Stand out and succeed: Leadership tips for Digital and Organisational Transformations - Chantal Velasque

We spoke to Chantal Velasque, Program Director at iCare NSW where she discussed key factors contributing to her career success, valuable advice she's received, challenges she faced, what she would do differently if starting her career now, and her journey into the tech space. She emphasises the importance of a strong support network, hard work, and understanding the needs of others.

Expert in Digital and Organisational Transformations & an Advocate for Gender and Cultural Diversity

From her beginnings as a Business Intelligence consultant, Chantal has carved out a distinguished career leading high-performing teams to execute large-scale, intricate, and data-centric digital and organisational transformations. Her journey is characterised by a deep dedication to promoting gender and cultural diversity, and actively advocating for inclusion in the workplace.
 

What factors do you think have been critical to the success you have achieved in your career?

I believe that having a solid support network around you is extremely important to succeed. My family has instilled strong values in me, always pushing me to work hard for what I want.

My grandparents didn’t have much formal education and weren’t overly wealthy; on my dad’s side, they were farmers. My mum was the first in her family to pursue studies, as my grandparents invested in her education so she could become a teacher. My parents were adamant for myself and my sister that we should also have tertiary education.

I was taught from an early age that if I wanted something, I should work hard for it, and my gender shouldn’t stand in the way. I am also very lucky to have a husband who has always supported me with the career decisions I have made. He has always believed we could be successful together.

What's the most valuable piece of advice you have received in your career, and how did it help you?

I was told once to put myself in the other person’s shoes when I am dealing with someone, having a conversation and looking for a specific outcome by asking myself: 'What's in it for them?'. Back when I was a developer, initially, I would look at my role as simply being accountable for delivering a piece of code or a report. Then I started to realise that if I listened more closely to my clients, I could probably deliver a better outcome for them if I understood why they needed this work done and which problems it solved. This change in perspective added a lot more value to my work.

What's the most challenging situation you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

I moved from France to Australia 20 years ago. Language wasn’t a barrier, but the English I knew was quite academic. It took some time for me to pick up on the lingo and small talk.

Learning the work culture was also challenging, especially in terms of leadership style. Situations can become confrontational at times in France, while in Australia, we are more inclined to avoid direct conflict. I learned this as I settled in; there is no book or formal training for it!

If you were starting your career now, what would you do differently?

I would make sure I leverage the benefits that are now frequently offered to women, such as maternity leave. It didn’t come easy, but benefits have evolved for the better over time. Looking back, when my sons were born, there was no financial support during the months I had to take off. It was tough, and I am glad companies now support their employees in balancing their work and family responsibilities.

Why did you choose to work in the tech space, and what would you say to other females to consider the same?

I studied Finance and Management, and I did my final internship in the Finance team of a big Telco company, where I started to use a BI tool called BusinessObjects. I realised quickly that I didn't want to be dependent on the IT department all the time. I learned how to use the software and soon learned how to perform installations and complex implementations. It gave me the freedom to explore the data, which I grew increasingly interested in. I then joined a consulting company thanks to my technical expertise and finance background that aligned well with their clients. My role evolved over time from being very technical to leading teams and playing a bigger part in stakeholder management. I had the chance to have employers who helped me along the way with appropriate training and mentoring opportunities.

For me, technology isn’t the ultimate goal; it is an enabler. It allows us to solve problems and achieve our goals more efficiently, effectively, and innovatively, regardless of our gender or background.

Chantal's impressive career keeps gaining momentum, proving the power of dedication and unwavering support. This is an inspiration for aspiring women professionals and anyone chasing their dreams! Remember: self-belief is key. Embrace every chance to learn, and don't let roadblocks stop you. With determination and a positive outlook, you can build an outstanding career and make a real difference.