“I walked up near the Blowhole, and I thought – people travel to see this, and I get to walk here during my break. It reminded me to check my gratefulness. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day things and forget.”
Carla didn’t grow up on the South Coast. She’s a self-described “Canberra girl, born and bred,” and spent most of her career navigating the fast-paced world of business development for a major insurance company. But in early 2025, she traded the city buzz for the sea breeze.
“I have a very big sweet spot for Canberra,” Carla shares. “My family still live there, so I visit a lot. But now, I get the easy-breezy lifestyle of living at the coast which I absolutely love.”
Now based in Kiama leading the local branch for Macey Insurance, Carla enjoys the kind of balance that once felt out of reach. Her daily commute is under 30 minutes, and a lunchtime walk can include the iconic Kiama Blowhole.
“I actually had this moment yesterday,” she says. “I walked up near the Blowhole, and I thought – people travel to see this, and I get to walk here during my break. It reminded me to check my gratefulness. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day things and forget.”
The move wasn’t just about lifestyle. It was a strategic career pivot. After seven years in metro business development, Carla decided she was ready for a change. She reached out to Macey Insurance Brokers, a former client she had built a strong relationship with.
“I’d had conversations over the years with Brendan and Donna, the leaders at Maceys. They’d always said, ‘When you’re ready to leave the city, let’s talk.’ So, when they were in Sydney, we had lunch and I said, ‘Guys, I’m ready.’ That conversation opened the door to a whole new chapter.”
Carla is now the Branch Manager at Kiama and has also stepped back into insurance broking. She leads a team of seven and couldn’t be prouder of the team she gets to work with each day.
“They’re all incredibly dedicated and highly-skilled legends” she says. “I’m here to bring it all together, to see their strengths, help them grow and empower them to thrive. I see leadership as a continuous journey and I’m learning and evolving alongside them.”
Carla credits her smooth transition to aligning with the right people. “Brendan and Donna are great leaders. I love the way they do things, and they give me so much freedom. I bring them some pretty wacky ideas – and they back me wholeheartedly.”
Outside of work, Carla has quickly found a sense of community. One small act – giving away a kids’ toy on Marketplace – turned into a lasting local connection.
“We still text back and forth. They’d installed a pool, and now we’re considering using the same company. We even went around for a coffee recently, and I think my partner’s going to play golf with him soon. It’s pretty funny, and actually really sweet.”
For Carla, the move wasn’t just about slowing down – it was about creating a fuller, more purposeful life.
“I want to be around for my family. I’m an auntie and I want to show up for that. Commuting to Sydney wasn’t working for me anymore.”
She’s also passionate about shining a light on the insurance industry as a rewarding career path.
“There’s so much more to it than people think. You can start in one area – broking, sales, underwriting, claims, even actuarial and grow into a whole new world. I love that we can take something off our client’s plate and give them peace of mind. That means a lot.”
Carla’s journey is proof that making a regional move doesn’t mean pressing pause on your career – it can mean hitting refresh. It is possible to build a meaningful career and a life you love wherever you choose to live.
