The Orijen Group > Executive Women's Business > Testimonials

I had done some research with others in CBA who had been on the programme and only received positive feedback. My hope on entering the programme, was that, I would be able to leverage the experience of other senior women to help me achieve some of my medium term goals career wise. Also to learn more about how other senior women deal with the everyday issues we face as managers in our organisations. It is so rare to be able to talk to other woman at the same level in organisations. It's truly a valuable proposition for someone who feels like they have always been the 'only woman in the room'.

My experience along the way

 Well my expectations so far have been eclipsed! I have felt truly inspired by attending these monthly sessions. At every one of them we have, as a group encouraged, supported and helped each other with all manner of issues and longer term struggles, we have with our careers, and our day to day issues, both professional and person. What a wonderful group of woman to have had the pleasure of spending real time with, working through the many facets of managing people and change. Such great insights and advice from all of them. Elizabeth and Jenny also have been such valuable guides in all the discussions. Both have such huge experience and intelligence to help all of us see through some of the challenges we are all facing in one way or another.

Gains for myself and my organisation

Personally I have really gained valuable advice from the group on how to deal with not only specific incidents at work, but also real encouragement towards setting and starting the journey towards my medium term goal, career wise. I feel like I have been blessed with an instant network, that is there to encourage and help me, as much as I will help and encourage them in every way that I can. It has been very helpful to view the political struggles we all face at work through the 'woman's lense'. So often we play these scenarios through with ourselves only, rather than bouncing our political landscape dilemmas off other woman!"

Organisationally CBA is getting a much more well-rounded leader (no training course can teach the experience that's in our monthly sessions!) CBA will also benefit from my broader network. I feel that I can also bring a lot of my learnings from our sessions back with me in my own mentoring that I do with other CBA employees."

Gloria Farler, Executive Director Marketing Intelligence & Customer Analytics, Telstra

"I joined because I found myself at a career crossroads.

One reason the EWB  approach is so amazing is that its members have very diverse expertise (PR, HR, Law, Consulting, public sector)  I feel I have my own personal Board of Directors to alert me to risks and suggest strategies (including from our PR colleague, how to frame a negotiation.)

My own "story" about this program is that is about personally taking action regarding women's role in the executive ranks.  I once read a quote from Mike Smith. CEO ANZ:  "I think it's important we have a robust conversation because sadly, on issues, like diversity I'm concerned that we have a lot of nice words and platitudes but insufficient action."  So we are creating our own revolutions in small and personal ways, by having the conversation and getting our voices heard.

At the risk of sentimentality, what I think is great about these women is that they are not only admirable for what they have accomplished but for their courage, wit, determination, creativity, compassion and love.  They are teaching me that women can honour each other for who we are, not what we do.  I have come to believe in communities of support where we help one another define our purpose, ask for what we need, test out new behaviours, and even when we stumble, celebrate when we win."