What are you most passionate about in your role at JOST&Co?
I’m passionate about designing public sector institutions that deliver positive social impact with integrity. I love approaching wicked problems from a new angle, and adapting thought leadership and new ways of working for a complex, governance-rich environment.
What career journey have you taken to get here?
I had an accidental 20-year career as a public servant. I always thought I would go back to university and become a psychologist. But I loved the variety of the work I was doing and the chance to make a meaningful impact, so I stayed in the public sector and earnt a masters degree in social research along the way. I have worked in the areas of health, human services, central agencies, whole-of-government reform, bushfire and pandemic response, place-based delivery and economic policy. I have overseen large budgets and teams, and was briefly the CEO of JobsBank – a not-for-profit that promotes inclusive employment. My focus on human-centred systems, contemporary delivery mechanisms and social impact partnership has helped each department I have worked with to translate policy into positive impact on the ground.
What’s the best bit of career advice you’ve received?
I had an excellent mentor who said: “the more stressful things are, the calmer you need to be”. I’ve found that’s particularly true for leaders of highly complex change programs.
What do you love to do when you’re not at work?
I relish getting out in nature to find the best views, which always seem to be at the end of the most challenging hikes. I also love spending time with my family.
What’s something few people know about you?
I am passionate about embedding myself in other countries to better experience local cultures and connections. I’ve lived in various places around the world including the US, Brunei and China, where I spent a year and a half working on a capacity development program with local aid organisations.