1. What was your first job?
My first job in banking was with the Bank of Adelaide. I was a general clerk which involved sending mail, balancing financial numbers, sorting cheques and general chores.
I was meant to do typing however; I was absolutely appalling (even now you don't want me to copy type anything). It was embarrassing at the time, but it worked well in the end as all the men I worked with did their own typing because I literally couldn't. It also meant that I couldn't ever consider many support roles that involved typing and it pushed me into doing other forms of banking work.
My first job was in a small country town serving rural communities. I learned other people's jobs as we had to be very flexible in filling in for others, relieving at other branches and being able to deal with all sorts of issues. All of this showed me how a banking institution works from the ground up, which was a great framework on which to build my experience and expertise.
2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an archeologist. Everyone looked at me strangely for I was in a school and home environment that focused on careers for women being clerical, teaching, nursing.
Much of my schooling was focused on training me to be a good rural wife. I had very limited perspectives on what was available career wise and what I could do. This was a function of the times, the lack of information, the absence of role models in the town I lived in, my family environment and the norms of our culture then. Furthermore I was told that archeology was not practical as there were no career or site opportunities in Australia.
It touches my sense of humour now, with the knowledge that our indigenous population has a 40,000 year history with this land and has the oldest and one of the richest and deepest indigenous cultures in the world.
I remain interested in culture and history and have channeled this interest into reading and travel… and yes I can still cook, knit, sew and preserve fruit.
3. What does your job involve now?
Merger, acquisition, divestment, fund raising activities for growth and emerging companies both listed and unlisted.
4. Are you thinking of trying your hand in anything else?
I am always open to possibilities and opportunities. I find it important to be involved in other things outside of work to satisfy other interests and passions. I believe it is good to be multidimensional and have the opportunity to have different experiences. All things inform each other and each experience enriches other engagements. Also it is important to me to continue always be involved in ongoing learning activities.
5. What is the biggest challenge you face at work?
The biggest challenge is to keep it and myself all in balance. To manage my time well. To ensure I am focusing on the right things, the important and strategic issues, not the distractions. To enjoy each day to the fullest. To keep a perspective at all times.
6. What is the best part of your job?
I am lucky to work with inspiring and interesting people – clients, colleagues, peers. People who create and grow companies are people I look up to. They see what is possible, what can be achieved and go about doing implementing to achieve their visions. My work is really interesting as is I get to learn about all sort of industries, technologies and business practices. Also I see common threads and patterns of issues, challenges and opportunities at each level of growth.
7. What is your advice for people starting out in your industry?
Focus on your strengths and work in an organization that honours and recognizes those strengths. Take options that support what you are passionate about. Find people that inspire you – both living and dead (through the artifacts they have left behind). Start anywhere you can in the areas that you are passionate about and then move where you really want to go by seizing opportunities that come your way.
Don’t be afraid to take a challenge, to do the unexpected, to take a risk. Respect others, be enthusiastic, learn and read as much as you can and build relationships with as many others as you can. Most often important people in an organization are the people that don’t have the titles and status, but they are the ones keeping the wheels turning.
8. What makes you happy?
Seeing clients succeed, seeing others grow, being part of a company’s growth, feeling that I have made a difference, making numbers balance, doing good work, engaging in creative work, achieving outcomes and being part of high performing teams.
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