For Michelle, safety isn’t just a checklist—it’s a calling. Her journey into Work Health and Safety (WHS) began with a life-altering moment. At just twenty, while working at British Airways in London, Michelle took a call from a client in the World Trade Centre—just as the first tower was struck on 9/11. The chaos and heartbreak of that day left an indelible mark, igniting a lifelong commitment to protecting people at work and in the broader community.
Michelle’s career has spanned continents and sectors. From media roles at The Guardian & Observer and Time Out London to studying mental health in the slums of Northern India on a United Nations scholarship, her path has been shaped by a deep curiosity about human behaviour and resilience. Since moving to Australia in 2008, she’s brought that insight to roles across health and disability services, underpinned by a Bachelor of Psychology and a belief that WHS is about leadership, care, and creating the conditions for people to thrive.
“No two hours are the same,” Michelle says of her role. Whether she’s reviewing incident data, conducting risk assessments, or leading debriefs after challenging events, her focus is always on people. “Leadership is about seeing people as individuals, empowering them to do their best work, and ensuring they know they matter.”
Michelle leads a trusted WHS team here at Sylvanvale, that shares her values of honesty, support, and shared responsibility. Together, they tackle a wide range of challenges—from physical risks like manual handling and fatigue to psychological hazards such as stress and burnout. Her approach blends structure with empathy: clear systems and training, paired with a deep awareness of how people are feeling on the ground.
Her advice to all staff? “If something doesn’t feel right, say something. Your instinct is a powerful survival tool.”
To stay ahead of evolving WHS standards, Michelle engages with Safe Work NSW, participates in professional forums, and draws on peer learning. She’s also completing an MBA, which adds a strategic lens to her work—aligning safety with leadership, wellbeing, and sustainable performance.
Michelle’s work has a profound ripple effect. By fostering a culture where staff feel physically and emotionally safe, she helps create the conditions for consistent, compassionate, and high-quality support for clients. “When our teams feel safe and supported, they’re better able to be present, responsive, and caring. That stability and trust directly benefit the people we support—it’s the foundation for great service and meaningful relationships.”
And while many might picture WHS as clipboards and compliance, Michelle sees it differently. “It’s about people. It’s about culture. It’s about creating workplaces where everyone feels valued, capable, and safe to bring their whole selves to work.”
