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There was an opportunity to grow IWIB – Illawarra Women in Business was a newly established women’s networking group. Illawarra Women in Business needed a new structure and new profile to enable its growth. I could see the need for Illawarra Women in Business in the local area – a networking group specifically for women. I took on Delyse Del Turco as my partner in Illawarra Women in Business and we began our journey of changing Illawarra Women in Business – the first change was the name change to IWIB.
Women need an environment to network that is non threatening, relaxed, informal and friendly. My passion is to support women. Women are generally modest and underestimate themselves. Women need to realise they are equal and just as/if not more capable than their male peers – it depends on the individual – not what gender.
During my journey I wasn’t mentored – my path was by experience. I saw the opportunity and took it. I am in a fortunate position as I have a supportive husband. I have worked with my husband at Tony Papac & Associates for 15 years as practice manager, which has been a wonderful grounding for IWIB. I receive a lot of positive feedback – I listen carefully to feedback whether from family, friends or colleagues. Women will easily and more freely give feedback. Women ask other women more freely for advice and ask for a mentor more freely and readily than a male. Women aren’t embarrassed to say “I need help”, that is why we are fabulous networkers!
I came to my current position through years of experience, common sense and business skills.
My leadership role has impacted on my family and friends. My friends have always been aware of my community involvement – and they have been aware of my crusade for women with IWIB. They have now taken me more seriously! At the end of 2008 I applied for a position on the Board of the Illawarra Business Chamber – my friends had full confidence in me and knew that I was more than capable to sit on the IBC board. The support I received from members of the IBC was overwhelming – which means people had confidence in me.
As a leader – I am aware of my role in the community. I am aware that I am a role model especially to young women. I believe that as a role model – and as with anyone in business, we should carry ourselves professionally and behave as a role model. We are “walking advertisements” for our business – and once we leave our front door we are on “show’ to the world at large! On show to our potential clients as well as our competition.
I believe I am a successful leader in the Illawarra community. I am currently on the board of the Illawarra Citizen Advocacy, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, a member of the Illawarra International Women’s Day Committee and vice president of the BNI Central networking group. My background has been community driven.
A good leader is someone who excels in what they do - someone who has a balance with work, family and community – a leader is someone who makes a difference in their field or community.
The women of the Illawarra inspire me. I am fortunate to be able to have contact with so many inspirational and amazing women. To have continual contact with women in businesses of all kinds, women struggling with their owner operated home based businesses through to the other end of the scale of larger corporate businesses, certainly keeps life interesting and inspires me. To speak to women starting their own business – to feel the enthusiasm and excitement they have for their new venture is most certainly something that drives me. Knowing I have been there to support them in a positive way at the beginning of their journey is rewarding. I am a positive person and to be involved with vibrant, enthusiastic and positive people is inspiring.
I have become a mentor to young business women in the Illawarra and to young leaders, our future leaders. I believe these young women will get to where they want to go – they have the education, the opportunities and the enthusiasm to make their dream a reality.
Women who want to aspire to leadership positions in the community, need to be genuine, honest, work hard and always treat people in the way you would like to be treated. Never forget your roots. If you remember these basic principals – the world is your oyster.
The key to handling conflict and adversity is to be a listener, be a rational thinker and weigh up the pros and the cons. Don’t make hasty statements and never make on the spot decisions, always come back with an answer that is well thought out and well planned.
My leadership role model? I could say Hilary Clinton or a multitude of famous women but I would have to say my mother. Mum is 85 and retired in her 60’s. Mum started out working at Woolies haberdashery counter when people actually stood behind the counter and served you to becoming a floor manager at Woolies, then onto the University Co-Op Bookshop where she ended up the manager for many years before her retirement. Mum was an amazing lady (and still is) she could juggle the work / life balance and this was way back in the 50’s and 60’s! I recently had the pleasure of cleaning out mum’s possessions to move her into hostel care with Warrigal Care –I came across some paper work from the 60’s titles “New Opportunities for Women Committee” being a “new” women’s group in the Illawarra, Déjà vu!
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