BOSS WOMAN SERIES 234 | Elizabeth from @Elizabethleemla
Perhaps a little boring but my go to drink is sparkling water. If I do have alcohol, it is usually a glass of sparkling. I also make sure I have an abundant supply of Altina in my office for when I feel like something special that’s not alcoholic!
Tell us about YOU?
I’m Elizabeth Lee, Leader of the Opposition in the ACT and Member for Kurrajong. Before entering the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2016, I was a law lecturer at The Australian National University and University of Canberra; and a practising lawyer in both private and government practice. I migrated to Australia from South Korea at the age of seven and moved to Canberra when I was 18 to study law and Asian Studies at the ANU. I fell in love with Canberra and am now raising my almost 3-year-old daughter, Mia, and partner, Nathan.
It is a great privilege to be elected by your community to be their voice in the ACT’s Parliament. I believe Australian Parliaments (at all levels) should be comprised of and reflect the diversity that we see in our community; where the voices of those that have been largely unheard for too long are heard. I am passionate about creating a more connected capital where every Canberran has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Tell us about *your business and how it came to be, where did the passion come from?
Growing up in Western Sydney having migrated to Australia when I was 7-years-old, I knew I stood out. I did not see many children who looked like me, who sounded like me, who ate the same food as me. I desperately wanted to fit in but as I grew up, I realised the value of my cultural heritage and upbringing. For too long, Australian Parliaments (at all levels) have not reflected the diversity of our community and too often, decisions were made for us by those who did not truly represent us. As a lawyer, I was an advocate for my clients; as Chair of the Australian Young Lawyers Committee and Vice President of the ACT Law Society, I was an advocate for my profession and my colleagues. Having had the privilege of access to a good education, I knew that my passion lay in being an advocate for my community. Being able to be a voice for the community is what drove me to politics and whilst I did not set out to be the first Korean-Australian elected member of parliament or the first Asian-Australian leader of a major party, it is a role that I am proud of and I will do what I can to inspire other Australians from multicultural backgrounds that they can make a positive contribution to Australian politics and public life.
Do you have any lessons learnt/things you would do differently for those starting out in the business world?
The saying: “you can’t be what you can’t see” really speaks to me. As a young girl from Korea growing up in Western Sydney, a life in Australian politics was just not an option for me.
I was raised by parents who believed girls could do anything. So it was a bit of a surprise when I first went into professional life to learn that I was not always going to be judged on my merit, character or work ethic. I don’t know that there’s anything that I would specifically do differently but a crucial lesson I did learn in my journey into politics is definitely about not letting the negative experiences deter you. Politics can be brutal and keeping a very clear sense of your values (and continually reminding yourself of them) is really important to make sure you don’t get swept up in the negativity or your opponents.
Any advice for those who are thinking about turning their dreams into a reality?
Be resilient. Don’t give up. Know your purpose. Know your value. Do not underestimate how hard you worked to be afforded those opportunities. Never underestimate yourself and value what you do. If you don’t, you can’t expect anyone else to.
The journey to leadership – whether in business, politics, corporate leadership or in other areas of your life – can be long and arduous. So, when it comes to your own journey remember that you are human. We all make mistakes, and we sometimes make the wrong calls.
But all of this is worth it, to make a real difference to your community and to the lives of real people. Be open to all opportunities – even the ones that seem left of field. Sometimes those are the most life-changing ones.
