Before stepping into his role as Director at KPMG Australia, Jason Lante began as a curious web developer eager to explore the world of SAP.
Two decades on, clients and colleagues alike don’t just see technical depth. They see consistency in how he leads: prioritising people over ego, presence over travel, and a relentless focus on progress, quality outcomes, and lasting impact.
From Unknowns to Upgrades
Jason entered the SAP world late 2005 with a swag of programming languages under his belt and a willingness to dive into the unknown. At the time, SAP was niche, with no online learning paths and few graduate opportunities. He is grateful for his early mentors and teammates for helping him find his feet.
From enhancement requests to major upgrades, from 4.6C through to S/4HANA, and road trips to depots across South Australia, Jason’s journey has spanned Energy, Mining, Retail, Insurance, and Local Government. As the technology shifted from ECC to S/4HANA and now AI-enabled platforms, one thing remained constant: value is delivered through people.
“No one person can be an expert across all aspects of SAP; but everyone brings unique value to the team, and together you can deliver a successful outcome.”
Redefining Success: The End User First
Earlier in his career, success meant getting the job done. Today, it’s about impact.
“It’s not about the deliverable—it’s about what changes for the end user, and how it adds value to them and the organisation.”
That lens shapes how Jason approaches solution design, cross-functional collaboration, and how teams measure real-world outcomes, not just project milestones.
Leadership Over Time
Jason’s path from Developer to Director wasn’t a single big break. It was a series of opportunities and challenges. Most recently, after eight years with Think180, he joined KPMG through acquisition in 2023, where he continues to lead his team, empower others, and help clients navigate complex transformation.
“True leadership isn’t about leading the charge; it’s about clearing the path and enabling others to rise and succeed.”
Fatherhood, Time, and Presence
Becoming a parent reshaped everything. Jason treasures being home to wake the kids in the morning and tuck them in at night. Travel has taken a back seat—because now, family time gets prime time.
“You can’t turn back the clock. I want to be present for the moments that matter.”
Outside work, you’ll often find him walking his kids to school, riding around the neighbourhood, or playing at the beach. It’s the simple rituals that build resilience and closeness.
Those family values spill into the community. Through KPMG’s volunteering program with ABCN, Jason has the opportunity to mentor high school students. It brings a fresh perspective to spend time with them to challenge their perspectives and prioritise goal setting. One favourite theme is reframing the perception of failure.
“Failing is absolutely vital to be able to succeed and if you’re not failing then you’re not trying.”
Embracing AI, Staying Human
Jason is energised by the potential of AI and the transformation it’s driving across organisations. Tools like SAP Joule and Microsoft Copilot are just the beginning but he remains confident about what truly drives results: people, purpose, and practical outcomes.
“It’s not the technology that makes it work; it’s the people, and how they use it, that truly drives success.”
After 20 years, that’s what keeps him motivated: the clients, the teams, and the deeply human challenge of making change impactful.
For Those Just Starting Out
His advice for newcomers is refreshingly practical: learn the technology using SAP’s abundance of free learning resources, spin up trial environments, and get your hands dirty.
But don’t stop there. Build relationships, talk to people, stay curious, stay kind and remember that progress beats perfection.
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn
