For over 160 years, we’ve played an important role in supporting our customers and their communities. But right at the heart of our impact has always been our people. Our culture is one that values your individuality, your judgement and your contribution. As we move forward, that’s not going to change. Read on to hear from our Project Coordinator, Hayler Lister, about what care, humility and connectedness look like at Bendigo Bank.
From uncertainty to opportunity
When Hayley first joined us as a Customer Service Officer in 2016, it was meant to be a temporary solution. But as she planned her next career move, she discovered a world of possibilities right here at Bendigo Bank.
“The longer I stayed, the more I enjoyed working at the bank,” she reflects. “The beauty of being at a large organisation is that you can explore opportunities in other fields. Not only did this make me question what kind of work I wanted to do, but also what kind of change I wanted to be a part of.”
In her eight-plus years with us, Hayley has built a solid foundation to reach new heights. What's kept her here all this time? Hayley says it's our culture of learning, accountability and commitment to work towards a more inclusive, welcoming way forward. Now, as Project Coordinator, she's excited about what's to come - both for her career and our organisation.
“We’re at a really unique time at the bank,” says Hayley. “Our executive and senior leaders recognise that we’re not necessarily a place where First Nations people want to work. But our leaders also are willing to listen and work to become a better and more inviting place for all. Hearing people of influence ask those questions is a lot rarer than you think.”
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Advocacy and support
Originally from Innisfail in Far North Queensland, Hayley has always been a passionate advocate for First Nations voices. This commitment is reflected in her work at Bendigo Bank, where she combines her corporate and lived experience to drive meaningful change.
One of her proudest moments came when she presented the Reconciliation Action Plan to the Build for Scale team.
“There were over 100 people on the call,” says Hayley. “I presented the work we were doing, the goals we had and the progress we aimed to make. Although it was challenging content, I wanted to make it inviting and engaging.
“The response was overwhelmingly positive. People were eager to learn and contribute. I’m conscious that it’s hard to change people’s perspective overnight, especially around race and culture, but that was one of my proudest moments at the bank.”
Hayley is also involved in Mob@Ben, a support and advocacy group for First Nations staff within our organisation.
“Mob@Ben is great because we get together, share our experiences and offer support to those who need it. It’s about supporting our First Nations staff who may be feeling a heavier cultural burden. Where we see a need for more First Nations voices, we can decide as a group who steps into that space.”
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Hayley’s motivation
Outside of work, Hayley is an avid triathlete, currently gearing up for an Ironman event. An intense training regime keeps her busy, but she likes to balance her schedule with social activities such as catching up with friends over dinner and drinks.
In her professional life, Hayley is a hard worker and a go-getter. Currently based in our Adelaide office, she is a Project Coordinator for our Build for Scale team - her fifth role within the organisation, Hayley’s role centres on driving the bank’s digital transformation, specifically enhancing the lending experience for customers and brokers.
As well as the leaders who saw her potential and encouraged her to grow, Hayley’s remarkable career progression is a testament to her hard work and adaptability. In each role, she has gained new skills and invaluable experience to propel her career forward.
“I love connecting with our team and working to improve the workplace so that it’s easier for people to carry out their job. We have a good mix of people who are new to the organisation and those who have been with the bank from its infancy. Our Charter Team Lead, Janelle Wehsack, has been a huge inspiration to a lot of us because she’s been a champion for promoting females in leadership roles.”
Ultimately, Hayley’s motivation stems from a balance of high performance and community focus. When we asked her the real reason why she does what she does, she had the following insightful response:
“For me, it’s about a drive to perform well while still prioritising the success of our people - that’s community and staff. Very few organisations prioritise both. I’m competitive enough that I want us to achieve our growth targets, but I love that the bank isn’t going to sacrifice people in order to get there.”
