ACYAWN PUBLICATIONS
ACYAWN
Editors
Catherine Hu & Cyan Sang
Graphic Designer
Catherine Hu
Content Reviewers
Amy Du & Victor Liang
www.acya.org.au/acyawn
Contributing Writers
Catherine Hu, Cyan Sang & Amy Du
Photography ACYA Media team & ACYAWN
women@acya.org.au
FROM THE Editors
Welcome to the inaugural edition of ACYAWN’s publication, dedicated to spotlighting the dynamic women shaping the Australia-China landscape.
Our goal is to bridge the information gap for female students and young professionals. There are many opportunities for women in the Australia-China space, and lots of paths to get there. We want to shed light on these different fields: we ’ ve interviewed women in fields from international trade and business to finance, education, healthcare, career mentorship, consulting, and social impact. Our hope is that these articles will help you gain a deeper understanding of the type of work, challenges and life lessons for women in the Australia-China space.
We extend our thanks to those who shared their stories and advice, as well as the ACYAWN team for their dedication and support in bringing this publication to life.
WOMEN IN AUSTRALIACHINA CAREERS
WRITTEN
BY
CYAN SANG
Interviewed by Amy Du
A recap on our recent online careers panel, in case you missed out :)
The “WOMEN IN AUSTRALIA-CHINA CAREERS PANEL” focused on women active on the Australia-China career stage.
Work in the Australia-China space continues to evolve, offering a wealth of opportunities for those interested in business, education, law and international relations. In our recent ‘Women in Australia-China Careers’ online panel, the ACYA Women’s Network delved into the remarkable experiences of Emma Pitt (Manager of Global Learning @ RMIT), Gabi Powell Thomas (Consultant @ Nous Group) and Daisy Wu (Author and Founder @ Multilingual Connectors), who all have deep connections to the Australia-China space through their education and work experience
Emma's journey with Chinese began in primary school in the 1990s when she befriended a classmate who had just arrived in Australia from Beijing Their firm friendship, along with her close connection with her friend’s mother, sparked her interest in learning Chinese
After high school, she took a gap year in China as a volunteer English teacher, followed by an exchange semester in Beijing in 2007 The city and campus, in the lead up to the 2008 Summer Olympics, was full of energy, recalls Emma. Her interest in China landed her a graduate position at ANZ, which was looking to expand into Asia and one of the few companies at the time that offered opportunities for employees to work in China. Eventually, Emma found herself back in China; this time, in the country’s most bustling commercial hub- Shanghai.
“It’s about taking the time to learn the language and finding organizations with opportunities to go abroad”, explained Emma. As an expat, Emma noticed cultural differences. She observed that her colleagues spent more time together socially due to more family and household support, whereas the Australian workplace, from her experience, focused more on work-life balance Emma's experience in China gave her the flexibility to transition across sectors, from banking to higher education, highlighting the importance of developing transferable and cross-cultural skills Now, as the Manager of Global Learning at RMIT, Emma works to strengthen relations between Australian universities and the ASEAN community “I’m working less in my current role now in the China space ” , shares Emma, “at RMIT we ’ ve got a lovely flourishing campus in Vietnam, so I’m managing staff at the Vietnam campus and traveling back and forth to Vietnam”
Gabi Powell Thomas - Consultant @ Nous Group
Describing herself as a “late bloomer,” Gabi’s passion for languages began at university, fueled by her curiosity about Chinese culture. After just a year of study, she embarked on an exchange to Peking University a transformative experience that she recalls as both intimidating and rewarding.
Learning Chinese, Gabi explains, taught her humility and the importance of attentiveness in understanding people and navigating diverse social contexts.
“Learning a new language teaches you to let go of preconceived notions and truly listen,” she reflects.
Her cultural understanding and language skills, honed through her exposure to China, have been invaluable to her consulting career. For instance, her ability to translate and interpret Chinese reports has been particularly useful in higher education projects
Daisy Wu - Author & Founder @ Multilingual Connectors
Coming from a Chinese background, Daisy emphasises the importance of building meaningful connections across cultures. She arrived in Australia at 17 as an international student and reflects on struggling with cultural isolation “I believed mastering native-like English was the only way to succeed”, she shared
However, Daisy found that communication extended far beyond language proficiency As a career mentor herself now, she talks about how mentorship played a key role in teaching her to embrace authenticity and vulnerability and professional settings Inspired by her own experience, she founded “Multilingual Connectors” to empower students and young professionals to build connections across cultural divides Daisy reflected on her personal growth as well, on how she overcame her initial shyness and self-doubt to become more courageous in publicspeaking She also offered some practical advice on networking and seeking mentors When it comes to choosing a mentor, she suggests considering someone whose results and lifestyle you admire, who can reverse engineer their success, and who has a track record of elevating others.
