Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense? 

As chair of ANZ’s pro-bono committee, I worked with our internal ESG team to align the pro-bono program we offer to our lawyers with the strategic social impact pillars of the bank. This came at zero cost but improved how the legal team can directly impact ANZ’s purpose (which is to help people and communities thrive). My background includes stints in non-legal roles, such as in agriculture, and I am undertaking a Masters of Social Impact. I think innovation tends to draw on the intersection of interdisciplinary experiences, which I think this example illustrates.  

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in? 

I helped implement a regulatory reform program. The laws relating to ASIC breach reporting changed in October 2021 and I helped design and implement ANZ’s program to ensure compliance with the increased legislative obligations and regulatory expectations. As the legal lead on the project, I worked with an interdisciplinary team to implement new processes and to iteratively improve them, for example further leveraging the use of technology. Stakeholder feedback emphasised the benefit of my involvement during the design phases, so that any legal nuances were understood early and factored into the process design. One of the biggest challenges in this role was just keeping up with the innovative solutions offered by my business colleagues!  

Recently, I have moved to support ANZ’s ESG function, during a time when ESG considerations are having an increased impact on all businesses globally. I am part of a team advising on climate-related risks and opportunities, as well as navigating the rapidly changing landscape of international and domestic policies and regulations. We also support a talented team who are providing transparent and regular performance reporting to meet the needs of our key external stakeholders.  

I have been involved in various ad-hoc projects such as around renumeration in the retail banking sector, and responsible banking more broadly. 

In all roles I benefited enormously from the guidance and expertise of some incredible senior leaders within legal at ANZ: Luke Seivers, Michael Vasta, Nella Liciardello, Rebecca Hope and Hilary Birks. Their roles in my growth cannot be underestimated and I am incredibly grateful for their generosity in helping me achieve my goals. 

What is a cause, business related or otherwise, that you care about, and why? 

I am deeply interested in the big problems the world is facing and how organisations can participate in fixing them. This aligns with my work at ANZ that is aimed at driving positive change, such as in the role of chair of the Pro Bono Committee, and my work in the ESG sector. In this sphere, I also champion diversity. I stepped away from the law for some time and am grateful that in employing me after a long career break, ANZ understands the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce, and the potential for increased innovation that employees from different backgrounds bring.