About
Meet Your Guide to Personal Growth
BIOGRAPHY
Don Small is a transformational leader, entrepreneur, and global advocate for education and innovation, with a career spanning over 20 years across EdTech, SaaS, healthcare, and consumer industries. As Chief Revenue Officer at Ducere Global Business School, Don has driven transformative growth in student acquisition and strategic global partnerships with corporations and NGOs.
His tenure at GO1 as Director of Strategy saw him spearhead the company’s expansion into government and enterprise channels, contributing to its rise as one of Australia’s fastest-growing unicorns.
Beyond his professional roles, Don serves as an advisor to forward-thinking organisations addressing critical global challenges. These include UR Supported, a SaaS solution bridging mental health gaps within the NDIS; Verdias, a sustainable energy solutions provider; and Fortress Health, a Brisbane-based startup producing pharmaceutical-grade supplements.
A committed Australian Masters Athlete, Don has represented his nation for three consecutive years, embodying the discipline and resilience he applies to every endeavour.
His leadership and dedication continue to inspire meaningful progress in education, health, sustainability, and beyond.
MISSION
Don Small’s mission is to drive meaningful transformation across industries by leveraging leadership, innovation, and collaboration to address critical educational, mental health, sustainability, and wellness challenges.
He aims to empower individuals and businesses to unlock their full potential, foster silence, and achieve ordinary results.
Through his work with Ducere Global Business School, Don champions accessible, impactful education on a global scale. As an advisor to pioneering organisations like UR Supported, Verdias, and Fortress Health, he is committed to delivering innovative solutions that close mental health gaps, promote sustainable energy, and advance health and wellness.
Don’s mission reflects his belief that combining purpose with action can create a better, more equitable future for individuals, businesses, and communities worldwide.
Through leadership, education, and collaboration, he aims to inspire meaningful change, advance social impact, and help others unlock their potential to achieve extraordinary success.
GLOBAL IMPACT
As a global ambassador for Ducere Education and a sponsored amateur Masters Athlete, Don Small exemplifies the power of education and perseverance to transform lives.
His work bridges the gap between academia and industry, forging impactful partnerships with leading corporations, NGOs, and governments to create programs that drive real-world change. Whether representing Australia on the athletic field or advocating for educational equity, Don is a living testament to the values of discipline, dedication, and social responsibility.
Don’s dual role as an ambassador for both Ducere Education and the Ducere Foundation ensures that their missions of access and equity resonate worldwide. From scaling enterprise-driven degree programs to promoting opportunities in underserved communities, Don continues to redefine what’s possible in education and workforce transformation while inspiring others through his athletic pursuits and global advocacy.
Professional
Experience
Transforming Vision Into Reality — Explore Don’s Proven Track RecordFrom redefining education to driving revenue growth, Don’s work reflects his commitment to excellence and innovation.
Dynamic and results-oriented business leader with over 20 years of experience in the SaaS, EdTech, consumer goods, and healthcare industries. Proven expertise in driving substantial revenue growth, executing data-driven strategies, and leading high-performing teams across the APAC region.
Business Leadership
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Business Affiliations
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2024 - current
MASTERING PODCAST - Panelist and Host
Don Small, a visionary leader and Australian Masters Athlete, joins forces with an extraordinary panel of industry experts to bring you Mastering. This podcast dives deep into the journeys, strategies, and mindsets of remarkable individuals, offering actionable insights to help you achieve your own success.
2024 - current
UR Supported - Advisory Board Member
Don serves on the advisory board of UR Supported, a groundbreaking SaaS platform designed to address the gaps in mental health support within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Through this role, Don provides strategic guidance to enhance the platform's reach and efficacy, ensuring that individuals and caregivers receive the mental health resources they need to thrive.
2024 - current
Verdias Solutions - Advisory Board Member
At Verdias, a provider of sustainable energy solutions, Don contributes his expertise to advance the company’s mission of delivering innovative and eco-friendly energy technologies. His insights help Verdias align its goals with global sustainability objectives, driving both environmental and economic benefits.
2024 - current
Fortress Health - Advisory Board Member
Don’s role with Fortress Health, a Brisbane-based startup specialising in pharmaceutical-grade supplements, allows him to guide the company in developing cutting-edge health solutions. His strategic advice supports Fortress Health in its mission to improve wellness and redefine standards in the health supplement industry.
2022 - 2024
QE2 Track Club - Secretary
As the Secretary of the QE2 Track Club, Don combined his passion for athletics with community building. This role enabled him to contribute to the development of athletes while promoting the values of discipline, teamwork, and personal growth through sports.
2022 - current
Ducere Education - Advocate and Ambassador
As a global ambassador for Ducere Education and the Ducere Foundation, Don actively promotes the importance of accessible, equitable, and enterprise-driven education. His advocacy extends to initiatives that support underserved communities, driving educational access and workforce transformation across four continents.
