IB Woman
Issue No. 13 - October/November 2003
Calling this Port Home
SA’s Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year — Alessandra Daly
SA’s Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year
Resplendent in a vibrant purple dress, Alessandra Daley’s smile almost overshadows her pregnant bulge. As the winner of the SA Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year Award for 2003 and awaiting the birth of her first child, Ally has plenty to smile about.
Nine years ago, at just 21, Ally had finished a government traineeship and won a position with the SA Department of Marine and Harbours, now Flinders Ports. She started as a human resources trainee and soon displayed traits highly suitable for the job, in the maritime industry milieu dominated by males.
As a natural leader with confidence to burn, Ally thought nothing of putting her hat in the ring for a new project that no one else wanted. Throwing herself in the deep end of a human resources project was just the challenge this dynamic young women was looking for – a bit naively.
“I thrive on managing people," says Ally, “and I enjoy assisting people develop their potential. About four years ago an opportunity arose that I grasped and ran with. But I’m like that – once I start something I won’t let it go.”
Words like ‘drive’ and ‘perseverance’ pepper Ally’s conversations as she explains her motivations. With supportive parents who encouraged her independence and a stint as a tour guide in Italy, Ally has supplemented her natural leadership qualities with external studies in business, training and quality ...
