Our Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
Kevin Kivi: Founder at True North Executive Coaching & Leadership
Time in current role/time at the company:
Officially, it’s been just over three months since I launched True North Executive Coaching & Leadership, but in many ways, it’s been a much longer journey in the making.
I’ve spent more than 25 years in advertising leadership roles, across Australia and North America. Behind the campaigns, pitches, and boardroom meetings, what truly lit me up was always the people; building cultures, mentoring future leaders, navigating complex change, and developing high-performing teams.
How would you describe what the company does?
True North exists to help leaders lead with more clarity, courage, and humanity.
I work with individuals and organisations who understand that great leadership isn’t about control, it’s about connection, conviction, and creating environments where people can truly thrive.
Through executive coaching, leadership development, training and team programs, we help unlock potential, navigate complexity, and build cultures that are not only resilient but remarkable.
At its heart, True North is about one thing: helping leaders become the kind of person others want to follow, especially when the path forward isn’t clear.
What do you do day to day?
I coach senior leaders, run team workshops, and collaborate with businesses on leadership strategy and organisational culture. Most days are a mix of listening deeply, asking challenging questions, designing programs, and trying to shift thinking, one conversation at a time.
Define your job in one word:
Compass.
I got into the industry because:
I’ve always lived at the intersection of left brain and right brain; part strategist, part magician, part storyteller. I was drawn to the balance of logic and creativity, the science and the magic. Advertising seemed like the perfect place for someone like me: thoughtful, analytical, but also deeply intuitive and people-focused.
When I first entered the industry, I was a little more reserved; I didn’t quite fit the typical mould. I quickly realised that what made me different was also what made me valuable. Advertising gave me a space to hone my voice, trust my instincts, and build confidence in the way I lead and think.
What started as a love for brands and ideas evolved into a deep commitment to people, building teams, shaping culture, mentoring talent, and helping others grow. That’s what kept me going for over two decades and ultimately what led me to create True North: a place where I could help others lead with integrity, purpose, and heart.
I’ve also had a lifelong love with leadership theory, management psychology, organisational behaviour, and the human side of business, the part that doesn't always show up in a P&L, but makes or breaks an organisation.True North ECL is the culmination of all of that: decades of lived experience, a deep love of coaching and development, and a firm belief that better leadership makes everything better.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Encouraging people to slow down long enough to look inward. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, leaders are often so focused on delivering for others that they forget to invest in themselves. People need to understand that this pause is where the real growth happens.
Another challenge is shifting the mindset that coaching is only for those who are struggling. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of self-awareness, ambition, and courage. The best leaders I’ve worked with are the ones who actively seek feedback, challenge themselves, and stay open to learning.
At the organisational level, it’s about helping businesses see leadership development as a strategic asset, not a checkbox or a commodity. When you invest in your leaders, you invest in the culture, capability, and long-term resilience of your business.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
We need to stop glorifying burnout, avoiding difficult issues, and start treating leadership as a skillset, not just a title. There's still a huge gap between promoting someone and truly supporting them to lead. The cost of underdeveloped leadership is showing up everywhere, in culture, retention, and output.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
I’ve been fortunate to have a few standout mentors over the years, one in particular was a former CEO who demonstrated the power of calm, consistent leadership in high-stakes environments. He taught me the value of trusting your people, speaking plainly, and never mistaking noise for direction.
But I’ve also learned just as much from poor mentors — the ones who led through fear, control, or ego. They showed me exactly the kind of leader I didn’t want to become. Those experiences were uncomfortable at the time, but incredibly clarifying in hindsight. I think it's important to learn from every interaction, not just the inspiring ones.
Most recently, a conversation with a former global CEO of a holding company, who happened to be passing through Sydney, was a turning point for me. In just a short chat, he gave me the encouragement I didn’t know I needed. He challenged me to reframe how I think about work and life, and to back myself fully in taking a new path. That conversation was a catalyst — and a reminder that sometimes, the right words from the right person at the right time can change everything.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Trust your gut. It’s one of the most underrated tools you have; in coaching, in leadership, and in life.
Stay endlessly curious. Ask the questions no one else is asking, and never assume you’ve got it all figured out. Curiosity is what keeps the work alive, human, and impactful.
And most importantly, learn to say no. Not every client, project, or opportunity will be the right fit, and that’s okay. The real magic happens when you work with people and organisations who are ready for the work, not just the title.
If I wasn’t doing this for a living, I'd be:
Reading the news on TV with a strong coffee in hand and learning (finally) how to surf properly. A mix of curiosity, calm, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
My philosophy is:
Trust your gut, own your story, and lead with heart, especially when the wind’s in your face. Back yourself, listen more than you speak, and never trade long-term respect for short-term applause. And through it all: work hard, play hard, and stay grounded in what really matters.
My favourite advert is:
Not Happy Jan (Yellow Pages) - enjoyed showing it to North American friends over the years, who it didn't quite resonate with.
Music and TV streaming habits: what do you subscribe to?
Spotify is my constant companion, playing everything from Lana Del Rey and Empire of the Sun to Purple Disco Machine, Cold Chisel, Dragon, and a sprinkle of Motown classics. On the TV front, I’m mainly tuned into Apple TV+, where shows like Shrinking, The Bear, and Slow Horses hit the sweet spot — smart, authentic, and wonderfully imperfect.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I’m a bit of a clutz; if there’s something to trip over, I’ll usually find it. Add in my occasional bimbo moments, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for unintended comedy in the office. Keeps people pretty entertained for the most part!
In five years’ time, I'll be:
Still coaching, still learning, still growing, and hopefully helping more leaders find their own True North with a few more wrinkles, a lot more stories and a few more epic ocean adventures.
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