Female Leaders in the Spotlight series – Evelyn Lee, Manager, Internal Audit

"Embracing diversity is the key for our continuous improvement and resilience.”

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the achievements of women. This year IWD’s theme is ‘embrace equity’ through innovation for a gender-equal future. The focus is for change and education to achieve equity, equality and empowerment for all women and girls.

This feature is part of a series of profiles on some of the women that BMSA are fortunate to have across a range of our functional teams. In a largely male-centric industry, our women bring fresh perspectives and diverse influences to the table, that make a positive contribution to the overall success of the company.

How long have you been at BMSA and what does your role entail?

I joined BMSA in May 2020 and became the Internal Audit Manager in January 2022. My role is to support the organisation in bringing a systemic and disciplined approach to improve the effectiveness of our governance, risk management and internal controls.

Did you always want to be an Internal Audit Manager? What industries have you worked in?

I have worked in risk, audit and assurance for over ten years, with experiences spanning a diverse range of entities from federal government agencies to national and global corporations.
Internal Audit is a great career, because the skillsets can translate to a wide variety of different industries. It is also a function where we have a view across all business units and levels of management. We get to see and work with the big picture, and the smaller, nitty gritty things. Our work is constantly evolving, so I’m always learning new things.

Were you mentored earlier in your career?

Mentors have been and continue to be an important part of my career development. I have participated in mentoring and reverse-mentoring programs. It is a great way to connect to professionals at different stages of their career and be able to discuss achievements, disappointments, opportunities and aspirations, in a safe space.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t focus on the failures, focus on the learnings.

Do you have a motto in life or a favourite saying?

“Be present in the moment.” I’m not sure who this is attributed to, but it inspires me.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to take a pause to reflect on where we as an organisation and society are standing on gender equality issues—and cupcakes.

In a predominantly male-dominated industry, what are women able to offer the business?

Research from experts and academic institutions across the world have consistently shown that diverse organisations perform better than homogenous organisations. We work in a global organisation with a global audience, where technological and societal change is a constant. Embracing diversity is the key for our continuous improvement and resilience.

What’s been a highlight for you in your role at BMSA?

In recent months, I have been travelling to the different branches to perform audits. It has been a great opportunity to make connections and meet colleagues in person.

What advice would you like to give other women in an earlier stage of their career journey?

Good communication is the most important skill for any career. This skill will mean different things to different people, depending on your role, profession, and the stakeholders you directly work with. So what success looks like will also evolve as you move forward in your career.

Are you a cat or a dog person?

Neither. I’m a plant person.

What’s your secret skill?

I like cooking in my spare time. The results are sometimes a little hit and miss, but there’s always fun stories to tell afterwards!

What is a fun fact about you that your colleagues wouldn’t know?

My favourite place in Australia (outside of Sydney, which will always be home) is Lord Howe Island—and yes, I have been there.