A R O U N D T H E P L O T – W H AT S A N TA G AV E M E
Allison Yee (1987)
Every experience shapes you
W
hat experiences happened at Santa that helped shape my life? Three words immediately come to mind: truth – leadership – community. I attended Santa from 1982 to 1987, entering the gates in Year 7, knowing only one other girl from my primary school. I grew up with three brothers and uncles, who had friends who had brothers. Everywhere I went there were boys. It was an era where gender differentiation was still the norm, in family, education, sport, study, career. When I arrived at Santa, I loved that it was an all girls’ school. I loved the ‘can do’ attitude, not because of the binaries, but because you were you. Every moment I was at Santa, I felt that gender did not matter. We were seen for our interests, our abilities, our strengths. I knew if I ever had a daughter, I would want her to be a Santa girl.
VERITAS
It was written on our diaries, our bags, our blazers. It stuck. Veritas. Truth. Our learnings at Santa were steeped in our school motto. What began as an understanding of universal truths naturally matured into an exploration of my own truth. For me that meant pursuing a pathway in life, love and work that is meaningful and purposeful. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Sydney University, followed by further postgraduate studies in accounting, I pursued my true passion for community service by studying a Master’s in Community Management at the University of Technology Sydney. Moving from the corporate accounting and consulting sector to the not-for-profit sector was an important and authentic direction for me.
Alison with her daughter Jade (Year 11).
LEADERSHIP
I am grateful for the opportunity I had at Santa to experience leadership roles under the guidance of a dedicated team of teachers and leadership mentors. In Year 11, I was a Homeroom Prefect and in Year 12, I joined the Executive Team as College Vice-Captain. Santa has always
Paying it forward
I
I am currently the General Manager of Inner West Neighbour Aid, a not-for-profit organisation that supports people over 65 with centre-based and community programs, exercise programs, shopping support, nature and wellness workshops, social and intergenerational activities, gardening in clients’ homes as well as the 5 Senses Garden in Rhodes. Inner West Neighbour Aid’s vision is a community where seniors connect
and share their knowledge to lead active, social and independent lives. To this end, I have also been involved with establishing a trusted private handyman service targeted at seniors. I am very proud to be part of this organisation, working alongside a team of professional staff who facilitate programs, connections and relationships that bring joy. I am also inspired by our amazing volunteers who show us every day that there is always an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference. My former roles in the community sector have included Aged Care Manager at the Benevolent Society, Project Manager at AFFORD (Australian Foundation for Disability), Director of Community Service Development (Autism Spectrum Australia) and Executive Manager of Business Development and Strategy at Marist 180 (formerly Marist Youth Care). One of my greatest joys is sharing my love for martial arts and how challenges, learning and reflection help us to become the best versions of ourselves. During my years at
Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies – Dalyell Scholars), majoring in Accounting and Finance, and completed part of my degree at Harvard University as an exchange/study abroad student. I pursued a career in the financial services industry and have experience across Investment Management, Equity Research and Equity Capital Markets. I am currently an Equity Research Analyst at Macquarie Capital, which gives me access to executive management teams (CEO, CFO)
and boards of ASX listed companies. It involves studying a cohort of listed companies and advising institutional investment managers (hedge funds, mutual funds, super funds) on investment in the businesses I specialise in. I am passionate about my work and highly encourage those who have a high level of curiosity, strong quantitative skills and robust interpersonal skills who seek dynamic, unpredictable and highly intellectually rigorous work to consider a career in Equity
COMMUNITY
Marni Lysaght (2011)
look back on my time at Santa Sabina fondly. I have retained the discipline, accountability, integrity, and strong sense of social justice I developed and acquired during my time at the school. In my final year, I was focused on cadetships to acquire industry experience as opposed to university scholarships. As a result, work in the financial services and investment banking industry
instilled a strong sense of social justice but beyond that, it instils a strong sense of accountability. My memories of leadership at Santa were about upholding the rules, respecting our elders, listening, facilitating meetings, being fair, a role model, friendly and inclusive, representing the school with pride, and arranging fun and creative interschool challenges with St Pat’s. Thirty years on, what leadership means to me is still very much the same, except the bit about St Pat’s boys.
accompanied my university studies. I gained experience at an investment banking firm straight out of school and continued for the first two years of my degree, and subsequently had internships at Morgan Stanley and Aberdeen Standard Life. I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) at the University of Sydney (current equivalent is the Bachelor of
Alison teaches martial arts.
Santa I began training in Kempo Bushido Ryu karate and achieved my 1st dan black belt in Year 11. I then went on to train in Tae Kwon Do and competed in Canada at the World All Styles Organisation World Titles in 1996. I founded a karate school in 1995 and still teach to this day. Having taught over 1000 children over the years, the karate school in many ways is a lovely blend of my experiences at Santa: community and leadership. I loved my time at Santa. I passed the baton on to my daughter Jade when she started middle school in 2016. It is her school now. Jade will be in the class of 2022, the next generation of Santa girls creating their own memories and experiences.
Research, Investment Banking or Investment Management. My education at Santa Sabina has shaped my consistent interest in charitable efforts and ensuring I have a positive impact on society and the environment. I believe in ‘paying it forward’ and spent a university break volunteering as a teacher in South Africa. My current charitable work and interests have led me to be a Climate Leader with Al Gore's Climate Reality Project and a volunteer with the United Nations.
ENCOMPASS 2021
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