2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
Holding a Double Business Masters (International Business and Marketing), certification as a Digital Marketing Professional and with 20 years’ experience, I am an experienced marketing communication, corporate and government relations, strategy, policy and business development professional.
Having held senior positions in economic development, investment and trade and marketing and communications, I have gained extensive experience working with the most senior levels across the public sector, and with industry leaders in the private sector, to drive and influence positive outcomes. Experience has crossed a range of sectors including public service; technology; defence, cyber and space; food and beverage; retail, transport and logistics; and advanced manufacturing.
I have also spent time working for both major political parties in South Australia and Victoria as an advisor across Investment and Trade, Immigration, International Education, Small Business, and Tourism and Major Events portfolios.
// Favourite inspirational quote
Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right, forgive the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get the chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. – Dr Seuss
// Let’s get to know you
I am a daughter, sister, friend, business owner. Determined, extremely loyal, independent, creative, grounded, a realist (some would say cynic), honest. I grew up in an old school Italian family – being the daughter of migrants, importance of family, education and work ethic have filtered into my life.
I have an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences, then completed a Double Business Masters majoring in International Business and Marketing. I also have a Digital Marketing Professional Certification through the international Digital Marketing Institute.
Like many people at 16 years, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I finished school so picked subjects that didn’t help me at all. I started my career as a Youth Development Officer (the first one for the Clare and Gilbert Valley Council) and then fell into the following jobs through opportunity and word of mouth. There was and is no plan or direction to my career – I look at opportunities and how they fit me and me them. More now than ever, purpose, ethics, and values play a huge part.
Mockingbird was set up after two really difficult employment experiences and negative cultures; in a way it was the platform to allow me to fall back in love with what I did and remind me that I was good at it. Professionally, the roles that probably stand out most would be working in politics, my role with City of Salisbury and now being my own business. Volunteering especially with organisations that support disengaged and disadvantaged children and young people, provide perspective. Outside of working with my clients on delivering their goals, my main focus this year is delivering Part 2 of my Decoding Cyber Safety Program
// What makes you a Women to Watch for 2024?
Bringing together my extensive experience to create Mockingbird Consultancy, I am able to deliver a holistic experience to clients that incorporates strategy, marketing communications, business development and government/stakeholder relations. Being a one-stop-shop provides the opportunity to actively participate an understand all elements of what clients are looking for and incorporate this into planning and delivery.
More broadly, I am still able to deliver my own projects and am committed to seeing part 2 of Decoding Cyber Safety released. Having begun my career as a Youth Development Officer, I am passionate about seeing young people thrive and be in positive environments. Seeing the stats and impact that online activity has, Decoding Cyber Safety is a way of providing positive tools to support their development and online life, and working with local businesses to deliver has been a bonus.
// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
This year, the plan is to continue helping businesses to thrive from a strategic mindset, whilst also moving forward on two key things that I want this year:
– to re-enter a business/organisation to assist them directly achieve their goals and objectives as a part of a team, whilst continuing Mockingbird Consultancy
– release Part 2 of my Decoding Cyber Safety Program; an educator toolkit to assist them to teach cyber safety and digital awareness to students aged 6 – 16 years, and potentially add a game level to Cyber Safety Dash
With most things, there is little plan. Identifying and being successful in securing a dream role will realise point one. Part 2 of Decoding Cyber Safety is almost complete with a couple of steps left to deliver and these are in train (fingers crossed, it goes live in the first half of the year).
// What would being a Woman to Watch for 2024 mean to you?
Having my career and business recognised for what has been, and to be acknowledged as someone that still has a contribution and value to make in the state, would be amazing. It would also be the first recognition that I would have received as a person (previous recognition and awards have been for projects that I’ve led, developed or implemented).
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
I don’t think there is an ideal future – I think the twists and turns are essential in creating who we are.
I strongly believe women can be each other’s greatest supporters and harshest critics. When thinking about what the future could look like, I think it’s more about encouraging and supporting girls and women to be the main actor in their life. That can be focusing on family, succeeding in academia, in professional environments, in the arts, the list goes on. There’s no right or wrong – show up every day and give it your all, knowing that some days will be harder than others and it doesn’t matter if you succeed or fail, just be happy and have fun.
Life is about the ups and downs, learn from all of them but recognise which ones to fight and which ones to let go.
Get in touch with Nina:
LinkedIn: Nina Parletta
Website: www.mockingbirdconsultancy.com.au
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
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