As I write my final insight for the year, I do so with a heavy and tender heart.
As a proud Australian, the past few days have been confronting.
I’ve felt distracted, teary, angry – and at the same time overwhelmed by pride, awe, and love. Watching the scenes at Bondi, hearing the stories of those impacted, and witnessing ordinary people step forward to protect fellow humans has been deeply emotional.
My husband’s family is Jewish. As an interfaith family, we honour and practise many traditions that reflect both of our faiths. One of these is lighting the Hanukkah candles. Over the past few nights, as we’ve gathered to light them, I’ve found myself repeating the same message to my children: there is always light after dark.
It’s hard for them to comprehend why something like this could happen. If I’m honest, it’s hard for us as parents too. I don’t have neat answers. I try to reassure them – while also reassuring myself. In moments like these, certainty feels elusive. What remains is faith. Faith in humanity.
Faith in love.
Faith that darkness does not get the final word.
I refuse to believe that we live in a world where hatred is stronger than love. I can’t control what happens in our beautiful country or across the world. But I can choose how I respond.
I can love.
I can bring light where there is darkness.
I can believe – deeply and deliberately – that our connection to one another is stronger than fear, violence, or division.
I have no traditional leadership insight to offer this week, other than this: Love.
Love with everything you have.
Lead with compassion.
Bring light – in the way we speak to one another, in our actions, and in our thoughts.
We need light. Perhaps now more than ever.
Finally, thank you for being part of this community. I hope these leadership insights have offered you support, perspective, or pause throughout the year.
Wishing you, your families, and your teams an abundance of love and light as we welcome 2026.
