A human-first approach: Phoebe Pershouse

As Phoebe Pershouse looks back on the influential figures who have guided her career, she feels incredibly fortunate. The line-up of leaders who have mentored her on her journey to becoming the Head of Communications of sustainable infrastructure company Infragreen is nothing short of inspiring.

"Each one has given me invaluable lessons," she tells The CEO Magazine. "It feels like I’ve built a toolkit of their superpowers along the way."

At the top of the list are her parents, who have run their own Australian produce company for as long as Pershouse can remember.

"Dad taught me the importance of fostering genuine relationships and guarding them with your life, and mom always instilled that nothing was out of reach," she says.

Then there’s Sir Richard Branson, with whom she worked during her time at Virgin, including Virgin Strive, Virgin Galactic and Virgin Australia.

"Richard Branson showed me how to lead with purpose, embrace fun and always push the boundaries of what’s possible – never settling for ordinary," she explains. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have had his ‘red sparkle’ sprinkled throughout my career."

Rising to the challenge

It’s a sparkle Pershouse has harnessed to drive Infragreen forward. The company provides permanent capital and operational guidance to infrastructure businesses with purpose – those that contribute to a greener future. At Infragreen, it's not just about funding. It's about collaboration with businesses to drive more genuine outcomes.

Culture is key to this mission, with inclusion paramount for Infragreen. Forget rigid hierarchies; this is an open environment where no idea is off the table.

"We connect and engage as people first, keeping it real and ensuring everyone has a voice," she says."Most importantly, as a team, we go all in. That’s what sets us apart. When everyone is aligned and understands they’re building something bigger than themselves, it creates a deep sense of connection and purpose."

Pershouse is determined to help build a legacy business that will become a billion-dollar company within five years. Some of its portfolio businesses are poised to scale by two-and-a-half times.

"This is a huge accomplishment – not just for me, but for our team, businesses and investors," she says.

It was during her time at Virgin Galactic that Pershouse learned the power of community and having a human-first approach. Tragedy struck the company when one of the aircrafts suffered a fatal incident.

"With 700 paid customers who could request refunds at any time, it was critical we addressed their concerns and maintained trust," she explains.

"Our team took a human-first approach, personally calling each customer and organizing gatherings in major cities around the world to answer their questions and foster a sense of community."

By creating an open, honest conversation, these efforts reaffirmed the company’s shared vision and led to not one customer refunding due to the accident.

"I believe this reflects the power of genuine connection and heart-to-heart conversations in business – especially during tough moments," she reflects.

"Community is the backbone of all successful companies."

Lessons from the top

No stranger to working in male-dominated industries, Pershouse understands the trials faced by women in leadership. She sees the biggest challenge as remaining authentic.

"I overcome doubt by keeping it real and staying positive," she reveals. "To me, challenges are just opportunities to do better. I lead with optimism and celebrate everyday wins because positive people, places and work create stronger relationships, better outcomes and lasting impact. Optimism is infectious."

It’s this sense of positivity that has led to some of her biggest wins, she notes.

"I’ve always been good at saying yes to opportunities. Some of the best jobs and experiences I've had were ones I've never actively searched for – I was lucky they found me," she adds.

When opportunity knocks, even if self-doubt creeps in, say yes, she urges.

"Breaking new ground and learning something new will give you fresh inspiration. After all, stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for success."

As International Women’s Day looms, she welcomes the light the annual event shines on the incredible efforts of women around the world. But for Pershouse, the future is about collaboration.

"It’s not lost on me how fortunate I’ve been to have a strong and supportive group of men throughout my career," she says. "The truth is, we can’t do it alone. Real progress happens when we recognize that we are stronger together.

"If there’s one message I’d love to share this International Women’s Day, it’s that true equality isn’t about one side winning – it’s about all of us moving forward together."