Michael Curtin

As Associate Professor of Practice, Michael is the director of the Executive Leadership in Major Projects program at the John Grill Institute for Project Leadership, University of Sydney.

He is a highly skilled executive educator, facilitator and executive coach, and he specialises in leadership effectiveness and strategy implementation. He focuses on the development and performance of leaders and executive teams to better deliver on their individual and organisational strategy and purpose.

Michael’s first career was as a sea-going senior naval officer in the Australian Navy. While based in the UK he was course director for the Royal Navy’s Tactical and Strategic Development Program with responsibility for training and developing mid and senior British, Commonwealth and NATO naval officers worldwide.

Over the last two decades, his career has included roles as ANZ Managing Director of a global human capital consulting business, Principal Consultant - Executive Education for a leading Australian university, and a global role in a large insurance company as head of its Global Leadership Academy. He runs his own consulting business – Michael Curtin Consulting - and is a co-founder of XEd Space, working alongside several large universities to deliver significant executive development across all sectors. He is also a founding board member of the Centre for Social Purpose. He has a broad international experience with strong cultural ability and sensitivity.

Michael grew up in Fremantle, Western Australia. He has lived and worked in several Australian cities, the United Kingdom and the United States, and works extensively in SE Asia. He and his wife currently live in Sydney, and they have two adult sons. He enjoys trekking in wild places with his wife, playing classical piano and daydreaming in his garden.