Our Founding Narrative: Reflecting on My Journey

Picture it: All I have known is a world where I could schmooze and booze like all the other guys post-5 PM because my superhero husband was home being the world’s best dad to our three boys , enabling me to partake in the traditional networking scene—frequent after-work drinks and impromptu gatherings with colleagues. I was often the lone chick in a pack of suits at the pub, but that never struck me as odd as I have always been in male dominated careers.  

 It wasn't out of the ordinary for me to be the sole woman amidst a crowd of men at these events, and for a long time, Being the only woman in a sea of men at work was my normal so drinks were no different. But was I really the only woman in the industry who enjoyed a post-work cocktail?  

 Curiosity piqued, I started asking around. I scratched my head – where were my fellow women who enjoyed a casual drink and chat? I know they are out there as I have shared a drink and laugh with many of them. So, I did some sleuthing amongst my fellow cocktail-loving sistren. The feedback was a mixtape of 'Eh, just not my scene', 'family duties call' and 'not up for another round the all-too-familiar feeling of sticking out like a polka-dotted umbrella in a sea of black ones at yet another male-centric gathering.  And the most disheartening —they simply didn't feel it was their place. 

Flash forward to a unicorn of a meeting composed of the rare majority of women in the fields of credit risk, technology, and data, a meeting where the ladies outnumbered the gents, and to my surprise I realized our little lady posse didn’t know each other. How? We’re a rare breed – we should be like a secret society, minus the creepy handshakes. Instead, these women warriors of the credit world were strangers to each other. Well that just wouldn’t do. 

 Armed with this epiphany, I barged into Mike Cutter’s office with all the subtlety of a bull in a China shop (so usual Sacha style) and pitched the idea of a women’s cocktail night. He was on board faster than you can say 'French martini.' And just like that, our first mixer was born, with an army of women clinking glasses and sharing laughs. The overwhelming turnout and success of the event signalled a hidden desire for such connections among women in our industry. Yet, the intention was never to start a recurring event. Well Mike Jones at Connected Analytics had a better idea and a new plan was born.  

Fast-forward, and I find myself accidentally at the helm of this evolving community. Now let's get one thing straight – I'm the queen of impromptu get-togethers and cocktail nights but leading a women’s networking gig? Not on my bingo card. I’ve always been 'one of the group,' yet suddenly, I was headmistress of this...thing. But WiCR struck a different chord – it wasn't your garden-variety women's network. It was for those of us who felt a bit out of place in traditional settings, for the analytical minds and the straight-talkers.  

 But as it turned out, my hesitant leadership was precisely what resonated with the women of our industry, particularly at a time when female representation in risk, data, and analytics was even more sparse. WiCR (Women in Credit Risk) began, almost in jest, as a community for women who didn’t typically engage with women’s groups. We were a gathering of individuals who defied the conventional 'female' archetype. Like an accidental tribe for those of us who typically checked 'no' on invites to women’s only groups. Women who work in predominately male industry, especially data, tech, and analytics are unique. We were the square pegs in round holes, the ones coloring outside the lines of typical female archetypes. 

Initially, WiCR was a series of ad-hoc events in Melbourne and Sydney, supported by visionary sponsors like Pioneer Credit, Kadre, NAB, Connected Analytics, Equifax, and others. However, the pandemic brought everything to a halt, forcing a re-evaluation of how we connected.  Our little group of risk aficionados wasn't about to risk more than credit scores, so face-to-face events were out. COVID, pressed the big pause button on life, personal and professional. And for most of us Collections people - we were insanely busy dealing with 200k hardship applications, working 12hr days and trying to home school our children. 

But as we emerged from our cocoons, the desire to reconnect was stronger than ever. There was a palpable yearning for more profound, authentic interactions and real purpose for our lives. 

Post-plague, the craving for genuine connection was real. Our get-togethers became about more than just swapping business cards – they were soul food for the number-crunching, policy-writing warrior women among us. Our members sought valuable exchanges—there was no room for idle small talk in our busy lives. 

Let's not undersell our craft – The field of Credit Risk and Collections is profoundly impactful, It is not just about the nitty-gritty of number crunching, model building, customer care and policy writing; it’s life-changing stuff. Because when women sit at the table, the truths become more evident as women's voices contribute to policy and decision-making. We've seen societal advancements because of this—women can now apply for loans independently (was this really a thing – yes 1970s allowed women to apply for loans), enjoy better protections for DV and parental career rights, and even find representation in new digital realms like the metaverse (seriously, how is there less female avatar options than mythical creatures?). 

WiCRC has grown from those initial WiCR gatherings into a powerhouse community where a whirlwind of new friendships flourish, bold career paths are carved, and knowledge is eagerly exchanged. It has become a source of strength, not only in my personal evolution but also in the lives of countless women in the community. As we've lifted each other up, cheered on successes, and offered support during challenges, the value of our collective voice has never been clearer. And as life threw its curveballs, it was the kickass ladies of WiCRC who've been my cheer squad, my sounding board, and the ones daring me to speak louder.  

None of this can be done alone, behind every great cocktail night there is a council of wise women and a membership base being generous with their very scarce time and energy. We know that showing up as our entire selves is bold, at times difficult, but entirely transformative. 

WiCRC is more than a network; it’s a movement. A testament to the power of community, and the combined dedication to nurturing this group is as strong as ever.  

So, what’s a gal to do but sprinkle that same support and cheer back into our cosmos? After all, what's a community if not a cocktail of connections, shaken and stirred with a twist of fun?”