Kelli Hayes

Kelli is an experienced business leader and advisory board member with a successful record of transforming culture and growing business across a range of geographies (Australia, Philippines, USA, South Africa, SE Asia), industries (Telco, Energy, Airlines, Leisure Travel, Finance and Government), products (contact centre, emerging AI technologies) through her 21 years in the Business Process Outsourcing sector and 10 Years in Banking. Since leading the successful sale of Stellar, a global outsourced provider, as CEO in 2020, Kelli has transitioned to focusing on the development of others through co-founding The Brave Group (inspiring female leaders to be more intentional with their careers and building braver leaders) and coaching executives on business strategy through her company Sinuwa Consulting.

A true corporate generalist with Company Secretariat experience specialising in joint venture partnerships, Kelli has a strong focus on Governance and is well schooled in the sensitivities of working with both executive management teams and Boards.

Particular strengths include people leadership of large teams (6500), nurturing both high performance and transparent organisational cultures, evolving strategy, working with family and JV boards, pivoting commercial models, mentoring of C Level executives, and leading nascent technology integration. Kelli has operated as trusted advisor to clients – from large blue-chip organisations through to start-ups, and shareholders alike.

Under Kelli’s tenure as CEO (3 years) the Stellar business nearly doubled in size in terms of revenue and EBITDA growth (organically). She now enjoys working with organisations in an advisory capacity to do the same.