Give to Gain: Recognising Those Who Inspire and Uplift Others

About the Contributors:

Lisa Fry, PMO Manager, E&DC Sector:
Lisa focuses on bringing structure, clarity, and support to the teams delivering North’s programmes. She is driven by helping people succeed and seeing the difference that good project governance can make.

Kerri Cobb, Bid Administrator:
Kerri ensures that the bid process is organised, accurate, and collaborative. She is motivated by contributing to opportunities that fuel North’s growth and being part of something bigger than herself.

Rebecca Beazley, PMO Manager, Public Services:
Rebecca creates clarity and consistency in project delivery across the Public Services sector. She is driven by empowering project teams to perform at their best and providing confidence through improved processes.

Shannon Moore, People Partner (HRIS):
Shannon improves and simplifies people processes so the People team can focus on adding value rather than administration. She is motivated by creating systems that genuinely support people and enable growth, development, and meaningful conversations.

1. Is there a piece of work or moment at North you’re especially proud of?

Shannon Moore: I’m especially proud of modernising our people capability, particularly developing our new People AI chatbot and the People Data cube. Both have improved access to information, decision-making, and freed the People team to spend more time adding value.

Lisa Fry: I’m proud of building more consistent and supportive PMO practices across the business. My focus has been on creating processes that genuinely make people’s work easier.

Kerri Cobb: One moment I’m particularly proud of is when I felt fully integrated into the team and started contributing confidently to the bid process. It’s less about one big achievement and more about the accumulation of small, meaningful wins where the team can depend on me.

Rebecca Beazley: I’m proud of how far our PMO capability has come – better reporting, stronger governance, and a more mature approach to delivery across the business. Seeing that shift happen and continue to develop is incredibly rewarding.

2. Who has supported, challenged, or inspired you along the way?

Lisa: I’ve been fortunate to work with leaders who give me space to grow, trust my judgement, and gently push me to step outside my comfort zone. My manager and teammates have all influenced me in different ways – by challenging my thinking and offering support when I needed it.

Kerri: Throughout my career – from hospitality management to sales administration and now bids – I’ve been lucky to work with leaders and colleagues who challenged me to grow. At North, support from teammates who value collaboration and open communication has been instrumental in helping me gain confidence.

Shannon: I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by strong women who continually inspire, challenge, and support me. Their openness, honesty, and willingness to share experiences have shaped my confidence and approach to my career.

3. What’s something people might not realise about your role or career journey so far?

Shannon: That HRIS is purely technical, but a big part of my role is actually about people and relationships. Listening to what teams really need and turning that into practical solutions helps everyone work more effectively.

Lisa: People often assume a PMO role is mostly about processes, but so much of it is really about people. Communication, empathy, and problem-solving play an even bigger part. My career path hasn’t been a straight line; it’s been shaped by learning, adapting, and recognising what I’m naturally good at.

Kerri: People might not realise just how varied my background is. Before joining North, I worked in hospitality and sales administration roles, which taught me resilience, people skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure – skills that are invaluable in bids.

Rebecca: They don’t realise how much of the PMO role is people-focused. Of course, there are processes, documents, and data, but underneath it all is coaching, influencing, and building relationships.

4. International Women’s Day reflects on how we give and gain strength, opportunity, and equality. What does “Give to Gain” mean to you?

Kerri: Give to Gain means uplifting the people around you and creating space for everyone to succeed. Sharing knowledge, encouragement, or even a bit of your time builds mutual respect and collective strength.

Lisa: To me, Give to Gain means investing time, encouragement, and kindness in others, knowing it creates a stronger team. When we share knowledge, lift others up, or simply listen, we create space for everyone to thrive.

Shannon: Give to Gain is about kindness and generosity in everyday moments. Sharing knowledge, offering support, and lifting others up where you can.

Rebecca: To me, Give to Gain means investing in others without expecting anything in return. Sharing knowledge, offering support, and lifting people up strengthens the whole team.

5. What inspires you outside of work, and does it influence how you support others?

Shannon: I’m inspired by my friends and family, and especially by my little boy. He’s a constant reminder of what really matters: patience, kindness, and showing up for the people around you. Being a parent has given me a deeper appreciation for balance, flexibility, and empathy, which I bring into my support of others at work.

Kerri: I’m inspired by connection – through family, friendships, or experiences that help me grow. I try to bring empathy and positivity into my role, supporting colleagues the same way I value being supported.

Rebecca: Outside of work, I’m inspired by people who show resilience and kindness. Ordinary moments where people quietly help others or push through challenges shape how I lead. Calm leadership helps others feel confident and capable.

Lisa: I’m inspired by people who look out for each other. That sense of connection and support shapes how I work too. I try to be approachable, open, and reliable because I know how much it matters to feel that someone has your back.

6. What’s one woman who inspires you, and why?

Rebecca: One woman who truly inspires me is my mum. During my childhood, she was incredibly career-driven while still juggling things at home. Seeing that showed me what hard work and success can look like, and I hope my own career reflects the work ethic she passed on to me.

Lisa: A woman who inspires me is my closest friend, Steph. Despite experiencing unimaginable loss, she gets up every single day and keeps moving forward, raising her son on her own while navigating grief. Her resilience, courage, and love inspire me more than she will ever know.

Shannon: I’m inspired by women who lead with both confidence and empathy, creating space for others while holding high standards. Working alongside women like this throughout my career has shaped who I am today.

Kerri: Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She demonstrated resilience by pushing boundaries and refusing to be limited by traditional gender roles, inspiring women who continue to grow, evolve, and lead despite challenges.

7. If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

Kerri: Don’t underestimate your ability to adapt and succeed in new environments. Every experience – good or challenging – builds skills and confidence. Trust the journey and stay open to change.

Shannon: You don’t need to have everything figured out, especially at 16. It’s okay to change direction, try different paths, and learn as you go. Confidence comes from taking small steps forward, not from having a perfect plan, and every experience adds something valuable.

Rebecca: Stop doubting yourself so much. That feeling of “I’m not sure I belong here” is just imposter syndrome talking, not reality. You’re more capable than you give yourself credit for, and you’ll grow into every challenge you take on.

Lisa: Believe in yourself. You don’t need to have every answer to make a difference, and you definitely don’t need to be perfect to have an impact. You’re stronger and more capable than you realise.

Visit the International Women’s Day website to learn more about the Gain to Give initiative.