Rhonda McSweeney: A Visionary in Strategy and Corporate Development
In honour of International Women's Day, ATCO Structures is proud to present a special series highlighting the remarkable journeys of women leaders within our organization.
Today, we feature the inspiring story of Rhonda McSweeney, Senior Vice President & Executive General Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development at ATCO Structures Australia.
From Medical Science to Corporate Leadership: A Diverse Career Journey
Rhonda McSweeney's career journey is a testament to her versatility and commitment to excellence. She began her corporate career as a Medical Scientist, working for a major global diagnostic company. Under Private Equity ownership for many years, the transition from a technical professional to a business professional was indeed a quick and steep learning curve, but one she would never trade for the accelerated experience. Over the last 27 years, Rhonda has led major divisions and companies in the energy, oil and gas, telecommunications, and infrastructure/construction sectors. Her ability to transition seamlessly between industries is a reflection of her deep understanding of business drivers and the importance of people.
Joining ATCO Structures: A New Chapter
Rhonda recently joined ATCO Structures in Australia, seeking a company where she could utilize her extensive career experience and contribute to a great culture. In just a few months, she has already found a wonderful team of people, led by great leadership, providing essential community services. Rhonda's decision to join ATCO Structures was driven by her desire to pass on her experience to others and be part of a company with a strong culture.
A Passion for People and Leadership
Rhonda's interest in both the business side and the people side of leadership makes her role enjoyable. She genuinely likes to help others succeed and believes in the importance of understanding what drives individuals. Her exposure to wonderful companies and leadership throughout her career has shaped her approach to leadership. Rhonda sees the best in people and believes it takes a good variety of individuals to make different contributions.
Key Milestones and Achievements
One of Rhonda's most gratifying achievements has been identifying talent in people and providing the support they need to excel. She has created opportunities for many individuals, delighting in their success. Leading a Global Acquisition and Integration team for a leading ASX 50 company was an early highlight in her career. Assessing companies from all around the globe for the right contribution and fit, and integrating them into the wider business, was a significant achievement.
Most recently, her appointment to the senior leadership team with ATCO Structures in Australia has her leading the strategy for the next significant growth phase in the Australian market. Rhonda is also a Board member of a National Australian Engineering and Construction Services Company, where she guides and supports the organization through its next growth phase.
Leadership Style and Challenges
Rhonda believes in building relationships and knowing team members as people. Trust and open communication are the foundations of her leadership style. One of the challenges she has faced is curtailing her own drive and pace to ensure she takes people along for the journey. Pace, timing, and constant communication are critical, particularly in change management and growth briefs.
Future Goals and Vision
Rhonda is excited about guiding ATCO Structures Australia into the housing market to support community needs. She sees the capability within ATCO to play a significant role in addressing the housing crisis and is eager to make it happen. Rhonda's future goals at ATCO Structures include guiding people to execute upon the strategy and their respective business plans and seeing them succeed.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
Rhonda believes in seeing ability, not gender, and achieving a balance of gender diversity as a natural by-product. She emphasizes the importance of diversity in enriching the corporate tapestry and providing different perspectives. ATCO Structures' culture of applying the lens of ability, not gender, is something she values and wants to keep alive.
Impact and Inspiration
Rhonda has been fortunate to have been exposed to wonderful leaders in her career who have shown an interest and taken the time to provide honest feedback. These leaders empowered her to get on with her work, allowing her enough rope to potentially fail but with guard rails in place to ensure support. Rhonda's role now includes building confidence in her team members and transferring her experience to make them successful future leaders of ATCO.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Rhonda advises young women who aspire to be leaders to put in the work and back themselves. She emphasizes the importance of knowing people and working with them to give them confidence and belief that they can succeed. Rhonda encourages women to see ability in themselves and others, and to embrace diversity in all its forms.
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
Rhonda is incredibly proud to be part of ATCO's initiative to support diversity and inclusion. She believes that the women she has met at ATCO are smart, business-savvy, articulate, and truly incredible. Their resilience and ability to navigate through tough business issues are truly inspiring. Rhonda is excited to see more women entering leadership roles and is committed to supporting their journeys.
Rhonda McSweeney's journey from medical science to corporate leadership is a story of resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. Her leadership has already had a significant impact on ATCO Structures Australia, and she continues to inspire others with her dedication and achievements. As we continue to celebrate International Women's Day, Rhonda's story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gender diversity in the workplace and the incredible contributions of women leaders at ATCO Structures.