As our CEO, Nathan loves working with a great team as well as our members, people who are passionate about seeing lives redeemed and transformed.
What drew you to this role at CMAA?
It will be 10 years ago this October that I joined CMAA as CEO, back in 2013 – and 20 years since I first joined its board in 2003, back when it was still called ACB – The Association of Christian Broadcasters. David Turrell was the part-time CEO at that time. Crazy to think it will be 20 years of involvement this year! At the time I became CEO I was in my 9th year of running Dunham+Company in Australia – having established the Australian organisation branch with Rick Dunham. I recall that during that time I sensed God was bringing me to a change in roles, and it was Alan Rich (who is still an adviser to the CMAA Board) and Mark and Vicki Reddy, who took me to lunch and dropped the thought. Things just flowed from there and everything from structures to vision to funding fell into place, to see the transition to join full time become a reality. It was definitely a time of seeing paths made clear.
What's something unexpected you’ve learnt working in the Christian Media & Arts sector?
Oh – sooo many things! (and so many I wouldn’t be able to share in writing!) The most unexpected thing I’ve learnt is that people are more open and willing to help you that you think they would be. It’s just that you have to ask.
If you could host a podcast, on any topic you like, what would it be about?
It would combine four things: (1) Travel, (2) Unexpected and fun experiences while travelling, (3) Finding amazing bargains and experiences while travelling, and (4) Hire car and hire motorcycle stories!
What are you currently reading?
The notes for one-and-a-half day zoom training course called 'Foundations for Not-For-Profit Directors', being held by Association of Independent Schools of NSW. The reward for volunteering and being on a school board is that you get to do a required number of what they call DPD points each year. So… joy of joys, that is what I am reading!
…listening to?
Not being much of a reader, I consume a lot of audio. I have Blinkist subscription for audiobooks and it is epic. I get through 4 or 5 books in cliff notes (cheat) version a week. Recent listens include The Future of Capitalism by Paul Collier, Manage your Day to Day by Jocelyn Klei, The Bullseye Principle by David Lewis and G. Riley Mills, Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte (excellent!), and believe it or not, The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels!
I also listen (daily if at all possible) to the Bible on You Version. I’m currently up to Jeremiah. Works great when cycling the 9km to the office!
Podcasts: Ukrainecast by the BBC is excellent. Also recently finished The Coming Storm (explains a lot of the detail behind the Q Anon and conspiracy theories gaining traction), as well as Headley Thomas books Shandie’s Story, The Teachers Pet, and The Teacher’s Trial. All excellent!
…watching?
Right now – I am addicted to Australian Survivor. Do yourself a favour. This season is epic. A highlight is George who calls himself “The Cockroach from Bankstown”, a genius strategist and very funny too. He is a Macedonian Catholic and quite often (confusingly) throws in religious references.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
Perhaps that I cycle around 200km a week.
What’s something you still want to tick off your bucket list?
Taking my wife to Israel. I’ve been four times, for work mainly, and it just brings the Bible and our faith to life.
Find out more about Nathan's work on his Linkedin page.