Meet the leaders: Shannan Dodson

Shannan Dodson is the CEO of The Healing Foundation, an organisation that works to amplify the voices of Stolen Generations survivors and their families. In this profile she reveals the one thing she would change if she were elected Prime Minister.

What is the best piece of feedback you’ve received?
There is a difference between being busy and effective. What are you doing and why? Lots of business and work isn’t necessarily valuable … Work smarter and more strategically.

What are you most proud of in your career?
Working with the Minister for Indigenous Australians to ensure Stolen Generations organisations supporting Stolen Generations survivors [received] further funding for collective healing activities.

What advice would you give to anyone juggling work and other life commitments?
Be kind to yourself, it’s impossible to give 100 percent to every part of your life as a working mum and you’ll find yourself dropping the balls you’re juggling, and that’s okay. 

What keeps you awake at night?
Navigating making a difference to the world and advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while also being an attentive and a positive role model to my daughter, a great partner, friend, family member and looking after myself … It’s a lot!

Was there ever a time when you felt stuck in your career and if so how did you work through it?
I had worked in communications for most of my career and felt at a crossroads … I wanted to push myself to more senior positions and took a chance and backed myself by applying for an executive role. 

Through the process, I realised I had so many skills and attributes to be in a senior leadership position and I just needed to put myself out there and have confidence in my ability.

Who do you most admire?
I most admire all the women in my life that work through the struggle of the juggle!

What if anything would you like to see change for women in the workplace?
I’d like to see young women in leadership being taken more seriously and respectfully. I still see prejudice towards young women being cast as incapable or unworthy and that bias needs to be called out.

Do you make new year’s resolutions and if so what is it?
I’m terrible with sticking to any type of new year’s resolutions, but if I did it would be to read more books (particularly fiction!).

If you were elected Prime Minister what is the one thing you would change?
So many things, but probably provide equitable compensation for all Stolen Generations survivors with a comprehensive package including wrap-around support.

Who are three women you’d like to be in the room with when making a big decision?
The three women I would want would be:

• My mum – she would understand the reasons why I’m grappling and help me to be rational over emotional
• My sister – because she would be my voice of reason and common sense
• My sister cousin – because she always grounds me in Country and culture to make me strong in my decisions.