44. Leading with Heart: Mel asks Simon Playford all about lawyerin' in the not for profit world

In this episode, Mel sits down with Brisbane-based in-house lawyer and all round good human Simon Playford to explore what it means to bring purpose, agility and humanity to legal work. Simon’s career has spanned private practice, commercial and IP law and now the not-for-profit sector with the Heart Foundation, an organisation that means a great deal to him personally. Together, they talk about moving from corporate to cause-driven work, the realities of in-house life in a charity and how lawyers can make a difference without sacrificing professional growth. Mel also announces that she’s donating $1 for every download of this episode within the first 24 hours to the Heart Foundation. 💖 Key themes: ✨ Making the leap from corporate to not-for-profit law ✨ How to measure impact without billables ✨ Purpose-driven careers and redefining success ✨ Agility, imperfection and “good enough” lawyering ✨ Building community in the in-house and NFP space ✨ Why connection is at the heart of great legal work This is a full-circle story about purpose, legacy and finding meaning in work Connect with Simon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonplayford/ Donate or learn more: heartfoundation.org.au Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount) All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today.

In this episode of the Counsel Podcast, Mel reunites with long-time friend and former colleague Anna Tichborne for a candid conversation about career evolution, leadership and the courage to step outside the traditional lawyer path. Anna’s career has spanned more than two decades across New Zealand, Australia and the US. From General Counsel to Chief Operations Officer and now building her own consulting practice, she has consistently embraced change, backed herself and carved out space beyond the confines of “lawyer in a box.” Together, we dive into: Anna’s transition from GC to COO and what it’s like to move from advising to decision-making The mindset shifts needed to step into executive leadership outside of legal Learning to let go of the lawyer identity while still drawing on those skills The role of mentors, sponsors and having someone in your corner who sees your potential What skills transfer seamlessly from law to operations, and what you need to unlearn Anna’s current chapter working with early-stage businesses and tech founders Why culture, people, and community are the real drivers of successful organisations This episode is packed with insights for lawyers curious about broader executive opportunities or anyone navigating identity shifts and new career chapters. Resources and Links: Connect with Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-tichborne-a9647946/ Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code BigSisEnergy for a special discount) All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer Subscribe to the Counsel Podcast so you don’t miss upcoming conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be a lawyer today.

The Counsel Podcast is back for Season 5! In this opening episode, Mel Storey shares a deeply personal update: leaving her role as Head of Legal (APAC) at Pax8 to step into self-employment for the very first time. Mel reflects on: Why she chose to resign after 15 years in the law The breadcrumb trail of signs that told her it was time for a reset What it feels like to de-institutionalise from corporate life The messy but exciting process of building a portfolio career How this podcast planted the seed for coaching, content and speaking What’s coming up in Season 5, including incredible guests and honest solo episodes This is an honest behind-the-scenes look at career change, identity and learning to back yourself even when you don’t have the whole map. Resources and Links: Download the New to In-House Survival Guide: https://www.counselpodcast.com/store/p/newtoinhouse (use code Big Sis Energy for a special discount) All of Mel's Big Sis Briefings can be found here: https://www.counselpodcast.com/big-sis-briefings Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer Subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes featuring in-house leaders, founders and lawyers taking unconventional paths.

James d'Apice is a commercial and litigation lawyer who recently launched a new law firm, Gravamen. James is also passionate about sharing engaging and nuanced legal updates through his video series 'Coffee and a Case Note' which you can find wherever you get your social media fix. Mel gets the inside scoop from James on everything from rap battles to his new law firm and working with external counsel. Connect with James: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdapice/ Instagram: @coffeeandacasenote Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer

About Our Guest: Elisabeth Flett is the General Counsel and Company Secretary of Cancer Council NSW. Elisabeth and Mel discuss finding purpose and passion in your career, including Elisabeth's break from the law to study veterinary science and what drew her back to legal practice. Elisabeth was recently awarded 2023 General Counsel of the Year by the Association of Corporate Counsel. Connect with Elisabeth: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethflett/ Instagram: @the.me.shaped.lawyer Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram & TikTok: @theinhouselawyer

About Our Guest: Yosr Hamza is Head of Legal and Director of Legal and Compliance at Gartner. In addition to her work as a lawyer and business advisor, Yosr is a proud caregiver and advocate for her son, who lives with a rare disease. Connect with Yosr: Blog: https://docket.acc.com/author/yosr-hamza Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosrhamza/ Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram: @theinhouselawyer Support: Thank you to Markster for supporting this episode. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected]. Thank you also to InCounsel for supporting this episode. Visit incounsel.com.au for more.

