Anisa, 36
Team Leader (Commercial Analyst / Project Finance Specialist)

What’s something that you are passionate about?

I’m passionate about making a difference in the world, by being a good role model for my children, and to bring them up with the values and beliefs and basically with the concepts that can carry them through life to make them good people.

Who is your role model and why?

My role model is not one person, it’s made up of a couple of different people. The majority of them are strong independent women that are today making a difference in the world. In small matters, in the way they are growing up their children to be good people, as well as some men out there that are very compassionate and loyal and making big differences in the world. Because I think even just being a good person today, being a person that shows other people how to live a good life, makes you a role model.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

People would be surprised to know that I grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa. And when they do find out that I grew up in Africa, they are taken aback, and they can’t believe that somebody that’s come from Africa speaks the way that I do, looks the way I do, and for me I surprise myself sometimes to think from somebody that came from not necessarily an under privileged background, but a very different place, is able to be somebody in Australia today, to be able to fit in, to make an impact both within the social work that I do as well as with my career and with my children.

What is the greatest risk you’ve taken?

I think the greatest risk that I’ve taken wasn’t by myself, it was with my family, and it was making the move to come to Australia. It was a very big move for us, leaving behind a different lifestyle, and a culture, and all of our extended family, and coming to Australia and making a life for ourselves. It wasn’t easy but definitely it has been achievable, and it’s been good.

What’s something that has changed your life?

I think having children has to be the biggest thing that has changed my life. The way that I see the world is really different to the way I did before having children. There’s that saying that says ‘when you have children it’s as if your heart is walking outside of your body’ and for me that is really true.

What’s your best advice to give to other people?

I think my best advice for others is to just be yourself in every situation, to not worry about the way that other people see you. As long as you are authentic to your true self, and know your self worth. I think that’s the best thing that you can do for anybody.

Is there anything people should know?

I think I just want everybody whoever sees this to know that I’m just a normal person, I’m just like everybody else. We’re all the same even though we may look different, and come from different backgrounds, and speak differently, talk differently, and dress differently, but at the end of the day we’re all humans. I think we should just treat one another with compassion and understanding. And I think getting to know one another, just having conversations, and showing an interest in each others lives it makes a huge difference, in this understanding where people come from and what makes them tick. I think being part of this project has helped me open a lot of doors of conversation with other people that I normally wouldn’t. Just coming here today in my whole week I’ve been talking to people to say this is this thing that I am doing, and I’ve realised how important it is to put yourself out there and be open to having those conversations.