Trailblazers inspire at Women’s Leadership Forum

Kalgoorlie-Boulder women who are managers, bosses, executives, captains, visionaries and stewards gathered at the annual Women’s Leadership Forum on Friday to learn from other female trailblazers.

The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry event saw more than 300 women gather at Central Regional TAFE to hear from a series of successful leaders, including keynote speakers Kate Munari, Brooke McIntosh and Penny Lane.

KBCCI leader Simone de Been opened the presentations with her journey from a stuttering little girl to chief executive officer.

“I was an average student, not very confident, quite nervous,” she said.

“I hated reading in class and public speaking — I was one of those kids that would tell the teacher that I’d forgotten my glasses, but I didn’t actually wear glasses.”

She said her early days at the KBCCI were challenging.

“During my first few months, I attended the Goldfields Economic Development Conference Forum in Perth, where I was meant to be a panellist,” she said.

“Just before the panel session, I could feel that little girl appear again, petrified and wanting to tell the class that she’d forgotten her glasses.

“There was no way that I was getting up on stage.

“After, I can remember feeling so disappointed in myself that I didn’t even try.

“I would have much rather gotten up and done an average job than not get up at all.

“I knew I never ever wanted to feel like that again.”

Ms de Been said she “couldn’t even explain” how much she had grown since then.

“I booked into media training and public speaking training and did everything I could to overcome the fear of public speaking,” she said.

“Now, in my ninth year at the KBCCI, it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

“One tip to people is don’t be afraid of getting a no, because one day, you will get a yes.

“Don’t be afraid of failure, because when you don’t fail, great things can happen.”