In this episode, Jeremy Crawford, CEO of the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, shares his unconventional path to leadership; one shaped by years of navigating chaos, crisis, and community in high-pressure environments.

From flash floods at a racecourse to emergency air-conditioning runs at the Grand Prix, Jeremy’s “hospitality war stories” aren’t just entertaining, they reveal the foundations of calm, quick, and compassionate decision-making under pressure. Those same principles now guide his work leading the Chamber through a period of transformation.

Jeremy opens up about what it takes to modernise a business chamber in a city where 97% of companies are small to medium enterprises.

He discusses the adoption of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to bring structure, clarity, and accountability to his leadership team and how empathy and systems can coexist to build trust and traction.

The conversation dives deep into how the Chamber is reshaping its events and engagement strategy to prioritise genuine connection over numbers, and how Geelong can step into its potential as one of the world’s top 20 business cities.

Jeremy challenges the community to move beyond slogans and focus on a clear, measurable vision that drives growth, sustainability, and global recognition.

This episode is a masterclass in modern leadership; blending systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and regional ambition into a powerful blueprint for growth.

• Connect with Jeremy Crawford on LinkedIn
• Connect with Reyan Fernando on LinkedIn
• Geelong Chamber of Commerce: https://www.geelongchamber.com.au
• www.reyanfernando.com.au