1. Describe your current professional life and your stage of life.

I’m currently the Head of HIT Metro Content and also the Content Director at The FOX. Radio has been very kind to me – I’ve been lucky enough to live in some incredible cities, work alongside some very talented people, and have really ‘done it all’ over the last 20 years when it comes to content – from On Air, Producing, Music Director and Content Director, and for the last three years have brought all my years of experience into my current role. It gives me some really exciting variety, working with different content teams and shows strategically and creatively, as well as contributing to the broader business strategy for SCA.

I have my current role to thank for where I am personally as well. Who would have thought a Fox Singles Party would lead me to meeting the love of my life?! We met later in life, and have made up for lost time – travelling, moving in together, lots of adventures with our dog Barkley, and just really making the most of our life together. It has been another great grounding lesson for me in my career, to make sure my priority continues to be family and friends, first and foremost.

2. How did you come to be in this industry? 

 It’s amazing how many twists and turns your career can take. I actually wanted to be a lawyer after watching Ally McBeal (for those old enough to remember that show), but I hated all the law subjects at Uni and ended up falling in love with media and journalism. My first job out of Uni was working with the incredible team at Working Dog on ‘The Panel.’ I was a Production Assistant and loved the live show environment. As much as I enjoyed working behind the scenes, like some young 20 year olds, I wanted to be a TV Star. I was realistic that I wasn’t going to be a walk up start on The Today Show or Sunrise, so decided building a profile and career in radio might be a good stepping stone.

My first gig was at Sun FM in Shepparton (now HIT) as Breakfast Announcer and Promotions Manager. What an introduction to radio doing 14 hour days, setting up my own outside broadcasts at Harvey Norman and then hosting them! I don’t regret a minute – I loved my regional experience which set me up for the years to come in various roles and cities.

For those playing along, clearly I haven’t ended up co-hosting The Today Show with Karl, nor am I part of a major radio show on any network. I think in my early years at Nova doing casual announcing and being overlooked for even a workday shift, I realised perhaps I didn’t have ‘it’. The feedback back then was always that I needed ‘more life experience.’ So my career path changed when I fell in love with programming music which played beautifully into programming content and leading teams. 

I was always a five year plan gal in my early career. But after experiencing that life is just so unpredictable, from redundancies to ending my engagement and living in lockdown during COVID, I learnt to go with the flow and take the opportunities that were right for me in the moment, as they came.

3. What are your core beliefs? How are your values evident in the work you do or the life you lead?

I’m definitely an optimist so I always try to find the positive and the opportunity in any situation. It’s definitely a mindset and takes work, but I believe that’s how I built my resilience over the years.

Kindness, and leading with authenticity and vulnerability, are really important to me. Life is never going to be rainbows and lollipops 24/7. Everyone gets thrown curveballs and you never truly know what’s going on in someone’s life – so caring about your people, checking in with them frequently, listening, understanding, and showing your support is so important especially in a high paced environment like radio.

Radio has changed so much since I started, you needed a thick skin and copped it on the chin. It was a male dominated industry and you often modelled yourself on those leaders, and for me, that wasn’t being true to myself. We have come SO far as an industry and I’m incredibly proud of that. And perhaps, as I found my voice and leadership values, I have played a small part in the change. As my wonderful General Manager in Perth, Linda Wayman, used to say when I was appointed Content Director of 92.9, ’You can’t be what you can’t see!’

4. How did your education, formal and informal, enrich your career/ life journey? 

I always think that every experience I have had, and every leader I have worked under, has helped me in my role today. I know it’ll continue as self-development and growth is a constant part of being a leader. I don’t have all the answers. My conversations with shows or teams don’t always go to plan, and I’m sure some of my decisions aren’t right. But that’s how you grow. You have to make mistakes to learn.

I’ve had some great people in my corner over the years, who have really harnessed my ambition and drive, helped me believe in myself and jump into the opportunities that came my way. Many I now call my friends.

From my Nova days, Todd Campbell and Sacha French had an unwavering belief in me and still do. They are VERY smart radio people, who are creative, strategic and lean into the ‘crazy’ in a good way. They are true radio people and the industry is better for having them in it.

