It’s not every day you get the chance to pause, look back, and see how far you’ve come. Today, I’m fortunate to be doing just that. I’ve been named a finalist for the 2024 Product Manager of the Year award by Women In Digital—and while it feels surreal, it also feels like a natural milestone on this journey. Not to toot my own horn, but I work hard, and it’s so validating to see those efforts recognised on a national scale. What led me to product management wasn’t just building features or launching products. It was the idea of solving real problems for real people, and this recognition is a reminder that we’re doing just that at InCheq.

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About the Award: Celebrating Innovation & Leadership

The Women in Digital Awards were founded based on the idea ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and are a celebration of incredible women and non-binary people within the digital industries and the organisations that support them.

The Women In Digital Awards shine a spotlight on Australia’s top digital talent, and the Product Manager of the Year award, powered by Jumbo Interactive, celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and initiative in the field. It’s especially meaningful to me because this award recognizes the first five years of a career in digital product management—a period that has been marked by challenges, learning, and tremendous growth.

Pivoting my career four years ago was a daunting concept. I was young, unsure of the direction I wanted to head in, and doubted myself a lot along the way. Moving from being a Film and Television producer into Product Management took an extraordinary leap of faith–but, looking back, I’m so glad I jumped.  

As a finalist, I’m proud to stand alongside other incredible innovators who are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of digital products. For me, this recognition represents more than personal achievement; it acknowledges the importance of creating products that matter—solutions that truly improve the way people work and live.

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Leading with Vision & Creativity

At InCheq, my journey began with a vision to create technology that not only solves problems but does so in a way that’s intuitive, visually appealing, and impactful. I’ve always believed that technology can be a powerful tool for change, and at InCheq, we’ve focused on leveraging that power to address critical challenges around workplace psychosocial safety.

With my background in Fine Arts, I brought a unique and different perspective to product design and strategy. From developing our MVP to leading the design of our branding and user experience, I’ve always aimed to create something that exceeds expectations. The blend of creativity and strategic thinking has been the cornerstone of my work—transforming customer insights into actionable solutions that drive both user satisfaction and business success.

"The blend of creativity and strategic thinking has been the cornerstone of my work—transforming customer insights into actionable solutions that drive both user satisfaction and business success."

With my unconventional background, and self-taught approach, I find I’m constantly able to push the boundaries of what’s conventional in the realm of product management, because I’m always learning (and sometimes making it up) as I go. Leading with this approach gives me and my team the safe space to make mistakes, and learn and grow from them. Try new things, watch them fail, try again. 

“Leading with this approach gives me and my team the safe space to make mistakes, and learn and grow from them. Try new things, watch them fail, try again.”

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Practice is Progress

Like many startups, we’ve faced our share of challenges. When we first began building InCheq, I had to wear many hats, including stepping into project management and design roles to ensure the smooth execution of our sprints. Managing external development partners while simultaneously overseeing the product strategy was no easy feat, but it taught me valuable lessons about resilience and leadership.

“Seeing the tangible impact of this work, and knowing that it is helping to create safer workplaces, is what drives me every day.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been leading the development of our Next Gen project—a digital platform that empowers employers to protect their workforce’s mental health. This project has exceeded our goals and allowed us to form key partnerships. Seeing the tangible impact of this work, and knowing that it is helping to create safer workplaces, is what drives me every day.

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Sometimes looking back is apart of looking ahead

Being named a finalist for the Product Manager of the Year award is an incredibly proud moment for me. It’s a recognition that speaks to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and a willingness to try new things, even when it’s challenging. I’ve been fortunate to work with an amazing team at InCheq, where innovation is encouraged, and where we constantly strive to deliver products that have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with an amazing team at InCheq, where innovation is encouraged, and where we constantly strive to deliver products that have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

Looking back, I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow. Whether it’s designing a product from the ground up or stepping into a new leadership role, every experience has shaped me into the product leader I am today.

As I reflect on this nomination, I’m excited about what the future holds. There’s so much more to accomplish, and I’m eager to continue pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve at InCheq. Whether it’s through new partnerships, innovative product features, or a continued focus on creating safer workplaces, I know that the best is yet to come.

Thank you to Women In Digital for this incredible honour. I’m thrilled to be part of a community that is dedicated to showcasing the talent, creativity, and leadership of women in the digital space. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a celebration of all the amazing work happening in our industry—and I’m excited to continue being part of that journey.

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