Driving Fuse Forward: The Women Shaping Our Business

At Fuse Recruitment, progress has always been driven by people. Behind our growth, our partnerships, and our culture are individuals who bring leadership, expertise and perspective to the business every day.

This International Women’s Day, we’re recognising five women who continue to shape Fuse’s direction across marketing, leadership, recruitment and operations. From building national divisions to strengthening client partnerships and supporting the business behind the scenes, each has played an important role in driving Fuse forward.

We asked them to share insights from their careers, the impact they’ve made and their advice for other women building their professional journeys.

Madeleine Martin

National Manager, Insurance & Financial Services

You’ve built a long-term career in insurance recruitment. What keeps you passionate about this industry?

The industry is always changing and evolving and that keeps it interesting for me and I feel challenged to keep up. I also really enjoy the connection of the industry. There are fantastic, inclusive industry bodies that really value our input and advice surrounding the talent landscape, and we have a wonderful group of loyal clients that I love working with.

I’m at the stage of my career where I have seen many of our clients’ businesses grow from start-up phase to large and very successful leaders in the insurance market. It has been wonderful to have involvement in their growth.

How has motherhood shaped your leadership style or decision-making?

I was learning to parent and lead teams at the same time, and the two have definitely shaped each other. While there are obvious differences, the core is similar, it’s about helping people grow into their best over time.

Both roles have taught me to coach rather than control, to set clear boundaries and expectations, and to stay patient when progress or success isn’t instant. Motherhood has probably made me more empathetic and given me perspective as a leader, while leadership has made me more calm and consistent at home, most of the time.

What is something you’ve introduced or championed that has strengthened Fuse’s presence in the insurance sector?

Most recently I have been investing my time in developing and delivering educational webinars to the industry for organisations such as ANZIIF and UAC, something I have really enjoyed.

I hope the industry finds value in these sessions and that we have been able to share insights they might not otherwise have access to. It can be confronting and nerve-wracking to put your ideas out there, but the feedback has been really positive so far.

What advice would you give to women who want to grow into leadership roles?

I genuinely believe there are more opportunities today than ever before for women who want to step into leadership.

Growth comes from backing yourself, continuing to develop your capability, and being willing to raise your hand for stretch opportunities. I really value leaders who lead from the front and aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves.

It can be tempting to look for the fast track, but I truly believe credibility is built over time. Earn your spot, build your capability, support the people around you and the leadership opportunities will follow.

Nicole Hart

Chief Marketing Officer

You’ve moved into a senior leadership role shaping strategy at a broader business level. What has been the biggest mindset shift in that transition?

I have always been comfortable in operational delivery. I enjoy building, improving and executing. The biggest mindset shift has been moving from focusing on the “how” to stepping back and thinking about the “why” and the longer-term impact.

Strategy at a broader business level has pushed me outside my comfort zone. It requires thinking beyond immediate outcomes and considering how decisions influence the business over time. That shift has challenged me, but it has also been one of the most rewarding parts of the transition.

How has becoming a mum influenced the way you lead your team or approach career growth?

Before becoming a mum, my time was my own. I would throw myself into work, long hours, always connected and striving to deliver at a high level. The juggle has been real, and it has forced me to rethink how I work.

I am far more protective of my time and my team’s time. We focus heavily on prioritising high-impact, ROI-generating activity and being clear on what actually moves the needle.

It has also taught me the importance of delegation and trust. My way is not always the only or best way, and stepping back has allowed others to grow and develop in their own style.

In many ways, becoming a mum has made me a more intentional leader.

What’s one initiative you’ve helped lead that has had a meaningful impact on Fuse’s growth?

Implementing automation and embedding it across our business has been one of the most meaningful initiatives.

Automation now touches almost every process in the business, from candidate communication through to client engagement and internal workflows. It has improved efficiency, reduced manual burden on our consultants and helped us deliver a more seamless experience.

For me, it’s not a one-off project. It’s an ongoing commitment to refining processes and using technology thoughtfully to support growth and better outcomes.

What message would you share with women aiming for senior leadership roles but unsure they’re ready yet?

You may never feel completely ready. I certainly haven’t always felt that way. Imposter syndrome is real, and I have experienced it myself.

What has made the difference for me is being surrounded by supportive leaders and a team that backs me. When you have people who believe in you, it becomes easier to believe in yourself.

Back yourself, ask questions, seek out the right support network and be willing to step forward before you feel 100 percent comfortable.

Melissa Kennedy

National Manager, Manufacturing & Operations

What draws you to leadership within manufacturing and operations?

What draws me to leadership within manufacturing and operations is the real-world impact the sector has. It’s where strategy turns into something tangible.

Having supported this industry for over 22 years as a recruitment leader, I’ve seen firsthand how strong operational leadership shapes safety, productivity, culture and long-term business success.

Right now manufacturing is evolving rapidly. Automation, sustainability, supply chain resilience and workforce capability are all front of mind. That creates both pressure and opportunity.

As a mum in a national leadership role, what have you learnt about setting boundaries or sustaining energy?

Being a mum of three while holding a leadership role has taught me a lot about boundaries, mostly through learning the hard way.

Earlier in my career, I didn’t set clear boundaries. I said yes to everything and tried to be available at all hours. Over time that led to burnout.

What I’ve learnt is that boundaries aren’t selfish, they’re strategic. I focus on high-value activities such as strategic direction, developing people and key client relationships.

At home it’s the same principle. Being present matters more than being constantly connected.

Motherhood has forced clarity, prioritisation and perspective. Long-term performance depends on sustainability, not just effort.

What achievement are you most proud of contributing to at Fuse?

I’m most proud of helping shape Fuse’s Manufacturing & Operations capability into a nationally respected specialist division and doing that consistently over 13 years.

