Michelle Keane is our Executive Manager, People and Culture. Having honed her human resources skills and her relatable management style in regional South Australia, Michelle leads with the perfect blend of warmth, common sense and intelligence – both the emotional kind and the other. Often found behind the mic at Lutheran Care’s legendary All Staff Days, Michelle is a passionate family person, a staunch Port supporter, and an asset to Lutheran Care. Find out a little more about her and her feelings around International Women’s Day, below:
The United Nations’ theme for International Women’s Day is “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” What does this mean to you?
In so many places, women’s rights are still being challenged—whether it’s restrictions on education, gender-based violence, pay gaps, or the lack of opportunities for women to step into leadership roles. What’s happening in the U.S. right now—especially around reproductive rights and women’s rights and freedoms—is a huge reminder that progress isn’t always forward. Just when it feels like we’ve made real gains, something happens that pulls us back. For me, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” is about keeping up the fight, even when it feels like we’re going in circles. Equality isn’t something we can just tick a box for and move on – it takes constant work and every action, big or small, makes a difference.
Tell us a little about what you do in your role and why you do it.
As Executive Manager, People & Culture, my job is all about creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and set up for success. I work closely with leaders and teams to support them in building a positive, inclusive culture and ensuring our policies, practices, and people strategies reflect our values. Our clients are often among the most vulnerable and marginalised in our communities, and the work our staff do has a significant and lasting impact on their lives. Seeing the difference that a strong, supportive workplace makes—for both our staff and the people we serve—is what makes my role so rewarding. On a personal note, I have learnt so much from the people in our sector!
Which woman inspires/inspired you and why?
My mum is the definition of strength and determination. She never let obstacles—or other people’s expectations—hold her back. She took on challenges, created her own opportunities, and proved herself through hard work. She showed me that anything is possible. Her independence, strength, and belief in herself have shaped the way I approach life and leadership.
What’s the most important advice you ever got from a woman in your life?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard was: “You can have anything you want, you just have to decide what you are willing to sacrifice for it.” I first came across this quote in my early 20s, and it stuck with me. It helped me navigate some of the biggest decisions in my life, reinforcing the idea that I could achieve anything—I just had to be clear about what I was willing to sacrifice to get there. More than anything, it helped me focus on what truly mattered to me, and that has always been my family.
For me, that meant choosing to work part-time while my children were growing up, making space to be fully involved in their world—playing, coaching, and umpiring netball and basketball, cheering them on at footy, and volunteering in our local sporting clubs. While I may have passed up some career opportunities, I gained the opportunity to be truly present in those years.
Now, with my children grown, I’ve embraced new challenges and career opportunities, pushing myself in ways I never imagined. The past six years at Lutheran Care have been a period of immense growth, stretching me professionally and personally in ways I’m incredibly grateful for.
What are your hopes for young women today?
I know that women around the world have vastly different experiences, but when I look at the young women in my life, like my daughter and her friends, I love how they challenge outdated social expectations and biases. They’re more aware and informed than I ever was about the disadvantages that can come with simply being female. But what I admire most is that they don’t just accept things as they are—they push back, call out inequality, and stand up for themselves and others.
I’d like to think I’ve had a small part in shaping their confidence and self-belief, and they know I’ll always be their biggest supporter. More than anything, I love that they’re living life on their own terms, guided by their own values, rather than simply following society’s expectations. They’re choosing what matters to them and creating a future that reflects who they truly are and I love that!