“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”

My 16-year-old self took that pretty literally.

Growing up in regional South Australia, I knew getting to university would mean moving away, so I started a business in high school to help fund the move. It somehow grew into something that was featured by the ABC, The Advertiser and other media outlets—which I definitely didn’t see coming at 16!

Fast forward a few years, and thanks to Sliding Doors Foundation, I’ve been able to continue my business studies through a master’s degree while spending less time working and more time simply being a student.

Funnily enough, that extra time led me to build an AI training and implementation business, working with young people and organisations to make AI practical and useful.

I owe a huge part of that to the Foundation and, more than anything, the gift of time.

Time to think bigger. To take risks. To try things. To build something beyond simply surviving work and university.

Because sometimes, giving a young person a little more time doesn’t just make life easier—it changes what they believe is possible!

“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”.

Well, I decided to start another business.

For someone who has always been entrepreneurial, that might not sound surprising. But having the freedom—and time—to work a little less thanks to the Foundation meant I could finally spend time on something I was curious about.

I could finally take what I was learning at university and apply it.

While building an AI consultancy and education business, I now have this little feedback loop: university gives me ideas for the business, and the business gives me better questions to take back to university.

Academically, I’ve received University Merit Awards and maintained a GPA above 6/7 while continuing my business studies through a master’s degree.

So, somewhere along the way, I went from studying business to using the knowledge I developed at university to help build one.

I’ve become pretty fascinated by where psychology and business overlap—and AI!

I love understanding why people behave the way they do and how that shapes how we lead, communicate, sell and make decisions. It has changed how I look at business.

I’ve also really enjoyed learning about AI and ethics, particularly because I work in the AI space. There’s a lot to be excited about, but I’m equally interested in the questions surrounding how we use it responsibly.

I’ve met some brilliant people through university and my professional network and have really enjoyed learning from their careers, experiences and perspectives.

So, I’m learning from both the textbooks and the people and businesses around me!

My big goal is to help close the AI education gap, particularly for people who are already more likely to experience marginalisation.

I’m passionate about making AI practical and accessible for regional communities, young people, women and people across generations. I believe not everyone needs to become an AI expert, but everyone should have the chance to understand what this technology means for them and their future.

I’ve already started working towards this through my AI consultancy and education work, but I’d like to take it much further.

Ultimately, I want to help ensure that where someone lives, their age or their background does not determine whether they get to participate in the AI economy or have a seat at the table.

At 21, I was named in 40 Under 40, which still feels slightly ridiculous. While I’m proud of it, the awards probably aren’t what I’m most proud of.

Rather than waiting for some big milestone to prove I was doing well, I started asking myself a much smaller question: was I 1% better than yesterday?

Sometimes that meant being a better friend or supporting people in my professional network. Sometimes it meant trying something that scared me. Sometimes it meant becoming a little better at backing myself and remembering that, to a pretty large extent, my future is something I get to influence.

Most days, I have been 1% better. Applied over the past few years of my life, that’s what I’m proud of.

1. Bridging the AI education and literacy gap.

2. Advocating for young people, helping them realise that their background does not define their future and supporting them to develop belief in themselves.

3. Baking—I’ve somehow found it rather therapeutic.

4. Spending time with “my village”: my friends, family and the people around me, including those in my business network whom I consider part of my family.

5. Golden Retrievers—particularly mine—and taking her to the beach!

“It wasn’t just financial support from the Foundation, but also a message of ‘We believe in you.’ That belief carried me further than money ever could.”

“While the financial support gave me extra time to focus on my studies rather than working, it was the wonderful people and support from the Foundation that made the biggest difference.”

“I like to think of the Foundation’s support as the seed. The confidence, opportunities and impact that grow from it are the tree.”

For a young person, Scholarship support can feel like someone saying, “We believe you can do this.”

I’d say that’s what the Foundation has meant to me.

The financial support gave me more time to study, but the bigger gift was the confidence and freedom that came with it. It made opportunities feel possible, rather than something I had to immediately work out how to afford.

When you invest in one young person, you’re not just helping them now—you’re also becoming part of their story. What they go on to do with that support can ripple much further.

I know I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who backed me.

Now, I hope I can be that person for someone else in the future too!