From homelessness to hope, from law school dropout to CEO of a purpose-driven disability services organisation, this is the extraordinary journey of Yasser Zaki, Global CEO of TLC Disability Services.

In this powerful episode of Uncommon Ground, hosted by Professor Talal Yassine, Yasser opens up about his early life in Egypt, migrating alone to Australia, and experiencing homelessness at just 24. But it's what came after, a life-changing encounter with a stranger on a train, and a shift from corporate sales into disability support, that shaped his purpose-led path.

From building a company with just $500 and no network, to leading one of Australia's most innovative NDIS service providers, Yasser shares the lessons of leadership, empathy, and why “a ship without goodness sinks.”

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about resilience, service, and creating real change in vulnerable communities.

Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@talal.yassine

Links

Learn More About Talal talalyassine.com.au

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/talaly

Facebook facebook.com/talal.yassine.1

Instagram instagram.com/talalyassine

Episode Running Order

• Intro — who is Yasser Zaki and why his story matters (00:00)
• Childhood in Egypt & early memories of injustice and speaking up (01:05)
• Family life: a judge for a father, a lawyer for a mother & private-school years (03:14)
• Choosing law… failing… and being forced into engineering (05:21)
• Studying in Dubai at University of Wollongong (06:02)
• Opening a tourism business in Egypt while studying (07:53)
• Visiting Australia for the first time — and choosing it as a new life path (09:07)
• Arriving in Australia alone at 24 — and three weeks of homelessness (11:17)
• Getting his first job at Nick Scali — the “bad Christian” moment (12:10)
• Sales hustles, manipulation from colleagues & becoming #1 in the company (18:40)
• Discovering the power of helping others — meeting Margaret on the train (24:13)
• Leaving corporate life to become a disability support worker (26:24)
• “A ship without goodness sinks” — the advice that changed everything (28:59)
• Studying hard: diplomas, a master’s, a PhD — building real expertise (29:56)
• Working in government (DAC / ATAC) & early NDIS transition years (32:13)
• Leaving government for the private sector & founding Tender Loving Care (36:39)
• Building TLC with $500, networks and trust — leading by agility (41:42)
• What TLC actually does: jobs, education, health & housing (44:07)
• The NDIS: what works, what doesn’t & why it matters (45:25)
• The coffee company — employing people with disability in a coffee culture (48:05)
• The TLC Foundation: endowment model & COVID pivot to food manufacturing (50:11)
• Lessons from the journey: resilience, purpose & “one hand can’t clap” (54:44)
• Leadership philosophy: hiring great people and letting them lead (57:44)
• Quick-fire questions: misconceptions, guilty pleasures & role models (1:00:47)
• Closing reflections & outro (1:04:08)