2017 She Leads Conference – 5 Quick Questions with Shen Narayanasamy

18 April 2017

The 2017 She Leads Conference will be held on Thursday 1 June at QT Canberra, with the She Leads Cocktail and Networking function to be held the night before, on May 31. Tickets and program details are now available at 2017.sheleads.org.au.

Open to all, the She Leads Conference brings women from a range of sectors, at all stages of their leadership journeys, together with Australia’s most inspiring women leaders. This year, our program explores the theme ‘Challenge’ – focusing on stories of overcoming personal and professional challenges and experiences from women leaders who are transforming their workplaces, industries and communities.

Shen Narayanasamy is the Human Rights Campaign Director at GetUp! She leads the No Business in Abuse campaign, which targets corporate involvement in mandatory detention of  asylum seekers, and #LetThemStay, which aims to prevent the deportation of hundreds of asylum seekers to Nauru. Shen’s background is as human rights lawyer and advocate working in Australia and across the Asia -Pacific on issues of economic justice and land rights.

Describe your leadership journey in 30 words or less.

I find leadership uncomfortable. So getting over that is journey.

What was (or is) your biggest leadership challenge?

Wanting to be better before taking on leadership.

Why do we need more women leaders, and what difference can women in leadership make in terms of gender equality?

Because it takes too much imagination to think of completely new paths if you can’t see someone a little like you taking a few steps down the path first.

What book should every aspiring woman leader read?

Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks.

Share with us the best piece of advice you’ve been given.

Make sure you’re you’re really good at what you do. Especially if you’re doing it on behalf of people who are marginalised.

Shen will be speaking on a the panel ‘Challenging the System’ at the She Leads Conference on Thursday 1 June 2017. Find out more and book your ticket here. You can also apply for a partial or full scholarship to attend the Conference!