Shaping the Future: Leaders Making a Difference in 2026 – Vol 1

Ishara Saldin is the Founder and CEO of Reach4TheStars®, a dynamic initiative dedicated to empowering individuals and leaders to break through barriers, unlock their full potential, and achieve extraordinary results. A highly accomplished risk management executive, board director, and inspirational leadership keynote speaker, Ishara brings over 20 years of experience across financial services, governance, and enterprise-wide strategy.

Having worked with large family businesses and globally listed companies, Ishara has delivered sophisticated funding and investment solutions within complex operational, financial, and regulatory environments across Europe, America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Her expertise lies in overseeing strategy and governance frameworks at board level, with a deep operational understanding of both financial and non-financial risk across the private and public sectors.

Passionate about inspiring teams and developing individuals to become the best version of themselves every day, Ishara combines corporate leadership with a strong commitment to research, academia, and thought leadership. She has presented publications at national and international conferences, bridging industry issues, market intelligence, and academic insight.

Through her personal journey across corporate leadership, boardrooms, and social-impact volunteering, Ishara founded Reach4TheStars® to share the power of focus, discipline, perseverance, and purpose. Rooted in the belief that words inspire action, the platform delivers motivational reflections, stories, and quotes designed to uplift communities and create lasting impact.

Beyond business, Ishara is committed to supporting and donating to charities including Neuroblastoma Australia, Ronald McDonald House, Cancer Council, and the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation—reinforcing her belief that true success is inseparable from meaningful community contribution.

Please share the beginning of your career journey with us.

“My career journey began while I was pursuing my university degree through night classes and working full-time during the day. It was during this period that my leadership journey truly started—learning how to manage competing priorities, navigate uncertainty, and show up consistently under pressure.

Shortly after, I moved from the Middle East to Australia with no family or friends and a single suitcase in hand, which was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. I had to adapt quickly to a new culture, build networks from scratch, and prove myself professionally in unfamiliar environments—all while maintaining focus, resilience, and determination.

As my corporate career progressed, my responsibilities expanded across New Zealand, the U.K., Europe, America and its Territories, and Asia, giving me extensive exposure to diverse markets and cultures, which strengthened my ability to lead across borders with clarity, empathy, and strategic intent.

Alongside my corporate work, I have also dedicated time to volunteering with non-for-profit organizations. These experiences gave me a broader perspective on leadership—one rooted in purpose, community, and social impact. They reinforced that leadership isn’t confined to a title or position; it is a daily practice of influence, accountability, and creating environments where others can thrive.

With extensive boardroom experience as a non-executive director, I have exercised strategic leadership, influenced critical decisions, and navigated complex challenges to drive organizational growth and noted long-term impact.

Today, all of these experiences shape everything I do. They inspired me to create Reach4TheStars®, a platform dedicated to helping leaders and individuals unlock their potential, embrace challenges as opportunities, and lead with purpose, resilience, and authenticity.

Looking back, I can see that every early step—every decision, setback, and breakthrough—was preparing me to guide others toward creating meaningful, lasting impact in their organizations, communities, and beyond” – Ishara Saldin

Could you highlight the key offerings of your company?

“Through keynote speaking, storytelling, and interactive workshops, I inspire people—ranging from recent graduates to experienced professionals and senior leaders alike—to embrace leadership with purpose, resilience, and authenticity.

My work is deeply grounded in lived experience, shaped by decades of navigating corporate environments, boardrooms, and social-impact initiatives. I focus on helping individuals understand that leadership is not merely a title or position, but a responsibility—to make meaningful decisions, drive positive change, and leave a lasting impact on their organizations, communities, and the people they lead.

This perspective is especially important today because leaders face unprecedented challenges: rapid technological change, global uncertainty, and complex societal pressures. Without intentional leadership, organizations risk stagnation, disengagement, or missed opportunities to create real impact.

I often share stories from my own experience where moments of clarity, courage, and authentic decision-making transformed team dynamics, inspired innovation, and strengthened trust in ways that no strategy document or process could replicate.

Leaders who embrace purpose, resilience, and authenticity not only achieve measurable results, but also foster cultures where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute their best.

By cultivating these qualities, leaders can navigate complexity with confidence, build future-ready organizations, and leave a legacy that extends far beyond profit or performance. Ultimately, leadership grounded in intention and integrity shapes communities, drives innovation, and creates positive change that resonates across industries, borders, and generations” – Ishara Saldin.

What are your long-term goals, and where do you envision yourself in the coming years?

“My long-term goal is to help shape a new standard of leadership—one that balances performance with purpose, ambition with empathy, and measurable results with a deep responsibility to people, communities, and society at large.

I’m less focused on where I’ll be, and more focused on who I will continue becoming—as a leader, a lifelong learner, and a human being committed to growth, reflection, and creating meaningful impact.

In the coming years, I see my work evolving at the intersection of strategy, culture, and human potential, supporting leaders across industries, geographies, and organizations of all sizes as they navigate complex growth, disruption, and responsibility at scale.

Whether on stage, in boardrooms, through workshops, or behind the scenes in advisory roles, my focus is on creating environments where leaders feel empowered to grow, make clearer and more confident decisions, and lead through change, pressure, and uncertainty with integrity and courage.

Ultimately, my mission is to help build resilient, future-ready individuals and organizations that not only achieve exceptional business results, but also foster thriving cultures, advance human well-being, and leave a lasting positive impact on people, communities, and the broader world.

