“Driven by a passion to make a difference, my journey shifted from understanding business to aligning purpose, well-being, & community impact.
At 20, I completed a Bachelor of Arts with a desire to do good for the world. How? The world is built on businesses—hospitals, charities, schools—entities of influence founded on business operations. Rather than joining 1, I chose to explore what makes businesses tick. I dove into management consulting, eager to learn & addicted to continuous improvement of self, others, & businesses.
As I raced from 1 achievement to the next, I felt the strain. Taking on high-intensity projects, I bought into the mainstream notion of success. It wasn’t until a COO shared his mental health journey that I paused. His words about the irreversible effects of ‘running’ resonated. He said, “A holiday can’t always cure it,” & that made me stop—literally & metaphorically.
I began seeing my career as a long path, not a series of sprints. I redefined success: Will this job add value to my well-being? Does its purpose & culture align with my values? I became clearer on what success means & more strategic with my energy. I learned to follow intuition rather than tick boxes, leading to a more authentic life, less prone to burnout. My intuition led me to Sydney, where I helped businesses find their paths to well-being. My dream was to do management consulting “for good,” helping businesses & individuals grow sustainably.
After having my daughter, my focus shifted to community, youth, & education. I moved back to Melbourne to explore these areas further. I hosted my first community meetups for moms in business, creating safe spaces for them to connect. In my new role as Corporate Partnerships Manager, I bring companies together to support schools & provide resources for young people. It’s a role that aligns with my values & allows me to give back.
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve learned that a career is a blend of skills, lessons, & passions. They say we have 3-6 careers in our lifetime, but really, a career is a process. The more authentically we tie these together, the more value it brings to us, our workplaces, & our communities.” Helena Erck
“In 2019, I moved to Australia for my master’s in marketing, landing in Sydney with big dreams. This wasn’t my first adventure abroad; I had also studied for a Master of Arts in Paris which made me understand the business
“At 10 years old I started my 1st business. A card-making company. Without fail, I would finish my homework before the final bell, just so I could spend my whole afternoon creating handmade cards. I had a strict ‘no money
“From a young age, food was at the heart of everything in my life. I started baking as a child and even sold my creations as a teenager. But it wasn’t just a hobby—it was a passion that kept growing.
“I moved to Australia from the “Manchester of India” in March 2007. At just 20, newly married and stepping into a whole new world, I was eager yet overwhelmed by the culture shock. Navigating life in Australia back then was
