--- title: CEO MEssage: why this role and why now description: The new CEO of Dress for Success Victoria shares her vision to empower women by addressing systemic inequality and enhancing access to opportunities. image: https://dfsvic.org/hubfs/32.jpg --- [![](https://dfsvic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/DFS-Lockup-horizonal-3C_Victoria.jpg?width=300&height=166&name=DFS-Lockup-horizonal-3C_Victoria.jpg)](https://dfsvic.org/) - [GET SUPPORT](https://dfsvic.org/get-support) Show submenu for GET SUPPORT - [Who we help](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/who-we-help) - [Styling sessions](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/styling-sessions) - [Career support](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/career-support) - [Programs](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/programs) - [Regional Outreach](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/regional-outreach) - [PARTNER WITH US](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us) Show submenu for PARTNER WITH US - [Sponsorship opportunities](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us/sponsorship-opportunities) - [Workplace giving](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us/workplace-giving) - [Case studies](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us/case-studies) - [Get Involved](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved) Show submenu for Get Involved - [Donate](https://dfsvic.org/donate) - [Volunteer](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/volunteer) - [Corporate Volunteering](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/corporate-volunteering) - [Dress Circle](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/dress-circle) - [Wear It Forward Shop](https://dfsvic.org/wear-it-forward) - [Referral agencies](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/referral-agencies) - [EVENTS](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events) Show submenu for EVENTS - [Upcoming events](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/tag/event) - [Host an event](https://dfsvic.org/host-an-event) - [Gallery](https://dfsvic.org/gallery) - [Resources](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/dress-circle) - [About Us](https://dfsvic.org/about) - [Contact](https://dfsvic.org/contact) - [GET SUPPORT](https://dfsvic.org/get-support) Show submenu for GET SUPPORT - [Who we help](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/who-we-help) - [Styling sessions](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/styling-sessions) - [Career support](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/career-support) - [Programs](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/programs) - [Regional Outreach](https://dfsvic.org/get-support/regional-outreach) - [PARTNER WITH US](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us) Show submenu for PARTNER WITH US - [Sponsorship opportunities](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us/sponsorship-opportunities) - [Workplace giving](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us/workplace-giving) - [Case studies](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us/case-studies) - [Get Involved](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved) Show submenu for Get Involved - [Donate](https://dfsvic.org/donate) - [Volunteer](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/volunteer) - [Corporate Volunteering](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/corporate-volunteering) - [Dress Circle](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/dress-circle) - [Wear It Forward Shop](https://dfsvic.org/wear-it-forward) - [Referral agencies](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/referral-agencies) - [EVENTS](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events) Show submenu for EVENTS - [Upcoming events](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/tag/event) - [Host an event](https://dfsvic.org/host-an-event) - [Gallery](https://dfsvic.org/gallery) - [Resources](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved/dress-circle) - [About Us](https://dfsvic.org/about) - [Contact](https://dfsvic.org/contact) [Donate](https://www.givenow.com.au/organisation/public/3472) Posted By: [Dress for Success](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/author/dress-for-success) Oct 28, 2026, 11:05:57 PM # CEO MEssage: why this role and why now [News](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/tag/news) As I step into the role of CEO at Dress for Success Victoria, I’ve been reflecting on why this moment feels so important, both personally and professionally. After more than 25 years across retail, business strategy, and customer-focused organisations, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from incredible teams and brands. From leading large, multi-site networks at Country Road Group to building my own business, Hear Us Roar, my career has been shaped by organisations that value performance, creativity, and, importantly, people. Those experiences have taught me how to lead through growth and change, how to build strong, values-driven cultures, and how to create environments where individuals can thrive. But they’ve also reinforced something deeper - that confidence, opportunity, and access are not equally distributed. In Australia, women continue to face systemic inequality. They retire with significantly less superannuation than men. Many experience financial insecurity following periods of caregiving or relationship breakdown. And for women exiting the criminal justice system, the barriers are even more profound; stigma, lack of support networks, and limited access to employment pathways make rebuilding independence incredibly difficult. For many of these women, the challenge isn’t capability… it’s access. Access to opportunity, to support, and even to something as fundamental as appropriate clothing to step into an interview with confidence. That’s why the work of Dress for Success Victoria matters so deeply. