I was fortunate enough to attend John’s for the whole duration of my Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Management), from the University of Notre Dame. There was only a handful of non-Sydney University students at John’s so I was well aware of how lucky I was to live on campus and enjoy the college experience. 

One of my greatest achievements was being elected the first female House President of John’s in 2009. This role really helped set my career path, as I was able to use the John’s network to obtain a few internships prior to graduating which gave me great insight into the type of marketing career I wanted to follow. The HP role was also the icing on the cake after an amazing college experience, and an ability to give something back in my final year. 

I have spent the majority of my career working in Business and Client Development roles within Australian law firms. I started out in Sydney at Middletons (now K&L Gates), moved to Corrs Chambers Westgarth and then Clayton Utz. In 2014 I was lucky enough to be accepted into the Mountbatten Institute, which facilitated a year of work and study in New York City. I took on an events and marketing role at Citi Private Bank, which saw me facilitating events for the bank’s Ultra High Net Worth clients across the US. It was such an amazing opportunity, and I was lucky to visit many NY landmarks, restaurants and venues I would never have dreamt of experiencing, let alone the clients I got to meet and the friendships I formed with colleagues. I returned to Clayton Utz in Sydney, but shortly followed my now husband to Canberra where I work for the Australian Government Solicitor, within the Attorney Generals Department. 

I, like many of my fellow College friends, fell in love whilst at John’s and have since married my husband Nick, and we share three children – Henry, Eleanor and James. 

John’s holds a very special place in my heart, and I feel so fortunate for the lifelong friends and network it has opened to me. I am constantly surprised at the Johns connection – between realising my colleagues, health practitioners or new friends are Johnsmen – everyone undoubtably linked.

I feel very proud of the success of the college in recent years, and the importance of women within the college and college community. Although the college has changed in many ways since my time, all women over the past 25 years have paved the way for the success of those residing at college now.

I wish everyone attending university could have the same wonderful experience I did at the home of joy and bliss, and I look forward to seeing what the next 25 years holds for women at John’s.