FirstAct_Megan-Dalla-Camina

Time-stamped overview

03:00
Balancing corporate career, motherhood and education challenges.
05:30
Workplaces have progressed, but gender equality is still an issue.
09:31
Left corporate job to create Women Rising program.
12:20
Prioritising holistic wellbeing for sustainable self-care.
15:30
Empowering women to prioritize self-care amidst burnout.
17:55
Male Allies Program empowers men for gender equality.
21:00
How to identify your inner critic and the stories you tell yourself.
29:00
Going from startup to scaleup phase with Women Rising.
30:38
Finding and convincing new customers.
33:37
Team pursued Telstra award, valued rigorous process.
37:00
Empower women, understand external forces, claim control.

Hosts: Cec Busby and Adam Bub
Guest: Megan Dalla-Camina
Audio Production: Morgan Sebastian Brown for Pinstripe Media

From burnout to breakthrough: Megan Dalla-Camina is empowering women worldwide

Megan Dalla-Camina’s career is a masterclass in reinvention. From climbing the corporate ladder in male-dominated industries to becoming a best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for women’s empowerment, Megan has continually pushed boundaries and shattered glass ceilings.

But what happens when a high-flying executive decides to step away from the boardroom and embrace a life of purpose-driven work?

In this episode, Megan shares how leaving corporate life led her to redefine success, the pivotal moments that sparked her passion for empowering women, and the lessons she’s learned about balancing ambition with authenticity.

Tune in to uncover how Megan’s journey is inspiring a new generation of women leaders and why she believes true power comes from within.

Find out more about Megan Dalla-Camina and Women Rising.

KEY TOPICS

Professional background

  • Megan’s 18-year corporate career, notable roles include director at PwC and general manager at IBM
  • Experiences as a young mother balancing academic pursuits and a corporate career
  • Encountering burnout at IBM

Challenges in corporate environments

  • Lack of supportive structures for women during Megan’s corporate tenure
  • Issues like inflexible work cultures and insufficient discussions on authentic leadership and gender diversity

Gender equality and leadership

  • The need for improved gender equality in workplaces.
  • Ongoing challenges in male-dominated sectors like technology

Mission and women’s leadership

  • Megan’s motivation to improve workplace conditions for women
  • Creation of programs like Women Rising to advance leadership and gender diversity

The Women Rising Program

  • Program’s holistic approach begins with life vision and addresses confidence, career, and leadership
  • Integrative approach combining curriculum, coaching, and community
  • Male allies program to engage men in gender equality and provide tools for allyship

Inner critic strategies

  • Recognise and identify stories told by inner critics
  • Interrupt cognitive dissonance by questioning accuracy and seeking evidence
  • Reframe negative narratives into actionable plans
  • Specific archetypes, such as the perfectionist and people pleaser, and their handling strategies

Business Development and Scaling Challenges

  • Megan’s journey growing Women Rising from startup to a multi seven-figure business
  • Initial focus on concept testing through pilot programs in various organisations
  • Challenges in resourcing and team member investments
  • Growth via word-of-mouth and corporate partnerships

Personal wellbeing and balance

  • Importance of a holistic approach to mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing
  • Megan’s personal experiences with burnout and subsequent studies in wellness practices
  • Encouraging women to prioritise self-care with small, daily practices

Episodes

  • All
  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2019
Justus Hammer - First Act

What do pet owners want? Justus Hammer has figured it out with Mad Paws

If you’re mad about pets, you’ll be mad for our next guest … Justus Hammer. Justus is the founder of Mad Paws, Australia’s largest online pet care platform. Dubbed ‘Airbnb for pets’, Mad Paws matches pets with trusted pet sitters….

Dan Churchill on First Act

Celebrity chef Dan Churchill’s journey from MasterChef to Hemsworth-approved nutrition expert

He’s the Aussie chef who’s made it in the US, popping up on shows like Good Morning America and The Drew Barrymore Show. We first met Dan Churchill on season five of Masterchef Australia when he was making ‘dude food’. He’s since become a…

Irene Falcone Clean Nectarine

Bouncing back: How clean beauty entrepreneur Irene Falcone rose from the ashes of two businesses

You’d be hard pressed to find a more determined entrepreneur than Irene Falcone. From the comfort of her garage, Irene created low-tox eCommerce brand Nourished Life and eventually sold it for $20 million. But the experience was anything but nourishing,…

Jason Smith - First Act

Jason T Smith built a $100 million physio business from his garage – then sold it

Jason T Smith is someone who has redefined resilience in business. Jason’s entrepreneurial journey started with an entirely different goal – to become a medical missionary. But life took him on a detour, and at just 24, he founded what…

Aviv Palti, founder of Lifestyle Brands

Beyond profit: Aviv Palti’s journey from business to global impact

Aviv Palti is a lifelong entrepreneur with a knack for building businesses — and a heart set on making a difference. As the CEO of Lifestyle Brands and founder of the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST), Aviv’s journey weaves together…

Shaun Christie-David from Plate It Forward on First Act podcast

Recipe for change: How Shaun Christie David is serving up hope to refugees

Shaun Christie-David is a passionate entrepreneur who’s turning the tables on the food industry with a purpose-driven mission. As the founder of Plate it Forward, Shaun’s journey from the corporate world of finance to creating a socially conscious food business…

Tyson Koh - First Act

Tyson Koh talks night-time culture, Keep Sydney Open and life after RAGE

In this episode of First Act, host Cec Busby gets up close and personal with the founder of Keep Sydney Open, Tyson Koh. A self-described reluctant activist, Koh explains the genesis of the grassroots campaign which has since grown to…

How Michelle Fotheringham is saving ‘corporate escapees’ from the daily grind

People, culture and organisations are Michelle Fotheringham’s bread and butter. As the founder of Werkling – an on-demand talent platform – Michelle spends her day-to-day immersed in helping businesses assemble their dream teams. But it wasn’t always the case. Michelle is a…