Podcast · Business

Exceptional

by Santa Sabina Ex-Students Association · English · Business

Stories, conversation and wisdom from the Santa Sabina Ex-Student’s community. Season two focuses on 'Legacy in Action' with Cynthia Myssy (Santa Alumni) as the host for this season

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 34 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 33 min

Women in Family Law: Boundaries and Quiet Courage | Monica Serci

Monica Serci has spent her career in family law, sitting with people at the worst moments of their lives. She's a special counsel at Walter and Elliot Family Lawyers, was named a Doyle's Guide Rising Star, and she gives her own time to advocacy work she believes in. In this conversation with Cynthia Myssy, Monica talks about the early warning signs of coercion and control, why the census undercounts what women actually do, and what happens when you treat a non negotiable as negotiable. Key Takeaways: The warning signs are built to be dismissed: Coercion and control rarely announces itself,…

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Earlier episodes 13 most recent

S3 · E13 · 22 Sep 2026 · 35 min
Career Change, Caring and Losing a Husband |Caroline Smith
Caroline Smith started out teaching PE. She's now General Manager of Apprenticeship Careers Australia, and the road between those two things ran straight through her husband's terminal diagnosis. Caroline retrained in accounting while caring for Nigel, raising Emily, and later watching her mum slip into dementia. She'll tell you she hasn't done anything special. Cynthia Myssy disagrees. They talk career change under pressure, why resilience isn't a personality trait some women have and others lack, and why the gender gap in trades runs in both directions. Key Takeaways: Career Change You Did…
S3 · E12 · 9 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Victim Advocacy: 36 Years, Mostly Unpaid | Howard Brown
About the Guest Howard Brown is an advocate for victims of crime in Australia with over three decades of dedication to helping victims and their families navigate the judicial system. His journey into advocacy began after the traumatic murder of his client and friend, Andrew, in 1988. Howard's relentless commitment has led to significant legal reforms, including the integration of victim impact statements in the judicial process. He has served on influential bodies like the New South Wales Sentencing Council and the New South Wales Victims Advisory Board, earning him the Medal of the Order…
S2 · E6 · 12 Oct 2025 · 43 min
Monica Attard on Truth, Courage, and Change
Monica Attard is a renowned Australian journalist celebrated for her work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as a foreign correspondent in Russia during the collapse of the Soviet Union, a tenure that earned her international recognition and the prestigious Gold Walkley Award. With a journalism career spanning more than four decades, she has been acknowledged with the Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to journalism. Currently, Monica serves as the head of journalism at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where she influences the next generation of…
S2 · E5 · 21 Sep 2025 · 42 min
Carolee Williamson's Adventures - Santa Sabina to Washington
About the Guest: Carolee Williamson swapped corporate finance at Ernst & Young for one of the world's toughest gigs—U.S. diplomacy in crisis zones. Over 15 years, she's navigated complex assignments across Kabul, Beirut, Jerusalem, Washington, Kuwait, and Ho Chi Minh City, leading teams through genuine life-or-death situations. What makes Carolee's story compelling isn't just her diplomatic achievements—it's her advocacy for mental health and community building while serving American foreign policy interests in some of the planet's most challenging environments. Key Takeaways:…
S2 · E4 · 7 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
International Women's Day 2025
About the Guests: Paula Duncan AM : An acclaimed Australian actress, Paula Duncan has received multiple Logie Awards and an Order of Australia for her contributions to acting and charity work. She is also an ambassador for women's health and actively involved in organizations supporting people with disabilities. Bridget Clark : Accomplished rugby player, Bridget Clark is a prominent member of the Australian national Rugby Sevens team and an Olympian who competed in the Paris 2024 games. Her commitment to the sport exemplifies dedication and perseverance. Amy Rickson : Currently the Chief…
S2 · E3 · 24 Aug 2025 · 34 min
Jane Sulis OAM - Truth, Compassion and Community
Jane Sulis is a distinguished alumna of Santa Sabina College and a former college vice captain. With a career dedicated to education and social justice, Jane has made significant contributions as a teacher, mentor, and community advocate. Her commitment to the Dominican values of truth, compassion, and service has been recognized with the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2023 for her relentless service to the community. Her work encompasses various initiatives, from supporting homeless services to aiding refugee students, revealing a deep-rooted passion for making a positive impact. Key…
S2 · E2 · 10 Aug 2025 · 51 min
Siobhan Toohill - Sustainability and Social Impact
If you need support after listening to this episode you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Siobhan Toohill is a pioneering leader in corporate sustainability and social impact. As the first Chief Sustainability Officer at Westpac, she was instrumental in shaping the bank's climate strategy, human rights initiatives, and purpose-led leadership. A recipient of the prestigious Women in Leadership Award in the banking sector, Toohill has always been at the forefront of sustainable policy design and implementation. She continues to lead in the arenas of nature governance and sustainable finance,…
S2 · E1 · 28 Jul 2025 · 19 min
Georgina Long AO - Courage and Science for Change
Season 2 of Exceptional opens with Professor Georgina Long — Australian of the Year and proud Santa Sabina College alumna. We return to her 2024 Speech Night Address, as one of the world’s leading melanoma researchers, Georgina shares the power of science and imploring us to be curious. This conversation marks the beginning of a season devoted to legacy in action — and Georgina’s journey is an inspiring start. About the Guest: Georgina Long is a distinguished medical oncologist and a professor specialising in Translational Research Medical Oncology at the University…
10 Apr 2024 · 31 min
Kim Parer
Kim Parer (Mulcahy) looks back on the life and memories of her four siblings, Jodie, Glen, Stuart and Dean who lost their lives way too young. Equal parts grief and happiness, this is a story of perseverance, and finding light amongst the challenges given to her. Above all, this is a story of love and family. If you need support after listening to this episode you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Jul 2023 · 18 min
Professor Helen Beange
Professor Helen Beange is an Order of Australia Medal recipient for her work into developmental disability medicine. We chat about attending Sydney University during World War II, how she transitioned back to work after having children and her pioneering medical research of people with intellectual disabilities in Australia. Helen is 97 and widowed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 Jul 2022 · 15 min
Ann Maree Mulders
Ann Maree Mulders is an ovarian cancer survivor. She listened to her body when no one else did and became her own advocate in what was a hard journey through surgery, treatment and healing. She now advocates for others as an Ovarian Cancer Australia ambassador. This is her story, through cancer and out the other side. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19 May 2022 · 27 min
Melanie Evans | CEO of ING Australia
Melanie Evans, CEO of ING Australia shares her journey from being a 17 year old banking cadet to the Australian CEO of a global company. We discuss her purpose and passion for creating future change, what makes a good leader and a progressive work place. She’ll also share her lived experience around asking for parental leave, leading a workforce through covid and why she speaks up for bigger issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Mar 2022 · 20 min
Sr Judith Lawson OP
Ex-Student, former College Principal and Dominican sister, Sr Judy Lawson talks candidly about some lesser known features of her life: from studying at Boston College to election monitoring for the 1994 South African election to the establishment of Mary Bailey house and the work she’s doing in her “non-retirement” to aid religious Congregations who are facing the prospect of coming to a natural end. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About Exceptional

Stories, conversation and wisdom from the Santa Sabina Ex-Student’s community. Season two focuses on 'Legacy in Action' with Cynthia Myssy (Santa Alumni) as the host for this season

Exceptional is a English business podcast from Santa Sabina Ex-Students Association. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Santa Sabina Ex-Students Association
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 34 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1613301850

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