Women @ EY

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I have two beautiful boys, love being outdoors and consider myself to be at my best when in the company of good friends and family. From a work context I believe I have had a fantastically varied career and believe that I have been able to capitalise and learn from each experience good or bad.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

I enjoy the teaming aspect of what we do at EY - we bring people with diverse skills together to solve complex problems for our clients - 1 plus 1 definitely makes 3.

3. Who has inspired you in your professional life?

I have been lucky to have worked with some amazing people during my career but my first thought is that of a female partner who coached me during my first four working years. She came through the partnership at a time when there were very few females in the partnership ranks - she unfortunately had to make a lot of personal sacrifices that I have never had to make but I understood from her that hard work is the foundation for success.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Be the CEO of your career - no one else - no matter how well intended- will ever have the same vested interest as you.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

I think women are inclined to want to work with organisations that have values they share. I think most Australian organisations have good values sets and therefore to engage better with professional women they simply need to live those values and let those values guide decisions and create the culture within the organisation. When values aren’t aligned, women vote with their feet.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

Whilst I might be conservative at work, I'm quite an adventurist in my personal life. I enjoy most things that involve heights or speed, such as sky-diving and para-gliding!

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

The talented people who I have worked with over the years and who have guided me in building my career.

3. Who has inspired you in your professional life?

Many people have inspired me professionally but the greatest inspiration for my professional development and achievements has been from my parents and family, who have always encouraged me to contribute to the fullest as an individual whether in my personal or professional life.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

"Open your own doors". Be pro-active in developing yourself both professionally and personally, and drive your own destiny to the extent possible.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Be open to diversity of views, encourage more diverse senior representation and role models, address any unconscious bias and barriers that may exist in the workplace. All that said, many organisations are progressing well with gender diversity. Ethnic diversity is a matter close to my heart, and addressing this within the corporate market has the potential to deliver powerful results (quantitative and qualitative) for organisations.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I've finally arrived at that point in life where I'm completely guilt free about being a mum with a full-time career. I have two children who, despite their mother working full time for virtually all their lives have turned out to be two incredibly bright, well adjusted, funny and outgoing young adults, who have done well at school and who love and are proud of me. I've also managed to hold a loving marriage together for 27 years by sharing a genuine partnership with my husband in every respect. So it can be done and it's got nothing to do with whether or not you have a career.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

I love the incredibly bright people I get to work with and call my colleagues every day. I also genuinely connect with our aspiration as a firm of helping people to achieve their potential and make a difference. It's the ethic that my family have instilled in me since I was a little kid.

3. Who has inspired you in your professional life?

I have been most inspired in both my personal and my profession life by my Mum. She kept reminding me throughout the years, whenever I questioned whether having a career was worth it, that she and Dad didn't work as hard as they did to put me and my three brothers through private school to have us give up, and that we owed it to ourselves and to our own children to achieve our potential and make a difference.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Outsource everything your budget will allow on the domestic front (cleaning, gardening, etc, etc) and make your time with your family count.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

I've been working for nearly 29 years and holding out for the promise of a genuine level playing field, but still haven't seen any real improvement in outcomes for women who aspire to leadership, despite all the rhetoric, programs and policies. I've therefore become in recent years a true believer in the need for gender quotas in leadership, because until we get weight of numbers, organisational decision making will continue to be biased -whether consciously or unconsciously- against women.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I am married to Glen Halloran, who I met in Australia on a secondment. Our oldest son is 22 years old and is working as a graduate for Boral while undertaking his Masters and our youngest son, at 21 years of age is studying in Canada to become an architect. My immediate and extended family means everything to me. We have two spoodles - Coco and Hugo. We live a healthy and wholesome lifestyle - we value our friends and quality food. I am a gym junkie - I exercise for stress relief and to feel good - so moderately.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

The people and the clients. I value the relationships that I have and love working with my team. I also love helping people and clients so EY is great for me.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

Something to believe in, someone to believe in and someone who believes in me.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

If you really believe you can or should do something then back yourself.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Organisations need to be aware of unconscious biases that may exist in their workplaces, be prepared to raise awareness and help people to see through an objective lens and to create environments and opportunities open to everyone.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I’m an avid gardener, novice wine collector, part time golfer and procrastinating house renovator.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

Every day brings different challenges and the opportunity to meet different and interesting people.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

It’s difficult to narrow that down to one person. Different people have inspired me at different times. Those who challenge my thinking and are passionate about what they do inspired me the most.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Nothing is impossible to achieve - every challenge/obstacle just needs to be broken down into smaller pieces that can be solved with the help of those around you.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Rather than judge anyone in the workforce for what they do not or have not achieved, look at what they have done and what they can achieve.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I’m a passionate competitive sailor – I was one of only four women in a fleet of 120 men at the last world championships. I’ve participated in a world championship in Moscow where I was the only female competitor. I am hoping to finish my Graduate Diploma in Counselling soon – I’m fascinated by the emerging field of neuroscience and what it tells us about behaviour, leadership, change and sports psychology.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

The variety of clients and business problems that I am engaged to provide advice on, and our ability to truly blend different skill sets and knowledge to bring the right advice to the client. No project or team is ever the same. When I walk through the EY lobby, I know I can be myself at work and that what I bring to our organisation is valued.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

My father - he is on the Skype fast-dial for business / work-related advice.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

We only exist / have an identity by relating to others - relationships are the most important thing in life. It is important to make relationships with your family and friends a priority. At work, the relationships with your clients, team and peers are also the key determinant of success.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Organisations are reflective of the cultural norms of the broader society in which they operate - change is happening but it is slow. Therefore, to be practical, I would coach women earlier in their careers on what behaviours and competencies are sought in leadership roles - often women hold a different set of values and behaviours or have not thought about leadership requirements. This is not about making women behave like men - if we talk in stereotypes- it is about giving women the opportunity earlier in their careers to understand what they will need to flex / develop to be successful professionally. You can maintain your values and be successful - you just need to understand how the game is being played.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

Travel is a passion of mine. I have lived half my life outside Australia. One of my first jobs was as a nanny to a wealthy Indian family in Jaipur in India. From India I went to Kathmandu and spent some time there and did the Everest Base Camp trek which was probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I then went to the UK at the age of 24 with the intention of six months' work and six months' backpacking and returned home to Australia some 20 years later! I worked in many wonderful cities around the world and also had the opportunity to live in London, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Berlin and Amsterdam for periods of time plus have many fantastic personal adventures; Favourite personal memories would come from my travels in Tanzania, Cambodia, Jordan, Egypt, Canada and Morocco. I have been back in Australia for almost five years now and am happy to be feeling "Australian" again.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

The collaborative atmosphere - working in team environments where the sharing of ideas is not only welcomed but encouraged. Having the opportunity to work with interesting and inspiring people who all have a story to tell and can bring something different to the table, makes every day at work a good day.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

I worked at another ‘Big 4’ Accounting firm for many years and had as a mentor one of the global leaders of that firm. He was an inspirational leader and very much a team player, who respected every single person in the organisation and what they had to bring to the success of the firm. He was a great believer in the saying "great leaders make other people great"; he probably borrowed that quote from someone else, but it is very much the quote that I live by. He inspired my leadership style.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Treat people the way you yourself want to be treated.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Personally, I think Australian organisations need to be more flexible around the whole people agenda including professional women. People have very varied lives and different lives than people even 20 years ago and I think flexibility of work environment - whether it be where you work from or how much you work and when - is key to any organisation having a diverse population of employees that bring the best of themselves to their organisation.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I left school at 16 to complete a Cadetship as a Junior Architect, completing my Diploma of Architecture after four years working four days a week, studying night school and one full day. I have lived and worked in over 10 countries throughout my working career.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

The calibre of individuals we work with - both clients and colleagues. The opportunity to support clients to address some of the most challenging and complex issues they face.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

I have a huge respect for people who undertake jobs I could not ie. a teacher or a nurse. It reminds me that we are not good at all things - so work out what you enjoy and be great at it.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Surround yourself with exceptional people, who will continuously challenge you to be better than you are.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Be prepared to listen to diverse opinions and every now and then act on it.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I am passionate about fashion, architecture and interior design - very different to my professional career - that and being a mum to two beautiful children, Stella and Ned - three if I count our gorgeous dog, Archie - provides the balance I need in my life.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

I love the fact that every day is different working with a variety of clients and Ernst &Young teams including local, international and across all service lines.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

Interestingly I have had more male mentors over my career but that is probably a result of the small number of females that I have worked for and with. My parents both instilled a strong work ethic and fierce independence that has definitely helped me persevere in my professional life.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Your career is a big part of your life, so you need to enjoy it.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

I believe that unconscious bias is one of the biggest contributors to women either leaving organisations or not succeeding at the same rate as their male counterparts, and dealing with this actually begins at home and in the education system. Notwithstanding that, a leader - male or female - who gets how important D&I is to the success of an organisation will make a difference rather than what D&I policies exist.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I was born in the "deep south" of New Zealand and lived in three different states of Australia by the time I had finished high school. Moving around gave me good people skills - you need to learn how to make new friends quickly as well as how to maintain relationships with the people you no longer see regularly.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

I love the people I get to work with and learn from as well as the intellectual stimulation in dealing with really interesting and difficult issues. Every day should be like a school day - you should try and learn something new.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

I have been inspired by people who work in the mail room of organisations right through to Chairmen of Boards. I find inspiration in a wide variety of people - and inspiration usually presents itself when you need it most.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Whenever you are asked to do something you don't think you're smart enough, experienced enough, good enough to do, think to yourself "what's the worst thing that can happen?" Typically the only risk is that you might learn something and if you make a mistake, make sure you learn from it. Very rarely do people get sacked for making a mistake - particularly if they learn from it. I have often reflected on the internal insecurities I have and remind myself of these words as well as "they wouldn't have asked you if they didn't think you were capable of doing the job!"

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Keep listening!

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I am married and have a nine year old daughter, two dogs, two horses, and one budgie. I enjoy regular horse riding, and my horse, Tom, is the keeper of all my secrets. I also love to read, and would one day love to publish a novel loosely based around the lives of women in a professional services firm!

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

I love learning, and EY is a great place to learn about how the world works. My favourite move is "Dead Poet's Society" and right through University I thought I was going to be a teacher. In some respects, I think I've landed in a job where I am a teacher, but my work is with clients and our teams, and conducted in the "real world". Every client organisation is different, and provides a different lens on the economy. And every person brings a different history and view to each engagement, and that makes our work environment "learning rich". Best of all, EY is a great place to learn about yourself: what you're good at, what you want to be good at, and what matters to you. The pace of learning is invigorating, and you're never "done".

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

Many, many people: I've felt inspired by a number of great managers, counsellors, mentors and friends at EY, who have made me feel valued and part of something bigger than myself.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Back yourself.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

Women are still terribly under-represented in the top echelons of organisations and so don't have the chance to speak for themselves. Until the balance is redressed, the current incumbents in those roles ie, mostly men should actively, deliberately, specifically, mentor and advocate for women and pull them into the forums where their opinions and voice can be heard and counted. Women don't need women as mentors: women know how to be women. They need individual and active advocacy from the cohort wielding the power.

1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

I have been at EY now for 22 years and personally think that is a great achievement in itself. Why have I stayed this distance? Because I am forever doing new things, meeting new people and being challenged. My husband Adrian and son Mitchell make the most of our time together entertaining, travelling, and enjoying good food and great times.

2. What do you like most about working at EY?

The people and the challenges excited me about joining EY and are the reasons why I am still here- there is always a challenge and something new to do if you look for it. Also you can really make a difference if you want to. I find that the Partners and leaders at EY really want to listen.

3. What has inspired you in your professional life?

Many people have inspired me over time – colleagues, clients, family and friends. I find inspiration in things that people have done or in what people say in specific situations rather than in one person.

4. What is the best piece of advice that you received that you would like to impart to others?

Learning is up to you - when you go to a training session, a lot of people think they can sit back and let the facilitator take over. They will judge a learning session by how good they think the facilitator is rather than how open they are to learning new concepts or skills. It is not about the facilitator, it is about you and what you want to learn from the time you are spending – right there and then.

5. What do Australian organisations need to do to better engage with professional women?

I personally think many organisations, and the people within them, are doing really well at this - a lot of it is about listening to the many perspectives they have available to them and being open to more diverse thinking than what they have done or seen before.