LOOK AT US NOW - Transfield Worley

transfieldservices.comTHE TRANSFIELD SERVICES BUSINESS MAGAZINE13FEATUREHow does an introverted girl from Perthend up a director on several Australianboards? Transfield Services first femaleboard member, Diane Smith-Gander,talks about life on the other side ofthe glass ceiling. By TransVerseEditor, FELICITY PONTONI.LOGICALINCREMENTALISTAfter 24 years working in Asia, Europe and the US,Diane Smith-Gander eventually found her way backto her beloved Perth where she was born and raised.A decision to pursue a portfolio career in 2009, ratherthan taking on another executive role, made this possible.Diane is on the boards of Transfield Services, Westfarmers Ltd,National Broadband Network Company and CBH Group, a WestAustralian based cooperative involved in grain handling andmarketing. She is also on the advisory board of the UWA BusinessSchool and is the immediate past chairman of Basketball Australiahaving handed over the reins last December to Kristina Keneally.She has had an impressive career in banking at Westpac in retailbranch management and operational management roles. And itwas here that she learned many valuable lessons.Although never a branch manager, Diane did have the entireQueensland country zone in her remit. This turned out to be one ofthe most important jobs in her career.“It got me out of being a staff person and into a profit and loss(P&L) job where I had lots of people and costs to manage but wasalso responsible for generating revenue, Diane says.”She is adamant that for many women in their careers, the absenceof having to manage P&L is a glaring gap in their armoury.