What is your role at Accenture? I am the managing director for Consumer Goods & Services in Products for the Asia Pacific region. I'm responsible for developing Accenture’s image and marketplace in the industry; spotting industry trends; and making sure the company has the offerings and capabilities to support these clients. What career path has led you to where you are today? I have been with Accenture my entire career. Over 22 years I have worked in all industries and operating groups, predominantly in Australia. What do you think has been the key to your success at Accenture? I like what I do. You have to enjoy what you are doing. I have worked with terrific people, both internal and external. What do you see as your greatest challenge – both professionally and personally? I get really stressed and am a born worrier. But maybe that’s a key to success in that I think of everything that could go wrong and plan for contingencies. I have a full life, so getting enough personal time is a challenge. What inspires you to come to work and what motivates to stop working each day? In both cases, it's people—the ones I meet inside Accenture and the ones I know on the outside—family and friends. What do you wish you had known “back then” as you were making your way in your career? I wish I had known that I was going to be successful. There were not that many female role models when I joined Accenture. I did not know that I would make senior executive one day, but the guys I joined with knew they were going to “rule.” I may have stressed a little less; however, maybe not. What advice do you have for women trying to build their careers at Accenture? What advice do you have for men? I don’t see a difference between men and women. The most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing. Take charge of your career and destiny—don’t wait for someone to give you opportunities. Go out and take them. There has been so much written about emotional intelligence recently, which I think resonates for both men and women. I think it’s okay to show your feelings. What has been most influential in helping you succeed at Accenture and why? I have always been surrounded by really supportive people. My family is fantastic. I grew up in a family of all girls. My father died when I was a teenager, so that left my mum and two sisters. It was a really supportive environment growing up in Sydney. At Accenture, I have had the same type of fabulous mentors, and I learned a lot from good external mentors, too. My husband and children are supportive as well. What are you most looking forward to – both professionally and personally? Professionally, we’ve done some really good work around High Performance Business that we are taking to our clients in Asia Pacific. This geography has so much potential, but we don’t have a mature practice yet in this region. So, I would like to build the practice. Personally, I would just like my kids to be happy and help them grow up to be well-balanced, happy individuals. I want to give them all the support I had growing up. On the personal side… Education: Undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Sydney What are your top three “secrets to success”? Be happy with yourself Work hard Continuous learning What are your top three ways to balance life and work? I plan my diary around key activities, including personal commitments. Have a good support network and infrastructure. I make sure that when I'm home I really have time to spend with my children. Take control of your life. It’s part of being successful. Mentors: My grandmother. At Accenture, Keith Newton, managing director-Products, Asia Pacific. He’s been my boss forever. I also had a really great client, Mike Kimber of Astra Zenaca. He was great to work with and we are still friends even though he is now retired. Words of wisdom: May you live in interesting times. I dream… of world peace.