Owning Your Story: How a mentor gave Carmel the courage to own her own story and share her secrets

Women on Boards: Leader, directors & subject matter experts in conversation with Claire Braund

Carmel Macmillan has more than 40 years’ experience in the marketing sector and more than 15 years as a Non-Executive Director (NED), but it is her transparency about her personal life and lived experience that has contributed to her successful career. She was one of the first women in Brisbane to be appointed manager of a large company. Unbeknownst to many of her colleagues, while juggling her corporate responsibilities for Golden Casket Lottery Corporation, she was also caring for her infant son who wasn’t meeting his development milestones. Times have changed and with the support of WOB’s My Mentoring Program, Carmel was given the confidence to articulate her story.

While Carmel’s son is classically considered to have a disability, Carmel is quick to identify his many extraordinary abilities. She shares in this episode how caring for her son inspired her to serve on purpose-driven organisations that align with her values, including NED for Women on Boards, the MS Society of Queensland and the Mater Foundation. Raised by her proud Italian family in Brisbane, a strong sense of community has always been integral to her choices.

Carmel’s board portfolio consists of national and state-based organisations in disability, health, commercial property, member-based and arts. She adds value through business transformation — specifically strategy, digital and innovation — while actively championing the client perspective within the Board environment. She is now on the hunt for an organisation in the disability and aged sector, as she navigates caring for her 88 year-old mother who has Alzheimer’s Disease.

Carmel’s board roles include:

• NED, Women On Boards
• Board Director, The Mater Foundation
• Board Director, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland

LinkedIn Carmel Macmillan | Claire Braund (host)

Further Information about Women on Boards

• WOB membership, events & services, please visit our website.
• To receive our weekly newsletter, subscribe to WOB as a Basic Member (free).
• Join as a Full Member for full access to our Board Vacancies, WOBShare (our online member platform) and more.