ChamberCast

Chambercast Episode 29 - Justin Pascoe

 
In this episode of Chambercast, the President and Pep speak with Justin Pascoe, Director of Global Sports Fund Management Group and co-owner of the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Justin shares his journey from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, including a career that spans AFL involvement, corporate leadership, and private equity in Los Angeles. His experience in global sports and business has shaped his approach to building sustainable, high-performing sporting organisations.
Justin discusses the evolution of sport as an asset class, highlighting how strong participation and storytelling drive fan engagement and commercial growth. Through Global Sports Fund, he focuses on investing in emerging opportunities, particularly in women’s sport, which he believes is one of the most undervalued and high-growth areas globally. His insights reflect a strong belief in the long-term value of sport beyond just entertainment, including its social and community impact.
Turning to the Sunshine Coast Lightning, Justin explains that the club’s deep community connection and strong participation in netball made it a compelling investment. While the team is performing well and has a loyal following, challenges remain—especially around stadium capacity and the need to grow corporate partnerships. He emphasises the importance of enhancing the game-day experience and building stronger commercial support to ensure the club’s long-term success in a regional market.
Looking ahead, Justin outlines plans to strengthen local talent pathways through the development of a Sunshine Coast-based netball academy and to continue embedding the Lightning within the community. He calls on local businesses and supporters to get behind the team, reinforcing that the Lightning is not only a professional sporting club but also a key part of the region’s identity and future growth.
 

Chambercast Episode 28 - John Baker

 
In this episode of Chambercast, the President and Pep are joined by John Baker, CEO of Sunshine Coast Council, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, regional growth and the future of the Sunshine Coast.
 
John shares his personal journey from growing up in rural England to working in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, the corporate sector and ultimately leading one of Queensland’s largest and fastest-growing councils. He reflects on his first year on the Sunshine Coast, the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid population growth and the importance of maintaining the region’s unique lifestyle while planning for the future. The discussion covers major infrastructure investment, economic conditions, housing affordability, business engagement, technology and connectivity and the role local businesses play in shaping the region’s success - particularly in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The episode also offers lighter moments, with John sharing insights into his love of sailing, cooking, music and what he values most about living and working on the Sunshine Coast.
 

Chambercast Episode 27 - Dr Leon Stensholm

Join the President and Pep as they chat with local leaders, uncover inspiring stories, and share insights that matter to our members and region.
In this episode, we catch up with Dr. Leon Stensholm who is a nationally awarded mental health advocate, four-time author, counsellor, sports nutritionist and owner of multiple businesses. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Arts for his life-saving work in suicide prevention and as a youth mental health advocate. He’s also an Australia Day ambassador and a finalist for the QLD Australia day Awards.

Chambercast Episode 26 - Carla Vella

In this episode of Chambercast the President and Pep chat with Managing Director of GSL Media, Carla Vella.
 
Introduction to Carla Vella 
 
In January this year Carla Vella was appointed Managing Director of GSL Media - locally that’s Mix and Sea FM. Carla is an accomplished media sales leader with over 20 years of experience managing high-performing teams across Sydney, Queensland, and, most recently, her home base here on the Sunshine Coast.
 
Carla has held executive roles with some of Australia’s top media organisations, including Southern Cross Austereo, Network Ten, Shopper Media, and Cartology, and she has built a legacy of innovative leadership across Audio, Television, Out-of-Home, and Digital platforms.
 
Her leadership style is grounded in a people-first philosophy. She is renowned for her ability to nurture talent and deliver forward-thinking strategies that fuel growth for clients and companies alike.
 
Now, as Managing Director of GSL Media, Carla has returned to her first love—Audio, leading a purpose-driven business that champions localism and celebrates the unique stories of the Sunshine Coast. Her unwavering commitment and dedication to community, positions her as a driving force for regional growth and innovation.

Chambercast Episode 25 - Gina Balarin

Gina Balarin is a dynamic storyteller, communication coach, and thought leadership strategist as well as an author and TedX speaker. She is dedicated to helping leaders amplify their voices with clarity and impact. As the Founder and Director of Verballistics, she empowers CEOs and businesses to cut through the noise and inspire action through the following services:
- Communication coaching
- Presentation skills coach
- Public speaking training
- Thought leadership 
Gina was born in South Africa and has spent her career working in the United Kingdom. She moved to our part of the world Sunshine Coast in April 2022 and recently became a member of our Chamber. We are keen to hear about Gina’s history but also learn more about her role with Project Placed and how we can get more people back in the workforce.

Chamber Cast Episode 24 - Morgan Parker OAM

In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Morgan Parker OAM, an accomplished real estate investor, developer and banker with over 30 years experience.
 
Morgan Parker OAM was appointed as a Director on the SunCentral Maroochydore Board in March 2015 and appointed as Chair in May 2021.
 
With 30 years' experience as a global real estate investor, developer and banker, Morgan has completed 60 projects in nine countries worth $20 billion. As well as his long term board role with SunCentral, he is a non-executive director of Newcastle Airport, Riyadh School of Tourism & Hospitality, Saudi Entertainment Ventures and Qiddiya Coast.
 
Morgan has served on numerous listed, private and industry boards during his two decade governance career.  A former Chief Executive Officer, he previously worked for Morgan Stanley, Lendlease, Macquarie Group and Dubai Holding.
 
Morgan was awarded an Order of Australia in 2024.
 
Grab your headphones and listen in as we dive into Morgan's fascinating career, discuss his role in major international projects and gain insights into the world of real estate investment and development.

ChamberCast Episode 23 - Sam Parker

In this episode of ChamberCast, we engage in an insightful conversation with guest Sam Parker, from Grab Life by the Balls.
Sunshine Coast local Sam Parker is the founder of local charity Grab Life by the Balls. He started the organisation in 2016 after observing the negative statistics around men's mental health in Australia.
Alarmed by the statistic that seven men die of suicide in Australia every day, the former chiropractor set about creating an organisation which would provide a forum for boys and men to meet and talk with the ultimate goal of eliminating depression and suicide.
Tune in as we delve into interesting topics and gain intriguing insights.

ChamberCast Episode 22 - Dave Clare

In this episode of ChamberCast, we dive deep into the insights and experiences of Dave Clare, CEO and Founder of Circle Leadership. Join us as Dave, a seasoned professional, shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming an influential thought leader. He discusses the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and key takeaways for anyone looking to make an impact in their field. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable advice, personal anecdotes, and much more.

Chambercast Episode 21: Mark Bryant

In this episode we speak with Director of Totally Adult, Mark Bryant.
 
Grab your headphones and tune in to listen TODAY!

Chambercast Episode 20: Jason Garland

In this episode we speak with Director of Secure Access Pty Ltd, Jason Garland.
 
Grab your headphones and tune in to listen TODAY!