Brandee Wade’s career pathway seems to have been ‘written in the stars’ (or, rather the bright lights of Las Vegas). Growing up in USA, she studied an accounting major at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas — fast forward to now, travel 13,000 miles and you’ll find Brandee as the CFO of Crown Resorts. In this candid conversation with Liam Killen, Brandee reflects on what it means to lead with integrity, the lessons she’s taken from both exceptional and difficult leaders, and the personal leap that brought her family halfway across the world.

Liam:
I’m joined today by Brandee Wade, CFO of Crown Melbourne. Brandee, thanks so much for joining us.

Brandee:
Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

Liam:
Brandee, today we’re going to explore your career and your personal journey. You grew up in Las Vegas as one of 10 siblings. Can you paint a picture of what that was like?

Brandee:
It was absolute mayhem—but I can’t imagine life any other way. I shared everything with someone my entire childhood. It wasn’t until college that I had my own space. That experience taught me a lot about time management and prioritisation—whether it was trying to get your parents’ attention, your grandparents’, or just navigating the household. There was always competition, so learning how to advocate for what you needed became essential.

Life was loud, chaotic, and fun. I also learned to use my voice—not just to speak up for myself, but for others. There was always a sibling you’d defend and another you’d throw under the bus, depending on the day! But finding your voice was key.

Liam:
What did young Brandee dream of becoming?

Brandee:
Initially, I wanted to be a cement mixer driver. My dad was a heavy equipment operator, and I thought that was the dream. Later, I became interested in marine biology—specifically ichthyology, the study of sharks. I went to the University of San Diego to pursue that, which was exciting, though it’s not where I ultimately landed.

Liam:
Right, so you started out studying marine biology and planned to research sharks in Alaska. How did that version of your life shift into finance?

Brandee:
Family again. In my first year of college, my dad had a health scare. I returned home earlier than planned to help care for my younger siblings. Thankfully, he recovered, but by then I had too many credits to be undeclared. At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the first major listed alphabetically was accounting—so I took it. Fast forward, and here I am as CFO of Crown Melbourne.

Liam:
One of the more unique pathways into finance! Even so, was there anything from your early passion for science that carried into your work today?

Brandee:
Not much crossover between sharks and casinos—although maybe there’s an argument to be made there! But what stayed with me is the love of learning. It’s always been what drives me. University wasn’t just about a degree—it was about discovering who I was, socially and academically. That desire to learn and grow has followed me through every stage of my career.

Liam:
You were the first in your family to graduate college—that’s a powerful legacy. What did that moment mean to you?

Brandee:
My parents supported me, but they hadn’t had that experience themselves. They didn’t measure our worth by academic success—we weren’t rewarded or punished for grades. So, it was a self-driven path for me. I had a teacher early on who really inspired me, but ultimately, I was motivated by what I wanted to achieve. Had my parents structured things differently, maybe the outcome would have been different. But it rested on me.

Liam:
It sounds like you hold a lot of admiration for your parents. What values did they instil that have stuck with you?

Brandee:
Family above all else. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of the people you love. They also had a strong sense of integrity. That meant saying no to things that didn’t align with their values. Family was always the top priority, and they made decisions accordingly.

Liam:
Let’s talk about the Vegas years. Las Vegas isn’t just your hometown—it’s where your career took shape. What was it like building a professional life in such a high-stakes environment?

Brandee:
It was home, so I didn’t know any different. I was one of the few in my family to go into the casino and hospitality industry, so it felt like just another job path. But Vegas is a city that never sleeps. The access to dining, entertainment, and culture is unmatched. It’s also a very network-driven place. Once you’re in the industry, you realise how small and connected it is, which allows for a lot of opportunity and collaboration.

Liam:
You worked with big names like MGM and The Venetian. What did those experiences teach you about leadership and pressure?

Brandee:
You can learn from every leader—even the poor ones. The best leaders hold themselves and others accountable. Some were kind but avoided tough conversations, which created performance issues. Others were more direct and got results, even if they were hard to work with. The key is balancing emotional intelligence with effectiveness. That’s become more important over time. I’ve evolved a lot as a leader, and the expectations around leadership have evolved too.

Liam:
How would you describe your leadership style? Did you have a mentor, or was it shaped by many influences?

