Michele McCahon
Fitzroy North,VIC
Summary
I'm a people-focused change leader who thrives on building high-performing teams and developing organisational capability through relationship and technology. With deep expertise in culture transformation and team building, I work alongside executives and teams to unlock potential and drive meaningful change. My strength lies in quickly understanding complex organisational challenges and forging authentic relationships at every level. I'm passionate about creating exceptional experiences and fostering continuous improvement, using my skills in leadership development, connection, and innovation to deliver transformative results that stick.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Change Manager
Department of Education Victoria
05.2024 - Current
- Leading comprehensive change management strategy for digital transformation across regional school networks, establishing change capability and driving adoption of complex Salesforce implementations.
- Built integrated change capability from ground up, establishing programme oversight and securing executive alignment across multiple business units
- Coached cross-functional teams on change and engagement strategies, achieving record stakeholder participation in hard-to-reach communities
- Developed change leadership capability across senior teams, building organisational readiness for transformational delivery
Change Lead
MYOB
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Helped transform the digital product delivery approach through new ways of working, implementing integrated tooling, processes, and community-building initiatives.
- Planned and delivered new Product operating model changes including tooling, processes, and team cohesion strategies
- Developed and delivered training strategy for multiple teams across AU/NZ
- Created integration methods to optimise processes and prepare teams through targeted training and champion networks
- Contract
Director of Culture and Capability
ARQ Group (now NCS)
01.2021 - 09.2022
- As a member of the Executive team, I spearheaded the creation and leadership of ARQ's People & Culture and Change functions, transforming how the organisation approached talent and transformation.
- Established comprehensive P&C function from greenfield site, creating strategic frameworks for all people initiatives
- Built compelling Talent Acquisition offering attracting top-tier talent across all business areas
- Directed enterprise change programmes spanning product, technology (HRIS/ERP), culture, and M&A activities
- Successfully integrated company acquisitions ensuring seamless cultural alignment and operational efficiency
- Created ARQ Culture & Engagement framework delivering 32% increase in eNPS within one year
- Championed diversity initiatives including comprehensive WGEA programme establishment
- Designed Early Career programme strategically building diversity whilst developing future leadership capability
- Led team scaling by 40% during COVID-19 whilst maintaining quality and cultural fit
- Executive Leadership - ARQ Group
Change Lead
ARQ Group
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Managed simultaneous implementation of critical ERP and HRIS systems across sales, operations, finance, and HR functions within six-month delivery window.
- Oversaw dual-system rollout managing technology, process, and culture changes across core business functions
- Designed transition processes supporting business needs before, during, and after implementation
- Partnered with business teams to understand requirements and mitigate potential disruption
Co-Founder
The Data Experience, Swinburne University of Technology
04.2018 - 07.2020
- Co-founded innovative professional services and talent development consultancy, bridging university education with corporate data capability needs.
- Developed products and partnerships with AWS, Tableau, and Big 4 clients
- Led recruitment and consultant development building business capabilities and talent pipeline
- Managed client relationships and programme delivery across multiple corporate projects
- Established foundational business operations and executed targeted marketing campaigns
Director Change
Swinburne University of Technology
04.2017 - 03.2018
- Executive team member introducing transformational change capability within university IT operations.
- Built change capability and methodology integrating change management into university operations
- Established and operationalised a change management team in Swinburne
- Led culture transformation programme for Swinburne IT, establishing future-ready practices
- Introduced data-driven portfolio view of technology change across university systems
- Managed change team delivery providing high-quality services to university stakeholders
Change Lead
Swinburne University of Technology
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Spearheaded culture and capability transformation for new Business Analytics and Intelligence platform.
- Led comprehensive change programme for game-changing data and reporting capability implementation
- Delivered stakeholder engagement across academic and administrative functions
- Built BI culture adoption - featured speaker at 2019 Tableau Conference "Building a BI Culture"
Change Lead
Medibank
11.2015 - 06.2016
- Managed a change program for Medibank Overseas portfolio, delivering new digital platform for partners and customers.
- Led change transformation programme supporting new app delivery for international portfolio
- Managed stakeholder engagement across partner and customer networks
- Delivered change strategy ensuring successful platform adoption and business continuity
Education
Graduate Certificate - Leadership and Innovation
University of Dundee
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, History
La Trobe University
Swinburne University of Technology
LaunchVIC
Skills
- Change & Transformation
- Executive Leadership
- Culture Development
- Capability Building
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Program Management
- Team Development
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Transformation
- Talent Acquisition
- Systems Implementation
- AI Literacy
Certification
- APMG Change Management Practitioner
- APMG Change Management Foundation
- APMG Agile Change Agent
- Enterprise Design Thinking Co-Creator
- Cert IV Training and Assessment
- Cert IV Coaching
Community Service
Coralus, Activator
Feb 2023 - Present,
Supporting global initiative transforming funding and support for women-led ventures addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Director - Jumpleads NFP | Make a Change
Jun 23 - Present
Jumpleads NFP is a not for profit, social enterprise that "jump-starts" arts & community initiatives to change cultures & invigorating communities to enable a better future.
Timeline
Program Change Manager
Department of Education Victoria
05.2024 - Current
Change Lead
MYOB
07.2023 - 12.2023
Director of Culture and Capability
ARQ Group (now NCS)
01.2021 - 09.2022
Change Lead
ARQ Group
08.2020 - 01.2021
Co-Founder
The Data Experience, Swinburne University of Technology
04.2018 - 07.2020
Director Change
Swinburne University of Technology
04.2017 - 03.2018
Change Lead
Swinburne University of Technology
08.2016 - 06.2017
Change Lead
Medibank
11.2015 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, History
La Trobe University
Graduate Certificate - Leadership and Innovation
University of Dundee
Swinburne University of Technology
LaunchVIC
Similar Profiles
Diane TakisDiane Takis
Teacher Trainer at Department of Education VictoriaTeacher Trainer at Department of Education Victoria
Ricky MontgomeryRicky Montgomery
Network Manager at Department Of Education VictoriaNetwork Manager at Department Of Education Victoria
Annabelle MulcahyAnnabelle Mulcahy
Research Program Officer - Volunteer at Department Of Education VictoriaResearch Program Officer - Volunteer at Department Of Education Victoria
Keira EverettKeira Everett
Support Worker at Momentum Community ConnectionsSupport Worker at Momentum Community Connections
Aiden TeeAiden Tee
Experience in the Field of Audio Engineering at Self EmployedExperience in the Field of Audio Engineering at Self Employed