Sophie Cooke - Inspirational Women of Durack

❤️ A Durack International Women’s Day initiative to celebrate and promote inspiring Durack women ❤️

⭐ Sophie is a Kimberley star from Kununurra who has a very diverse career and background, including the achievement of her master’s degree in education, focusing on special education. Sophie’s multi-faceted career includes being the Chair of her family’s agricultural venture, the Cooke Agricultural Group, her role as a Small Business Advisory Consultant for the Kimberley Small Business Support program and being a Thrive Support Teacher at Scotch Global. Her leadership extends to Ord Valley Events, where significant achievements, such as securing a gold win at the WA Tourism Awards for the Ord Valley Muster, highlight her strategic planning acumen. Initiatives like launching the Taste of the Kimberley event and transforming a local rodeo association into one of the country's largest showcase her diverse skill set, including successful marketing campaigns like the Jabiru Mangoes ⭐

An interview with Sophie

What advice would you give to your younger self, considering the unique challenges that women often encounter in leadership roles?

Keep your focus and determination strong and don’t waver. I would also say, you can’t be 100% at everything at once, life is long and you have time to do ALL the things you want to, they don’t have to be done in one decade. I would also tell her, the children don’t stay little forever, kiss their heads and dance in the kitchen because one day you’ll have PLENTY of time to do all the other things.

Who are the role models that have inspired you?

Brene Brown, Kemi Nekvapil, Rosa Storelli (my high school Principal), My Mum and without sounding super sucky, Melissa. I think she’s been an incredible advocate for Durack and I thoroughly enjoy her leadership and intelligence every time we interact.

What word/s describe your leadership style?

Inclusive empowerment. I believe in bringing people into my team with the qualities and strengths that are needed and then mentoring them in their roles to ensure they are achieving the best for themselves as an individual and the best for the organisation as a whole.

What words of inspiration can you share with women in regional, rural and remote Western Australia?

Keep doing what you do, and make it loud. We are some of the most resilient, capable, adaptable and innovative women on the planet. Our voices have great value. Lets keep using them.

We thank you Sophie, for what you achieve for your community and regional, rural and remote Durack 💙