❤️ A Durack International Women’s Day initiative to celebrate and promote inspiring Durack women ❤️
⭐ Director of the Pilbara and Kimberley University Centres and general all round community superstar, Susan is well renowned in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions for being a leader and a forward thinker. Susan has been recognised for her outstanding efforts in the business and education sector and was awarded Businesswoman of the Year at the Karratha District Chamber Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards in 2022. Susan is highly dedicated and involved in her community and has an admirable vision for the future of Durack constituents in our north. ⭐
An interview with Susan
What advice would you give to your younger self, considering the unique challenges that women often encounter in leadership roles?
Always keep your moral and ethical compass – no matter the consequences. In the end it is always turns out to have been the right pathway. Be yourself and enjoy the battle. Fight and never give up! Never be afraid to start at the bottle and make mistakes. Don’t take yourself too seriously but take your job and your passions as seriously as you can. And don’t forget to laugh.
Who are the role models that have inspired you?
My mother, Michelle Obama, Margot Fonteyn, Leanne Benjamin, Amal Clooney, Marie Curie
What word/s describe your leadership style?
Gosh I have to laugh at this one. I think my leadership style has evolved over the years (as I have observed my mistakes and learned from them). I think nowadays it is mixture of a number of styles that are relevant to the situation and I think you have to be like that now – you have to be flexible, you have to be reactive to changing scenarios and the people around you. I try to lead by example and bring people around me on the journey so it’s a team play rather than it being an autocratic, egotistical experience for others involved.
What words of inspiration can you share with women in regional, rural and remote Western Australia?
Living in regional, rural and remote WA has been the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. I grew up in Perth and planned to settle in San Francisco as a corporate lawyer. However life took me down a different path and I could not be happier! Regional, rural and remote WA offers incredible opportunities for everyone - to make friends, to explore, to challenge yourself, to be big, bold and visionary! It is not always easy and you have to be flexible, resilience and innovative. However it is worth it. Nothing and I mean nothing beats living in regional, rural and remote WA!
We thank you Susan, for what you achieve for your community and regional, rural and remote Durack 💙