Taking the Lead Early

Speakers

Caitlin Crowther, Marketing & Sales Manager, Alura Coaches & Unearth-ed

Jack Di Losa, Chief Operating Officer, Cold Xpress

Facilitator

Anesan Naidoo, Managing Director, Organisational Coaching Solutions

Date and Time | Thursday 21 May, 1:15pm - 2:00pm

What does it look like when the next generation steps up to lead early in their career?

In this facilitated panel, hear from rising-generation leaders who have taken on executive roles in their family businesses at a relatively young age. They’ll share how they are managing the transition, building credibility and navigating relationships with suppliers, advisors and customers.

We’ll explore whether parents are taking a hands-on or hands-off approach to succession and the strategies these leaders use to balance legacy with innovation.

Facilitated by Anesan Naidoo, this candid conversation will share what worked, what surprised them and what they would do differently, giving emerging leaders in the room practical lessons from peers leading right now.

Taking the lead early in your career

To view the full speaker line-up at the Family Business Conference, click here.

About Caitlin Crowther

Caitlin is the Sales and Marketing Manager, and incoming CEO, of family-owned coach and touring business Alura Coaches and educational tourism business Unearth-Ed.

Since joining the family businesses in January 2025, she has worked across sales strategy, marketing, process improvement and technology implementation, while also undertaking onboarding and transition responsibilities ahead of stepping into the CEO role.

Her work focuses on strengthening systems and processes within small family businesses, introducing practical technology to support sustainable growth, and balancing legacy with evolution, particularly as Alura Coaches celebrates its 100th year in operation.

Caitlin is passionate about education and travel as tools for impact, and about carving out a leadership identity that respects the foundations laid by previous generations while confidently stepping forward into the future.

About Alura Coaches

About Jack Di Losa

Jack Di Losa is the Chief Operating Officer of Cold Xpress, his family’s refrigerated transport and cold storage business.

In his role, he oversees day‑to‑day operations, leads the company’s strategic expansion into new regions, and drives innovation across logistics and technology.

Jack works closely with the leadership team to ensure the business continues to grow while staying true to its core values of reliability, efficiency and family‑driven service.

He began his career at Cold Xpress from the ground up, working across warehousing, transport scheduling and customer service. Over the years, he moved into operations and business development before stepping into executive leadership. This hands‑on experience across every part of the business shapes the practical, people‑focused approach he brings to the COO role.

Cold Xpress is a Victorian family business specialising in refrigerated transport and cold storage. The company services fresh and frozen food manufacturers, independent supermarkets, QSR chains, and retailers across metropolitan and regional areas. Cold Xpress operates the most extensive and reliable last‑mile regional network across Victoria and southern New South Wales.

About Cold Xpress

Facilitator

Anesan Naidoo

Managing Director, Organisational Coaching Solutions

With 20 years’ experience successfully coaching organisations & family businesses - Anesan absolutely believes in the dynamic power of coaching & training people as a solution to simplify communication, enhance collaboration and get things done within organisations. Anesan has worked with many large and diverse organisations, helping them develop strategic and operational plans for their business and coaching them through the successful implementation of those plans. As an agent of change he also works with many CEO’s & Senior Managers in large organisations, executive coaching them to achieve their work – life balance & leadership objectives.

Educated at the UNSW and AGSM and having worked and developed his skills with Business Coaching Systems since 1998, Anesan launched Organisational Coaching Solutions in 2007 as his own Coaching Business. He is a formally qualified manager of change with a strong understanding of coaching principles and a distinguished track record as a strategic business and executive coach.

He is an accredited coach of the International Coaching Federation with over several thousand hours of formal business coaching as well as being an Accredited Family Business Advisor. A specialist in Family Business, Anesan’s unique skillset lies in finding a common language and direction - a family business and organisation can embrace while having different individual points of view.

As an Accredited Specialist Family Business Advisor to the Family Business Association (FBA), he is privileged to work with and trusted by many family businesses to help them navigate their way through building a successful business while balancing the expectations of the current generation & succession of the next generation.

Anesan’s experience covers a broad range of industries including, retail, construction, banking, telecommunications, sport, legal, the club’s industry, hospitality and many more. He’s helped many household names achieve their goals including, Ahoy Club, Space Logic, Placemakers (NZ), Langtons, Nulon, Keneco, Telstra, Henning Harders, me&u, Dry July, and many others realise their business ambitions. Outside of work. He is a passionate Cowboys supporter and fanatical follower of Formula 1 – the greatest sport in the world.