Kathy Paget
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is a time for us to recognise and celebrate each other in our local community, as well as women around the world, for our contributions to society. It’s also a reminder of the importance of gender balance in business opportunities, employment and wealth.
Q: How did I start and what are the highlights of my career?
I started our business in 1996 and I have watched it grow from a start up business with 1 staff member, to now having 4 offices, a highly qualified, experienced team of advisers and a fabulous support network inside and outside of the business.
I love being a business owner and working with our clients to help them to grow and protect their wealth, keeping them on track and accountable to what’s important to them, with clear goals of achieving and living their ideal lives.
My highlight is having strong, innovative, dynamic business partners who share the same values and commitment to our clients, our staff and our business, as I do.
Q: How can we encourage future leaders?
I believe that women are natural leaders, but sometimes they just don’t have the confidence or the environment to back themselves and to shine.
We have 12 women in our team, all different ages, married, single, mothers and grandmothers, who each bring their special skills and life experiences to our business every day.
My role as their ‘leader’ is to lead by example, recognise their strengths, and encourage them to be the best that they can, regardless of what they choose to do or be.
Q: What does an equal future world look like?
An equal world is where gender does not come into the conversation. Where we are encouraged to live our dreams and back ourselves.
To recognise that we are all different, but that we ‘all put our pants on one leg at a time’.
Where we strive to be the best version of ourselves and give more than we take – the rewards will come to those who implant these values in everything we do.
Genevieve de Szoeke
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me, IWD is a day where we can reflect on our personal achievements, our contribution to the community that we live in as well as acknowledge and honour the other women in our lives.
With our lives being so busy, it is important that we stop and reflect on how far we have come.
Q: How did I start and what are the highlights of my career?
The position that I am in now has been a journey spanning 20+ years. There have been milestone achievements along the way that are celebrated, such as accolades and award winners within our profession.
The highlight in my career is more around the simple things, around being part of our clients’ lives, provide advice and guidance around their financial situation, and the difference that we make.
Q: How can we encourage future leaders?
Encourage means give support, confidence or hope to someone.
We need to encourage each other, through the good and the bad. Support each other when opportunities come their way, or decisions need to be made and empower and pass on confidence to let them know that they can do what they set out to achieve.
Q: What does an equal future world look like?
It is allowing women to have a voice, and the freedom to choose what is right for them, in all facets of their life. Giving them the support that they need (regardless of gender) so they can make a difference in the lives that they touch.