Through my work, I strive to inspire a generation of leaders who understand that leadership is not simply a position or title, but a responsibility to influence, uplift, and transform the systems and people they serve” – Ishara Saldin. 

Who has been the most significant source of inspiration in your life?

“Rather than a single individual, my greatest source of inspiration has always been the leaders—and the pivotal moments—where clarity, courage, and conviction mattered most.

I’ve learned the most by observing how people show up under pressure: making disciplined, often difficult decisions, taking responsibility for outcomes, and leading with integrity even when it is inconvenient, unpopular, or when no one is watching.

These experiences, often unfolding during periods of challenge, uncertainty, and rapid change, have taught me that true leadership isn’t a title, a position, or an entitlement—it is a daily practice, cultivated through accountability, consistency, reflection, and tangible impact.

Watching leaders navigate high-stakes environments, complex organizational dynamics, and critical conversations has inspired me to see leadership as both an art and a responsibility. It has reinforced my belief that leadership is less about authority and more about influence—the ability to inspire, uplift, and empower people to achieve collective goals while fostering trust, resilience, and a culture of excellence.

These lessons have deeply shaped my work as a keynote speaker and founder, guiding my mission to help others unlock their potential, lead with purpose, and create meaningful, lasting impact.

Whether mentoring executives, speaking to audiences across industries, or sharing stories that highlight courage and innovation, I strive to demonstrate that leadership is a practice rooted in integrity, action, and human connection—a practice that can transform organizations, communities, and the people within them for generations to come” – Ishara Saldin.

Please list some of the notable recognitions and accreditations that you and your organization received.

“Although our organization is newly launched, we’ve already gained significant early validation and momentum, which demonstrates that our vision and approach are resonating across industries and geographies.

We are deeply honoured to be recognized on CEO Scoop’s Top 50 Disruptor 2026 list, which proudly spotlights 50 global leaders from more than 15 industries who are driving innovation, breaking barriers, and redefining what excellence looks like in an increasingly dynamic and rapidly evolving world.

These remarkable visionaries are not only building future-ready organizations and transforming industries, but they are also advancing human well-being, fostering inclusive growth, and leading with conviction and integrity across borders and sectors.

Our work has also attracted the attention of prominent magazine publishers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, alongside invitations to speak at conferences, contribute insights, and form strategic partnerships with organizations worldwide.

These early global signals affirm that our approach is resonating in diverse markets, providing strong evidence that we are on a path towards creating meaningful, measurable impact.

As we continue to scale with purpose, our mission remains clear: to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to unlock their full potential, embrace innovation, and leave a lasting positive mark on the world” – Ishara Saldin. 

What were the most challenging obstacles you’ve encountered in your career?

“Over more than 20 years navigating corporate environments, boardrooms, and volunteering with non-for-profit organizations, one of the most significant challenges I have faced has been learning to lead authentically amid intense demands and high-stakes situations.

Early in my career, I encountered moments where every decision mattered—from leading critical projects under tight deadlines to navigating tense boardroom discussions where clarity, courage, and strategic thinking were essential. Equally consequential were the everyday decision, made with care and accountability that revealed their true weight – choices that shaped livelihoods, influenced family stability, and the fabric of communities.  These experiences required me to adapt continuously, remain resilient under pressure, and balance ambition with compassion. They reshaped my understanding of what true leadership really looks like.

I learned that leadership is not a static position or a title—it is a daily practice, cultivated through focus, discipline, courage, integrity, and a commitment to continuous growth.

These lessons ultimately inspired me to found Reach4TheStars®, a platform dedicated to helping individuals and leaders unlock their potential and achieve extraordinary outcomes. Through inspirational stories, reflections, and practical guidance, I support leaders as they navigate complex growth, disruption, and organizational responsibility, while creating environments where people feel empowered to make clearer, more confident decisions.

Even in the first few weeks of launching Reach4TheStars®, our work gained early recognition, including being named to CEO Scoop’s Top 50 Disruptor 2026 list—a testament to the global resonance and relevance of our approach. The response from leaders, organizations, and media alike has been overwhelmingly encouraging, affirming that purposeful, resilient leadership is not only needed, but transformative across industries and cultures.

Beyond the boardroom and the stage, my mission is to inspire leaders and individuals to embrace leadership as a responsibility, not a title, and to create an impact that lasts. Whether mentoring executives, speaking to diverse audiences, or forming strategic partnerships across continents, I aim to help organizations and communities’ foster cultures of trust, resilience, and purposeful action.

What began as a personal journey of growth, perseverance, and learning through moments of pressure and challenge has evolved into a movement dedicated to empowering people to break through barriers, unlock their potential, and achieve extraordinary results—leaving a lasting positive impact across borders, industries, and generations” – Ishara Saldin. 

As we conclude this inspiring feature in Shaping the Future: Leaders Making a Difference in 2026 – Vol 1, CEO Scoop Magazine proudly recognizes Ishara Saldin as a leader whose journey reflects the very essence of purpose-driven impact.

With over two decades of experience spanning corporate leadership, board governance, and social-impact initiatives across multiple continents, Ishara exemplifies a new standard of leadership—one rooted in resilience, authenticity, and responsibility. Through her platform Reach4TheStars®, she is empowering individuals and organizations to lead with courage, embrace challenges as opportunities, and unlock extraordinary potential.