Disruption Designed

You know nothing John Snow

People and decision making processes have alway fascinated me. I think it is why I'm so curious about understanding other people's experiences. To me to understand what motivates people is to predict what decisions they will make. To tackle this I have commenced an MBA at UNSW. I want to intimately understand the individual contexts in which people make choices in business. It's going well so far my curiosity has earn't me a Distinction average, with a 1st in Strategy. The biggest test so far Management Accounting.

Shut up and listen.

It was years ago, but the impact of working with the Samaritans UK stays with me today. Each fortnight I would finish up work and drive out to a outer suburb of London to spend the night listening. Listening to strangers share their personal anguish and work with them to find ways to articulate what they were going through, so that maybe they could find their own path out. I wont say it was joyful work, but it was meaningful and it showed me the power of finding ways to put problems into words.

We can do better on Mental Health prevention

As part of our group work for the Data Analytics subject we defined a statistically valid early warning system for Mental Health issues. By looking at existing data from the World Happiness Index you can correlate specific signals with a meaningful impact on our national mental health. In turn empowering policy makers to stay a step ahead of emerging areas of concern. This has been a revelation.

Love makes a family.

In 2022 I was invited by a friend to join Rainbow Families, I did so happily. At that time, what I didn't realise is that the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community face in starting, let alone raising a family are significant. From legal challenges, to administrative invisibility to building grass root support mechanics Rainbow Families simultaneously fights for change and celebrates LGBTQ+ communities. It was beyond an honour to work amongst them, learning how to rebuild their website, being on the ground at community events and championing them at my workplace in order to create the Rainbow Families world pride mascot. A powerful lesson in all the things I don't know about my community and website builds!

It's fun to be a little extreme

I like a sporting challenge. I'm working my way through the list of sports, I've gotten a couple of belts in Kick Boxing, dabbled at boxing, completed a marathon (the flatest I could find), competed in the Cross Fit games, and done a bunch of Tough Mudder style events. I find it rewarding to push personally as well as professionally.

You never stop coming out

Professional environments pose an interesting challenge for queer people. As we grow up we work hard to be able to understand and express who we are. Then go to work and often feel pressure to be a little less us, and a little more 'normal'. The pressure can be unspoken, self imposed or even delivered as well meaning advice. To fit in, to fit the culture, to be a team player. OFA connects those of us that have navigated these pathways already with those new to the landscape. My role, to simple share my experience as an marketing advisor to the exec team and a mentor to queer people across the nation.