Adrienne Church, General Manager, Prospa New Zealand, on Getting Inspired
I’d name my autobiography…
‘Running in my sleep.’ I often have so much going on with life, work, kids – all spinning around in my head. When I go to sleep, my body doesn’t really stop. I often run in my sleep, and it drives my partner nuts.
I made my first dollar:
When I started work at 14 as the office junior, taking the mail to the post shop. Earning about $20 dollars a week, I thought I was on track to earn my fortune!
The most rewarding part of my job…
Is the people. The people I work with, partner with, and the people we give opportunities to so they can grow their business.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs here find it so tough to access funding, and it’s amazing to be able to help them. I recently met a customer we had provided funding to and she gave me the biggest hug and thanked us for making a difference.
Life motto:
Keep learning, keep pushing yourself. We can always learn more.
The women who inspire me:
My grandmother Nana Saxon. Funny how we used to call them by their last names! Her name is actually Daphne. She was amazing. She had 9 children, a husband who lost his leg in the coal mines, she played darts for NZ and always had time for us, the grandchildren. I was the #3 grandchild and when she died last year, she left 70 descendants.
My mother is also a very strong woman. She brought up 11 children, always worked and she collects people like the Pied Piper. She once picked up a hitchhiker who she made friends with and who then moved in for 6 months. She has always been super busy but has time for everyone else.
The gender stereotype I can’t stand:
That strong woman leaders have to be seen to be assertive and tough. You can actually be a woman, have a soft side, and still be a strong leader.
The main challenge for women in business is…
Our own expectation that we can do everything – run a business, household, children. It’s okay to ask for help, you don’t have to do it all.
We need pay equality because…
It shouldn’t even be a question. Women and men should receive equal pay for the work they do and the value they bring. We’re seeing positive changes but there is still work to be done.
I know some senior women still feel overly grateful to be in their roles and question their abilities more so than men, even when they deserve to be there.
Gender diversity in the workplace is…
So important. It provides different perspectives and experience, and research shows it drives better business performance and innovation.
The finance and technology sectors can often be very male heavy, but women make up 40% of our team at Prospa across New Zealand and Australia.