Gary is a Director of the Lincoln Institute, having joined the organisation in 2014. He is a highly recognised and respected coach, speaker and facilitator in the fields of veterinary practice management and leadership, veterinary business models and life balance strategies. Gary has a particular interest in personal leadership and development. He has presented at numerous conference across Australia and delivered the 2015 AVBA On The Move Series, Leading Change in your Practice. He also developed the Goldmine Veterinary Dental Program which he has presented internationally.
Gary is also the director of the East Port Veterinary Hospital, a multi-award winning and Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association accredited Hospital of Excellence situated on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. He is a first class honours graduate from the University of Sydney and a Chartered Member of the Australian Veterinary Association. He is also a member of the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Australian Veterinary Business Association and Australian Veterinary Dental Society.
Paul Ainsworth BSc (Mil), Dip HR, Exec MBA (AGSM)
Director
Paul is the founding principal of the Lincoln Institute and is a highly sought after executive coach, facilitator and key note presenter with a focus on stimulating organisational team and individual leadership potential. Paul is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy, University of New South Wales, the Royal Military College Duntroon and was awarded the prestigious Sasakawa Leadership Scholarship by the Australian Graduate School of Management’s Executive MBA program.
The Australian Army and in particular its Infantry Corp has an international reputation as being one of the world’s toughest and most resilient military units. As an infantry officer Paul has seen international service in 5 foreign countries, culminating in leading an international military observer unit in one of the worlds harshest environments. Paul has safely lead teams out of crossfire, negotiated the release of hostages, reopened international borders that had been closed due to hostile acts and provided humanitarian relief to communities suffering oppression.
On resigning his commission, he was appointed as a Director of ALDI Foods. His appointment as Australia’s first director ensured his place in establishing the culture of one of the world’s largest food retailers.
Paul has served as the CEO and Board Chairman of Australia’s fastest growing company (BRW # 1) after an approach by the board to lead a substantial change and off-shore expansion. Paul’s capacity to lead this change in the highly competitive and complex energy sector is testimony to his ability to ‘walk the leadership talk’. Paul has over 30 years of leadership experience across all socio-economic and geopolitical boundaries making him highly sought after as an instructor and facilitator to all levels of business.
Dr Michael Powell BVSc (Hons)
Director
Mick Powell joined Lincoln as a director in 2016 and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in leadership and business management.
He is a highly regarded veterinary surgeon and veterinary business consultant who lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with his wife and three children. Mick graduated with first class honours from the University of Queensland in 1994 and has been practising for more than 22 years, both in Australia and overseas.
In the past 10 years Mick and his wife Nichola devoted their energy to developing an ASAVA Accredited Hospital of Excellence with a team of 6 vets and 14 support staff, located in Beenleigh. In 2014, the MPV Profit and Expenses survey ranked them the number one practice in Australia for both normalized net profit as well financial return per principal (EBIT). Despite the low average income of residents in its location, Mick’s practice also enjoyed an average year-on-year growth in turnover of 18% and steady new client numbers of approximately 1400 per annum.
Mick attributes much of the success of the business in its latter years to the more effective implementation of business development strategies and systems with the application of advanced leadership training, received through the Lincoln Institute. In September 2014, Mick made himself strategically redundant within his Business to the degree that he negotiated its sale to a corporate group for a 5-times multiple with no work out period; something unheard of in the professional services industry at the time.
2015 saw Mick and his family sell their home and head off for a yearlong adventure living in Italy. Now back on home soil, Mick is focusing full-time on pursuing his passion for helping other business-owners achieve success and is proud to be a part of the leadership training and coaching team at the Lincoln institute.
“My firm belief is that Leadership is the missing link to success and I encourage all business owners and leaders to develop this before anything else”
Dr Chris Gough BVSc
Director
Chris Gough is on a mission to empower business leaders and managers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage effectively with their people to create extraordinary results.
What he teaches is practical, relevant and achievable as he has done it himself in the real world, whilst maintaining an enviable life / work balance.
The first half of Chris’ career was spent developing systems enabling him to create one of Australia’s most successful veterinary practice. Riverbank Animal Hospital, an ASAVA Accredited Hospital of Excellence, was benchmarked in 2015 as their top performing veterinary practice by recognised industry analysts.
Many of the systems Chris developed for Riverbank have been adopted by national education providers and form a part of their core teachings. Now successfully replicated by other veterinary business owners across Australia.
Chris joined Lincoln Institute as a student with Lincoln’s founder Paul Ainsworth back at Lincoln’s very beginning in 2012. Having completed Lincoln’s flagship Lead to Succeed program he was the first graduate invited to join Lincoln’s innovative mentoring and coaching program in 2015. Chris became a Partner one year later. Chris is highly regarded by his clients as an extraordinary asset in their success. Chris now heads up Lincoln’s talented Coaching Team, oversees Lincoln’s member benefit program, Lincoln Advantage and is also head of operations at Lincoln HQ.
“The potential for personal and business growth from working with Lincoln Institute is immense. To have the opportunity to have a positive impact on peoples lives is incredibly fulfilling, the benefit being not only for those we impact on the programs but also for their team, family and clients. What we do ultimately creates happiness and freedom.”
Dr Nichola Powell BVSc (Hons) MBA
Finance Controller
Nichola is a veterinary surgeon with a wealth of domestic and international experience in both clinical practice and multiple practice management systems. Nichola has co-owned an ASAVA accredited Hospital of Excellence, steering this business to exceptional levels of profitability and overseeing its eventual sale.
Nichola now applies her passion and knowledge in financial management to ensuring the ongoing success of Lincoln as well as curriculum development for Lincoln’s clients.
Amanda Gough
Client Experience Manager
Amanda is the former co-owner and practice manager of one of Australia’s most profitable veterinary hospitals. Since selling her practice, Amanda has coached hundreds of veterinary practice owners and managers across Australia.
Amanda works closely with our current clients and alumni program members to help them optimise their experience from Lincoln’s suite of leadership training products and also helps ensure their full utilization of Lincoln’s member benefit program, Lincoln Advantage.
Anna Graham
Business Development Manager
Anna has worked in a leadership capacity in Veterinary Practices for over 20 years. As a Head Veterinary Nurse in the UK, Anna led a large team in what is now one of the largest veterinary hospitals in Europe. Her move to Australia saw her working alongside Dr. Michael and Nichola Powell, managing their ASAVA accredited hospital in Queensland. In 2014, this practice was listed as the most profitable practice in Australia.
Most recently Anna has been focused on helping Veterinary & Allied Health Practices implement effective business processes and systems. Her role with Lincoln is to work with Prospective and new clients to help them understand the power of leadership in the execution of their business strategy.
Mark Bowker
Leadership & High Performance Facilitator
Mark has an uncanny ability to make the complex simple. His natural curiosity and flexible but results driven approach ensures the right ‘fit’ to whatever group or individual he is working with. He has been facilitating and developing programs for entities such as Coles, The Just Group and ANZ, where he utilises his commercial experience and inquisitive nature to assist clients to build greater self-awareness and make tangible positive behavioural change.
As a Certified Organisational Coach and PSYCH-K Facilitator, Mark guides individuals and groups to strengthen their effectiveness at managing the challenges and opportunities that personal and professional life offers. Using a collaborative and results orientated process, he is able to support career management, performance development and the growth of sustainable relationships at all levels.
