For as long as I can recall, I’ve pondered what I’m made for.

The diverse nature of my career is a testament to the exploration of many paths of interest. From business administration to holistic counselling, brand and content strategy, community engagement and hospitality entrepreneurship – these passions and pursuits shaped my journey over the last twenty-five years.

Throughout much of this time, I supported others in their work, not viewing myself as a leader. However, since 2018, I successfully managed a gourmet pizza business with six staff and an annual gross revenue exceeding $450,000. Under my leadership, the business maintained high service standards and strong brand equity, culminating in selection as finalists in the 2024 Federation University Gippsland Business Awards.

As a values-driven individual, I’ve come to realise that my core strengths are creativity, connection, and compassion.

My purpose is to be of service to others, leveraging my diverse experiences and commitment to lifelong learning to support people in achieving their dreams.

Pursuing an MBAX (Social Impact) from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Business School is an ultimate bucket list goal. Forged four years ago, and made a reality after a quick phone call to the Admissions team on Term 3 2024 application closing day! Toggling between, “Is this biting off more than I can chew?” and “Oh, just f**king do it!”, I felt the fire burning in my heart, and went with the latter.

Imposter syndrome makes me think I need leadership virtues like prudence, bravery, fairness and self-regulation to be a ‘good’ leader.

Able to speak up, have hard conversations and take the lead as required. However, a VIA survey recently identified these virtues as the bottom five of my character strengths profile. With love, appreciation of beauty and excellence, love of learning, gratitude and kindness as the top five. Servant, human-centred leadership is what I aim to bring to my work, and this is reflected in these virtues. 

The MBA candidature will be instrumental in helping me cultivate the confidence to fully embody mastery-level leadership identity and reputation. Thus, allowing me to make a more significant impact in my future roles. The program will equip me with advanced business acumen and strategic thinking skills, complementing my existing skillset, and provide tools to translate my values into effective leadership practices. Therefore, enabling me to guide organisations towards success while maintaining a human-centred approach.

As a part of a learning model report, I will use the DACA effective leadership (Direction, Alignment, Commitment, Ability) and ‘giving voice to values’ models to diagnose effective leadership and frame challenging conversations.

Seeking to be a more mindful leader, who maintains composure under pressure, reflects during a conversation, is comfortable not having all the answers and speaks up. 

Ultimately, as I reflect on unit one of the leadership course, I believe I’m made for transformative, human-centred leadership – combining business acumen with empathy and innovation.

The MBAX will be the catalyst to fully realise this potential, empowering me to drive positive change in organisations and communities, and inspire others to reach their full potential.