1. What is your current role and main responsibilities?
   I am currently a Project Director in the NSW office. I work both in the Business case planning space as well as delivery, so my responsibilities are varied, from extensive stakeholder management to facilitation of risk and value management workshops, to site walks and managing design teams. A lot of my time is spent supporting our team and making sure they are taking ownership of parts of the projects so they can learn and grow. I currently manage the Lindfield Learning Village Stage 2 project.
   
   
2. How did you get into this industry?
   I have been around this industry my whole life, as my parents started an engineering firm around the time when I was born. I however took an unconventional path through an Arts Degree majoring in History and American Studies. It wasn’t until I found myself in London working for a part government entity who was running the Building Schools for the Future Program that I realised Project Management might be for me. Upon my return to Australia, I worked my way up through Major Projects Victoria, completing my Masters in Project Management, and here I am now, 14 years in the industry and still loving it.
   
   
3. What do you love most about your job?
   I love the privileges we are awarded as PM’s to learn the business of our clients, one day you might be learning the intricacies of how a stadium operates, then the next day you are leaning about the operational challenges of a hospital or the education model for a school. It is always interesting, and you get to see behind the scenes of some incredible places.
   
   
4. What’s been your biggest challenge on a project and how did you overcome it?
   The biggest challenge was moving onto a project that was in distress. The project was interstate and relationships had broken down significantly. The only way to overcome it was to buckle down and find a way to rebuild communication and trust. The team committed to being on-site together, to putting commercials aside and trying to find a way rebuild the communication channels to get the job done. It took commitment across the team to walk back into the room and work together, but we got there and delivered a great result for the client.    
   
   
5. What motivates you?
   The team motivates me; there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing the team delivering on the expectations of our clients, it is rewarding every day.
   
   
6. What makes a great Project Director?
   I hope it is my confidence in my team, there is nothing they can’t manage or handle. I also think it is important to know your strengths and weaknesses and trusting others to fill the gaps.  
   
   
7. How can clients, consultants and contractors work together better?
   The most important thing, in my opinion, is getting to know each other as people and understanding the different drivers of each member of the project team. Gaining that mutual understanding will breed an environment of respect and collaboration.
   
   
8. What are some of the trends you are seeing in the industry?
   2020 has certainly challenged the industry in ways nobody could have anticipated. In the Government space I think we are seeing a trend towards fast-track projects. This is a challenge that the industry is rising to and looking at efficiencies in all aspects of the project lifecyle to ensure that the best value for money is being achieved and projects are hitting the ground quicker.
   
   
9. What’s three words that describe you?
   Calm, friendly, enthusiastic
   
   
10. How do you manage stakeholders?
    The most important thing to remember with Stakeholders is that they may not have been through the process before, taking the time to understand their drivers is key to a successful delivery. I also think being authentic and honest in your communication is integral to creating a collaborative and successful project team.
    
    
11. Did you think you would end up in the role you are in now?
    Probably not when I was sitting at Uni doing an arts degree, but from the moment I started working in the industry at 21, I knew it was the right place for me.
    
    
12. What do you do to keep learning and growing in your career?
    I constantly try and step out of my comfort zone, whether that is managing a project in a sector I have not worked in before or taking on a new challenge within the business. I hope I always keep putting my hand up for things that scare me, because the rewards when you figure it out are well worth it.
    
    
13. What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
    Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t know, always push yourself out of your comfort zone, and find some good mentors to help guide you.
    
    
14. What do you do in your leisure time to de-stress?
    My partner and I do weekend classic car rallies, it is great fun and so different to my every day.
    
    
15. What is the single most important quality you need to possess to be in this industry?
    Authenticity. It builds trust, collaboration and honesty.

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