Staff blog interview: General Manager, Anika

Meet Anika, Our General Manager

Welcome to the second blog from our staff series. Over the next month we will share interviews with the team members at Dignity, to learn who we are and why we do what we do. Anika recently joined Dignity this month as our new General Manager as Jacinta moves into our strategic advisor position. You can learn more about her below.

What's your role at Dignity?

General Manager

What's the favourite part of your job?

My passion is helping people achieve a greater sense of wellbeing. At Dignity we are making a tangible difference to people's lives.  Championing women in the workplace and Championing women in our community.   

What does Dignity mean to you?

To Dignity means empowerment.  Having respect for yourself and others is empowering.

What's been the hardest/funniest thing to happen to you during your time at Dignity?

This is only week two so I don’t really have any stories to tell yet!   

Why do you think businesses should have Dignity at their workplace?

We talk about equality and inclusion all the time. Human dignity is a right; you should not have to feel embarrassed or be disadvantaged by something you have no control over. Periods are normal, they are natural, and all women get them. Our feedback has consistently demonstrated female employees feel more personally supported by their employer with Dignity.

How can we make periods more normal?

We need to keep talking to raise awareness and help change attitudes towards periods.  Let’s acknowledge sanitary products are simply another consumable item like coffee organisations provide for their staff.  

What do you do outside of Dignity?

We live in 11 acres of bush in Long Gully Station in Brooklyn and we also run a glamping hut for people to escape the city. This keeps me pretty busy. In my down time I love to hang out with my husband and 10 year old son, do yoga, go for long walks with our dog, read a good book sitting outside in the sun, cook…..

Who do you admire?

I admire anyone who is not afraid to follow their passion and take action - whatever that may mean for them!

What is a quote you live by?

My Religion is kindness - The Dalai Lama

What would be advice to yourself 5 years ago?

I have always believed in creating change if you are not happy.  Take action to do something, it doesn’t matter how small that action is - if you are not happy, make a choice to do something about it!