
About Ari
I’m Ari Magalhaes - a non-executive director and economist who helps organisations cut through complexity and stay aligned with what matters most. With over 15 years of experience across 18 sectors including health, aged care, energy and government, I bring cross-sector fluency and economic foresight to boardrooms navigating reform, funding pressure and strategic uncertainty.
Boards and executives trust me when the stakes are high and clarity is non-negotiable.
What I Bring
My strength lies in seeing what others miss, and acting before the drift becomes damage. I work at the intersection of strategy, finance and risk, helping organisations realign when external pressures create internal misalignment - and have helped create $110M+ in measurable outcomes along the way.
My background spans economics, financial modelling, business model design and governance. But what sets me apart is how I bring strategic rigour without losing sight of people.
I believe good strategy is about more than plans it’s about integrity, relationships and long-term value.
I’m also a Non-Executive Director and Committee Member across health, community services and public purpose sectors. My board contributions often occur in times of sector reform, funding pressure and system-wide transition.
I have held governance roles across:
State and national health and community services organisations
Peak bodies and advocacy platforms
Charities and mission-driven public service entities
I have provided oversight in organisations navigating regulatory reforms, compliance uplift and financial realignment. I have chaired Finance, Audit and Risk Committees overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets and led board-level conversations on strategy, accountability and delivery in complex environments.
Qualifications & Affiliations:
Fellow, Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA)
Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Double Degree Master of International Management (LSE, Bocconi, FGV)
Bachelor of Economics (UNESP, Brazil)
Member and Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA)
Member of the Economic Society of Australia (ESA)
How I Work
I created the OmniStrategic Impact Framework™ to bring structure and clarity to complex decisions—especially in environments where policy, funding, or public trust are at play.
It’s a flexible, three-phase model I use with boards and CEOs to diagnose misalignment, mobilise action, and embed lasting change:
Illuminate – Detect signal drift, external shifts and internal blind spots
Mobilise – Build an actionable roadmap with financial and strategic coherence
Embed – Align delivery, governance and capability for sustained impact
The result? Decisions that hold up under scrutiny- not just on paper.
After experiencing profound personal loss, I chose to redefine my leadership around purpose and legacy. I know what it means to hold steady through change. That’s why I lead with resilience, empathy and discipline, especially when others feel pressure to move fast without clarity.
I’m also an advocate with Red Nose Australia, supporting national work in grief, health equity and safe governance. These experiences shape how I show up: grounded in empathy, but committed to impact.
Why I Do This Work
What You Can Expect
I work with clients who care about outcomes, and who value integrity in how those outcomes are achieved. My role isn’t just to design strategy; it’s to help teams walk it, navigate transformation, and ensure decisions hold meaning across time, scrutiny and change.
Let’s Connect
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly.