Curiosity, learning & gaining perspective

What business achievement are you most proud of, and why?

One of my proudest achievements has been building credibility in environments where I wasn’t the obvious insider.

Let me explain. Across my career in professional membership bodies, I’ve stepped into diverse sectors with deep technical expertise – procurement, supply chain, HR, general medical practice, architecture (I’m none of those professions!). I often needed to understand quickly what the profession was about, what key issues they were grappling with, how people worked, what mattered to them, and where the pressure points sat.

Early in my career, I experienced imposter syndrome, compounded by the feeling that as a migrant I didn’t know enough about the Australian context. Over time, I stopped worrying about needing to know everything or proving myself. Instead, I focused on building expertise and credibility in leading and managing professional associations. My role is to guide the organisation that supports professionals in a particular field – and I know I bring the right perspective and skills to do that.

At the ACA, contributing to a stronger conversation around sustainable, equitable and ethical practice has felt particularly meaningful. Because when the environment is right, talented people stay and contribute meaningfully for the long term.

Seven years in, working alongside the amazing team of staff, volunteers and members, I feel a real sense of pride, not just in the work, but in being part of creating this community – a community that cares about the world we live in. And I am unapologetic about how clichéd that might sound, because it’s true.

What leadership approach has served you best in practice, and how has it evolved over time?

Working in associations is unique (at least I think so!). It means stepping into different sectors I often knew little about.

I remember thinking I needed to learn everything quickly – the industry, the language, the dynamics, the priorities – just to keep pace and appear like I knew what I was talking about.

While learning about the professions I represented was very important, it wasn’t everything. Instead, that experience taught me that leadership isn’t about mastering every detail. It’s about understanding context, the structures to operate in, what’s important (equally what’s not), and helping people (the ACA members) connect, grow and learn within that system.

Growing up in Malaysia as a South Indian, I had to balance different cultural expectations, different languages, different ‘power’ structures – all while thriving within the system. That’s helped me to bridge multiple perspectives and contexts, which has shaped how I approach leadership.

Over time, as I moved between industries, that approach stayed with me. I’ve become curious and more comfortable asking questions, challenging ideas and norms, and creating space for different perspectives. I give myself permission to make mistakes, learn from them and do better the next time.

What’s one thing you wish you’d known earlier in your career?

That transitions aren’t setbacks.

There were moments when shifting between roles and industries felt like starting again – getting across a new profession, building new relationships, learning new expectations, establishing new connections.

But each transition was a golden learning opportunity to gain perspective. It helped me recognise the common challenges professionals face across fields – managing responsibility, navigating change, prioritising wellbeing, and sustaining careers over time.

I wish I’d known earlier that those moments were adding depth and wisdom, not slowing momentum.

Who have been the key influences or mentors in your career, and what did they teach you?

I don’t think I have a single defining mentor. Instead, I’ve been shaped by the communities and workplaces I’ve moved through – and by the leadership I observed growing up.

In my cultural background, leadership was often quiet and relational. People stepped forward when needed and stepped back when others needed space. It wasn’t always linear.

Across my career I’ve also worked alongside leaders deeply committed to professional standards and ethics.

In reflecting on these questions, I revisited a piece I wrote seven years ago to mark International Women’s Day. There have been many influences in my life. Together, those influences have taught me that leadership is about stewardship – balancing responsibility to people, to purpose and to the future.

When I joined the ACA, I was so fortunate to have John Held as my national president, who patiently guided me and answered every question I had about the profession – regardless of the hour, day or night, never ever making me feel like I was a burden to him. (He certainly deserved that Order of Australia medal!) Today, Paul Viney has taken over, generously doing the same. They both taught me that leadership is about patience, kindness, generosity and sharing knowledge. They have given me opportunities and the platform to be myself.

What motivated you to lead the ACA, and why does contributing to the collective work of the profession matter to you?

Working across professions made it clear to me how much shared experiences shape individual success.

In architecture, many practitioners run small businesses while carrying complex responsibilities. The challenges they face often sit beyond any one practice.

What drew me to the ACA was the chance to work at that collective level by supporting the environment and systems (political, economic, industrial etc) in which practices operate.

My career has shown me that lasting change rarely happens in isolation. It happens when professions come together to strengthen the systems around them. Many will know that I am a big fan of MoUs – because, as I’ve said many times, professions are too small to be doing things in silos. We need to harness the power of collective action.

The ACA stands by that. No-one here has ego, no-one is here because it looks good on their CV, no-one is here because they want to win that next award. Everyone here has a deep commitment for the betterment of this profession, the communities they live in, and the people they connect with every day.

The ACA’s volunteers give their precious time, resources, guidance and support to the profession they love. That’s what associations are built on.

And that’s what continues to motivate me…