Julie Watkins’ career has been anything but linear. As Chief People Officer at UniSuper, she occupies a leadership position that demands strategic foresight, resilience, and a deep commitment to fostering workplace culture. But as she reflects on her professional journey, Julie describes it as ‘squiggly’—a term coined by a team member.

Unlike those who have carefully mapped out their trajectory, Julie admits she wasn’t always certain about where she was headed. Her professional experiences are diverse: she has worked in tax accounting; spent four years working in a foreign country without speaking the local language; served as an assistant to a partner in professional services; and held numerous HR roles at both national and Asia-Pacific levels. Along the way, she has pursued additional studies to broaden her expertise. Her story serves as a testament to adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to pivot across industries and disciplines.

Throughout her career, Julie has received valuable advice that has shaped her leadership approach. One particularly memorable piece of feedback came from an ‘intimidating, very senior French man’, who, early in her career said, “Back yourself, Julie. Find a way to manage that self-talk in your head—it detracts from your impact.”

Similarly, reflecting on what others ‘say or think about you when you’re not in the room? If you don’t know, find out.’ Understanding how she is perceived has helped her refine her leadership style and impact.

For Julie, success is about measurable, tangible outcomes for the organisation and its people. HR, she acknowledges, is a field that requires both ‘heart and head’ work—balancing empathy with strategy. Maintaining this balance means taking care of herself outside of work, ensuring she has the energy to give her best to every aspect of her life.

A strong advocate for gender equity, Julie has been an active member of Women in Super for six years. Her favourite interaction with WIS was the recent celebration of our 30th anniversary — an event marked by an inspirational speech by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The evening reinforced the importance of bringing along male champions to events. ‘True progress’, she argues, ‘requires collaboration across genders, with all voices pulling together to advocate for meaningful change.’ Julie is passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces and believes that gender equity cannot be achieved in isolation.

In her role at UniSuper, Julie embodies a leadership style that is both pragmatic and deeply human. Her ‘squiggly’ journey serves as an inspiring reminder that careers are not always predictable. What matters is the impact one makes along the way.