‘It’s the best guide’: Kristina Keneally’s ‘golden rule’ to live by

Few women in Australia carry the breadth of leadership experience of former New South Wales premier and Australian senator Kristina Keneally. From politics to sport and now her role as chief executive of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation – Keneally has experienced it all.

American-born Keneally – Premier of NSW from 2009 to 2011 – began her career in the not-for-profit sector as the NSW youth coordinator for the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Youth and children have always been a focus for Keneally, who is the mother of two sons and a daughter, Caroline, who was stillborn. She was the patron of the Stillbirth Foundation Australia for many years and is known for her advocacy to reduce stillbirths in Australia.  

One of her biggest pieces of leadership advice is to “stop caring what people think”, to switch off from social media and to focus on treating people how you would like to be treated. She also believes that talent only gets you so far – hard work is the lynchpin of success.