The Transition from GM to CEO with Kristen Lark, The Funding Network

What does it take to grow a movement of grassroots giving across Australia? And how do you transition from GM to CEO while learning to lead through influence instead of doing?

In this powerful episode, we speak with Kristen Lark, CEO of The Funding Network Australia (TFN), the country’s largest collective giving movement. TFN has raised over $30 million for early-stage social change initiatives since 2013 — all through the power of live crowdfunding, storytelling, and community connection.

Kristen has been part of TFN since its inception, helping launch the first pilot events after moving to Australia from the US. Her professional journey spans the corporate and not-for-profit sectors in both countries, with expertise in marketing, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships.

We talk about:

• What makes live crowdfunding so powerful and inclusive
• The cultural difference in giving between Australia and the US
• How to connect everyday donors with high-potential grassroots organisations
• Kristen’s internal transition to CEO: what made it harder, what she learned, and what she’d do differently
• Why CEO productivity isn’t about doing more — but thinking, creating space, and managing your energy
• The board relationship: building trust, transparency, and strategic support
• Letting go of perfectionism and embracing a leadership model built on trust, connection, and seeking help

Whether you're a first-time CEO, an aspiring leader, or someone rethinking how we fund innovation in the for-purpose sector this episode is filled with honest insights, relatable challenges, and practical reflections.

🔗 Links & Resources:

https://www.thefundingnetwork.com.au/

Book mentioned: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

Connect with us:

LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn

Website: thenfpceo.com.au

Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn

Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn