Meet the leaders: Kerri Hartland

Kerri Hartland is Australia’s top spy chief in charge of Australia’s overseas spy agency. Here, the first female Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) spills on the surprising inspiration she takes from The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly.

What are you most proud of in your career?
[Some] of the ‘firsts’ that I’ve been lucky enough to lead. This includes being the first female Deputy Director-General at ASIO and, of course, my current role as the first female Director-General of ASIS. 

In saying this, being the first comes with responsibility I don’t take lightly, and that’s because I don’t want to be the last! I want to do the best possible job I can – to pave the way for future female leaders to continue building on this progress.

What keeps you awake at night?
[The] safety and wellbeing of my people. ASIS is an intelligence collection agency with an international focus – so my people can be in high-risk environments at any given time. I’m people-focused – so ensuring the safety of my officers and their families is incredibly important to me.

Was there ever a time when you felt stuck in your career and if so how did you work through it?
Early on in my career, I remember having moments where I felt pigeonholed into certain areas – and I think this can be quite common for women throughout their careers. We tend to be the ‘yes people’ – the ones to put our hands up for all the additional tasks on top of our everyday responsibilities – organising catering, taking the minutes and general administration tasks – which can often lead to being stuck in a hybrid role of your actual job plus everything you say yes to. 

Who do you most admire?
My grandfather. He was a resilient, self-educated and inspirational figure in my life, having survived through the Great Depression. He instilled in me the values and ethics I’m guided by every day – in addition to some excellent mahjong skills!

How are you using AI in your life?
AI in the workplace, and particularly in my current role – can present both opportunities and challenges. However, my officers are incredibly innovative and skilled in anticipating and remaining ahead of the technological challenges that AI presents. I often think they enjoy the challenge!

Outside of the workplace, I am just like the rest of us – often rushing between meetings and trying (sometimes struggling!) to balance it all – so I appreciate the time-saving aspect of AI – like generating a quick recipe with whatever is left in the fridge at the end of a busy week.

What if anything would you like to see change for women in the workplace?
It’s not lost on me that I’m the first female Director-General of ASIS – and as I mentioned previously – I hope to not be the last.

I would like to know that one day, gender equality and women in leadership roles are no longer novel – but the norm. That’s part of the legacy I hope to contribute to. 

Who are three women you’d like to be in the room with when making a big decision?
I have two answers to this – the first one is a little light-hearted.

1. Judie Dench as ‘M’ in the James Bond series – for obvious reasons!
2. Meryl Streep as ‘Miranda Priestly’ in The Devil Wears Prada – I love the confidence that comes with dressing in clothing that makes me feel good. Part of my personal brand is wearing strong, bold colours that make me feel confident and in control (especially when in male-dominated environments) – and of course – who wouldn’t want Miranda’s closet full of clothes!
3. Mary Tyler-Moore as herself – for being a trailblazer for aspiring females in the 70s. She pioneered aspects of the women’s movement both in her work and personal life, 

The second part of my answer to this question really centers around diversity. As a leader, I’m aware that the responsibility of outcome falls to me – so I am very conscious of having all the information I need to make a holistic, well-informed decision, and I can only do this if I include a diverse range of people in the decision-making process.