Emma Pitt - Manager, Global Learning @ RMIT
Advice from the panelists
Language Learning Tips
Lay a solid foundation: When learning Chinese, focusing on mastering the limited sounds, tones and their combinations
Engage actively: Be brave to take part in activities like playing games with native speakers (i e Mafia 狼
人杀) Put yourself in situations that might feel uncomfortable but force you to rapidly improve
Overcome inner barriers: Overcome internal obstacles and have firm belief in their own language capabilities
Speak without a script: Give yourself the confidence to try speaking without relying on prepared scripts
Enhance communication via volunteering: Increase opportunities for natural communication by participating in more volunteer activities
Career Development Advice
Industry focus: If you have a career plan for a specific region like China, closely monitor the prosperous or potentially booming industries there and start learning relevant knowledge and skills For instance, the fashion and textile industry in Shanghai used to be fairly international and can be used as a reference
Have an open mind: Keep an open mind and don't shy away from showing vulnerability as it can be advantageous for career development
Understand personal strengths: First, understand your own preferences and areas of expertise. Communicate with others based on this self-awareness to get more targeted advice
Keep an open learning attitude: Always maintain an open attitude towards learning, avoid easily dismissing any field, and actively explore opportunities from various directions
Importance of networking: Recognise the great significance of networking and mentorship. When networking, approach it with empathy, try to understand non-native communication situations
Build connections: Plan your time and energy and don't blindly join activities; instead, build meaningful connections according to your goals
Choose the right mentor: When selecting a mentor, consider aspects such as their achievements, whether they can break down and share their successful experiences, and if they have a track record of helping others progress
Speaking with
STEPHANIE SMITH
“Growth only happens when you try to do something you've never done before.”
To start off, could you tell us a bit about yourself and how your career has unfolded over the years?
I was born in Sydney, moved house 11 times as a kid, went to 6 different schools so my life has always been a bit of an adventure I attended uni in Australia, studied on exchange in China in 2013, and have been living between the two countries ever since I studied law and international relations and worked in both areas, but definitely prefer the variety that comes with the latter. When I started my career, a Chinese work visa required you to have two years of work experience. So after uni, I got a job at Queensland's Treasury Department and absorbed as much as possible during two trips around the sun, or should I say, two budget cycles. When my two-year anniversary approached, I contacted everyone I'd met in China while studying and interning and asked them if they wanted to hire me.
Stephanie is an Australian Trade and Investment Commissioner to Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, based in Shanghai She leads a team promoting Australia’s education and skills sector and supporting business expansion in the region.
In 2024, Stephanie was named the ‘Overall Young Leader’ by the Australian Financial Review Women in Leadership Awards.
With extensive experience in international trade and investment, Stephanie has held roles such as State Director for the Northern Territory, Global Engagement Manager for agribusiness, and Austrade representative to the Minister for Trade and Tourism.
Before Austrade, she worked in China with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and held legal and financial roles at Queensland Treasury
Interviewed
by Catherine Hu
A lovely guy named Udo Doring, who was the CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai at the time, offered me a job I spent a couple of years as their Senior Manager of all things marketing, comms, partnerships and events, you name it There I learnt how to lead a team through making lots of valuable mistakes I then took what I had learned in China and started a job with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). This took me all over Australia, first organising seminars for exporters in regional and rural centres, then to Darwin in the Northern Territory as their State Director, and finally to Canberra and Australia's Parliament House My most recent chapter is unfolding in Shanghai, as I work to grow Australia's education sector throughout Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. That pretty much brings us up to present day.
You’ve worked across trade, education, and governance such a diverse path! What first drew you to international trade, and how have your interests and roles evolved?
At university, my favourite subject of my law degree was international trade and business law I liked learning about Incoterms, free trade agreements and the commercial realities of doing business in a global operating environment I enjoyed all of my international relations (business) degree classes, so I knew it was an area that I was keen to pursue in terms of a career path
For every new role I've undertaken, there is a measure of uncharted territory, especially when I've taken on something challenging or outside my comfort zone. My interests tend to evolve base on the role I am undertaking. For example, I’ve never worked in the education sector before starting my current posting, but now I that I’m working on the internationals education sector in Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong I have developed an interest and appreciation for the sector that I never had before! This is one of the reasons I love working at Austrade, because you get to work with the commercial sector and understand the real opportunities and challenges that are facing businesses.
Having worked in both Australia and China, I imagine you’ve had some interesting cultural experiences. How have those different environments influenced your leadership style and the way you approach decision-making? It's certainly benefited my leadership journey, and fostered a consultative approach The reality is, everyone has their own unique personality and approach to work I've worked with people from Australia, China, France, New Zealand, Argentina people from all over
Sometimes there is a cultural norm that people adhere to, but there will always be exceptions to the rule Ultimately I have learnt that it takes time to listen, understand people's individual proclivities, their motivations for work and to build trust
You were named ‘Overall Young Leader’ by the Australian Financial Review, which is an incredible achievement. What advice do you have for young women looking to step into leadership roles in international trade or any other industry? Believe in yourself and take a chance to go on an adventure The leadership role I hold was the consequence of taking some rather adventurous jobs, hard jobs, in places outside of my comfort zone.
