ASPL #WeLead Campaign | Vol.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I joined WorkSafe Victoria’s data and analytics function in May this year as Director, Strategic Planning & Capability Enablement. I am currently acting as Chief Data Analytics Officer while Kathryn Gulifa takes maternity leave.
Who are the women around you who have inspired you most in your life and why?
It has been by chance and good fortune that women have led me throughout the majority of my working life. Early in my career at Methodist Ladies’ College, the late Janet Smith, Director of Technology, provided inspiration and counsel to myself as a young IT professional, along with countless young women and future leaders at MLC. I admired Tabcorp CIOs in Kim Wenn and Mandy Ross, Liz Douglass at Coles Group, and more recently an environment in WorkSafe Victoria where I’m privileged to work with many inspiring women in leadership roles from Clare Aimes to Kathryn Gulifa.
Are there any other female leaders you look up to and why?
I look up to all women balancing a career with raising children and that’s irrespective of role seniority or capacity. I applaud the countless women who have overcome bias and discrimination with forging their careers – may this generation and future generations not have to contend with such challenges.
Why do you think it’s important to increase the number of women in business, particularly in leadership roles?
It’s vital as women bring a different lens to leadership. High performing teams are best shaped with diversity of thought and background.
As an advocate for diversity and gender inclusiveness, are there any initiatives that have worked for you to promote equality?
I’m proud to have worked for organisations with values aligned to equality, each with programs that support women in leadership and technology career pathways – a domain traditionally male saturated but thankfully trending in the right direction.
What more can be done to support women in male-dominated industries?
Efforts must continue to promote equality and support women in male-dominated industries. It’s up to us as leaders to routinely address this by celebrating the value achieved through gender diversity.
Liz is the sole parent of two boys ages 10 and 12. She worked in senior corporate marketing for 20 years but she found that her corporate career kept her from spending enough time during her boys’ schooling years so she decided to make a big change. Liz followed her heart rather than her head so she started a new career and her own business in executive mindset coaching.
Gloria is a mum, wife, sister, auntie and love all things outdoors, including running and photography. She is an Author and Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist at EVERYDAY INCLUSION. Gloria’s research specialises in Social Analysis on Race, Social Inequalities and Anti-Racism.
Marlie is a meaningful Marketing & Business Coach and the founder of Secret SisinBiz Society which membershio model is to help Sisters-in-Business grow personally and professionally. Marlie is so passionate about this because she is on a MISSION to close the gap between income and influence between men and women.
Jess is a 32-year-old business owner and mum of two young kids, a 3-year-old boy Jagger and a 1-year-old girl Indiana. Starting a business wasn’t her intention. She graduated in 2012 with a degree in HR and Management and felt she had certainly found her calling, progressing through the ranks of a global fashion retailer, a job which she loved. It was during maternity leave that an opportunity presented itself. Initially a side project, it soon gained more traction than anyone could have predicted!
Follow us on social media
#ASPL #WeLead #WomenInLeadership