But a job opportunity at Aurora Energy “completely reshaped” her career path, giving her broader perspective as to what else was available.
During her eight years at Aurora, she led regulatory affairs and later broadened her portfolio to include risk, assurance, and compliance.
Recently, she was appointed head of legal, risk and compliance at MTF Finance, where she joins the company’s senior leadership team.
While Ms Ross started with a law degree from the University of Otago, she developed a transferable skillset, largely due to the opportunities she had been offered, she said.
She encouraged others to take time to think about where they wanted their career to go. That also involved having discussions with employers who might see opportunities otherwise unseen.
Originally from Invercargill, Ms Ross spent time in Central Otago when she was growing up and she felt very connected to the South. A year 13 student exchange to Switzerland was to be a life-changing, formative experience for her.
After graduating, she practised commercial law in Wellington and Perth before moving to Dunedin a decade ago, keen to be closer to family in Central Otago.
With young children at the time, she said Dunedin was a “fantastic place” to raise a family and that was a big drawcard, along with still having a city experience.
The time at Aurora was both challenging and rewarding and she was able to grow as a leader. After eight years, it was time for a change and her departure also provided space for others to step up and develop, and for fresh thinking to come through, she said.
She had developed a keen sense of wanting to be in and a part of a business and she valued being able to support both the people in a business and those that they served.
MTF was an organisation that had been on her radar for a while. There were also not many roles like that in the city for her.
She liked the structure and community focus and she was excited about the impact she could have on customer outcomes and the MTF network.
“My focus is how legal, risk and compliance can create better customer experiences, not just tick-the-box functions,” she said.
Being present in the office and having a Dunedin-based role was also important to her, along with the opportunity to sit on the senior leadership team. Five of the team’s eight members are women.
Another similarity with Aurora was a willingness to invest in its leaders. While governance was something she was keen to pursue again, she was giving herself some space to grow into her new role.
MTF had a unique structure and it was also joining a new industry, moving from an electricity regulator and the world of distribution to consumer finance.
MTF chief executive Chris Lamers said Ms Ross’ appointment added further strength and depth to the company’s senior leadership team.
