Risk has become a part of life in the business world. In the everlasting quest for reward, entrepreneurs and businesses alike make leaps on the regular, but don’t always stick the landing. Fear is still holding businesses back from making the most of risky opportunities.

But one Australian firm is flipping the script on risk and seeking to recast it as a strategic enabler of growth. Risk 2 Solution works to embed proactive risk intelligence and strengthen resilience for its clients, and its efforts have placed Group CEO Gavriel Schneider among the finalists in the Information Technology and Telecommunications and Professional Services categories at The CEO Magazine’s 2025 Executive of the Year Awards.

“At Risk 2 Solution, we truly live our two core mottoes,” Schneider tells The CEO Magazine. “Those are: ‘protecting what counts’ and ‘make a dollar, make a difference.’

“Through our Presilience® methodology, we’ve helped organizations across industries from critical infrastructure to finance, law enforcement, health and education create measurable performance gains.”

Presilience, Schneider explains, is more than resilience – it’s Risk 2 Solution’s way of transforming risk into opportunity and allowing businesses to sustain peak performance in the face of disruption.

“We leverage both technology, such as AI-driven risk analytics and behavioral insights, and human-centric innovation like leadership coaching and culture transformation to help organizations anticipate disruption, adapt faster and turn risks into opportunities,” he says.

“We live in a VUCAD world – volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and digitized – and traditional reactive risk approaches are no longer enough.”

A longtime veteran of the risk management sector and an accomplished martial artist, Schneider incorporates learnings from both into Risk 2 Solution’s approach.

“Preparation, discipline and self-awareness are what enable you to respond effectively when it matters most,” he notes.

“One of the most powerful lessons I’ve received from both business and my martial arts journey is, ‘Train hard, fight easy.’ It applies to both; in essence, it’s about building capability before you need it, which is exactly what Presilience is about.”

Human focused

Risk 2 Solution’s point of difference in the industry is its human-centric touch.

“We focus on tribal pride and believe our core values and behaviors make us who we are,” Schneider says. “We practice what we teach: adaptability, ethical leadership and empowerment.”

These values have been critical to the group’s success because they mirror what clients can achieve.

“By embedding a Presilience-based culture internally, we’ve been able to stay agile, respond quickly to client needs and sustain high performance even in times of disruption,” he adds.

And in uncertain times, risk is seen only as something to avoid. Schneider believes it doesn’t have to be that way.

“I want to see risk and resilience thinking recognized as core drivers of performance, innovation and long-term sustainability,” he says.

“My hope is that our industry fully embraces a paradigm shift from compliance to a more balanced threat and opportunity-centrism.”

Risk 2 Solution and the Institute of Presilience are leading this transformation through consulting, education and thought leadership. Schneider’s two nominations at this year’s Executive of the Year Awards are a great example of how his way of thinking has cut through today’s pervasive malaise.

“And my favorite part is seeing transformation in action, when an executive, a frontline worker or organization shifts from fear and uncertainty to clarity, confidence and adaptability,” he enthuses.

That moment is an awakening, he adds.

“The client realizes that disruption doesn’t have to be a threat, but can actually be leveraged for growth,” he continues. “It’s incredibly rewarding and reinforces why I do what I do: help people and organizations unlock their full potential.”

This is Schneider’s remit both for clients and internally at Risk 2 Solution. And he is, he says, a pragmatic optimist.

“I recognize risks realistically but focus on the opportunities disruption can bring,” he reflects.

In a world of constant change, those who can anticipate, adapt and seize opportunity will define the next generation of success. Schneider says his entire team shares the mission to empower people and organizations.

“You can stop bad things from happening, minimize impacts when they do and proactively capture opportunities for growth,” he insists.

“That’s Presilience; the future of leadership, resilience, risk management and high performance.”