadership around the structure to fit their purpose. Clarity in key roles and accountability
- Talent management and Succession Planning; individual capability assessments, career planning; talent mapping and succession planning to understand the current level of capability to handle complexity within the top team as well as future potential within a large strategic utility. Fit role with behavioural indicators; Support and insight for executives in terms of succession planning and leadership development.
- Operational effectiveness and Adaptability: Establishing an operating model to work in a new structure and developing the executive to lead within a highly cross-functional way of working in an organisation with operational pressures and diverse stakeholders including government and international organisations.
- Developing skills and capacity for complex environments: Training an international institute in the models, providing curricula, courses and workshops to improve global economy and business effectiveness. Developing networked organisations to be effective locally and globally.
- Long-term value creation; Scenario planning, support for an executive team to think longer term thinking.
Verena is passionate about listening and giving people a voice; deep appreciation and bringing a balanced, integrated view into decision-making. She is on the board of Narara Ecovillage, Chair for the last 5 years, and is driven to provide a role model for sustainability, innovating with new technologies as well as ensuring the behavioural change that is so needed in the world. There is a strong external focus to her work, linking into UNSDGs, changes in the governance frameworks, understanding of the models working in a VUCA world and bringing humanity into the workplace.
- Before her current role, she created and worked in niche consultancies focused on complex decision-making. She also spent significant time working with a telco as it grew across Africa and into the Middle East, understanding the shift required in structure, leadership and decision-making. She enjoys long-term relationships with all the executives, organisations and individuals that have played a role in her career.
- Originally a Speech and language therapist Verena has an honours degree and has undertaken postgraduate studies in Career Path Appreciation, leadership development, AICD, Ego development and various talent management tools.