Susan’s never afraid to get her hands dirty
ONE of Susan Foenander’s secrets to success as a woman in business is simply getting her hands dirty.
The business administration and human resources manager is the first woman to join the leadership team at Wallington’s WRG, and has been nominated for the Committee for Geelong Woman in Business award, and to be named the Geelong Advertiser Woman of the Year.
Ms Foenander and her family made the sea-change from Melbourne to St Leonards about 3½ years ago, with the experienced banking and HR manager soon picking up a job at the locally-owned Wallington supplies business.
Ms Foenander said she was “blown away” by her nominations for the awards.
“It’s always lovely to know that your work is valued, and certainly I’ve come into a very male-strong environment, industry and business, that’s been run my males for a very long time,” she said. “To think that my work might be valued, as a woman, that’s wonderful news.
“I think one of my biggest achievements has been around culture and managing people’s expectations, and also around implementing change management around a number of areas within the business.
“I like to think I get down and dirty, like this afternoon I was serving customers and this morning I went out into the drive-through and was spotting for a forklift, then I’m back in my office recruiting.”
One colleague said Ms Foenander inspired others to do better for themselves and their community.
“Susan deserves to be recognised and celebrated for becoming the first woman on the leadership team at Wallington’s WRG,” the colleague said.
The colleague said Ms Foenander had continually introduced change at Wallington’s WRG, which had resulted in a changed culture towards women in the industry.
TO nominate an inspiring, influential and innovative Geelong woman, visit geelongadvertiser.com.au/ competitions.
Nominations for the Women of the Year awards are open until April 5, with winners to be announced on May 8.