Get To Know

Stella Voules, Co-CEO

What are you most passionate about in your role?

I love it when we leave our clients in a better place – when we’ve helped them solve an issue and encouraged them to think differently. Those moments also mean we’ve found important, fun work for our team – and I’m passionate about doing that too.

What career journey have you taken to get here?

I was spat out of university into a jobless market during the 1990s recession. Eventually, I spent the first 10 years of my career in consulting. I then moved into corporate HR leadership roles before having a baby and taking a couple of years off work. After I returned to work, I spent some time building new parts of the public sector. Then I took all of that experience and started JOST&Co with Jo.

What’s the best bit of career advice you’ve received?

The funniest bit of advice I received was on my first day of work, when I was in my early 20s. I was told to always walk around with a manila folder under my arm to look busy! But the best career advice I ever received was to recognise that consulting runs in my veins and that it is the place where I am most alive.

What do you love to do when you’re not at work?

I am an Iceberger, so I love to throw myself into freezing cold oceans at dawn and swim with my clan. On Sunday I missed the dolphins by 10 minutes! I also love spending time with my very big Greek family – especially my daughter. And I love catching up with my girlfriends.

What’s something few people know about you?

I am an apiarist (beekeeper) with hives in the Strzelecki Ranges!

Why do you enjoy working with technology?

Technology brings an element of play and creativity into our world of work. It also feeds my love
of learning.

What’s needed to ensure AI is a power for good?

User governance – this involves users putting an ethical lens over the way they mobilise AI, both in terms of the opportunities that it is creating for themselves and their organisation, as well as the potential consequential impact it is having on their communities, industry or the economy.

What’s the one big thing you’d love to see AI deliver?

To be an enabler for something better for us all. I am sure AI will have a place in helping people love their work more by making it easier and frictionless to do the bits they really enjoy doing.


About Stella

Stella describes herself as being “as adaptable as they come”, an observation that reflects her impressive background as a business founder, psychologist, public speaker, published thought leader, and senior HR professional with extensive management, board and consulting experience. Across private and public sectors, Stella is known for her strategic thinking, creativity and strong execution. Her approach to delivering pragmatic and robust solutions is always characterised by her keen analytical eye, sound judgement, and a down-to-earth perspective that’s provided in the context of her balanced world-view.

Stella has a passion for technology, life-long learning and working with inspiring people. As she says: “life’s too short not to enjoy a good coffee with someone you can learn from.”