Renee knew very early on that she wanted to be an Accountant, so she studied accounting at TAFE NSW during her senior years in high school, and then went on to study it at university. Several of her lecturers at the Shoalhaven-based campus also worked at Shoalhaven City Council, and seeing her potential, offered her a traineeship.
Renee worked full-time at Shoalhaven Water while studying part-time, and soon moved into a management accounting role then supervisor. To this day she says she is grateful for the “kind leaders” she worked with who took the time to “show her the ropes” early in her career.
Motivated for more, Renee took a role at the Shoalhaven Paper Mill – a hub of economic activity at the time. She quickly became the finance manager, overseeing the finances and commercial operations of the business’ NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian sites.
A lucrative opportunity in the Defence Contracting space led to her next career move and soon after, while starting a family, she was invited to join the CareSouth Board by founder Jim McEwan.
12 months later, after being “blown away” by the organisation and the difference it makes in the community, Renee was invited to step down from the Board and take on the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) role.
“It was like coming home and I’ve never looked back,” said Renee.
“I like finance but I also love people.”
“If someone had told me when I was at uni that I’d be working in the for-purpose instead of for-profit space I don’t think I would have believed them.”
“I think there’s a misconception that you can’t have a well-paying or fulfilling career in this industry, but I am proof that you can and more than that. The knowledge that you are making a difference in families’ lives every day is just so rewarding.”
“I can’t do what some of our amazing staff can, but I know I can support them in the work they do,” added Renee.
After a decade as CFO, with a brief tenure at the South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation, Renee became Co-CEO alongside Tracy Mayo. Together, they combined their expertise in business and finance to lead CareSouth through five years of growth and innovation. Following Tracy’s departure, Renee now serves as the sole CEO, continuing to drive the organisation’s mission to support families and communities across the region.
