Meet the Assisters
Caitlin Burgess

Caitlin Burgess

Caitlin Burgess

Chief Financial Officer, CHEP Network

Caitlin is a naturally curious, mindfully creative and commercially focused finance leader. She thrives on using data to solve problems and make impactful business decisions. She is currently the CFO of CHEP Network, looking after the full suite of capability across the national offices. Her favourite day would include sitting with the team shaping a brief and corresponding narrative, solving a sticky problem and growing commercial acumen across the wider agency. She works with leaders in the business to deliver on their collective strategic outcomes. Her experience encompasses consulting with PWC, the Finance sector with Suncorp, the Travel sector with both Virgin Australia and Flight Centre, SaaS with MYOB and then to the Advertising industry with Dentsu and now Clemenger Group with CHEP Network.

Career & Background

What inspired you to do what you are doing now?

An evolution over time of using my financial background to impact real life deals and situations, shaping the business rather than just counting the dollars. I love talking plain English to educate cross disciplines in what their decisions mean. Advertising specifically because I believe it’s one of the only places I’ve found true diversity of thought, having so many differing personalities and crafts come together to create something that everyone can relate to.

Wait there’s more!
I’m done

What was your journey and where are you headed in your career right now?

I started as an auditor at PWC, it happened by accident. I wanted to run my own business and got into commerce because I thought it would help down the line. I quickly worked out I liked being up the decision making funnel looking out and forward, rather than back and inward. CFO of CHEP is about as outward as I could muster in an everchanging industry. From here? Who knows, I’m only 18 months in but maybe a challenger agency, maybe my own thing. Maybe out of advertising completely (although last time I tried that, I went to MYOB and lasted six months before the pull drew me back in)

Wait there’s more!
I’m done

Your favourite food for thought

Books

  • Greenlights – Matt Mcconaughey
  • Shoe Dog – Phil Knight
  • Ride of a Lifetime – Bob Iger
    .. I love this, can I have the complete list?

Podcasts / Thought Leaders

What the Flux and the Hustle Daily show for daily hits
Fearless Charles Day for leadership advice, his guests are amazing

Same thing, can I have this list?

What drives and inspires you

What are your core values?

  • Achievement
  • Family
  • Health

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

My old General Manager, now CEO of one of our competitors ;). He is a bringer of outcomes, he knows when to push you and when to hug you. His commercial brain is incredible and he knows culture is at the heart of a magnificent agency. He leads from within and hilariously is often underestimated; you don’t realise you’re singing from his hymn book until you’ve been doing it for years. I’ve never felt another leader has had infinite time to listen.

You as a Mentor

Why have you decided to become a mentor?

I’ve loved having mentors in different shapes and sizes as I’ve progressed through my career. It’s been such an important part of my development, and has definitely got me here faster than I thought possible. I want to be that positive influence for someone else. Definitely still have some imposter syndrome wondering why anyone would want me as their guide, but you’ve got to put yourself out there!

What are the top 5 skills or qualities you bring to mentoring?

  • Direct
  • Great listener
  • Supportive

brisbane mentorship program

Ready to be a part of Assisterhood as a Mentee?

We are now up and running in QLD, VIC and NSW – and we’re only just getting started! Let’s shoot for the stars – together!

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