Claire joined EVEN in March 2026. She's an Employee Experience Manager at Jemena and a mum to two young boys, and when she joined EVEN she was still relatively new in her role.
Claire knew she wanted to keep progressing into more senior roles. What she wanted to change was how she got there. She was looking to be more strategic, build her confidence and influence, grow her network and work through the self-doubt that can sometimes get in her way.
There was a bigger question underneath it all.
"Importantly, I also wanted to explore what career progression could look like without feeling like I had to choose between being ambitious and being present for my family."
From overthinking to backing her own judgement
The biggest change for Claire, since joining EVEN, has been backing herself and stepping out of her comfort zone. A lot of that started with noticing her own thinking.
"EVEN has helped me recognise some of the stories I can tell myself, particularly when self-doubt or overthinking creeps in, and challenge whether they are actually true."
She sees the difference at work.
"I'm more comfortable trusting my judgement, contributing my perspective with senior stakeholders and navigating situations where I don't necessarily have all the answers."
Stepping back from “doing” to think more strategically
Claire has also changed where she puts her energy. Through EVEN, she's made space to "step back from constantly doing" and think more strategically about where she adds the most value, the kind of leader she wants to be and what she wants from the next stage of her career.
"I definitely don't have it all figured out, but I feel more intentional about my career and more confident that I don't need to have everything figured out to keep moving forward."
Honest conversations about the whole person inside EVEN membership
For Claire, the connection with other EVEN members has been a real highlight.
"There is something incredibly valuable about chatting with women at different stages of their careers and hearing honest conversations about ambition, confidence, leadership, family, self-doubt and everything else that comes with building a career."
The conversations have gone well beyond conventional career advice. "There's space to talk about the whole person and acknowledge that our careers don't exist separately from the rest of our lives."
Hearing other women's experiences has given her new perspectives. It's also shown her that plenty of what she struggles with isn't unique to her.
Claire's advice for other women considering investing in their career
"Do it before you feel like you 'need' it."
Claire knows how easily your own development slips to the bottom of the list when life is busy. There's always another deadline or family commitment that feels more urgent. Investing in your career doesn't need a mapped-out five-year plan or a clear next role. Sometimes it's simply making the space to stop, reflect and ask what you actually want.
And you don't have to wait until you feel ready.
"One of my biggest learnings has been that confidence doesn't always come first. Sometimes you back yourself, take the step, and the confidence follows."
If Claire's experience resonates, EVEN membership is designed for ambitious women who are ready to invest in themselves.