My mother phones most evenings to ask if I have news. A closet journalist, she probes and prods until I share something worthwhile. But earlier this week when she made the routine call I was able to reward her upfront: “yes I do have some news, I have been appointed CEO”.
And like a scene straight out of Little Britain, my mother then tried to relay that to my father who was standing nearby: “Marina said they made her CEO”.
I heard my dad call out: “they made her what?”
“C.E.O.,” my mum answered loudly.
There was silence.
My father grabbed the phone and asked, “did they make you CEO?”
I answered yes.
“About bloody time,” he said. “We are proud of you Min.” (So now you know my childhood nickname.)
I was raised by parents who believed I had the ability to do anything. My father always assumed I would go to university and have a career, so I assumed that too. As a result I grew up believing that I could achieve everything I wanted to. Self-belief is a powerful thing. But the opportunities need to be there and they are still too few for women in most organisations. I am fortunate to work for a company that has no issue with female leadership. In taking on the role of CEO, I have become the third female CEO of a company that is just seven years old.
Private Media Chairman Eric Beecher surprised me with the offer following the board meeting on Monday. Clearly the meeting had gone well. The first person I phoned was my husband Graeme. He was overjoyed for me.
Later that evening I informed my teenage sons of my new role. One hugged me tightly and said nothing. He didn’t need to. The other kissed me on the forehead and said, “that’s great mum”. It wasn’t a big deal for them. I have been a manager for their entire lives so they are used to the concepts of female leadership and career progression.
When the news went public on Thursday the twitter-verse exploded with messages of support from people I have known forever and from others I have never met. They were mostly messages from women who were thrilled at the idea of a female CEO.
It seemed highly appropriate to me that less than an hour after my appointment was announced I was having lunch with the woman who has inspired my leadership aspirations, board director, mentor and trailblazer for all women, Wendy McCarthy. Wendy clapped her hands together with excitement when I told her. “Good on you, another female CEO,” she said, as if the number was a personal mission. She then proceeded to advise me on how I needed to approach this. Once she had generously shared a mini CEO-tutorial with me over tuna salad, Wendy suggested she might soon have some exciting news of her own. How strange we must have looked to the other diners in the restaurant. Two grown women animated with enthusiasm for each other. I am fortunate to have such support.
Women’s Agenda acting editor Georgie Dent came into the office on her afternoon off to join the champagne-fueled office celebration in my honour. She had her youngest daughter Lulu with her. Georgie was possibly the most excited about my latest career development. As she nursed her one-year-old daughter she told me she got goosebumps when she read the internal announcement sent to staff earlier that day.
When Lulu finished feeding, she sat up with all of the confidence of a well-loved child with proud parents. Her mother stroked her hair lovingly and said, “maybe one day you can be a CEO Lulu”.
The reaction to my news spoke to the relative importance of this latest opportunity in the lives of my family, friends and colleagues. My parents were proud, husband was supportive, sons were happy that I was happy, and female friends and colleagues expressed hope.