Manufacturing has experienced challenging market cycles, from economic slowdowns to COVID disruption and supply chain pressure. I’m proud that our team remained a constant during those periods.

What I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built over time. Despite changes along the way, we’ve continued to move forward with purpose and create an environment where people feel supported and valued.

What progress for women in the workplace are you most proud to see?

The progress I’m most proud to see is the shift from simply talking about equal opportunity to genuinely creating environments of respect and flexibility.

Flexibility has been a game changer. High performance doesn’t have to look like being physically present 24/7.

True equality is when gender isn’t the headline. Performance, contribution and leadership are.

Chelsey Elfverson

Senior Recruitment Consultant – Manufacturing

You came from a manufacturing and FMCG background before moving into recruitment. How does that experience shape how you support clients and candidates?

My background in FMCG and laboratory and technical roles has provided a strong foundation that directly shapes how I support clients and candidates today.

Having worked hands-on within the industry, I understand not just the terminology but the realities of the workplace, from production pressures to quality standards and how departments collaborate to keep operations running smoothly.

That experience allows me to have more informed conversations with hiring managers about what a role truly requires beyond the job description.

It also helps me connect more authentically with candidates. I understand the challenges they face, the career pathways available and the technical competencies that matter.

Ultimately, my industry background allows me to bridge the gap between clients and candidates with credibility and insight.

What opportunities do you see for women building long-term careers in manufacturing?

I’ve seen significant positive change in the opportunities available for women in manufacturing.

Workplaces are becoming far more intentional about inclusive leadership, structured career pathways and diversity initiatives.

There is also growing flexibility in how roles are structured, including flexible working arrangements, job sharing and more adaptable shift models.

At the same time, the rise of AI and automation is reshaping manufacturing. These advancements are creating new career pathways in areas such as data analysis, robotics, systems management and process optimisation, opening doors for women to step into highly skilled, future-focused roles.

What advice would you give to women early in their careers considering manufacturing, operations or recruitment?

Back yourself and step into the opportunity, even if you don’t feel 100 percent ready.

These industries value capability, problem-solving and resilience more than perfection.

In manufacturing and operations, spend time on the floor, ask questions and learn how processes truly work. Understanding the operational heartbeat of a business sets you apart.

Also don’t shy away from automation, data or AI-driven systems. Technology is reshaping these environments and being comfortable with it will future-proof your career.

Monique Abbenhuis

Executive Assistant

Working closely with senior leadership, what has that taught you about career growth?

Career growth isn’t always noticeable to everyone else. It’s about impact, ownership and trust.

Having visibility into how decisions are made has shown me how important communication, adaptability and open-mindedness really are.

One thing I genuinely value about Fuse is that you’re in control of your own career here. If you want to grow and you’re willing to put in the work, you’re supported to do exactly that.

For me, growth has meant stepping outside my original job description, backing myself before I felt completely ready and being comfortable in rooms where I’m still learning.

What qualities stand out most in leaders who create supportive workplaces?

The qualities I notice most are genuine care, passion and a real desire to do good work.

When leaders genuinely care, you feel it. It makes you want to do better and push yourself.

They create an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, seeking advice and figuring things out while knowing they’re there to support you.

That balance of guidance and trust gives people the confidence to step up, back themselves and keep improving.

How have you helped support the growth of the business behind the scenes?

A big part of my role supporting Mat and Ty has been giving them time back to focus on the other parts of the business, whether that’s being out with clients, building relationships or spending more time working closely with the team.

That shift has helped strengthen client relationships and open new opportunities for the business.

Operationally, I focus on making the workday easier for our team. That might be improving platforms and systems, keeping processes and information up to date or tightening how things run behind the scenes.

A lot of it isn’t always visible, but it’s about creating clarity so the business can grow without things feeling chaotic.

What are you most proud of contributing to at Fuse?

I’m proud of the role I’ve played in bringing more structure and clarity as the business has grown.

A lot of that work hasn’t been flashy. It’s been refining processes, improving systems and making sure things actually get followed through.

But that consistency has helped give leadership the space to focus on growth, and I’m proud to be someone the business can rely on to keep things moving behind the scenes.

Key Lessons from the Women Driving Fuse Forward

Every career journey is different, but the insights shared by these women reveal several common themes about leadership, growth and impact.

1. Back yourself before you feel completely ready

One of the strongest messages across these conversations is that confidence often comes after you take the step forward. Whether it’s stepping into leadership, speaking at industry events or moving into a new role, growth often begins by raising your hand and trusting your capability.

2. Leadership is about developing others

Many of the leaders featured spoke about the importance of coaching, guiding and creating space for others to succeed. Strong leadership is not about control. It’s about helping people grow into their potential over time.

3. Sustainable performance matters more than constant hustle

Several of the women highlighted the importance of boundaries, prioritisation and focusing on work that truly moves the needle. Long-term success isn’t about doing everything. It’s about directing energy towards the things that create the greatest impact.

4. Industry expertise creates stronger partnerships

From technical manufacturing knowledge to deep insurance sector experience, expertise plays a critical role in building trust with clients and candidates. Investing time in understanding an industry deeply allows professionals to deliver greater value.

5. Progress happens when people contribute in different ways

Not every contribution looks the same. Some drive strategy and innovation, others build high-performing teams or strengthen client partnerships, and some create the structure and clarity that allows a business to operate effectively behind the scenes.

Together, these contributions are what move organisations forward.

Across different teams, roles and career stages, each of these women has contributed to the momentum behind Fuse Recruitment.

Whether it’s strengthening industry partnerships, building high-performing teams, improving systems or supporting the business behind the scenes, their work continues to shape how Fuse grows and evolves.

Their stories are a reminder that progress isn’t driven by one path or one role. It’s driven by people who show up, contribute and continue to move the business forward.