12 professional women who’ve shaped my career and business 

My dear, late aunty, who helped me land my very first job out of uni at Intergroup Advertising. One of my fondest memories was chatting to you about my burgeoning advertising career on the porch steps of your home in Brisbane, while sipping on a glass of red wine. As a very successful business woman (known throughout QLD in the events and tourism industry) - you made me feel seen and that what I aspired to be mattered to you and the world.  

My first creative mentor. Creative inspiration oozes out of your pores. I learned so much from you in such a short time. I admired not only how you knew all the rules of design but how to break them with such grace and effortlessness. Whether it was going to Julian Ashton after work to draw life models, or you hosting meditations in the boardroom at lunch, or simply making a damn good cup of tea - your purpose-led spirit was infectious and opened my eyes to seeing a creative world full of endless possibilities.  

You were one of the first people who really challenged me and all my thinking. Critically. Analytical. And I loved it. Collaborating with you on Lion Nathan’s Employer Brand way back in 2006 (which won Employer Brand of the Year) changed the whole trajectory of my career and started a passion for creating belonging for people that fuels me to this day. 

Over many years, many clients and many projects, our paths have crossed to deliver place branding in the property space. I’ve always felt an unspoken mutual respect between us. But also a friendship. I remember nervously asking you out for a coffee to pitch my brand positioning and services to get some honest feedback. I left feeling energised and confident - that anything was possible. Thank you for believing in me.

Gee we had some fun together doing some very creative brand projects and TV commercials for Grays, GraysWine and oo.com and HCA Home. I loved your openness to taking creative risks (I felt I could genuinely play) and appreciated your commercial savviness to make sure I delivered an outcome that moved the dial - not just clever creative.  

For close to a decade I’ve admired your organisational smarts, savvy stakeholder management and big picture thinking. I love that you get ‘branding’ more than most people I know. Seeing you living your purpose now as a consultant fills me with such joy. Looking forward to our next collab!

You are one of the smartest and kindest people I know. Every collaboration between us felt meaningful - some even redefined what great looks like. You value the creative process. You’re imaginative yet commercially so savvy - knowing what’s practical - what will actually work in practise. Thank you for helping me find a more intuitive groove in how to collaborate with clients - that sharing big/rough ideas earlier in the process isn’t a risk, but a gateway to bigger possibilities. 

Your inspiring vision and positivity is like a lighthouse that brings everyone on the journey. Observing your leadership was a joy and helped me understand how to create deep and authentic belonging in teams. You gave me the space and trust to try new things and it really paid off with some of the most heart-felt storytelling we've ever produced. Winning 'Best Use of Video' together was just the cherry on top of the incredible connections we made with people along the way.

You are a creative genius. Such a powerful Art Director and Designer and a very kind, empathetic person. There was nothing you could not make beautiful. I treasure the time we had together at Adcorp and especially how you elevated our own branding to create Belong Creative’s look and feel as it is today. Forever grateful. 

We’ve known each other since uni (where we studied Graphic Design together), and forged a forever mate-ship. We even kicked off our professional careers together at Intergroup (a small boutique ad agency in Sydney). And then by chance, many years later - a little social post looking for an extraordinary creative talent caught your attention. Every piece of collateral you create is thoughtfully curated with care and passion. Each design stays true to brand and yet shines on it's own. I'm constantly blown away how much love you put into EVERY job no matter how big or small. Our collaborations inspire me, and I value how you challenge my thinking in fresh and meaningful ways. We’ve been so lucky to have you as one of our ‘Belongers’.

What a journey we’ve been on together. So many years we’ve been partners in creative project-making and client care. Through the ups, downs and round-n-rounds - you’re always a calming influence, a warm smile and looking on the bright side to lift us all up. Your eagle eye for detail makes you a dream project manager, but what I love most is your innate ability to see the person, not the project. You remind me every day why that is the heart of every successful relationship - it’s not what you achieve or deliver for someone but how you make people feel through the journey that counts. Isn’t that just the essence of Belonging right there.

My biggest backer. My champion. My life partner. Do you remember when I decided to be an artist (aka landscape oil painter) and you bankrolled my new career - showing you believed in me. It only lasted 6 months with 1 painting and $0 sales. And again after being retrenched at the ‘pinnacle’ of my advertising career just as our second Bub was born. You picked me up off the ‘poor me’ couch and backed us to start our own branding consultancy - what a life-changing moment that was. From what felt like the worst moment in my career was indeed a catalyst for the best thing - our new business - now 16 years strong. Thank you for belief, patience, ideas, pushes (and wrangling all the biz finances, taxes, accounting) and especially loving me for who I am as I follow my passions and purpose.