industry & reform
“ I sat in a nice little job , I managed Shepparton Villages for eight years , and took it from having nothing to it being a high performing organisation ,” she says .
“ I think the difference is a lot of women like challenges . You get bored . You have to like getting your hands dirty , you have to like getting amongst the people . Now , I love making changes . I love moulding the industry and making a difference .”
Rivett ’ s aged care journey started at age 17 as a PCA and she has been learning on the job , upskilling while in the industry , ever since .
Like a lot of women in the health industry , she learnt her trade the old way before entering education as the job became increasingly professionalised .
First as an EN , then RN and many other postgraduate qualifications later , she has over a decade of experience as a chief executive with a total of 30 years of senior healthcare roles under her belt .
She says the key to her success is that she has followed the jobs that she believes will make a difference and because of it , she has gained a well-rounded skill set . “ The difference between men and women is that sometimes men will get on this trajectory and just want to be the CEO , and won ’ t diversify along the way . I ’ ve not worried about the hierarchy . I ’ ve gone where I wanted to make a difference .”
As for other women who want to become successful in the aged care sector , she says that you have to advocate for yourself .
“ What I know is when I ’ m negotiating with someone who ’ s male , they ’ re very clear about what they want ,” she says .
“ I think we have to be , as women , more comfortable in our skin , be comfortable negotiating . You have to be comfortable with you , and you have to do lots of self-reflection .
“ Be clear and concise about what you want . Understand where you want to go , and just go for it .”
And as she looks back on her career so far , the same word comes up time and again – difference .
“ The biggest thing I get out of doing this job is being able to design facilities that really make a difference , being able to employ staff and make a difference to their training as well .
“ As a woman , I feel I ’ ve been put on this earth to make a difference , and I want to look after the most vulnerable people in that community . I think that ’ s why you see a lot of women in not-for-profit organisations , and leading not-for-profit organisations .
“ I think it ’ s a tough industry . I think if you can survive in age care , you will survive anywhere .”
NICKY HOWE , CHIEF EXECUTIVE , SOUTHCARE When Dr Nicky Howe embarked on her role as chief executive of non-profit SouthCare , one of the first things she noticed was the lack of diverse , young talent represented on her board .
It was 11 years ago , and the author , leadership coach and business leader envisioned a more balanced group of people helping to push forward the bigticket decisions in the industry .
“ Males hold the positions of power and authority in large aged care organisations , and I think that the sector has been slow to embrace diversity on their boards ,” she said .
“ But I ’ ve certainly seen , over the last 10 years , a realisation that we do need to have diversity on our boards , and certainly in our senior leadership positions .”
Together with young entrepreneur and speaker Alicia Curtis , Nicky went on to establish The Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards
Program in 2013 . The project has helped to inject over 120 young professionals onto boards and committees around Australia .
“ We noticed aged care was slow on the take-up , whereas some of the community service organisations that we were engaging with were quite keen on the idea ,” Nicky told Aged Care Insite .
“ There ’ s a perception that working in the aged care industry is all about old people and bedpans and nursing homes .
“ Whereas I think it ’ s great to showcase the diversity of roles in the sector , we do need to promote the women who are in senior and in diverse positions .”
Starting out as an enrolled nurse at the Royal Perth Hospital , Nicky launched her transition into business after entering university at age 31 .
After gaining a doctorate in business administration , Nicky went on to publish two books and has amassed over 25 years
Nicky Howe
of experience in senior management across the education , health and welfare sectors .
Being an avid learner , she says , is one of the greatest attributes that has helped to accelerate her career .
“ I also think it ’ s about getting clear about what your strengths are and playing to those strengths so that you get better and better at what you ’ re really good at . “ So for me , over this 10 year span , it ’ s that I ’ ve got to be a constant learner in trying to get across
“ You ’ ve just got
to keep going , you have to be persistent and resilient .
what I don ’ t know .” Today , Nicky continues to focus her efforts on helping young women reach higher levels within the sector . Over the next three years , her co-founded leadership project is set to offer specialised programs designed for young women who identify as Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander , LGBTQ or as having a disability . agedcareinsite . com . au 15