Rhyll Gardner on Reframing Value for Long-Term Impact
Q&A with Rhyll Gardner
Rhyll Gardner is a non-executive director and former financial services executive with 40 years of experience at major ASX-listed banks—including St. George, BOQ, and Westpac. Her extensive background spans executive and general management roles in treasury, risk and compliance, marketing, corporate and retail banking, and group strategy.
Currently, she serves as Director of BankVic, Interfinancial Corporate Finance Ltd, and Foodbank. She also chairs Nucrush Pty Ltd and is a past director of Identitii (ASX:ID8), Social Investments Australia, Foresters Community Finance, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, St. Margaret’s School, and the YWCA. Rhyll holds undergraduate degrees in Commerce and Economics, a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University, and an Executive MBA from INSEAD. She is a Fellow of both FINSIA and the AICD.
As a participant in the Strategic Value Creation: Transform Strategy Into Sustainable Advantage program, Rhyll explored new approaches to articulating long-term value and making informed investment decisions. We asked her a few questions to understand how the program influenced her thinking and leadership approach.
What specific challenges were you hoping to address, and how did the program help?
I was thinking about how to tell a “value story” and make tough calls about where to invest for the future. The program gave me a toolkit to really dig into what drives value—beyond just financials—and helped me see how to back up our decisions with solid evidence.
How has your understanding of value creation evolved since completing the program?
Thinking about “value” beyond “profit” — it’s about purpose, people, and sustainability too. It’s confirmed for me that creating value is really about building something that lasts and matters, not just hitting quarterly targets.
How did the program enhance your ability to assess strategy and stress test business decisions?
I’m more confident poking holes in our plans! The scenario tools we learned make it easy to see where things could go sideways, so we’re not caught off guard.
What insights did you gain from discussions around AI, capital investment, or private equity?
Technology isn’t just a “nice to have,” it’s a must for staying relevant — every company is a technology business now.
What was it like learning from Professor Shiva Rajgopal? How did his teaching style influence your learning?
Professor Shiva Rajgopal is fantastic—super knowledgeable but also down-to-earth. He kept things lively and wasn’t afraid to challenge us. I appreciated how he made even the trickiest topics feel approachable, and he really encouraged us to speak up and debate.
How would you describe the impact of the program on your strategic thinking and leadership approach?
It’s made me a more well-rounded leader. I’m thinking about purpose, people, and long-term impact all at the same time. I feel more confident leading us into the future, not just managing the present.
What advice would you give to other professionals considering this program?
Go for it! Be ready to get involved and question your assumptions. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out. And don’t be afraid to bring real challenges to the table—this is the place to workshop them.
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