WTF? Wendy Stokwielder

WTF? 
Yes, you read that right. The WTFuture? event is Wendy’s main focus as Program Manager for The Difference Collective – The social enterprise that is part of Culturise.
WTFuture? is happening on November 17th at the Adelaide Showgrounds. WTFuture? is a co-led event by both youth and employers where dialogue, story exchange and hands-on experience will lead to a discovery of each other's potential in creating a better workplace for all. Rooted in connection and collaboration, we debunk one myth at a time, breaking down the existing barrier mindsets and biases, and ultimately reimagining youth employment pathways for youth with a difference.

Wendy’s employment pathway was far from straight-forward and if you would draw it on a map, it would probably look like a messy scribble…She has never been focussed on one specific career, or study for that matter. Her bachelor in Liberal Arts and Sciences covered subjects including social sciences, European law and history to neurosciences…from here she went on to do a Master’s in Organisation Studies and zoomed in on Organisational change management. 

From here, after only started her first step into her career pathway, she decided to come to Australia on a working holiday visa. For a year she enjoyed the backpacking life before she hopped over to the neighbours: New Zealand. Working in Windy Wellington for several government agencies gave her a first taste of doing work with “purpose”. She worked on a Diversity Campaign for Engineering New Zealand and was part of the Sustainability team at Maritime New Zealand. 
Her return to Australia was decided by a flip of a coin: Tail for Fremantle, Heads for Adelaide. “I wanted to live in a small city that has plenty going on and where nature is close by.” 

Adelaide hasn’t been very forgiving as a close-knitted community. The saying “Who you know is more important than what you know” really seem to be true for the Adelaide job market and it took her a good few years to finally land in her current role. 

“Now, I feel incredibly grateful that I get to bring my core values of Love, Purpose, Mindfulness and Community into my daily work: Connecting people to create positive outcomes 
for the individual, our community & world we live in.
Like we say at Culturise, change is one of the few constants and to deal with change, we must have the tools to change our own responses - our habits. It’s what Adelaide has taught me for sure and I now feel more equipped to embracing change as well as leading it…” 

You can read more about the WTFuture? event on www.wtfuture.com.au or get in touch:
wendy@thedifferencecollective.com.au
And learn more about how we can help you creating a better workplace for all on www.culturise.com.au or reach out to jo.marshall@culturise.com.au

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