Sian Gooden

"I burned the candle at both ends at high school and that set me up to make the most of opportunities as they present themselves"

When Sian Gooden enrolled at Yarra, she was one of about 20 girls in Year 7. Some of the bonds she formed then endure today.

“The first weeks were a little overwhelming but then we had a camp at Glenmaggie and that eased everyone into high school. We could get to know our peers while we were hiking and having mud fights! I quickly settled in after that,” recalls Sian.

“In Years 8 and 9 my bestie and I did a lap of the school before lessons started, so we could catch up on everything that had happened the evening before. It was a ritual to catch up before we entered the chaos of the locker room each morning,” says Sian.

In the classroom, Sian was drawn to Humanities, particularly English Literature and History and she initially planned a career in journalism. She also threw herself into Yarra’s extra-curricular opportunities and was involved in Drama, Debating, Sports and volunteering with community organisations.

At university she spent six years studying Media, Communications and Commerce. She also volunteered for student TV and radio and on a number of annual charity camps run for refugee families and for people with disabilities.

She finished her degree wide open to the possibilities that came her way – an approach to life that she maintains.

“I’m a big believer in goal setting but five years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed I’d be working in the industry I’m now in. Who knows what opportunities will arise in the next five years?” she says.

In her role with software company, Slack, Sian helps organisations to make their working lives simpler, more collaborative and more productive and her services were much in demand during COVID and the turmoil of remote work in 2020.

She also works on ‘passion projects’, like  s p a c e  and The House of Beautiful Business – both designed ‘to generate positive change in our global community’, says Sian.

“Most people are intrinsically good and they want to do good but don’t know where to start. The true leaders in my life have all brought out the best in the people around them. It’s not about a job title, it’s about enabling people to make a positive contribution,” says Sian.

And while she has firm views on leadership, Sian also sees the Yarra motto as carrying a powerful message.

“My advice to anyone at Yarra now would be to look up and around you, think about what is beyond your backyard and live your life to the full.”