Q. You write candidly that your time as a lawyer was not a happy period in your career. What
advice would you give people who are unsure about their path and who need a little help
figuring out their passion?
A. If you’re someone who’s lucky enough to think about fulfilment in your career - and there are a
lot of people out there who aren’t. I think the best thing you can do is listen to yourself. I mean,
really, really, listen. You’ve got to make sure you’re not acting on someone else’s expectations.
What’s where I got stuck.I spent my early adulthood checking the boxes I thought society expected
of me, before I realise that it was what I really wanted to do was help people, so I set off on a
career of public service. So what I’d say is do your best to listen to yourself and tune out the rest.
Q. During your life you have experienced highs and lows but also so many unimaginable
circumstances. How have you adapted to the unpredictability of the journey that has unfolded
in your life?
I learned that sometimes you’ve just got to throw your hands up and let the roller coaster do its
thing. There’s no guidebook for anything, whether you’re juggling two little kids, a demanding job,
and a husband who’s got big goals - or you’re parenting two slightly older kids while figuring out
which form of address to use with the Prime Minister seated next to you at dinner.