International Women's Day

We begin our exploration of "Balance the Scales" with Jenny Soh, a Senior Manager in our Risk, Cyber and Programs practice based in Melbourne. Jenny's journey to Scyne offers another vital perspective on achieving true equity.

Jenny's professional path began with a solid foundation in external audit at a large auditing firm in Singapore, eventually leading her through internal audit and account management roles. A significant personal and professional shift occurred in 2017 when Jenny, with her young family, made the courageous move to Melbourne.

Jenny’s experience as a migrant woman provides a unique lens through which she views the theme of "Balance the Scales." She deeply appreciates the societal progress Australia has made in fostering a more equitable environment, especially compared to her country of origin. "I feel that it's a good change for me," Jenny shares, emphasising her profound hope and commitment, "and it's something that I definitely want my daughter, who is the next generation, to experience". This sentiment highlights the ongoing effort required to ensure the scales are balanced not just today, but for generations to come.

For Jenny, a crucial element in balancing these scales is education. Growing up in a closeknit family where education was valued above all else and where opportunity was never defined by gender has deeply shaped the way Jenny sees the world. From an early age, she learned that education is not merely a pathway to personal advancement, but the foundation for broader social equity.

She observes with optimism the progressive curriculum in Australian schools, where topics like equality are openly discussed, empowering young minds from an early age. These foundational conversations, she believes, are key to nurturing a generation that understands and upholds equal rights and opportunities. "Everything starts from education," Jenny states, underscoring its foundational role in imparting core values that foster a truly equitable society.

Jenny’s story is a testament to resilience, global perspective, and a passionate commitment to a world where gender balance prevails.

Linda Holmes is a Director in our Transformation practice based in Canberra. For Linda, balancing the scales is a tangible concept. "It’s about making sure that everyone is seen, heard, and valued. It’s also about ensuring everyone has the same opportunities regardless of gender or any other diversity element." she explains. It’s a call to move beyond token gestures and ensure that a person's contribution is what truly matters in determining their success and recognition.

This sentiment ties directly into her vision for creating a more equitable future. Hope, for Linda, isn’t found in empty words but in deliberate action. "What gives me hope is initiatives like this one," she notes, emphasising the power of consciously amplifying voices that aren't always the loudest. She believes true progress starts with a simple, concrete step we can all take: "Actively give credit where it's due and check ourselves for unconscious bias." By acknowledging the contributions of our female colleagues, we directly counter the systemic imbalance and ensure recognition is shared fairly.

This principle extends beyond our internal culture to the work we do. As Scyne advises public sector organisations, Linda sees a vital opportunity to enact change on a larger scale. "We have a chance to ask the right questions," she states, highlighting our role in ensuring that new systems and policies are designed with women's experiences in mind. By embedding a fairness check into our professional advisory, we contribute to building a more inclusive and balanced Australia for all.

Linda’s perspective is a powerful reminder that balancing the scales starts with each of us, in our daily interactions and our professional commitments.

Continuing our conversation on "Balance the Scales," we turn to Somya Ohri, whose perspective as a Director in our Commercial, Financial & Infrastructure practice in Sydney offers further depth to this important theme.

For Somya, the move to Scyne has been a fulfilling journey, despite the inherent uncertainties of such a transition. She highlights the collaborative spirit at Scyne as a significant positive. "I quite enjoy being at Scyne, and I personally think that the collaboration that we have at Scyne between teams is quite good," she notes, appreciating the opportunity to work across different groups.

When considering "Balance the Scales," Somya points to the power of shared experiences and building relationships, especially with women on the client side. "Connecting with the women on the other side of the table can be a way of sharing experiences" she notes, reflecting on instances where these connections have fostered understanding and mutual support. These relationships, built through genuine interaction, create a vital network where challenges and successes can be openly discussed, creating an indirect yet impactful way to foster equity.

Somya finds hope in visible leadership and the supportive culture within Scyne. She speaks highly of working with women leaders at Scyne, seeing them as vital role models. "It's good to see women in those positions and serving as a role model for others," she states, aspiring to offer similar guidance to junior colleagues. The close-knit nature of her own team, which she describes as "almost family," further underpins her sense of belonging and comfort. This environment, where individuals feel safe and supported, is crucial for empowering all team members to thrive and contribute fully, thereby helping to balance the scales within our own organisation.

Somya's insights underscore that balancing the scales is achieved not only through policy but also through the everyday connections we forge, the role models we see, and the supportive cultures we build.

Concluding our series on "Balance the Scales," we hear from Alice Johnson, a Senior Manager in our Corporate team, who offers a comprehensive perspective on achieving true equity and Scyne's role in this vital endeavour.

For Alice, "Balance the Scales" fundamentally signifies equal opportunities across all facets of life and career, from education and professional advancement to leadership visibility. "It is important that we all model behaviours that we want the younger generations to see and embed in their own lives," Alice states, emphasising the collective responsibility we share to ensure fairness and equity for all, at every stage of life.

Alice draws hope from the tangible progress already evident across various sectors, including education, leadership, and policy development. She is particularly encouraged by the growing willingness to engage in meaningful conversations that lead to actionable strategies for equity, both now and in the future. Crucially, she notes the increasing involvement of men and younger generations who recognise that gender equity is a societal imperative, not solely a women's issue. "Societies, communities, and business are stronger when there is equity," Alice asserts, highlighting the universal benefits of a balanced world.

Echoing UN Women Australia's CEO Simone Clarke's call for action beyond words, Alice provides concrete steps for the workplace. She advocates for actively crediting female colleagues for their ideas in meetings and recommending them for opportunities that will amplify their voices and foster growth. These deliberate actions directly counter historical imbalances and promote equitable recognition and advancement.

Scyne, Alice believes, holds a unique and powerful position to contribute to a fair and equitable Australia. Through our advisory work with government and public sector organisations, we can influence policy design, strategy, and the embedding of gender equity into systems and programs that touch the lives of millions. "This is work that all of our teams can be proud of delivering each and every day," she concludes, reinforcing Scyne's commitment to building a more inclusive future.

Alice's insights underscore the multifaceted nature of balancing the scales, from individual actions and visible role modelling to systemic policy influence reinforcing that collective effort is essential to achieving a truly equitable society for all women and girls in Australia.

Balance The Scales

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