About Catalyze
What we do
Catalyze works closely with leaders in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to help them do more with less, make impossible trade-offs, optimise their budget, select the best option overall and develop organisational strategy.
We achieve this by applying Decision Thinking.
Decision Thinking is a way of looking at the world through the lens of what decisions need to be made, in order to cause action. When you adopt Decision Thinking, you don’t see problems – you see decisions that need to be made, and a clear way to make them.
Catalyze are experts in applying Decision Thinking to complex problems and seemingly impossible scenarios. We do this by designing, implementing and facilitating structured decision-making processes and programmes that are underpinned by the core principles of Decision Thinking.
Our work commonly falls into three categories: making decisions, assuring decision outcomes and building decision capability .
“Problems are just decisions waiting to be made”
“The process [Catalyze ran] was excellent and we are committed to further refining it and embedding it into our planning and decision-making process going forward. For the first time we have been in a position to make prioritisation decisions against a robust methodology centred around what we’re seeking to achieve across the system and our strategic priorities”
Why we do it
Catalyze is committed to transforming the way leaders make complex decisions that impact our world. We seek to apply Decision Thinking to the greatest challenges we face in our communities, governments, businesses and nations so that the globe benefits from the results of better decision-making.
We are doing this because it’s critical and because we want a world that works, where people are engaged, money is spent wisely, resources aren’t wasted. Without a decision, nothing changes, and with a decision made badly the consequences can be significant.
There is a way to make decisions that stick and to make them well, and we know how – by applying conscious, transparent, collaborative, structured decision making, “Decision Thinking”. Yet time and again we find bad decision making, decisions made by chance not by design, decisions that don’t stick and don’t deliver what’s wanted – we can’t stand by while this is happening.
We won’t rest until conscious, structured decision making is the norm.
Who we are
The Catalyze team is made up of professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, with one thing in common – we all geek out on decision-making. We live by the principles of Decision Thinking and push ourselves to invite more diversity, transparency and integrity in what we do.
We are a mix of ex-senior public servants and military officers, transformational leaders, communicators, entrepreneurs, academics, tech-adopters and life-long learners.
We celebrate uniqueness in being, view and voice.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to who we are and what we provide.
We nurture equity and connection and embrace the innovation that a diverse culture creates.
We are unified by our shared passion and commitment to excellence.
We promote and value the differences that race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability and experience add to Decision Thinking.
We always welcome feedback and are grateful for the opportunity to learn and do better.
Meet the team
Edward Poot
Director, New Zealand & Client Delivery Lead
Belinda Newham
Director, Australia & Marketing Lead
Don Gomez
Consultant, Canberra
Tapio Sorza
Consultant, Wellington & Chief Information Officer
Shona Bernard-Chandler
Consultant, Sydney & HR Lead
Jessica Oses
Executive Assistant & Marketing Officer
Paul Gordon
CEO & Technical Director
Paul is a highly accomplished business leader with over fifteen years’ experience leading decision-making transformation. He has facilitated key decision points for major programmes and strategic planning initiatives across a wide range of sectors, including extensively with the Defence and Security sectors in Australia, NZ and the UK.
Paul is committed to collaborative, value-focused decision-making with clear, open communication. As CEO, he leads and inspires the Catalyze team and frequently works with public- and private-sector leaders to build decision capability.
Edward Poot
Principal Consultant and NZ Director Catalyze
Edward has been the Principal Consultant at Catalyze for the last five years and leads the New Zealand work. Edward has skills in assisting groups make complex decisions in a wide range of contexts and settings and regularly leads Catalyze engagements with large organisations and groups of diverse stakeholders. Edward brings experience in advising Ministers through appointments in Ministers’ offices and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Don Gomez
Consultant
Don has over 15 years’ experience in government, the not-for-profit sector and academia with a focus on complex science and technology issues. He has contributed to strategy, policy development, and research in areas that include cyber security, civil space, and environmental microbiology.
Don holds a Doctor of Philosophy in microbiology and population genetics from the University of Adelaide, and a Masters Degree in Science Communication from the Australian National University.
Belinda Newham
Canberra Director
Belinda leads engagement with our Canberra clients, and supports Catalyze projects across Australia and New Zealand. She has facilitated strategy development, governance and decision-making in complex, high profile and sensitive environments spanning national security, law enforcement, health and social services portfolios. Belinda draws on more than 12 years’ of experience in Federal Government, including as an adviser to Ministers, as well as significant appointments in the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Tapio Sorsa
Consultant
Tapio is an experienced consultant with background in Strategic Portfolio Management and IT Strategy. He has worked extensively in financial services, banking, insurance and defence sectors in New Zealand.
Tapio is particularly adept in collaborating with senior leadership teams to turn their organisational strategies into actionable portfolios of change initiatives. He does this by facilitating portfolio governance groups in making effective selection, prioritisation and balancing decisions on investments.
Tapio grew up in Finland and has a Master of Logistics and Material Management from Helsinki University of Technology.
Shona Bernard Chandler
Consultant
Shona is a Consultant at Catalyze. Her expertise is in communication, project and team management. She has 30 years’ experience in human resources and cultural change management. Her skills include facilitation, training and development, analysis and strategic design.
Shona’s experience includes consulting internationally throughout Asia, India and America. She has delivered programs and workshops to more than 20,000 people and has worked closely with all levels of management to design and implement strategies, plans, processes and systems.
Shona has worked extensively with government departments, the private sector, charities and not-for-profit organisations. She has a degree in HR from the Sydney NSW University of Technology.
Jessica Oses
Executive Assistant
Jessica is an experienced Executive Assistant and Administrator. Jessica works with all Catalyze Team, Experts and Technical Partners to support the successful completion of projects on time and on budget. Jessica coordinates all Decision Conferences with key leaders and teams, ensuring workflow on all projects and the relative stages of each project are successfully managed, where momentum ensues, supporting achieving the key outcomes successfully. Jessica also supports in the production of key documentation for each proposal, tender and project.
Our Values
Our values are our promise to each other, our clients, partners, and suppliers.
Strive
Professional, high performing, high quality, masterful
Drive:
Dedicated, devoted, loyal, integrity
Thrive
Client-centric, collaborative, transparent, responsible, having it all
Our give backs
Our commitment to global transformation is reflected in our support to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through the B1G1 Business for Good program.
Our interactions with clients and other business activities drive our giving program – and we are proud to watch our humble contribution rise!