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how powerful it is when someone feels confident in how they present themselves. Clothing is often the starting point, but confidence is the outcome. And when confidence grows, so does belief, readiness, and the ability to step forward into new opportunities. I see this role as an opportunity to bring everything I’ve learned in leadership, strategy, and building high-performing, people-first cultures into a space where it can create meaningful, lasting impact. And I have big ambitions for what comes next. I want to see Dress for Success Victoria reach more women across the state not just in metropolitan areas, but in regional and underserved communities through pop-ups and expanded access points. I want to deepen our corporate partnerships, creating more opportunities for women to support other women whether through mentoring, styling, or employment pathways. And importantly, I want us to continue strengthening the job-readiness and preparation skillsets we offer ensuring every woman we support not only feels confident walking into a room but is equipped to succeed once she’s there. Because every woman deserves the chance to feel capable, prepared, and seen regardless of her circumstances or where she’s starting from. I’m proud to lead Dress for Success Victoria and excited about the collective impact we can drive together across our community and partners. Share this article: - - - - - [mailto:?subject='https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/ceo-message-why-this-role-and-why-now'](mailto:?subject='https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/ceo-message-why-this-role-and-why-now') ## Read On [![](https://dfsvic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/32.jpg?width=352&name=32.jpg)](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/observations-and-what-dfs-can-do) ### [Observations and what DFS can do.](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/observations-and-what-dfs-can-do) The pace of the new year begins to soften, and there is a quiet opportunity to take stock of where... [![](https://dfsvic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/32.jpg?width=352&name=32.jpg)](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/ignite-her-future-gala) ### [Ignite Her Future Gala](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/ignite-her-future-gala) We know things are tight at the moment. Living costs continue to rise, housing costs are up and the... [![](https://dfsvic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/32.jpg?width=352&name=32.jpg)](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/beyond-the-pay-gap-addressing-australias-quiet-retirement-crisis) ### [Beyond the Pay Gap: Addressing Australia's Quiet Retirement Crisis](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/beyond-the-pay-gap-addressing-australias-quiet-retirement-crisis) Every year, we talk about the gender pay gap. Every year, we celebrate small improvements. And... ## Stay connected   Subscribe for updates on upcoming events, inspiring stories, and ways you can help empower women. ## GIVE CONFIDENCE [DONATE](https://www.givenow.com.au/organisation/public/3472) **Contact DFS Victoria** Shop 6, Station Street Mall Frankston, 3199 Australia 03 9770 0220  |  info@dfsvic.org   DFS Victoria office: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm DFS Victoria styling: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm. Saturday by appointment Wear It Forward Op Shop: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm Donation drop offs: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm **Quick Links** - [About Us](https://dfsvic.org/about) - [Get Support](https://dfsvic.org/get-support) - [Get Involved](https://dfsvic.org/get-involved) - [Partner With Us](https://dfsvic.org/partner-with-us) - [Events](https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events) - [Contact](https://dfsvic.org/contact) WITH RESPECT Dress for Success Victoria acknowledges the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather and work, and pay our respect to their Elders past and present.  © 2026 Dress for Success Victoria. [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dressforsuccessvictoria/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dressforsuccessvictoria) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dress-for-success-victoria/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dress for Success", "url" : "https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/author/dress-for-success" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-29T03:05:57.411Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-29T03:05:57.000Z", "headline" : "CEO MEssage: why this role and why now", "image" : [ "https://dfsvic.org/hubfs/32.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://dfsvic.org/news-and-events/ceo-message-why-this-role-and-why-now", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://dfsvic.org/hubfs/DFS-Lockup-horizonal-3C_Victoria.jpg" } } } ```