Brandee:
It’s definitely an amalgamation, but there are a few people I’d work for again in a heartbeat. That says a lot. I have high expectations. I’m no-nonsense, very transparent—probably a bit too blunt at times—but I fiercely defend my team. I believe in clear expectations and giving people the tools they need to succeed. I can be tough with feedback, but I also support work-life balance. If something’s happening in your personal life, that takes priority, and I trust my leaders to support that too.

Liam:
Two years ago, you packed up your life in Vegas and moved to Australia. What motivated the move?

Brandee:
I said no several times before finally agreeing to come over and “just check it out.” Don’t fall for that line! But once we visited, met with Crown, and explored Australia, my family was on board. I was the last holdout. If you’d asked me a few months earlier whether I’d move—even to New York—I would’ve said no. But my son reminded me: bravery is doing the right thing, even when you’re afraid. I was scared—of failing, of uprooting my family—but here we are, two years later, loving the adventure.

Liam:
What’s been the hardest part about starting fresh in a new country?

Brandee:
Not having friends or family around, and not knowing where anything is. In Vegas, I knew where to shop, where to go for what. Here, everything was unfamiliar—where to buy a Halloween costume, even. That lack of familiarity and support network was tough. But once we settled and built a network, it started to feel like home.

Liam:
And how has your family adjusted to life here?

Brandee:
They love it. I joke that my social circles are Crown and home, while my partner and son have built broader networks—sports teams, school, the gym. But Australia is incredibly safe, and as an American, that means a lot. My son has more freedom and independence than he could have back home. I’m really grateful for that.

Liam:
You stepped into Crown during a period of big transformation. What kind of leadership did that moment require?

Brandee:
It required observation and listening. I didn’t want to overlay my beliefs onto a culture or company that was already going through change. The team had experienced ownership shifts, plus the impact of COVID—which was especially harsh in Victoria. People were exhausted and wary. I had to build trust and show that I wasn’t here to replace their ways with mine, but to understand what was working and how we could improve together. Listening and empathy made the biggest difference.

Liam:
What does your role as CFO at Crown Melbourne look like day to day? What do you enjoy most?

Brandee:
It’s busy—there’s a high volume of work, and we operate 24/7. There are a lot of meetings, which are my least favourite part. But what I love is working with the team—brainstorming, setting goals, solving problems collaboratively. Getting people around the table to understand how their work impacts others leads to better decisions and outcomes.

Liam:
How do you balance bringing global experience into a local context?

Brandee:
Trust, respect, and confidence—once those are built, it’s easier to contribute meaningfully. I never wanted my voice to overshadow others’. It’s about recognising that everyone’s voice matters, regardless of title. Sometimes I have to make tough calls, but I aim to do that with buy-in, even if there’s not always full consensus.

Liam:
Looking back on your journey, what are you most proud of?

Brandee:
Twice in my career, I’ve led teams through perfect audits with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. At The Venetian, we went from a very poor audit to the best outcome they’d had. Being called in—not for a reprimand, but for praise—was a powerful moment. It showed the impact of strong leadership and teamwork.

Liam:
And what’s lighting you up about what’s next—at work or in life?

Brandee:
My son often asks when we’re going home—not because he wants to, but because he’s afraid I’ll decide to before he’s ready. Right now, I just want more time with him. I think we underestimate how important we are to our kids in those tween and teen years. I still love this industry, but I’m also open to nonprofit work or something that gives me more time at home while still doing something meaningful.

Liam:
Alright—some rapid fire to close us out. One word that describes you?

Brandee:
Difficult.

Liam:
Coffee or cocktail?

Brandee:
Cocktail.

Liam:
Favourite Australian discovery?

Brandee:
Steak night at the races. We don’t have anything like that in Vegas—it’s uniquely Melbourne.

Liam:
A book or podcast you’d recommend?

Brandee:
Outliers always offers new insights. And The Gift of Fear—it’s a tough read, but gifted to me by someone I deeply respect. There’s a lot to take from it.

Liam:
And one thing you know now that you wish you knew 10 years ago?

Brandee:
To judge myself with the same grace I give others. We’re often far harder on ourselves than we’d ever be to a friend or colleague. Showing myself more kindness would’ve helped a lot.

Liam:
Brandee, thank you so much for such a thoughtful conversation.

Brandee:
Thank you.