Behind the Mic: Louise Roberts, WiBF Awards Moderator on Crafting Conversations with CEOs

Recently, Louise had the pleasure of moderating the distinguished CEO Panel at WiBF’s 25th Anniversary National Industry Awards Gala, held at ICC Sydney. The Grand Ballroom was charged with the energy with a room full of guests and the calibre of conversation on stage was as memorable as the occasion itself.

How do you know what to ask and what your panellists will say? It’s a question Louise Roberts has been asked countless times over her career as a journalist, commentator and moderator. For her, the answer comes down to three things: preparation, intuition and trust.

“What struck me most was how thoughtful and prepared each panellist was,” Louise reflects. “These are leaders who rarely get the luxury of stepping away from the pace of their day-to-day, yet when given the space, they offered raw, authentic insights that resonated across the room.”

On the night, Soraya Ali, ANZ CEO of Zip, spoke candidly about how fintech has redefined customer expectations overnight. Thomas Beregi, CEO of Credit Corp Group, discussed resilience not as a buzzword, but as a skill forged through headwinds. Meanwhile, Zoë Leonard, CEO of Turks, reflected on the challenge of maintaining a people-first culture while balancing the weight of tradition in professional services.

In the lead-up to the panel, Louise connected with each panellist via Zoom to discuss draft questions and themes she had developed. These conversations, she explains, often uncover new angles and spark the best ideas.

“That preparation creates space for genuine dialogue, the kind that reveals more than polished talking points,” Louise says. “Moderating a panel is about listening, really listening and creating the trust that allows leaders to open up.”

Louise’s ability to draw out meaningful insights has been shaped by decades of experience in journalism. Before moving into broadcasting and corporate media, she worked as a journalist and editor in London and New York, covering some of the world’s biggest moments from the funeral of Princess Diana and 9/11, to Wimbledon, the Olympic Games and UK elections including the one that swept Tony Blair to power.

She later became a showbusiness and celebrity editor, interviewing cultural icons including the Spice Girls, Julie Andrews, Angelina Jolie, Gary Oldman, Joan Collins and Rick Parfitt.

“Those conversations taught me as much about human nature as they did about fame,” she says. “The secret is simple: everyone, no matter how powerful or polished, wants to be heard.”

Throughout her career, Louise has learned that being a good listener doesn’t mean being a pushover.

“In a career built on access and relationships, it’s easy to confuse kindness with compliance,” she notes.

“Now, I weigh every opportunity based on what it brings me as much as what I bring to it. Reminding yourself of your value and depth of experience is one of the best tips I can give.”

These lessons now shape how she approaches every stage she steps onto.

“The art of moderating, much like journalism, is about balance: curiosity without intrusion, empathy without losing authority and conversation without control,” Louise explains.

The WiBF audience that night heard lived truths from three outstanding CEOs whose experiences continue to shape the sector. For Louise, live conversation remains one of the most powerful ways to reveal real leadership.

As Louise left the stage that night, she was reminded why she loves not just reporting on stories but facilitating them in real time. “It is a privilege and a joy to create the kind of dialogue that stays with people long after the lights come up,” she shared.

If you’d like to connect with Louise Roberts about future speaking or moderating opportunities, you can find her on LinkedIn.