Voices of H&H Group: Jebowa La Rosa

Where?did?you?grow?up?and?how?did?this?shape?you?as?a?person?

I grew up in a small country town in Northern Victoria, Australia called Seymour. We lived on a 20-acre property and had animals of every kind – sheep, horses, cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys, ferrets, goats, dogs, cats – the list goes on. This nurtured my love and appreciation for animals. Living on the farm taught me to be responsible, resourceful and to work hard from a young age, as we all had to help with daily chores around the farm whilst needing to be aware of how we were using everyday resources like water, wood, animal feed. Whilst I loved the endless paddock adventures on the farm, I was always aware that it was a small town with limited opportunities. From a very young age I would dream about moving away to the city and working as a businesswoman.

What?motivates?you?

I am most motivated when I’m thinking about or working towards a change that is set in the future. I spend most of my time thinking about the future and envisioning outcomes that I hope will transpire. It’s where I get my energy from and where my creativity can be ignited. I’m driven when the opportunity or challenge at hand is purposeful and can have a real impact – this might be change and transformation within an individual, at a team level, within the culture of business or within my own personal life.

What?does?inclusion?mean?to?you???

Inclusion means having both the access to participate and the opportunity to contribute. As it is so heavily influenced by policies, practices, systems, people and culture, it requires us to constantly apply a lens of inclusion over each element and evaluate the degree to which it allows everybody to participate and contribute. I think it really requires us to think with an ‘others’ lens rather than self, to actively seek feedback from diverse groups of people and to take action to evolve aspects in work/life/community that could be more inclusive. In a day-to-day work-setting, I feel inclusion the most when I’m able contribute my views, opinions, and talents fully at work, and when these are welcomed and respected. Inclusion leads to better social and economic outcomes and that alone is a profound reason to lead with an inclusive lens. I’m grateful to work in a workplace that is committed to promoting inclusion for all.?????

I've experienced tremendous support over the last year whilst being on parental leave. Having access to working parents’ workshops and coaching and being kept up to date with business updates through our working parents WhatsApp discussion forum has made me feel valued and included.??

How?do?you?Celebrate?Life?Every?Way*???

Family is one of my highest values. I make time to connect with my family each week, whether that be a phone call or catch up, it really fills my cup up. Playing with my son Otto is my greatest joy. I’m finding so much joy in the smallest of moments with him. I’ve also been allowing more moments for gratitude – recognising how very blessed I am for the things I have in my life. I think this really helps to keep all of life’s ups and downs in perspective.??

*CLEW = ‘CLEW’ is the acronym for ‘Celebrate Life Every Way’ and holds significant meaning at H&H. CLEW values, embraces, recognizes and celebrates the diversity and uniqueness that we each bring and contribute to work and life every day.????