What are you most excited about in your new role?

At ARQ, our mission is to make local impact by designing and building innovative solutions for our customers. In this new role I’m most excited about leading our Queensland team towards this mission as we digitally transform both government and enterprise organisations.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have had the pleasure of attending over 1,200 weddings but not as a guest…I don’t have that many friends. For ten years I was in a string quartet playing music at weddings. This included weddings on sandy beaches, deep in the canopies of rainforests, on giant yachts and for a tent full of A-list celebrities.

Can you share with us a little bit more about you and your background pre-ARQ?

I have a fairly eclectic background. My career began when I started my own business building websites for enterprise organisations on the Gold Coast. At that time websites were digitally transforming organisations and bringing them in to the age of e-commerce. It was also the time when Windows 98, Internet Explorer and Zip drives were the cool tech toys all the cool kids were talking about. I then made a jump into a Big 4 accounting firm where I learned how businesses operate at the atomic financial level – I became a Chartered Accountant. After 12 years consulting in Big 4, I moved back to the world of digital transformation with Arq Group where we were not only consulting but also building the solutions we recommended to our clients. 

How did you end up in the Technology Industry?

I knew I loved technology when I first got my hands on a 1989 Gameboy. However, my real appreciation for building technology started when I was 6 years old and my uncle taught me how to code in BASIC and Assembler on a 486 microprocessor computer. Since then, I have been using technology to make not only my life better but also for help my clients succeed in the industries in which they operate.

What are the top trends you predict over the next 5 years?

These are the five technology trends we should be ready for in the next five years:

• Data..just more data. We are going to see data being captured, used and democratised in more places. It would not surprise me at all if, in the future, accounting standards require businesses to value the future economic benefit of data and to record it as an asset on their balance sheets.
• Google Glass was first introduced in 2013. It was highly experimental back then but I believe smart glasses are going to make a come-back and have real world commercial benefits.
• Quantum ..I believe we are going to see “quantum” leaps in this technology over the next five years.
• The meta-verse…not sure about this one. Call me a luddite but I’m thinking this might not have “real life” use within the next five years. We will see lots of novelty applications but, who knows, let’s watch this space.
• The digital divide is going to be amplified and it is our job as leaders driving digital transformations to ensure we close the gap so that everyone across all demographics have equal access to digital technology.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

I’m excited to work with clients and our team to solve complex business and community problems with technology. The pace of change in our lives throughout the last two years has opened my eyes up to the capacity of Victorians and businesses to be adaptive and resilient. I am excited to have the opportunity to play a small part in creating a place that is more than a workplace, but a place where people are inspired, motivated and have a sense of belonging. I truly believe that the team we have in Victoria at the moment at ARQ is unique with the level of innovation and curiosity, the energy and passion they have for their clients, and the willingness they are to support each other is something I feel so humbled to be a part of.    

What’s a fun fact about you?

 I learnt my sales skills by working as a pharmaceutical sales rep knocking on GP doctor’s doors in Western Sydney. It was a deep dive into handling objections and rejections at every doctor’s surgery.

Can you share with us a little bit more about you and your background pre-ARQ?

ARQ has really proven that it values diversity in its approach to its people as my background is far from a typical journey into tech. My most recent experience prior to ARQ was working as a Lean Six Sigma Consultant delivering operational improvement work and training to large corporates. My formal sales training was in the pharmaceutical industry which thickened my skin. I started my career as a physiotherapist so I try to make the link between working with people, to selling pharmaceuticals to improving operations of businesses as pretty good well-rounded experience to help me step into this role.

How did you end up in the Technology Industry?

I ended up in the technology industry almost by accident. I was attracted to the business problems that were solved through the use of technology, rather than the technology itself. I have learnt so much in my time at ARQ and continue to be amazed at the diverse talent we have at ARQ. The pace of change in the technology industry is what constantly keeps me learning which is something that is important for me. 

What are the top trends you predict over the next 5 years?

We will continue to see the rise of automation through the use of technology replace labour in many industries. People will always play a part in delivering services and products as relationships will never be replaced by bots. There will be a new wave of connectiveness through a combination of digital + personal connection as people realise the 100% virtual world of COVID is not a world people want to remain in. We will see continued increase in women in technology and the needle towards 50:50 will move slowly.