Women of MITO

At work: Leading MITO’s workplace culture transformation in 2021 was a defining moment for me. We reshaped our vision and values and shifted from HR to People & Culture, aligning more with how we support our people. It was a proud moment, reinforcing my passion for workplace culture and meaningful change.

In personal life: In January 2024, I gave birth to my daughter, Emery. It was the most painful yet empowering experience of my life. Motherhood challenges me every day, but each challenge makes me stronger. It’s also given me a whole new appreciation for women - our resilience, our ability to juggle so much, and the importance of creating workplaces where we’re truly supported.

What challenges (if any) have you faced as a woman in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Early in my career, I was often reminded - directly or indirectly - that I was a young woman in the workplace. It planted seeds of doubt and made me question if I was being taken seriously. I’ve also worked in several male-dominated environments where I had to push harder to be heard. Advocating for myself was another challenge. I struggled to ask for recognition, promotions, or salary increases—something I saw my male peers do with ease. It was uncomfortable, but the more I did it, the easier it became. Now, I encourage other women to do the same.

What helped me push through:

1. Managers who believed in me and reinforced my value.
2. Pushing through discomfort - growth happens when you do the hard things.
3. Surrounding myself with people who encourage me to step up and own my space.

Have you had any significant female influences or mentors that have encouraged you to feel empowered in the workplace?

One of my biggest mentors is Graciela Szwarcberg, a business coach and consultant who’s worked with MITO. She truly sees me - helping me channel my strengths, know when to push forward, and when to pause. Her guidance has shaped my leadership approach in many ways.

What steps does MITO take to work towards gender equality?

MITO has made great progress, including:

1. Gender equity pay reviews to ensure fair salaries
2. Increasing female representation across the workforce
3. Enhanced parental leave for both primary and secondary carers
4. Flexible work arrangements, which make a huge difference for working parents (and everyone)

As part of the People & Culture team, I’m proud to be involved in making MITO a more inclusive workplace. There’s always more to do, but we’re moving in the right direction - and I’d love to see us keep that momentum going.

When I was in elementary school, I represented my school in a Mathematical Olympiad competition. I didn’t come from an overly academic or competitive school, so I wasn’t one of the top contenders and didn’t win any awards in the end. However, I was the only girl representing my state in the competition, which became a turning point for me.

It made me realise that I could break the stereotype that suggests men are naturally better at STEM while girls are better suited for literature. Since then, I’ve participated in several maths and science competitions throughout my school years. More than the awards, the biggest lesson I took away was that I can pursue anything I set my mind to, without being limited by societal expectations or stereotype.

What challenges (if any) have you faced as a woman in your career, and how did you overcome them?

Working in an industry that is male-dominated and technical, I have sometimes felt unsure of myself and uncomfortable speaking up in meetings or sharing my ideas. Over time, I realised that feeling uncomfortable is natural, and instead of forcing myself into situations where I felt pressured, I took a different approach. I focused on building relationships with colleagues and customers in smaller, more comfortable settings, where I could engage in meaningful conversations. By doing this, I gradually developed a deeper understanding of different perspectives and felt more confident in contributing to larger discussions.

I’ve often heard that the way to overcome a challenge is through constant practice and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. However, I found that for me, finding an alternative approach that aligned with my strengths was just as effective in achieving the same goal. Now, I feel more comfortable speaking in larger meetings because I have built strong relationships and trust with my stakeholders.

Have you had any significant female influences or mentors that have encouraged you to feel empowered in the workplace? 

I’ve been fortunate to have access to various resources and groups that support women in building their careers. During my time at UQ, I participated in a free program called LeadHers, which hosted a series of workshops designed to help women develop leadership skills and connect with female industry professionals. This program provided me with valuable insights and early exposure to professional development, which significantly boosted my confidence. The experience played a key role in empowering me to step into a new industry—one that I wasn’t familiar with and that is more male-dominated.

When I joined MITO, Brendon introduced me to Danielle Leray, one of the founders of QWOW (Queensland Women of Wells), and I became part of the network. QWOW connects women across different roles in the industry, providing networking opportunities and training sessions. Being part of this group has allowed me to expand my knowledge in a more comfortable and effective way, as I can learn directly from experienced women in the industry. If you're interested in joining us, feel free to reach out to me or check out the QWOW website I built 😊.