Empowered to thrive: the women shaping the Gateways culture

AT Gateways Support Services, leadership isn’t just about titles or achievements, it’s about people, their stories and the communities they nurture.

People and culture executive Georgia Jackson and client experience executive Jandi Watts are both examples of what’s possible when an organisation embraces the balance of work, family and personal growth.

Both Georgia and Jandi moved from Melbourne, seeking a lifestyle offering more than just professional fulfilment.

Like many women, they once wondered if growing their careers would mean sacrificing personal interests and passions.

To their surprise, Gateways offered integration instead of compromise, enabling them to manage rewarding careers alongside other passions and raising their families.

For Georgia, her role brings personal fulfilment and the chance to be a role model for both Gateways and her young family.

“By leading with action, showing that balance is possible, we not only achieve success in our work but also set a powerful example

for our families and colleagues,” she said.

Flexibility isn’t just a goal but an attainable reality, embodied daily at Gateways. For Jandi, balancing personal and professional interests are at the centre of wanting to create a more flexible and fluid working environment.

“When I have the support and flexibility to pursue other interests outside of work such as family, sport and community activities, I am able to bring a refreshed sense of inspiration and innovative thinking to my role which ultimately makes me a better leader and able to deliver meaningful and impactful change to our community,” she said.

The past 12 to 18 months have been transformative at Gateways. Navigating changes within the disability sector, engaging a dedicated workforce, and finding organisational stability have been key.

Leaders such as Georgia and Jandi have not only grown through these changes but have led them, reflected in a nine-point rise in staff engagement.

Beyond the metrics are stories of flexibility enabling growth, leadership rooted in empathy, and a workplace evolving to support the whole person.

With equal gender representation in leadership and a female chair on the board, lived experiences matter most.

Gateways chief executive officer Rohan Braddy embodies modern leadership with his motto: “Be where you need to be to get the job done.”

He encourages his team to move beyond traditional desk-bound productivity, focusing instead on where they can make the greatest impact.

Jandi and Georgia didn’t have to choose between personal and professional pursuits.

They found not only jobs but also communities where they could belong and lead authentically.

The beneficiaries of this culture of flexibility are both the Gateways community, through high-quality services, and team members who fulfil their roles to the highest standards because their unique needs are valued and supported.

Georgia and Jandi’s stories aren’t unique because they’re extraordinary; they’re powerful because they’re relatable.

Gateways has proudly supported the disability community for over 40 years, proving that flexibility and empathy don’t come at the cost of excellence.

In fact, they strengthen it.

Head to gateways.com.au for more.