I began my career as a tax graduate at a Big Four firm. After my first professional experience, I took a career break to live and work in London, before returning to Australia and continuing along a similar path.
Following the birth of each of my children, I took one year of parental leave. Those pauses were intentional. I chose to be present during those early years, working part-time (three days a week) and allowing my career to flex around my family, when they needed me most. After returning to work following the birth of my youngest child, I realised something needed to change. The pace and pressure no longer felt sustainable. That was the moment I decided to join BDO - just over eight years ago now.
It remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Today, as my children have become more self-sufficient, I work four days a week and I truly feel able to thrive, both professionally and personally.
Work-life balance remains a constant juggling act. My husband and I both have demanding roles, and with three children aged 14, 13 and 10 – plus a lively puppy – our household is always busy. It takes organisation, flexibility and teamwork to make everything fit together.
Outside of work, I play soccer and basketball with a wonderful group of women. It’s a space where I can switch off, recharge and reconnect with myself. As a family, we also love to travel, particularly in Europe. One of my most memorable holidays was a sailing trip along the Croatian coast, hopping from island to island – an experience I’ll never forget.
There are inevitable moments of give and take. I have missed the occasional school assembly or sports day because of work commitments. At the same time, BDO offers a lot of flexibility and trust that allows me to show up for my family when it matters most. That balance is something I deeply value.
To me, Give To Gain is about intentionally investing in people and in teams. When individuals feel supported, encouraged to share ideas, and given room to grow, the benefits compound, resulting in stronger collaboration and a more resilient organisation.
About 18 months ago, I was given the opportunity to chair the Sydney committee for BDO Australia’s Women@BDO network. At the time, I was contemplating whether partnership was the right next step for me. Being invited into this leadership space and into the conversations that matter made all the difference. Supporting one another, sharing experiences and investing time and energy in others may seem like small actions, but their impact is significant.
Through the network, I saw firsthand how collective support creates momentum, confidence and opportunity.
That experience helped me to clarify my own ambitions. I realised I wanted to continue my growth journey, to become a partner, and to actively contribute to shaping an inclusive and supportive culture.
Over the past 18 months, we’ve launched meaningful initiatives, including mentoring groups, panel interviews on topics for women, and networking events.
Women@BDO is a national inclusion network that supports and empowers women at all levels of the firm to build connections, knowledge and skills to achieve their career aspirations. Led by local committees, the network actively promotes gender equality, community building and allyship.
Key highlights and activities include leader spotlight series, women in leadership panels, networking events, ‘walk & talk’ recharge meetings in Melbourne, personal branding workshops in Brisbane and Adelaide, group mentoring in Sydney, and public speaking sessions in Perth.
One of the most valuable investments in my own career has been having a strong support system. I’ve been fortunate to benefit from both formal and informal mentors, who generously shared their time and experience. I also participated in a pilot sponsorship programme, which was incredibly impactful. Just as important are the informal mentors - partners from different service lines who believed in me, opened doors, and helped build the self confidence we all need to take the next step.
As women, we can still experience moments of self-doubt more frequently than our male colleagues, questioning whether we’re ready for the next move. Having people who actively champion you – who remind you of your strengths – makes all the difference.
Real change happens when leaders understand the unique challenges women face throughout their careers. At BDO, inclusive leadership training equips our partners with tools to better support their teams, build psychological safety and lead with empathy and awareness.
Change doesn’t always need to be fast or dramatic. Often, it’s built through consistency: retaining women as they progress, providing visible role models who show that combining a career with family life is possible, and ensuring that every voice is heard. These are the foundations of lasting impact.
It means putting the needs of the team first and investing in one another, whether by referring work to the colleague best suited to the client, or by taking time to mentor someone’s growth.
It’s about encouraging people to stretch beyond their comfort zones, while also giving them the support they need to succeed. I see that culture within BDO every day – one where people support each other, where everyone is given a fair chance, and where it’s safe to be yourself.
Invest in meaningful relationships and take time to genuinely connect. As you build your career, human connections are just as important as technical skills, which can always be learned and refined. When you have a supportive team and mentors who encourage you, it becomes safe to grow. And yes, it also becomes safe to fail. No one gets it right from the start, and that’s exactly how learning and growth happens.
