For 18 years, Sherri has been helping clients investigate and manage land and groundwater contamination, which is often a result of previous industrial activities. She has excelled in this often male-dominated industry – on one project she was the only woman on a site with 500 men.
As a mother to three young boys, Sherri is determined to combine her career with being an active mum. She was recently appointed as the Manager of GHD’s Environmental Management Group in Victoria, which she does while working flexibly.
She is also passionate about helping other women to progress their careers. She is involved in her company’s Diversity & Inclusion group, who review policy and act as the voice for colleagues, clients and the communities in which the company operates.
Growing up, what kind of career did you want to pursue?
My ‘when I grow up’ story changed often and at times I didn’t really have one. I just knew I was passionate about a good strong career (of some sort). I knew I liked chemistry and I had an inquisitive mind that needed to be challenged.
A bout of glandular fever through the middle of Year 12 meant some pretty quick decisions were made when the VTAC Guide came out and university preferences were to be submitted. I remember thumbing (it was a hard print back then) through the list that were somewhat chemistry related and choosing “Environmental Management of Hazardous Materials” because it sounded interesting.
I had no idea that my first job (and I’m happy to say I am still with same company) would include things like, crowbarring through half a metre of crushed rock car park to collect a soil sample, or learning how to drive a 4WD through a ditch with drillers either side of me shouting through the windows with what to do. That wouldn’t pass our job safety assessment these days.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by people who have achieved something having faced adversity. When I see successful people, for me the real story is “How did they get there? What challenges did they face that shaped them to be the person they are today? And how has that contributed to their success?” There are so many truly amazing and inspiring stories. Not only do they inspire me to achieve more, they remind me that when you are faced with a challenging situation, when things really aren’t going well, with the right mindset, a clear vision, anything is achievable.
Who (apart from you) is most surprised by your achievements?
I’d have to say my parents. I come from a hard working family background. My dad worked hard (took him five years to ‘transition to retirement’), my mum worked nights at a fruit packing shed when we were young. For them to see me now with three young children, loving my job, being able to share the care and joy of my family as well as successfully perform a management role with a global company – perhaps they’re not so surprised, but proud.
How have women helped shape your success to date?
It hasn’t really been women so much but men. In my early career I was surrounding by male colleagues and clients. I could count on two hands the number of times I’d sat in project meetings where I was the only female. In fact on one job, when I was on site, I was the only female with over 500 men! How has this shaped me? I’ve learnt to be heard and get involved and not just sit on the sidelines. They have also encouraged me and supported me in the roles and projects I have taken on.
Over more recent years, there has certainly been an increase in the number of women whom have helped shaped my success. The women who have been before me, making the choices to pursue a career and opening the doors to enable women to be visible and equal in the workplace.
What qualities do you most admire in a female colleague?
Strength. Not overtly (or in the muscle sense), but in being able to be resilient –able to cope, think through and adapt to challenges in a positive way. I also admire those that provide support and encouragement to me and others.
What’s the key to successfully balancing work and life?
You need to find an organisation that will support you. It would be very difficult without that. I have always been well supported at my company and even more so lately with the introduction of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy where we have (among other things) updated our flexible working arrangements and been breaking down the barriers through unconscious bias education. This has supported me in being able to take on a senior management role part-time and working from home one day per week.
If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it?
Actually I need one of those! I would definitely get my hair cut/coloured and shout myself a quiet lunch with a glass of bubbles.
Who do you regard as your mentor?
While I have a formal mentor, there are other mentors all around me. Some I talk to formally. Some are my friends and family and some don’t know that they are. I take advice, guidance and support from anyone who is generous with their time to talk to me and share their thoughts.
What personal attributes have you used to overcome adversity in your life?
I am pretty determined. If I truly believe something then I generally keep trying until I satisfy myself that I have achieved what I set out to or I resolve to the fact that it wasn’t meant to be. I now try to spend my time and energy on the things that are important rather than the nice to haves.
If you could make one change to women’s lives, what would it be and why?
I would remove judgement. I feel for many of my working years I have felt judgement in some way whether it be for the choices I have made or didn’t make and it can be quite damaging to people’s confidence. I have also seen and heard judgement perhaps more so with the growing trend with social media and the ease at which judgements can be published and broadcast. Without judgement we become supportive and encouraging and by acting in this way, we are able to see the best in people.
What is the hardest part of your job?
The job I get paid for is easy! Sure there are moments of intense pressure, stress and deadlines but it’s not ‘hard’ as such. The hardest thing for me has most certainly been the decision to pursue a career and be a mum. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t question myself. But I know that in order for me to be the best mum I can be, I also need to do things that make me happy, and thankfully I work for an organisation that is able to provide me with the flexibility to do both.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to success in your field?
Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Everyone has the opportunity to have an incredible journey, don’t rush, learn from your experiences, use people you trust to guide you, to inspire you and to challenge you. Take the qualities you admire in others and put your own spin on them.