EP 11: The Role of Resilience in Career Success with Sarah Derry

In this deeply reflective and human episode, Saurabh Jain sits down with Sarah Derry, former CEO of Accor Pacific and current Chief People Officer at The Star Entertainment Group, to explore one of the least discussed but most challenging moments in senior leadership: transition after redundancy.Sarah shares her extraordinary career journey, from frontline hospitality roles to leading a 21,000-person organisation as CEO before being made redundant due to global restructuring. She offers a rare, honest account of what it feels like to lose a role at the highest level, how leaders can avoid being psychologically “damaged” by redundancy, and why confidence, identity, and self-belief must exist independently of title.Together, they unpack the realities of CEO succession processes, executive recruitment, negotiating redundancy, and why many senior leaders rush into their next role from a place of fear rather than strength. The conversation also explores parenting, resilience, privilege, gender dynamics in leadership, and how leaders can intentionally design the next chapter of their careers rather than reacting to circumstances.This episode is essential listening for CEOs, executives, founders, and senior leaders navigating career transitions, identity shifts, or moments of uncertainty at the peak of their careers.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeSarah Derry’s journey from hospitality operations to CEO of Accor PacificHow CEOs are selected and evaluated at the highest levelsWhat it really feels like to be made redundant as a CEOWhy redundancy damages many leaders—and how to avoid itThe difference between confidence, title, and personal identityHow to negotiate redundancy and protect future optionalityWhy rushing into the next role can limit long-term outcomesThe role of mindset and self-belief during career transitionsHow parenting and leadership values intersectWhy senior leaders must decouple self-worth from job titlesHow to intentionally design the “next chapter” of a careerWhy time, reflection, and clarity matter more than speedAbout the GuestSarah Derry is a senior executive, former CEO, entrepreneur, board chair, and leadership coach. She previously served as CEO of Accor Pacific, overseeing more than 400 hotels and 21,000 employees, and has held multiple CEO and C-suite roles across hospitality, tourism, and large corporate environments.Sarah is also the founder of Women That, a network focused on inspiring and enabling women in travel, hospitality, tourism, and events, and she continues to advise leaders and organisations on executive transitions, leadership development, and organisational change.Links & ResourcesConnect with Sarah DerryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-derry/?originalSubdomain=auConnect with Saurabh JainLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saurabhjain10Website: https://ceowhisperer.au/Email: [email protected] the PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and subscribing:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ceo-whisperer-by-saurabh/id1862989706Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rbvHV1FEDxq91bERv1h8vYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEOWhisperer.auYour support helps more founders, CEOs, and investors discover the show.