Episode transcript

Note: This transcript has been edited for clarity and readability while staying true to the spirit of the conversation.

Amanda: This is Not Just A… podcast, where we get to know the person behind the job title. I’m your host, Amanda, and today we’re chatting with Michelle Hutchison, Chief of Staff at Finder. We’ll get into topics like emerging technologies, bitcoin and crypto, and how embracing the younger generation brings fresh perspectives. But above all, we’ll be chatting about who she really is behind the job title. Let’s get into it. 

Amanda: Michelle, welcome to the podcast. 

Michelle: Thank you. 

Amanda: Thank you so much for joining us. I’m very excited to chat with you. 

Michelle: Thanks for having me. 

Amanda: As a comms professional, when I was looking at your LinkedIn, I thought, oh, we’re going to have so much to chat about. There’s such a journey going from a comms role into a Chief of Staff role, and I really want to delve into that as well. But before we get into that, I want to start with who you were before you became a Chief of Staff. What was driving you then? 

Michelle: Well, I started as a journalist. Before that, I went through high school, university—I really didn’t know what to do. I wanted to open an art gallery and be an artist, but my parents discouraged me and wanted me to have a fallback plan. So I studied media and put my art on hold. Looking back, I wish they’d encouraged me to start a business or a gallery, but I also wonder why I didn’t just do it anyway. I was pretty rebellious! Still, I’m grateful for my journey—it’s been wild. 

I became fascinated with the media landscape, how it worked, and who controlled it. I did internships at newspapers, radio, magazines—even a week at Dolly magazine, which was a lot of fun. From there, I fell into radio and TV, though there wasn’t much work on the Central Coast where I lived at the time, so I commuted to Sydney. Eventually, I worked at Property Council Australia magazine. When the editor left, I had to step up and figure it out, which was a big learning curve. 

That’s also when I became fascinated with PR—deciding which press releases were worth turning into stories. I connected with PR managers, and eventually took a role as a PR manager myself. Honestly, I hated it—it wasn’t a good fit—but it led me into comparison sites, and I haven’t looked back since. 

Amanda: There’s so much I want to unpack. First, the art side—do you still paint? 

Michelle: I try! I started a painting about two years ago and still haven’t finished it. My daughter loves art, so I’d love to do more with her. But between projects and family, it’s hard to make time. 

Amanda: You mentioned radio—was that on the Central Coast? 

Michelle: Yes, I worked weekends at 2GO and SeaFM for about 18 months, reading news for both stations. Later, I did some TV reporting with NBN, but there weren’t many full-time opportunities, so I moved back to Sydney for work. 

Amanda: A lot of journalists move into comms and then into Chief of Staff roles. What lessons helped you succeed in your role now? 

Michelle: I’ve always looked for opportunities to help outside my immediate role. I joined Finder 12 years ago to build the Australian PR team, but also set up analytics support, expanded internationally, and introduced things like a parental leave policy and company offsites. I’ve always been that “get it done” kind of person. 

Later, I worked in Finder Ventures, our innovation arm, where we launched apps and crypto projects. I even became compliance officer for a crypto exchange we built—just figuring it out as I went. 

Amanda: Very impressive—a woman of all trades. And Fred, your CEO, is still very hands-on? 

Michelle: Yes, Fred is founder and Executive Chair. He’s focused now on creative projects, running Finder’s in-house creative studio. He’s very visionary and creative, while Frank, our other co-founder, is more rational and operational. They’re like yin and yang. 

Amanda: I have to ask—are you using ChatGPT? 

Michelle: Oh yes, we embraced it early. Being a comparison site, search is at our core, so AI made sense. I love it personally too—it helps me brainstorm and get unstuck. Some colleagues prefer to draft first then refine with AI, but I like to start with it to spark ideas. I even use it for my work on a crypto derivatives platform—it helps simplify complex terms that sometimes go over my head. Honestly, I couldn’t do that role without it. 

Amanda: Now that we’ve learned who you are at work—who are you when nobody’s watching? 

Michelle: I think I’m the same person outside of work, but I wear different hats. I’m a mum of two, and most of my life revolves around them. But I try to balance that with finding joy for myself too. 

Amanda: What’s something you’re deeply passionate about that would surprise people who only know you professionally? 

Michelle: Crypto. I’ve been working in the space since 2018. It started with money transfers—realising how many people lose money and time sending money overseas, and how bitcoin makes that cheaper and faster. That’s when I really saw its potential. 