Cate Bennett is currently Global General Counsel & Company Secretary for Movember, a Not-For-Profit operating across six jurisdictions with a focus on men's health. Cate also has a background in the public sector, having worked across public transport, justice and health services Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men's health working across mental health & suicide prevention as well as prostate and testicular cancer support. To see more of their work, and to donate or get involved, visit their website https://au.movember.com/about/testicular-cancer Connect with Cate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catebennett/ Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast Page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67479008/admin/feed/posts/?feedType=following Instagram: @theinhouselawyer ~~~ Thank you to Markster for supporting this episode. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected]. Thank you to InCounsel for supporting this episode too. Visit incounsel.com.au. ~~~

BONUS EPISODE WHILE MEL DISTRACTS HERSELF FROM PRE-TRAVEL COVID TEST ANXIETY.... (UPDATE: NEGATIVE COVID - OFF TO THE US!) Resources mentioned in this episode: @veecon https://veecon.co/ NFT projects (DYOR, not financial advice) - VeeFriends - EveryDay Sloths - World Of Women - Boss Beauties - Dapper Dinos NFT resources: - OpenSea.io (NFT ebay) Legal Tech conference: - https://www.legalops.fm/ - https://www.lexcheck.com/ - https://ironcladapp.com/journal/contract-management/what-is-contract-management/ - https://www.amazon.com.au/Tomorrows-Lawyers-Introduction-Your-Future/dp/019966806X - https://www.amazon.com.au/World-Without-Work-Technology-Automation/dp/0141986808/ref=asc_df_0141986808/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463879774783&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4152845110137765068&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9069264&hvtargid=pla-919268624784&psc=1 Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-podcast Instagram: @theinhouselawyer TikTok: @theinhouselawyer ~~~ Thank you to Markster for supporting this season. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected]. Thank you to InCounsel for supporting this season too. Visit incounsel.com.au. ~~~

Dave is currently Founder & CEO of drop-in social audio platform, Longtime, as well as Co-Founder of first-contact messaging tool, Chatclub. Prior to starting Longtime & Chatclub, Dave led the APAC commercial team at Megaport (ASX: MP1) where he and Mel cultivated a collaborative relationship between the sales and legal teams based on mutual respect and trust. He also served as a Founding Board Member of Fintech Australia from 2015-2018. Dave has worked in sales, growth and commercial roles since graduating from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Biotechnology Innovation (Hons). Connect with Dave: Website: Hey.me/dave Also, check out https://longtime.live/ Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-podcast Instagram: @theinhouselawyer www.counselpodcast.com for more resources and episodes ~~~ Thank you to Markster for supporting this episode. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected]. Thank you to InCounsel for supporting this episode too. Visit incounsel.com.au. ~~~

Emma Lilley is the Sole Legal Counsel (UK&I) at SD Worx, the Founder of In-house Potter Blog and Instagram community and a O Shaped Lawyer Future Board member. Mel originally connected with Emma on Instagram. She creates content for aspiring solicitors and shares her unique career journey so that the next generation come into the law with a greater awareness of in house practice and how to forge a less traditional pathway after law school. Connect with Emma: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-lilley-0441ba82/ Instagram: @inhousepotter Website: https://inhousepotter.com/ Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theinhouselawyer/ Counsel Podcast page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsel-podcast Instagram: @theinhouselawyer www.counselpodcast.com for more resources and episodes ~~~ Thank you to Markster for supporting this episode. Visit markster.com.au or email [email protected]. Thank you to InCounsel for supporting this episode too. Visit incounsel.com.au. ~~~