By day, Sarah Leonard drives growth as Business Partnerships Lead for HeadBox across ANZ, helping medium to large-sized businesses streamline their programmes of events through technology.

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Her role is a blend of sales, strategy, and client success — equal parts creative and analytical. “I develop tailored growth plans for each business client and drive platform adoption across different teams to deliver measurable impact,” she explains. But she’s also a people-first leader. “I lead our amazing Sydney team, keeping the energy upbeat, the collaboration strong, and the snack supply well-stocked.”

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Sarah’s introduction to HeadBox came through a serendipitous meeting with CEO Ali Lord at a rugby lunch in Sydney. “We instantly hit it off, and she even bought a cask of whisky from me,” Sarah laughs. “I really admire Ali as a businesswoman — she’s incredibly hardworking, kind, and I’ve already learned so much from her about what it takes to run a successful business.”

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Her entrepreneurial streak doesn’t stop there. By night, Sarah channels her passion into whisky trading — buying and selling casks from distilleries across Ireland and Scotland, and working on ad hoc bottling projects. “If anyone ever needs a whisky recommendation, you can find me on level one,” she jokes.

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Her career journey has been shaped by bold leaps. A standout milestone came when she relocated to Australia almost three years ago to take on the role of Head of Sales for ANZ at Cask Trade. “At the time, it was a scary move — leaving all my family and friends behind in Ireland and London — but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

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Sarah’s drive extends far beyond the boardroom. This year, she achieved one of her biggest personal goals: completing a full triathlon. The accomplishment was especially meaningful after recovering from a serious surf accident in 2024 that left her with two herniated discs in her lower back.

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“The recovery was slow and painful, and months of sciatica meant I couldn’t run or cycle for a long time. The silver lining was that it taught me to slow down, embrace long walks, and find strength through swimming and yoga.”

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Now fully recovered, Sarah’s back in the water — surfing, swimming, and training regularly. “I’ve always loved being in or around the water,” she says. “Recently, I got my Open Water PADI certification, which has sparked a whole new fascination with the ocean and everything beneath the surface.”

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When it comes to local favourites, Sarah’s go-to spot for a quick reset is 98 Gym. “It’s such a good workout, and all the trainers are so friendly and helpful.” On slower days, you’ll find her wandering through the Botanical Gardens. “It’s the best way to break the day — to reset in nature and boost your mood.”

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At Desk Space, Sarah says it’s the community that makes it special. “It’s such a vibrant, creative place to work, and I love how every day brings new conversations with interesting professionals from all kinds of industries.”

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And for anyone looking for a good read, she swears by Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss — “It teaches you how to negotiate as if your life depended on it.”

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