Meet Cathy Howard – a powerhouse behind-the-scenes in leading a team to make sure new systems, programs and changes roll out smoothly across Uniting AgeWell.

As Head of the Project Management Office, within the Digital Team, Cathy leads the team responsible for making sure projects are well planned, well run and useful for our 4,000+ staff. She’s exceptionally organised and brings a calm, practical approach to her work.  Cathy has a knack for cutting through complexity, focusing on what matters, and getting things done.

Cathy was named a finalist in the Women in Leadership Awards hosted by Liquid Learning in Sydney in December last year recognising her impact across senior digital and project leadership roles. The awards celebrate women who are driving meaningful change across industries, something anyone who works with Cathy would say she does every day.

With International Women’s Day on 8 of March, it’s a timely opportunity to acknowledge leaders like Cathy; leaders who quietly but consistently make things better.

Cathy doesn’t chase the spotlight. What she does care about is building strong foundations, clear processes, capable people and systems that work the way they should. While to some, it might look like new programs simply ‘appear’, the reality is they’ve been carefully designed, tested and worked through in detail by Cathy and her team.

She has been instrumental in establishing key initiatives across the organisation, while continuing to strengthen our digital capability and ensure projects deliver real value to the people using them.

Cathy leads by example. She’s approachable, calm under pressure and always willing to share her experience. Many people seek her advice, not just because she knows her craft, but because she listens, asks the right questions and helps others think things through rather than telling them what to do.

She has a sharp sense of humour (often delivered straight-faced), which keeps things grounded, especially during complex or high-pressure work. At the same time, she is serious about standards. She recognises talent quickly and actively mentors and supports others to step up and grow. People often seek her out for advice, and many will tell you she’s played a part in helping them grow in their roles.

“Project management helps me juggle and prioritise,” Cathy says. “I love what I do. If you’re passionate about your role, you not only enjoy the work, but you’re also motivated to do it well.”

She has been an active board member of the Deakin School of Advisory Board since 2020, contributing her expertise more broadly.

Her recent nomination for the Women in Leadership awards highlighted her ability to build digital delivery capability from the ground up, lead technology insourcing initiatives and guide teams through significant change. But those who work alongside her would say her greatest strength is the way she combines structure with genuine care for people.

Outside of work, Cathy is equally grounded and the same organisation and focus she brings to her work extends to home life with her husband Chris, a senior director at Amazon. They share two sons and two beautiful granddaughters, who have discovered that Nana’s structured approach has one very happy exception: them!

Learn more about careers at Uniting AgeWell.