What Is Corporate Affairs? From Law to the UN with Sally Richardson
Most people think corporate affairs means writing press releases. Sally Richardson's version of the job means coordinating with state governments during a live incident, running on what she calls the "no surprises doctrine," and keeping 3,500+ staff aligned when a transport network is in the headlines.
Her path there wasn't linear. A commercial lawyer who moved to New York for what was meant to be one year and became ten, did a masters at Columbia, then joined Australia's diplomatic mission to the UN - working the campaign that got Australia elected to the Security Council, then serving on it herself. She came home, worked in Victorian state government, then jumped to Tennis Australia just months before COVID, ending up deep in the biosecurity and border coordination that got the Australian Open delivered safely. Corporate affairs at Yarra Trams, then Keolis, followed.
In this episode, Sally Richardson, Chief of Corporate Affairs at Keolis, joins Luella to unpack what corporate affairs actually involves, how a "no surprises" relationship with government clients holds up under pressure, and how staying open to unplanned opportunities took her from law to the UN to national transport leadership.
"Sitting behind the nameplate and thinking what an extraordinary privilege to represent Australia on that world stage." Sally Richardson
Episode highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
01:48 - What Corporate Affairs actually covers at a national transport operator
13:18 - Wanting to be a paediatrician, coming from a family of lawyers, and Arts/Law at Monash
15:50 - Starting out as a graduate lawyer
16:47 - Moving to New York for one year and staying ten
19:52 - Joining Australia's Mission to the UN and the Security Council campaign
29:26 - Luella's Aristotle framework on trust, and doing what you say you'll do
31:59 - Joining Tennis Australia weeks before COVID, and delivering the AO through border restrictions
40:56 - The strengths behind her career, and how she looks after her wellbeing
47:52 - The best career advice she's been given: be open to opportunities
48:53 - Her proudest career moment
Resources & links:
Sally’s LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sallyweston
All opinions are the guest's own.
New episodes on a Wednesday, with interviews with leaders or experts every week and a monthly discussion on what we've heard in the last week of the month.
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Career Stories is hosted by Dr Luella Forbes, who works with organisations on leadership, change and storytelling. To find out how she can support your leaders and teams, visit luellaforbes.com/services
More about the podcast: luellaforbes.com/career-stories
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Creators and Guests
Host
Dr Luella Forbes
Dr Luella Forbes is a consultant specialising in Organisational Change and founder of The Career Library and it's podcast, Career Stories.
