Welcome to Wonder Woman Wednesday! Every Wednesday we feature women who are using their business or work as a force for good. The intention behind this blog is to raise awareness on the impact of doing good and to inspire others to think of ways in which they too can use their business or work as a force for good. By doing this we hope we will be creating a better community one business at a time and leaving this world a little bit better than we found it for future generations.

Tell us about your work and how you use it as a force for good?

I currently work part time (3 days a week) at a financial planning company where my role is in admin & compliance management. I am lucky to be in a company that is very much aligned with my values and have been very supportive to my community adventures. I have worked in the finance industry for over 8 years now. I am very passionate about community service especially around women from migrant/refugee women, women’s rights and our wellbeing (which very much encompasses our financial wellbeing). Using the skills that I have from working and learning in the industry, I started a women’s support group (The Etch Collective) together with a team of dedicated volunteers in June 2018. Our group focused on connecting, serving and empowering women who are in a new chapter of their lives and are in need of support due to circumstances of divorce/separation. I am considering on being more inclusive within the support group, as I have received feedback from women who are not facing those circumstances but are finding our events/content beneficial to them. I am also able to volunteer my time with local non for profits like ISHAR multicultural women’s health services which supports women from Migrant and Refugee background.

Working part-time allows me to give my time to doing community work which I value so much. I’ve also realised that from personal life experiences, money isn’t everything to me. I respect it, I value it, but I’m not obsessed with it. I am lucky in a way that I’ve learnt good financial skills by working in the industry, reading books and putting those knowledge into practice.. this has helped me to be financially independent and i am so grateful to be able to work part time, pay my mortgage and am able to give back to community.

What led you to using your work as a force for good?

When I was younger I chased the things that society expected me to be… I studied hard, got a well paying job, and thought that I was assumed that I was suppose to work towards the next promotion or pay rise… i was doing it mindlessly without asking myself why I was aiming for these things…I thought the more money I made, or that next promotion would make me happy, but instead, I found the opposite… I felt like there was a hole inside of me, and I couldn’t understand why I was miserable even though I had amazing opportunities given to me. I was busy working for money, but I was living without intent. I was busy filling my life with things that I thought would bring me happiness. I quickly realised that these things I had, or this goal I was chasing was what society was telling me and not my own… and Instead, what I needed to work on and reflect on was myself and my own personal insecurities.

I grew up in a home where giving back was a priority despite the struggles we were facing. My parents led by example and I decided to try more of that, instead of being busy with work and promotions I shifted my focus to experiences that were more meaningful to me, like giving back. This experience has taught me that giving back meant so much more than any of the initial ‘goals’ I set myself. I’d like to stress that giving back WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS is so important… and through this journey of mine, I realised that Kindness always wins.

What inspires you to make a difference in the lives of others?

My parents and the community that I have created and surrounded myself with. They inspire me and keep me going by sharing and teaching me about their own journeys and lessons they’ve learnt.

What is one act that anyone can do today to make this world a better place?

Simply care about others – it doesn’t take much effort to give a sh** about the people around you.

Find out more about Chloe and the work she does here

The Power of Hope