Business Consulting
Head of Strategy and Partnerships -
Expr3ss!
2021 - 2022
Expr3ss! Predictive Hiring Technology is a powerful, online solution to quickly and cost-effectively pinpoint candidates with the right skills, attitudes and cultural fit.
Head of Growth -
The ID Crowd
2021
An offbeat, award-winning bunch of learning experts and storytellers, The ID Crowd empowers organisations to create change and solve real business problems through the power of thoughtful and transformative digital learning.
The ID Crowd was acquired by Deloitte in 2022.
National Account Manager -
AOA
2018 -2019
AOA is Australia's favourite outdoor company!
A consolidated brand portfolio after Adventure Operations Australia’s acquisition of Australia’s two largest outdoor and adventure brands OZ Trail and Companion Brands.
Board Advisor -
Wandr
2023 - 2024
A subscription-based career discovery and learning platform packed with 1000s of hours of interactive learning content and careers advice all delivered by our hand-picked team of real world experts and celeb mentors.
Education
BSC Theoretical Physics and Mathematics
2007
Monash University - Melbourne
Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
2000
RMIT - Melbourne
Masters In Business
Administration
2024
The University of
East London
2023 - Present
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER (CRO) - Ducere Education
At Ducere Global Business School, Don serves as Chief Revenue Officer, spearheading transformative growth and global partnerships. Known for its innovative approach, Ducere collaborates with universities, corporations, and NGOs to deliver enterprise-driven degrees that combine academic rigor with real-world application. Don’s leadership has helped expand Ducere’s impact across four continents, driving accessibility and equity in education while shaping future-ready workforces.
2022 – 2023
GENERAL MANAGER - Learning Lounge, Online Courses Australia and Wandr
Founded in Australia, Learning Lounge is Australia’s largest and fastest-growing micro-credential library and marketplace, with over 500+ courses in its library.
As General Manager at Learning Lounge, Don help transform the company into one of the fastest-growing startups in Australia, earning recognition on the AFR Fast Starter list in 2022. He played a pivotal role in the growth of Online Courses Australia, the company’s retail arm, expanding its library of industry-leading micro-credentials and short courses, further cementing its position as a leader in online education.
2019 -2021
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY – KEY ACCOUNTS AND PUBLIC SECTOR - GO1
One of Australia's fastest-growing unicorns, Go1's Content Hub is the largest curated eLearning library available for a single subscription.
During his time at GO1, Don played a pivotal role in the company’s meteoric rise to becoming one of Australia’s most successful unicorns. As Director of Strategy, he led the expansion into government and enterprise channels, creating strategies and partnerships that opened new markets and enhanced access to GO1’s curated eLearning content. His efforts helped establish GO1 as a leader in corporate learning solutions.
2015 - 2019
GENERAL MANAGER, APAC – Striiv Inc
Striiv, recognised as the pioneer in custom health wearables, encourages behaviour change and delivers data insights to healthcare companies. Striiv is dedicated to helping people improve their health by providing coaching through the wearable and returning valuable biometric data to providers, insurers, and physicians.
As General Manager for Asia Pacific at Striiv Inc., Don was instrumental in launching health and wellness technology platforms across the region. He developed partnerships, drove market entry strategies, and oversaw the introduction of wearable devices designed to promote healthier lifestyles, showcasing his ability to connect technology with well-being.
2015 - 2017
CO-FOUNDER/DIRECTOR – Sleep Science Australia
A market leader in health services and preventative solutions for sleep disorders, Sleep Science Australia has led the way in awareness, research, and development of cost-effective solutions for sleep conditions.
As Co-Founder and Director of Sleep Science Australia, Don led the development of innovative solutions for sleep disorders. The company became a leader in sleep health, conducting clinical research and delivering cost-effective solutions that improved lives across Australia and New Zealand.
2013 - 2015
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER ANZ – Actegy Health
Actegy Health designs, develops, and markets innovative healthcare products that improve the health and well-being of the people who use them. Actegy intelligently harnesses the power of science to create innovative, effective, and proven-to-work home healthcare products.
At Actegy Health, Don served as National Sales Manager, successfully introducing the Revitive Circulation Booster to the Australian and New Zealand markets. His leadership doubled market share and expanded distribution, solidifying Actegy’s reputation for innovative healthcare products.
2007 - 2013
NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER – Conair Australia
As National Account Manager and State Manager at Conair Australia, Don played a central role in driving the company’s rapid growth across the Australian and New Zealand markets. Conair, known for brands like VS Sassoon, BaByliss, and Cuisinart, benefited from Don’s strategic leadership in sales and distribution.