Straight-talking strategist

Learn more about Alicia McKay and her unique approach to strategy, change and leadership.

INTRODUCTION

Hi, I'm Alicia McKay

I help people make smarter decisions, focus on what matters, and confidently work with change.

I'm an author, speaker, strategist, consultant and entrepreneur. I've worked on strategy, change, and leadership with 120+ organisations, from tiny charities and rural Councils to global corporations and federal agencies and I've helped thousands of leaders make better decisions and get better outcomes. My strategy models and decision frameworks are used worldwide to drive alignment and performance.

I have spent my career - and life - studying, practising, designing, facilitating, and implementing strategy. I have only become more enamoured of its transformative potential with time. Strategy is a levelling force, an asset to the underdog. Anyone with big aspirations and limited resources should be a strategist.

I bring a plain-talking, no-nonsense approach to strategy backed by years of experience, deep expertise, and genuine care. I’m not here to overcomplicate things but to help you create real change.

PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERSHIP

I believe in the public sector

I'm a public sector enthusiast and local government specialist. Since 2010, I've worked with 50+ Councils and dozens of public and private sector organisations in planning, engineering, community development, transport, and infrastructure.

Leading in the public sector is complex. You’re juggling competing priorities, solving tricky problems, and trying to deliver meaningful outcomes for your community. I know how challenging—and rewarding—it can be to make a real impact.

I help public leaders build the strategic planning, decision-making and collaboration skills they need to have that impact.

I particularly love helping local government leaders become strategic legacy leavers. For more information, see my new book, Local Legends: How to Make a Difference in Local Government.

PHILOSOPHY

No buzzwords, no bullshit

I bring the same Kiwi candour and colloquialism whether I'm online, on-site, on-stage or on TV.

The content is serious enough; we may as well have some fun! I like Plain English, having a laugh, and cutting through the crap to work out what makes people tick and focus on what matters.

I turn big ideas into meaningful action. Growing up as a foster kid and becoming a teen mum taught me to perform under pressure, find creative solutions to tricky problems and overcome constraints with purpose and humour.

Those experiences shaped my drive to make a difference - and my belief in the power of public service.

I’ve seen what’s possible when public sector leaders have the clarity, skills, and confidence to be bold and take action. That’s why I do this work—to help leaders like you make a real impact.

I know what it's like to be up against the wall, broke and tired but determined to make things better. You need to be resilient, resourceful and laser-focused on the people you're doing this for. That’s the energy I bring to every project I take on.

CREDENTIALS

Decision-making boffin

I'm really into strategic thinking, planning and action. I've spent thousands of hours working with clients and researching for my books.

Here are the things I can put on the wall:

BA in Political Science; Media & Communication from University of Canterbury
BA (Hons)in Politics from Massey University - First class honours in strategic studies, with a newborn baby on one arm, and a five year old on the other. Bam 💥
IAP2 Certification - Public participation in decision-making matters.
Better Business Cases Practitioner - As a BBC practitioner, I worked with clients to apply policy logic and economic analysis to investment choices and programme decisions.
Investment Logic Mapping Certified Facilitator - As one of NZ's first ILM facilitators, I've helped clients work through complex strategic issues and planning choices.
Kaiser Leadership Versatility Index (LVI) Certified Assessor - The LVI is a gold-standard certification that prevent strengths becoming weaknesses through overuse.

STRATEGY EXPERT

Brief history

I graduated with political science and communications degrees before working as a policy advisor in local government. After a brief stint in a law firm, I launched my consulting practice in 2014.

I earned certifications in business case development and investment logic, then worked on major digital and infrastructure projects in health, education, social services, and local and central government.

Over time, I refined a strategic planning approach that optimised engagement and implementation speed. I detail this in my first book From Strategy to Action: A guide to getting shit done in the public sector, published in 2019.

This book opened the doors to strategy partnerships in government. Working alongside overwhelmed public leaders led to the strategic skills framework outlined in You Don't Need An MBA: Leadership lessons that cut through the crap, published in 2021.

This framework underpinned the executive education programme Not An MBA and leadership development partnerships with corporate and government clients such as Woolworths and L'Oreal.

Throughout my career, I have worked with dozens of Councils to develop strategies, train managers, and boost skills and relationships within and between governance and management. After years of research and experimenting with different approaches, I published Local Legends: How to Make a Difference in Local Government.

Books and media

Author of From Strategy to Action, You Don’t Need an MBA, and Local Legends.
Featured in national and international media, including The AM Show, SkyNews Australia, and others, sharing insights on strategy, leadership, and decision-making.

Keynote Speaker and MC

Headlined the 2022 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly, hosting over 1,000 Mayors and CEOs.
Delivered keynotes and served as MC at dozens of conferences across Australia and New Zealand.
Co-hosted What’s On Your Mind? podcast (2020-21) and The Alicia McKay Show (2022).

Strategic projects

Partnered with the New Zealand Solicitor-General to reshape the future of Crown Law.
Prepared business cases for multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects in health and education.
Developed investment logic for critical services, including the Australian CSO and New Zealand Defence Force.
Audited performance and delivery for public agencies like the Ministry for Primary Industry.
Translated long-term community visions into operational strategies with Councils.

Leadership development

Inducted hundreds of Councillors across Australia and New Zealand.
Worked with over 100 councils, government agencies, and corporate clients across Australia and New Zealand to improve governance and build leadership capability.
Educated federal government managers on local government systems and challenges.
Partnered with Councils to deliver governance programs, enhance leadership skills, and drive community outcomes.

Programme design and facilitation

Founder of Not An MBA, an innovative executive education program for 500+ global leaders.
Created and delivered strategy, change, and facilitation training for dozens of organizations including Woolworths (220 FMCG leaders trained over two years) and L’Oreal NZ.
Produced curricula and resource libraries for facilitators and consultants.
Designed and delivered sold-out public training courses on strategy, change, and facilitation.
Launched an online academy with self-led courses on strategic planning, change, and leadership.