Amanda: Some people still feel unsure about bitcoin—do you know how many actually use it? 

Michelle: Only about 5% globally. Adoption is still low, especially in Australia. I often explain crypto as just another foreign currency—it’s digital, but otherwise works like exchanging AUD for USD. NFTs are the non-fungible version, like a unique Pokémon card or a digital artwork that can’t be replicated. Meme coins are another trend—anyone can create them. There’s a lot of hype and risk, but also fascinating use cases. 

Amanda: If you could be known for something completely different, what would it be? 

Michelle: An artist. I’d love to go back to painting one day, though I’m lucky to have creativity in my role every day. 

Amanda: You mentioned creating the parental leave policy. Was that before or after you had kids? 

Michelle: I was actually pregnant at the time! But it wasn’t just for me—other colleagues were pregnant too, and I realised they’d never had parental leave. At startups, policies evolve as you go. I researched what the big tech companies were doing, but when I took it to Frank, he said, “Don’t worry about them—what’s the best thing we can do?” That forward-thinking mindset shaped our culture. 

Amanda: Frank sounds awesome. 

Michelle: He is—so supportive. I’ve worked with him for 12 years now. He once told me, “If you call me at 1am, I’ll answer.” That’s the kind of leader he is. 

Amanda: How do the other sides of yourself show up in your Chief of Staff role? 

Michelle: I’ve been told I’m very nurturing—like a mother goose. I look after my team and those around me. I think having kids amplified that. It’s important to create a circle of safety so people can be their authentic selves. With creative teams, especially, I protect them and ensure transparency with leadership so they can focus on being creative. 

Amanda: You’re also running an internship program, right? 

Michelle: Yes, with Macquarie University. We brought in interns for social media and now for PR too. It’s been great for both sides—they get real workplace experience, and we get fresh perspectives from digital natives. I also teach them how to use AI, since universities often discourage it. But I think it’s a vital skill. 

Amanda: Absolutely. And it’s so important to keep those entry-level opportunities alive, especially as AI changes the landscape. 

Michelle: Yes, exactly. Finder has always valued bringing in graduates and interns, and I’m glad we’re leaning into that again. 

Amanda: You obviously mentioned that you did internships and work experience. And I did the same program that these students are doing. It’s really cool. 

Michelle: Yes! We’ve all been there. Anybody 10, 20, 30 years into their career can reflect back and remember being that intern or entry-level hire. Sometimes people forget that, but it’s so important to give back to the next generation. I don’t see AI replacing those roles—at least not yet. It will take time. 

Amanda: That’s a really good point. I also find it interesting that universities are pushing back on AI when, in reality, these students will need to use it every day in their careers. 

Michelle: Exactly. Some of our interns came in saying they’d been told not to use AI. But I encourage them—if you’re writing a script, ask ChatGPT for sample questions, get ideas flowing. I literally find myself teaching them how to use it effectively. 

Amanda: Let’s shift gears. What are some of the challenges and opportunities you’re seeing in your current role? 

Michelle: One challenge is balancing all the different hats I wear. At Finder, I’m across social media, PR, internal programs, special projects—it’s a lot. But I thrive in that environment. I like creating processes, proving they work, then handing them over to others to run. 

For example, I’ve built internship programs, parental leave policies, and even company offsites from scratch. It’s exciting to see those things scale across the organisation. 

Amanda: And outside of work—you’ve mentioned art, family, crypto. What else lights you up? 

Michelle: Honestly, my kids are my world. But I also love creating—whether that’s painting, shaping a new program at work, or just solving problems creatively. That freedom and satisfaction of producing something new brings me a lot of joy. 

Amanda: Looking back at your journey—from journalism to PR to Chief of Staff—what advice would you give someone aspiring to a leadership role like yours? 

Michelle: Be curious, be willing to jump into areas that aren’t technically your job, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. A lot of my growth came from being thrown into the deep end and figuring it out. It’s not always comfortable, but that’s where the learning happens. 

Amanda: That’s great advice. Finally—if you could leave our listeners with one thing to remember about you, what would it be? 

Michelle: That I’m passionate about creating opportunities—for people, for teams, and for the future. Whether it’s through crypto, company culture, or internships, I love building things that make a difference. 

Amanda: Michelle, thank you so much for joining me. 

Michelle: Thank you for having me—it’s been wonderful. 

Enjoyed this episode?

Explore more conversations with inspiring leaders and innovators on our podcast or subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes.

We know that talented people know talented people. If you’d like to talk to us about how we can support your business, get in touch.