My Power Move: Lisa Chung
In this occasional series, we talk to women whose lives have been changed by a big career move taken at the right time.
Lisa Chung is a law firm partner turned company director. She took the leap into her second career when she was in her 50s. This is how, and why, she did it.
My big career power move came in my 50s
I left behind a more than 30-year career as a partner of a law firm where I specialised in commercial property and infrastructure, and also had a number of senior management roles, including Sydney managing partner and executive partner in charge of people and culture. I always knew that I wanted a second career outside the law and considered alternatives, including board roles which proved to be the ideal path. Such roles allowed me to offer skills I had developed as a lawyer – an ability to deal with commercial complexity and identify and manage risks – while working in and with organisations in a range of sectors.
It enabled me to pursue my passions
Most importantly, it enabled me to divide my time between remaining highly engaged in commercial life, while also pursuing a number of passion projects as a board member and chair of various not-for-profit organisations. I was a board member of The Benevolent Society, Australia’s oldest charity, for eight years, including five years as chair. Their work has focused on supporting Australia’s most vulnerable communities for more than 200 years. I also served as chair of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum) for six years and I am currently chair of The Front Project, which advocates for the importance of early childhood education. I am also a non-executive director of Artspace, a contemporary arts organisation, supporting Australian artists. These roles, coupled with my commercial board roles, provide an interesting range of perspectives with which to see contemporary commercial and societal trends, and life generally. I am privileged to meet, see and hear extensively from leaders and thinkers in all the sectors.
How the opportunity came about
My board roles have been the result of strong relationships across the relevant sectors. It is through such relationships with people you know well, and who know you and your strengths, that opportunities arise. This is especially in relation to board appointments, but is also the case in other roles. Fortunately, this is slowly changing – broader opportunities are increasingly afforded to those not as well known or networked. Either way, it is critical to be able to show the relevance of your skills and to gain the trust and confidence of your colleagues quickly.
Before taking the leap
Think carefully about what you think you want, and test those thoughts thoroughly by speaking to as many relevant people and learning as much as possible. Ask everyone you speak to to introduce you to someone else who may be able to offer some perspectives or advice. Are you clear about your value proposition to the new role you are considering? Are there skills you do not have that may be an issue? If so, what is your plan to address this? Do you have a Plan B if Plan A does not come out as intended or expected?
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Interview_Marina Go
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