Mentorship is such a big part of growth. Have you had any mentors who shaped your career? And how do you now try to pay that forward?
I have had many mentors across my career and I would not be where I am today without the support and advice from these people. I have learnt so much from these people that I admire and want to emulate.
In my experience anyone who gives you honest feedback about your blind spots is also great. It could be a colleague, a friend, a partner, or family member. You will be a better leader if you understand your strengths and weaknesses
I definitely believe in paying it forward I give an annual lecture at my former university to international relations students, and a section of the lecture is providing advice and sharing my tips to starting a career in the public service Earlier this year I gave a keynote at the Public Sector Women in Leadership conference to share my learnings about 'playing to your strengths' Doing things like this interview is also about paying it forward and inspiring others to continue on their leadership journey
Balancing a demanding career with personal life isn’t easy especially in a leadership role. Do you have any tips or routines that help you manage it all and keep the balance?
I travel a lot for work and missing family dinners at home or my son ' s school events is an unfortunate reality. But I truly love my work. The opportunity to lead a fantastic team to deliver meaningful results for Australia's education sector is incredibly rewarding. So I acknowledge that this is a period of my life where the work-life balance is skewed towards my career, and thankfully I have a family dynamic which makes that possible.
One non-negotiable routine for me is that I always say good night to my son on a video call no matter what I am doing or where I am (unless I'm on a flight!). A fair few of my clients and colleagues have joined me for those good night calls over the past year which is cute!
Looking ahead, what excites you about the next chapter of your career? Any upcoming projects or goals you’re particularly focused on?
I'm really focused on leading our education team across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to ensure that Austrade continues to support the Australian education sector with their business in this thriving region. One project of particular excitement for all of us in Mainland China is the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which will be held in Beijing next September. Australia will be the country of honour for 2025 CIFTIS and Austrade will host a national pavilion showcasing Auatralia's green economy capabilities across all of our services sectors, including education. It's going to be a massive event!
Lastly, for young women aiming to make an impact in the Australia-China space or beyond, what would your key piece of advice be?
Back yourself and get outside your comfort zone Growth only happens when you try to do something you ' ve never done before!
Stephanie with her team and son, Johannes.
In conversation with LINDY CHEN
INTERVIEWED BY CATHERINE HU
“My journey into international trade began with a suitcase of dreams and the courage to step into the unknown...”
Lindy Chen is a seasoned expert in international trade with over 20 years of experience. As a member of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), founding president of the Australia Blockchain Alliance, and president of the Sunnybank Chamber of Commerce, Lindy has driven growth and innovation. She has supported over 900 businesses as a mentor for the QLD government, and champions cross-cultural collaboration between Australia and China
Could you share a bit more about yourself and some of the key moments that led to your career? I grew up in China and came to Australia in 2002 I had already worked in China for a few years. At that time, you know, I was really looking for jobs, and I probably sent out more than 100 resumes and applied for $10 per hour jobs, and no one wanted me.
When I first arrived in Australia - and this is a funny story - I went to the Gold Coast for a trip, and I was swimming I love the ocean, and I had my first ever experience of the Australian ocean, and I jumped in I hugged the ocean - and then I grabbed something in my hand. I felt there was something in my hand I was quite surprised, and guess what? It was a 5 dollar note!
My journey into international trade began with a suitcase of dreams and the courage to step into the unknown, because I was trying to find a job No one wanted me So then I thought better - I started my own business
I was always curious about how the world outside operated When I was 12 years old, my Dad bought a black and white TV I saw someone, it was the International Tour Guide It made me have a dream to be a translator or interpreter, the bridge between two cultures Moving to Australia was the pivotal moment that really fuelled this curiosity My first breakthrough came when I helped one Australian business source products from China This really opened my eyes to the immense potential of bridging the two markets
“I felt I had come to the land of opportunity. It was an indication of how Australia opened up to me.”
Whatadvicedoyoufindyourselffrequentlygivingtoyoung professionalsorentrepreneurs?
Well, my advice to young women is very simple Be authentic Stay curious and embrace the power of connection building A relationship based on trust and understanding is the cornerstone of success in Australia-China business relations So if you align your work with your passion, you'll find the resilience and opportunity to thrive
“The only constant is change.”
What are some strategies that you've used to balance these responsibilities, while also staying focused and motivated?
