Could you tell us a bit about your significant successes in your role?

Throughout my career, I have experienced a number of significant “wins” across key legal policy initiatives, high profile litigation, legislative reform and when representing Australia at international fora or in treaty negotiations. Of course, some of my proudest achievements within my roles at Defence, the Attorney-General’s department and department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet are not the types of successes that one can publicly parade but rather celebrate quietly with peers upon their manifestation. There are also some cherished awards, that sit in my office, to remember those moments in time.

It is equally important to recognise that success comes in many forms and can be measured in many ways. Among those high-level career achievements, the “micro-wins” mean even more to me – such as the building of long-lasting relationships and networks across the globe, genuine team collaboration, and the upskilling and finessing of both my staff and my own capabilities to build collective confidence. This would not have been possible without the constructive guidance and support of some truly exceptional mentors and leaders who I have had the privilege of working with over the years.

What is the biggest risk to your industry or organisation and how are you contributing to prepare your organisation for this?

Unsurprisingly, the legal and professional skillsets required by Defence to support the Australian Government deliver on critical national priorities are unique. Within Defence legal, the breadth of our work is both enormous and fascinating: covering international agreements and arrangements, legal policy and legislative reform, administrative law and governance, international and operational law to name just a few areas.

We are continuously horizon-scanning for new talent and ensuring we appropriately reward and retain our amazing existing talent. I can confidently say there is no other workplace like Defence.

What challenges have you overcome to get to the position you are in today?

I am a glass half-full type of person – so I prefer to view challenges as opportunities. That said, there have been plenty of challenges that I have overcome and learnt from throughout both my professional and personal life. In addition to experiencing varying levels of unconscious bias and a bit of self-inflicted imposter syndrome, my introduction to and balancing of motherhood with my career aspirations has been a steep, ongoing and at times taxing learning curve. The smiles on my two young boys’ faces – who are, themselves, key to engrained gender equality in the next generation – make it all worthwhile though.

I am truly fortunate to have witnessed, and been supported by, remarkable, genuine leaders who have backed me even when I have experienced self-doubt or “troughs among the peaks.” Those individuals know who they are and how grateful I am, and will always be, to them.