The LOTE Agency continues to grow and evolve beyond translation into a human-first and impact-driven organisation. Our Marketing Coordinator, Zoe Askitis, sat down with our CEO, Ash Chand, to speak about leadership, transformation and his vision for shaping LOTE's future.
Here’s what he shared:
Q: As the new CEO, what excites you most about leading LOTE at this moment in time?
Ash: “We’re in a real period of growth, and LOTE is transforming from being known as a multicultural communications, translations and research provider, into operating through a true human design and behaviour change lens, ultimately creating meaningful, long-lasting change. What excites me most about this is the opportunity to do it alongside an incredibly passionate group of people who genuinely care about making an impact.”
Q: How would you define the next chapter of LOTE?
Ash: “At its core, this is about collaborating with our clients and partners to drive systemic intergenerational change across Australia. My personal vision has always been to create meaningful impact, and at LOTE, that means designing more inclusive and enriching experiences for everyone.”
Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
Ash: “I would describe my leadership style as vision-led and empathy-driven. Over the past six years working in sales at LOTE, one principle has always been clear: humans come first. Therefore, when you lead with a human-first leadership approach, strategy becomes both stronger and more impactful.”
Q: What life experiences shaped how you lead today?
Ash: “My parents migrated from Fiji, and I grew up as a second-generation Australian. At times, I struggled with identity, unsure whether I was Australian or Fijian or Indian. Those experiences pushed me to understand myself more deeply, and shaped who I am today. That journey of self-discovery shaped my values and leadership approach. It’s why inclusion and perspective are so important to me.”
Q: What impact do you hope to create as a leader?
Ash: “Beyond driving impact and changing the world, my goal is to unlock the potential of everyone that is in our ecosystem to grow together. I aspire to foster a culture where diverse perspectives are not only heard, but truly understood.”
Q: What have been the hardest challenges so far as CEO?
Ash: “While vision sets the direction, execution is where the real challenge lies. Creating lasting change demands structure, disciplined processes and alignment across every part of the business. Navigating those moving pieces has been a significant learning curve. I spend the majority of my time focused on our people, because that’s where real sustainable transformation begins.”
Q: What emotions have you felt most in your first few months as CEO?
Ash: “Excitement, alongside a bit of chaos! Becoming CEO at 32 is definitely a huge milestone, but something I could have never achieved without the guidance and support I’ve had from LOTE, our clients, some special individuals in the industry and my family. I’m surrounded by people deeply passionate about impact, supported by a 30-year legacy. LOTE has built a strong ecosystem, and we’re committed to designing equitable experiences that truly change lives.”
Q: Where do you see the greatest opportunity for transformation?
Ash: “Over the past 30 years, we have built deep expertise across engaging and building our network of community, advocating for inclusive design and consistently reinvesting our profits back into the community. The Australian community has changed rapidly in terms of demographics, which has led to a change in the way we need to communicate, engage and design services.”
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring leaders?
Ash: “Immerse yourself in experiences, they will shape your perspective. Build confidence through action and feedback. Most importantly, find a mentor, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to learn.”
Q: When you picture LOTE in five years, what does it look like?
Ash: “Australia’s leading agency for equitable services, driven by stronger systems, inclusive processes, and experiences for our teams, clients and communities. Our work is already creating real change in Australia and around the world.”
