MEET THE MAESTRO INTERVIEW

Fiona - Strategic PR & communications

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At Maestro, we know there’s more to life than work. In our “Meet the Maestro” series, we peek beyond the CV to discover what makes our Maestros tick.

Fiona is Strategic PR and Communications specialist, with a passion for storytelling in all its forms. She  brings deep expertise across the full communications spectrum, from media relations and crisis management to social strategy, content creation and brand building. She’s worked across iconic brands, fast-moving start-ups and complex corporate environments, shaping comms that not only inform, but inspire. Whether it’s a high-stakes media moment or a long-form thought leadership piece, Fiona knows how to strike the right tone, every time. Her sweet spot lies at the intersection of finance, tech, media and B2B/B2C strategy; where clarity and creativity matter most.

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1. What do you do and what is your superpower that makes you incredible at what you do?  

My superpower is an uncanny ability to anticipate risk – a skill that's become even sharper since having a son who possesses virtually no risk awareness. I understand that’s not unusual for mums of boys. It's proved invaluable for crisis management, both professionally and at home. I'm also a jack of all trades (and master of quite a few of those), with over 30 years in communications across agency and in-house roles. I've been working in corporate affairs since it was a relatively new discipline, which means I've had the privilege of helping shape how organisations communicate during some fascinating times.  

2. Tell us about a career highlight to date…  

There have been so many memorable moments, every client brings something different. Working  as the Corporate Affairs lead at Seven during the 2000 Sydney Olympics was extraordinary. I worked with a team of people to develop the network’s incident management and crisis  communications plan in the lead-up and managed it throughout the Games. I think I averaged about four hours’ sleep per night for months, but every minute was worth it. Anyone working on the Brisbane Games is incredibly fortunate, and I hope it’s as memorable for them as Sydney was for me.  

I've also been privileged to work alongside some brilliant minds and Australia's leading business figures, people whose names you'd recognise from the financial pages. Getting exposure to how truly successful people think is a rare privilege that few professionals experience, and it's made me infinitely better at what I do.  

3. Talk us through an unusual career choice you've made along the way…  

When I was working at a PR firm in England, I somehow became the go-to person for ethically questionable clients - including a major tobacco company, just as the world was waking up to the health implications of smoking. It wasn't exactly a “choice” so much as I just seemed to be  allocated the challenging accounts.  

Whilst it taught me the art of spin and how to examine issues from unpopular perspectives, it also crystallised my own ethical stance. I will now only work with clients whose values align with mine, and I won't take on morally dubious work. I am currently doing a short temporary fractional role with a charity and thoroughly enjoying it. It’s meaningful work with an amazing team. It hardly feels like work when it’s so satisfying.  

4. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?  

A journalist or a lawyer – I couldn't decide between uncovering the truth or arguing about it. I started at News Corp after school and studied law for a time before heading to England for nearly a decade. Corporate Affairs feels like the perfect hybrid of both ambitions: you need communication skills, strategic thinking and a solid understanding of law and relevant legislation. It's probably why I particularly enjoy working in highly regulated industries like finance.  

5. What are your passions outside of work and how do you make time for them?  

I'm currently learning oil painting and attend art school in the evening – by paying for the course, I'm committed to it and less likely to skip when work gets demanding. I've met some wonderful people there, and coincidentally, the two women I sit with are also in similar fields. There's something quite therapeutic about creating something beautiful (or trying to) after a day of managing communications crises.  

I also love Pilates, though I'm more of a fair-weather participant there. But mostly, I'm passionate about my family. My youngest moved away for university this year, following his sister, and it feels like a limb is missing when I don't see them regularly. Making time for family isn't negotiable. It’s essential.  

6. If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be and why?  

Painting. There's something magical about distilling something complex into a series of loose brushstrokes that convey emotion. Whilst I'm incredibly detail-oriented professionally – it comes with the territory – I'd love to be far less focused on precision in my art and more focused on conveying feeling.  

7. What's a personal value or belief that guides the way you live your life?  

Have integrity in everything you do, stay true to your values, and I genuinely believe in karma.  What goes around definitely comes around, so I really try to be kind to people – we never know what's happening in their lives. It's a simple philosophy, but it's served me well both personally and professionally.  

8. What's a challenge you've overcome outside of work that shaped you?  

I lost my father at a relatively young age, and I was also one of those Gen X latchkey kids with divorced parents, so I had to become quite self-sufficient early on. That resilience is still a big part of who I am, but I'm determined that my children should feel supported no matter what and have the stability I feel I sometimes lacked.  

My husband and I have worked hard to create a loving, stable home for them. Family should always come first, and I think that philosophy has given me empathy professionally – I understand that people have rich, complex lives outside of work.  

9. What do you think your job will look like in 10 years' time?  

Much of it will likely be streamlined by AI, but I believe empathy and human insight will ensure we still need people in these roles. You can't automate genuine understanding of human nature and stakeholder relationships.  

On a slightly less serious note, in ten years I'm hoping my job might involve gardening, painting, and cooking in a French château somewhere. Pipe dreams and all that.  

10. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and what would  you do?  

There are so many places to explore – I feel like we need several parallel lives to see everything. As you can tell from my previous answer, owning a beautiful place in France (or Greece or Italy) is definitely on my bucket list. Something with good light for painting and a great kitchen.  

11. What does success look like to you?  

Success is being genuinely happy and content in both your professional and private life. It's about being healthy, fulfilled, and feeling like the work you do makes a positive difference, and is something you believe in. Financial freedom is certainly a bonus, but I don't need to run the world or be the wealthiest person in it. I just want to wake up each day feeling grateful for the life I've built.