Being different.

Through my journey as a gay woman of Eurasian descent in the competitive, often male-dominated world of financial services and executive search, I've gained invaluable experiences that have allowed me to truly appreciate the importance of diversity. These experiences have enabled me to relate, empathise, listen, support, and advocate fiercely for equality while emphasising the value of hiring diverse talent across all levels of organisations.

Deciding to come out has not been an easy choice, as it isn’t a sensational story, but it clearly holds deep personal significance. First, it reveals some struggles that have made me determined to help future generations; second, it’s my story which has chapters of vulnerability that take bravery to share.

As a young girl born to an Australian mother and a Chinese father at the tail end of the White Australia Policy, I faced teasing about how I looked and regularly felt different and excluded. I yearned to fit in, wishing to look different, less noticeable, and more like my peers. As a young person, I rarely embraced my Chinese heritage, except for participating in family celebrations, enjoying Sunday Yum Cha and learning martial arts with my father, who was really a novice.

As I grew older, the challenges continued, such as my entrée into recruiting when the English male hiring manager suggested I anglicise my name, leading to the adoption of "Mackie" instead of my stepfather’s surname, "El-Makki," which had Egyptian roots—a testament to my multicultural background and a long story in itself.?

It wasn’t until later in life that connecting with my heritage and understanding the Chinese culture became important. With time’s passing, I saw my dad with new eyes: always a role model for kindness, patience, and grace, he was also a role model for bravery in the face of the open racism of Australia in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Without question, I would not be the person I am without his steady presence in my life and his faith in me, just for being me.

My gender and Asian heritage were evident to everyone, and although I knew it might make me less relatable to some, it fueled my determination to work harder and prove myself among my peers.

However, coming out as gay presented a different set of challenges. I worried it could jeopardise my career and income and may expose me to the many subtle forms of discrimination. I also didn't want to make many of the people I interacted with feel uncomfortable. However, hiding this part of me made me question my authenticity.

With time, I understood that one of my drivers to be genuine with every interaction professionally and personally comes from keeping a part of me hidden. This realisation has guided me since my mid-30s to prioritise trust and authenticity in all my dealings with people. It was with both irony and relief to recently realise the parts of myself I thought were so well hidden may have been spotted long ago by some of my closest friends and colleagues with no judgment or comment.

I have learned that embracing diversity and inclusivity is the right thing to do and a powerful catalyst for success. By valuing and celebrating our unique backgrounds and experiences, we create environments where individuals can thrive, contribute their best, and drive innovation. Through these diverse perspectives, we can challenge conventional thinking, overcome biases, and make meaningful progress toward a more inclusive society.

While my own journey has had its share of challenges and moments of self-reflection, it has also brought me much happiness, rich memories, and professional satisfaction. The financial services industry is famously male dominated, yet I’ve been fortunate to work with many great men who valued diversity and inclusivity before those words were jargonised by the media. In other words, they valued me for my skills, experience, and ability to deliver, full stop.

To the people who have worked with me and others like them: please continue to be ambassadors of change, helping to educate those who may not yet grasp the profound value of a multicultural and gender-inclusive team. You possess the ability to make a difference, and while some may never fully comprehend it, your efforts can create a brighter future for us all.

Most of all, my experiences have given me the strength and resilience to stand up for what I believe in and a daily focus on creating positive change. While I am always committed to bringing the best people to the table, I am unapologetic for asking hiring managers to embrace some different thinking when hiring. Like not always looking in the same pool, being open to talent with transferable skills, or considering high-performing candidates with unconventional profiles. And I can always find a talented female or two that require serious consideration for the shortlist.