Kim Edwards’ career includes a wide range of experiences with organisations, both private and not-for-profit, as a director, chief executive officer, project manager, consultant and business owner.  Kim is a champion for the cause of dynamic social change through education, dynamic participation and community engagement.

With a sound understanding and experience with strategic management, governance, diversity and legislative requirements, Kim is a practical hands-on team leader, an educator, pioneer, consultant and businesswoman.  Kim’s work is deeply grounded in her values of integrity, inclusiveness and diversity.  Her love of people and cultures, vast international experience, and leadership of several international multi-national companies, has enabled Kim to empower communities around the world.

Kim, you’ve had an exciting career to date and so many diverse roles… tell us about those roles and how you have evolved and changed direction over the years?

My career has always had the same focus.. people.  My career started when I volunteered for an Aide Agency in the Middle East during the war in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1980.  The war was horrendous and the danger was real, but in amongst the hardship and tragedy, I met real heroes and extraordinary people.  I knew from then that my life would always be about being on the front lines of development, education and empowerment.  In many frontier places I have worked, such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iraq, I have nearly always been the first female in that particular leadership business position.  For many of the women I have worked with, it has often been their first opportunity to work in business, and I have been their first boss.  My role does change a lot depending on where I am, but I usually find that my  primarily role is that of a mentor.   I have been a leader for more than 40 years, and I am constantly evolving and learning and growing.

You’ve worked in a number of roles that have been based overseas, how do you find that leadership styles differ in various parts of the world, as a ‘woman in business’?

Although the location changes, I have found that women are the same all over the world; strong resilient and resourceful.  Given the right opportunity, women can (and do) anything.  Women shine brighter in places of difficulty, which is probably what attracts me the most to work in hard places.  We are fiercely resilient, no matter where we are.  Currently, I am working in a senior leadership role in outback Queensland, and I am deeply impressed with the quality of Australian women working in the outback of Australia.

What career or personal achievement are you most proud of? 

I have been blessed with many many great opportunities, and I have simply said ‘yes!’ to every one.  Firstly, pioneering and co-leading a successful company, Sea English Academy, with my best friend and business partner was one of the great highlights of career.  We won dozens of business awards, but I am most proud of the fact that we are still great friends even after being in business together for 10 amazing years!  Secondly, being the Dean of one of the first women’s training colleges in Saudi Arabia is definitely a major career achievement.  And thirdly, becoming a triathlete at the age of 57 is definitely a great personal achievement. As a triathlete, I have learnt more about mental toughness than in any other job I have done.

Tell us about ‘The Onion Lady’ and why you decided to turn this into a book – how has writing your book impacted you personally?

I have always been a storyteller, and I wanted my grandchildren to know who their grandmother was, and to know my life experience through my own story.  I wrote The Onion Lady for my grandchildren, long before they were even born. It was my way of telling them my story.

And your photography is amazing – what made you pursue this as a hobby? 

I discovered the joy of photography while volunteering at a remote hospital in the Himalayas of India.  Photography for me is a natural extension of my gift as a storyteller.  I hope that my photography takes people on the journey with me.

You give a lot of time to a number of volunteer projects too. Tell us about these and why they are important to you? 

I tend not to make any distinction between my work as a volunteer and work as a professional career woman.  It’s all about what I love to do, and if I get paid for it, then that is just a bonus.  While I was working in Saudi Arabia, I took a year sabbatical and volunteered in the Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon.  In that year, I set up schools in a number of the camps, mobilised teams of teachers, designed education programs, and fundraised and provided support for hearing-impaired Syrian refugee children.  I also took people to hospitals, bought food, funded medical services, resettled refugees, distributed blankets.  My life work is not about being in a job.  My work is part of my life.

And what’s next on the agenda for Kim Edwards? 

I recently accepted a role as Training and Development Officer for Maranoa Regional Council.  I am currently based in Roma, but my work covers this whole region of outback Australia, which is the size of Tasmania!  The ability to make a real difference in lives, families and communities in the Outback is what really attracted me to the role. I am living my best life, in a job I love, in the heart of soul of Australia. I am happiest on the frontiers.

Favourite place you have visited and why?
City, Coast or Country? 

I have travelled to more than 100 countries, and my favourite place is always the place I am in at the time.  True happiness is being able to be completely present and completely content in where you are.  If you are not absolutely in love with where you are, move.

What mantra do you live by? 

Life is an extraordinary adventure.

To find out more about Kim Edwards head to:

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-edwards-83a9415/