About Nancy
Nancy Youssef is an award-winning business mentor, international speaker, author and entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience in the finance industry, she founded and led Classic Finance for 17 years before transitioning her focus to Classic Mentoring & Coaching, her platform for empowering founders and business leaders to grow purpose-led, strategically sound enterprises.
Known for her deep empathy and no-nonsense guidance, Nancy has mentored over 300 startups and established businesses, helping them overcome fear, clarify their vision and achieve meaningful growth. Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that business can be a force for good, and she brings this to every stage, session and strategic conversation.
Nancy is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a global designation for professional speakers, and has delivered keynote presentations for organisations including ANZ Bank, Pepper Money, Connective, Prospa and Showpo.
Nancy’s upcoming book, Success Beyond Fear, builds on the impact of Fear Money Purpose, offering a fresh lens on leadership, mindset and the bold choices that shape a more fulfilling life and business.
Her influence extends beyond the stage. Nancy has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for underprivileged communities in Africa and the Middle East through initiatives such as The Hunger Project Australia. She supports organisations aligned with sustainable development, education and female empowerment, always with a long-term view of impact.
A lifelong learner, Nancy is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and has completed advanced leadership programs at Bond University, UCLA Anderson School of Management, the Disney Institute, and Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. She holds certifications in NLP, Hypnotherapy and Life Success Coaching, which she integrates into her mentoring and retreat work to support personal and professional transformation. Nancy also serves on a number of boards, where she contributes her expertise in governance, business growth and strategic leadership.
Featured in publications like the Australian Financial Review and The Weekend Australian, and on podcasts including Alan Kohler’s Qantas Business and Lawyers Weekly, Nancy is a recognised voice on entrepreneurship, leadership and mindset mastery.
When she is not working with purpose-driven founders, you will find her adventuring somewhere new, sharing stories over good food and wine or deep in a book.
Our Values
Passion
We're driven by a strong desire to excel, but we make sure to have fun while we're at it!
Resilience
The road of entrepreneurship is tough, but we meet the challenges head-on and keep pushing forward, no matter what.
Authenticity
We're all about being real—honesty, respect, and transparency guide everything we do, helping us deliver great results for our clients every time.
Inspiration
We’re not just talkers; we’re doers. We aim to inspire you by sharing practical tips and insights to help you reach and surpass your business goals.
Philanthropy
At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to giving back and making a difference through purpose-driven actions. Learn more here.
As an entrepreneur and a business leader, there is one thing I have learnt to be true: if you want to be successful, conquering your fears is part of the deal.