Mickey Maher gave me a chance to get back in the door at SCA and has been a huge supporter of women in content. I have him to thank for giving me a chance to grow into a content leader when I was pretty down and out after being made redundant at Nova.

Irene Hulme, again a true lover of radio, has taught me so much as she paved the path for many female content leaders. Irene’s passion and knowledge for music, content, and the craft of radio is second to none. She also genuinely cares about this industry continuing to thrive in the future. 

Fifi Box. What can I say?! I am so grateful to work alongside Fi every day and have done so for many years. She has taught me so much about programming and producing shows, getting the best out of talent and teams, and making bloody great content. We are partners in crime, sharing the same work ethic and always striving to get the best from each other, the show and the team. Sure, we have our odd robust discussion but it always comes from passion and a great respect for each other. 

I’m also very lucky to have the support of many male champions of change over the last 10 and more years. In particular, John Kelly has taught me a great deal about the bigger picture and the wider business, leading with empathy and care for his people. 

Dave Cameron has been my biggest mentor and influence. His leadership, and strategic mind, especially around the FOX brand, has inspired me for many years. I’ve learned a huge amount from him, and I’m incredibly grateful for the belief he had in me. I truly don’t think I would be where I am today professionally without him championing me to be my best.

Now, as I continue to lead and shape the future, I carry those lessons forward with confidence. I know the value I bring, and I’m focused on creating the kind of impact and support for others that I’ve been so lucky to receive.

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5. What are some of your key decision change points and how did they shape your career/ life journey?

That is a really good question. Earlier in my career, I was made redundant twice and both were turning points in different ways.

The first time I was pretty resilient and saw the opportunity in what was next, which led to an amazing six years with Nova.

The second redundancy hit harder. I loved what I was doing, loved the brand and the people. I grieved losing my role.

However, it taught me one of the most important lessons of my career, having balance and not making work my whole life. Since then I’ve been really conscious of boundaries and making sure I am more than what I do for work.

I am so fortunate I have an amazing family and circle of friends, and there’s constant moments still now when it is a great reminder of boundaries and to put them first.

6. What makes you happy? What makes you get up in the morning?

During COVID and lockdown in Melbourne, I leaned into practicing gratitude. Every day was a new day, and the chance to make it better than yesterday. As clichéd and woo-hoo as it sounds, gratitude is a powerful mindset for me. I am so fortunate to have a career where I’ve never woken up dreading work and I don’t take that for granted. Every day is different. I love creating, problem solving with my teams, and when we kick something out of the park, that celebration and shared pride is heartwarming.

What really drives me is human connection. That’s what gets me out of bed every day. Whether it is with my partner, family, my team, the stranger in the street or creating content that connects with our audience and gives them a sense of joy, that’s what fills my cup.  

7. Share your words of wisdom for others in the industry or those wishing to work in the industry?

Have a curious mind.

Leave the ego at the door.

You won’t have all the answers and that’s ok.

You’ll make mistakes and that’s ok too, that’s how we grow.

Ask questions, learn from experiences, lean into opportunities that might be a little bit scary.

We’re always learning, always evolving especially as technology changes how we work. Don’t be afraid of that.

And above all be kind, your reputation is everything in this industry. Treat people in a way that reflects how you want to be remembered.

8. Describe your vision for the audio media industry in the near future.

I believe we all have a role to play in the future of audio. We need to continue to support new music, especially from Australian artists. We are so spoiled to have incredible talent in Australia and we need to do more to connect fans to artist’s music.

Equally we need to continue to champion new voices across the industry, whether on broadcast or podcast, creating a space for emerging talent to connect with audiences so the industry continues to thrive.

9. What role would you like to play in shaping the audio industry of the future?

I hope I can continue to be a role model for future content leaders, especially women. It’s very common to believe that being a female Content Leader is difficult or out of reach, but the truth is you absolutely can do it.

Surround yourself with the right people and team, don’t be afraid to ask for help or put up your hand for opportunities, and never sacrifice work/life/family balance. We have come a long way as an industry and it is possible to have both a career you deserve and a family life.

I  also want to give back to the industry that has always been so good to me. While I may not know all the answers, I am always open to meet with and mentor anyone who’s keen to learn and grow.