The Women in Media Awards are back for 2018! To celebrate this wonderful fact, and to recognise some of the killer women in our industry, we’ve created a women in media series – and have profiled some pretty inspiring women so far.
Earlier this week, we asked Kate O’Ryan-Roeder from Mindshare about who she finds inspiring and what she would save in a household fire. And now it’s onto Alexandra Sloane, head of marketing for Facebook Australia and New Zealand!
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Write a yearly vision. Starting at the beginning of every calendar year, I write a vision which gets into specifics around what I want to achieve across all the aspects of my life; family, health, friends, and of course professionally as well. When you have declared your vision to others, with clear and achievable milestones, then you can put a project plan into place for your life. It’s an absolute game changer and makes a huge impact on the things I prioritise so that I stay on track and feel more purposeful even on my busiest days or weeks.
What’s your proudest professional moment?
Interviewing Sheryl Sandberg at the end of last year in front of hundreds of women from Facebook offices all over the Asia Pacific. It was not just a career highlight, but also a life highlight to spend time with such an iconic woman who has helped me and so many others, not just in their careers, but in building resilience.
“Kick the shit out of Option B” is something I really live by.
Quirkiest attribute?
Within 10 minutes of entering a hotel room, all my clothes are hanging up or folded in drawers, beauty products are laid out on a face washer and my empty suitcase is tucked away in a corner. Not sure what that’s about, but it’s definitely one of my strange little travel rituals.
Guiltiest pleasure?
Popping open a bottle of bubbles at the slightest excuse to celebrate.
What women do you find inspiring?
I have a pantheon of female idols, but to name a few:
- My mum and the other special mums I am lucky enough to call friends. Women take so much on at home with their kids, at work, with their friends – they are just amazing.
- Also, I recently saw Hilary Clinton speak in Sydney. I admire her lifelong devotion to social justice, her diligence to always be informed and prepared, and generosity in coping with adversity and disappointment.
- And lastly, I’m lucky to meet so many amazing female business owners through my work. The guts to turn their dreams into reality is something I can only imagine but try to help where I can, especially when it comes to how they can grow, using our platforms.
What would be your ultimate role?
I’d love to one day apply my career experience to stand up for women and children, by working with UN Women for example.
I’ve also always wanted to be a high school English teacher. Never say never.
What advice would you give to young aspiring women?
It’s up to you. And then it’s up to you to get everyone else on board.
I was lucky enough early in my career to have managers and leaders who recognised my work and my potential and pushed me along, but that’s not always the case. Enlist people in what you’re trying to achieve.
Why are women vital to your industry?
If your workforce at all levels is not representative of the people you serve, then you just won’t be as competitive or customer-focused.
Also, we know that diverse teams make better decisions. That includes under-represented groups of all types, including women at senior levels.
There is such great momentum around the diversity agenda at this moment. It feels as though with some exceptional leadership from corporates, we are poised to see a much-needed leap towards gender-balanced, innovative and value-based work cultures.
B&T‘s Women in Media Awards 2018 will be held on Friday 17 August 2018 at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf. Grab early bird tickets to the event here and find all other info on the website.