I’m a mother of 2. I also hold roles across many different organizations, which requires a clear purpose. Setting boundaries and deciding what to focus on and what not to are crucial for me. My work is all about empowering businesses and the community Innovation isn't just about technology; it's about rethinking how we collaborate and grow Balancing work and family is very important to me From Monday to Friday, I focus on managing the business, but Saturdays and Sundays are dedicated entirely to my family Having this balance in life helps me feel more efficient and energized every week
What are some unique challenges that you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome them?
As a woman navigating international trade and blockchain, I faced a lot of skepticism,
particularly in the male-dominated boardroom. I vividly remember in 2019, when blockchain was first going live, I started sharing my new ideas with one of the guys. He looked at me, said some criticism, and it made me cry. I went home feeling shattered because at that time, I had already been in business for 14 years. I was strong and confident, but when I shared an innovative idea and received that kind of response, it was hard to take But, you know, a cry is a cry
I said to myself, "The person who said that didn’t have ill intentions It’s just what they thought at the time, which is fine " To me, it was a learning experience I really thought through their suggestions and began to see their criticism as constructive feedback Once I shifted my perspective, I learned from it and took it more lightly I no longer felt the need to prove my expertise I overcame this challenge by focusing on the results and building a strong network of likeminded professionals who believe in my vision
Since you're working in both Australia and China spaces, do you find that there are any particular difficulties or obstacles that you’ve faced? Well, there are many difficulties no matter what you ’ re doing, in each different step. When I was doing channel direct sourcing, there was the difficulty of growth and scaling up how to grow faster and scale more efficiently I learned how to use technology to scale up and expand into different countries Each new expansion required constant new skills and new ways of thinking
There’s a saying that you can only create wealth with the knowledge you possess I find that I’m constantly learning and dealing with new challenges Once our platform was built, we faced new obstacles, such as customer onboarding As we started finding our product-market fit, we pivoted These challenges are ongoing One thing I can say is that the only constant is change
Voices of young changemakers
DEB ZHANG
INTERVIEWED
BY CATHERINE HU
Deb is a current high school English and French teacher and Head of Learning Area, as well as an executive in a public health not-for-profit, CHASE.
She’s been involved with ACYA since 2019, starting as the Education Director in the Beijing chapter, then becoming Delegates Director for ACELS 10 in Guangzhou, People-toPeople Director at ACYA National and then as National President in 2021.
Q: What were some key moments or experiences that led you to take on leadership roles like National President of ACYA?
A: It was a series of baby steps. My journey started with small roles like Education Director in Beijing, where I met interesting, motivated and intelligent people. That drew me to take on bigger challenges like strategy, operations, and risk management and eventually I found myself drawn to a bigpicture thinking involved in being National President Youth advocacy in not-forprofits offers unique opportunities for leadership and governance experience early in your career A lot of these skills, like grant writing or board exposure, aren’t typically available to graduates until later in their careers
Q: With your experience in education and advocacy, has your perspective on youth engagement shifted?
A: I’m passionate about supporting international students, influenced by my background as an Australian-born Chinese woman. As a teacher in a school with international students, I’m much more attuned to their challenges and ensure their specific needs are recognised The recent student cap by the Australian government and rhetoric around students in mainstream media is disheartening, given the significant contributions international students make
Youth advocacy and education go hand in hand I find joy in working with dynamic, smart and funny teenagers and giving them a platform to lead and find their voice
Read Deb’s story on how she empowers the younger generation through education.
Q: Have you noticed cultural differences or similarities between Australian and Chinese youth?
A: There are definitely differences in educational systems. I try to avoid reductive comparisons like ‘Australia emphasises critical thinking while China doesn’t’. ACYA has helped me see how much we share in common despite apparent differences.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in teaching and advocacy?
A: Both teaching and advocacy are vocations of care, which can lead to burnout as they often rely on your passion I’ve been working on setting boundaries Building confidence to communicate boundaries and prioritisation is essential
Q: Mentorship seems like a key theme in your journey. Can you share a specific example of how mentorship has shaped your career?
A: I’ve been privileged to have strong women guide me For example, the person who hired me at my current job encouraged me to apply for the Head of Learning Area role Her affirmation helped me take the leap in light of my self-doubt Having someone believing in you can be incredibly empowering
Q: How do you encourage young people, especially young women, to take on leadership roles?
A: Building rapport with students is vital Tailor encouragement to their personalities some respond to tough love, while others need gentler motivation Specific praise based on their demonstrated strengths makes a big difference
Q: Top tip for young females interested in a career in the AustraliaChina space.
A: Find your niche. It sets you apart and adds value to your work Most importantly, remind yourself that you belong at the table and have meaningful contributions to make Women often downplay their skills to make others comfortable don’t fall into that trap
“Find
your niche. It sets you apart and adds value to your work. Most importantly, remind yourself that you belong at the table and have meaningful contributions to make.”
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