As Practice Lead – Regional Executive Search at Miller Leith, Zoe has built her career on connecting visionary leaders with opportunities that not only strengthen organisations but also create lasting impact in the regions they call home.
Born and raised in Ballarat, with family still based there for more than 45 years, Zoe’s deep local ties give her authenticity, credibility, and insight into the communities she serves. With 21 years of recruitment experience, and a career dedicated to supporting regional executives, boards, and councils, Zoe brings unmatched perspective to the leadership challenges and opportunities in Regional Victoria.
A Career Dedicated to Regional Victoria
From the beginning of her career, Zoe has been drawn to regional communities. She’s worked closely with organisations across health, education, not for profit, manufacturing, mining, and construction, the sectors that underpin regional economic growth and community strength.
Her expertise lies in long-term capability planning. Zoe values executive search as more than filling an immediate vacancy, it’s about ensuring leaders and communities grow together. She has helped organisations navigate critical moments such as succession planning and leadership transitions, where confidentiality and trust are essential in closely connected regional ecosystems.
Over the years, Zoe has successfully placed dozens of executives, from C-suite leaders to transformational change agents, with an impressive retention rate that reflects her ability to match leaders with organisations where they will thrive.
Connecting with Community and Industry
Zoe’s approach goes well beyond recruitment. She’s immersed in the regional ecosystem, staying close to industry needs through board positions, council engagement, community events, site visits, and local networks.
Some of her recent contributions include:
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Serving on the RDA Grampians Board, shaping strategies around industry growth, infrastructure, workforce, and collaborative leadership.
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Partnering with Western District Health Service, leading searches for executive directors of People & Wellbeing and Aged Care, roles critical to regional health and community care.
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Touring Gekko Mining Services, gaining insights into local innovation and talent needs.
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Celebrating at the Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards and engaging with leaders at the Herald Sun Bush Summit, where regional opportunities and challenges take centre stage.
This community immersion is also a key part of Zoe’s candidate care. She partners with relocation agencies to support executives and their families as they transition into regional life, from schools and housing to spousal employment and community integration.
Role Reframing: A Regional Differentiator
One of Zoe’s biggest differentiators in regional executive search is her ability to reframe leadership roles. She helps boards and organisations articulate not just the functional requirements of a position, but the broader community impact and visibility of the role.
For regional leaders, the opportunity to influence both business outcomes and community wellbeing is a powerful drawcard — and Zoe has become known for positioning roles in a way that resonates with the very best talent.
In Their Words: Zoe’s Impact
The impact Zoe has is echoed in the voices of her clients and candidates.
One client recently shared:
“I was genuinely impressed by Zoe’s ability to source high-quality candidates purely through her network and referrals – no job boards, no ads. Her knowledge and responsiveness were exceptional. She kept us informed every step of the way, which made my job easier. Highly recommend Zoe!”
And from a candidate’s perspective:
“Her availability, even during early mornings and late nights, was immensely helpful. Zoe set me up for success. She stood out in a sea of recruiters because of her professionalism, energy, and insights.”
These testimonials highlight Zoe’s reputation as both a trusted advisor and a genuine partner in leadership journeys.
Building the Future of Regional Leadership
At Miller Leith, we’re proud to have Zoe leading our Regional Executive Search practice. Her ability to connect metro and regional leadership teams, combined with her passion for strengthening communities across health, education, not for profit, manufacturing, mining, and construction, ensures that organisations are not only finding talent but also building leadership capability that drives long-term growth.
As Zoe puts it:
“Regional leadership isn’t just about filling roles. It’s about building capability for the future — ensuring that leaders, organisations, and communities grow together.”
As regional industries continue to evolve, the need for visionary leadership has never been greater. Zoe’s work plays a vital role in ensuring organisations are ready for this future, and that leaders who choose regional Victoria can thrive both professionally and personally.