Chelsey Knox, Macquarie Bank

Meet Chelsey Knox, Product Owner of Business Banking Originations at Macquarie Bank, winner of the WiBF Rising Star Award and currently learning to swing dance!

Introducing Chelsey Knox, Product Owner for Business Banking Originations for Macquarie Bank. Chelsey works with an amazing team to deliver a multi-year technology transformation for their business banking staff. Every day involves solving problems to try and make their business banking staff’s lives easier and give clients confidence in banking with them.

Chelsey attended WiBF’s 2022 Award Celebrations at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney and here is what she had to say about the event. “The buzz in the room was energising and it was absolutely fantastic to be in the same room as so many incredibly accomplished women,” Chelsey said. When asked about what winning this award means to Chelsey, she shares that “it’s a massive confidence boost” to know that her hard work and dedication put into her career so far has been acknowledged and appreciated. Chelsey shares that “the extreme influx of congratulations and support received has been very humbling” and that she feels so grateful.

We asked Chelsey to share some of her best career advice for women wishing to grow a successful career within the banking and finance sector. “Play to your strengths! Not everyone can be good at everything so surround yourself with all different people with different skills and experience to get the best outcome as a team,” she said. Chelsey added, “don’t be afraid to say yes to new opportunities. When you’re feeling uncomfortable, you’re growing the most! There are no wrong moves – every opportunity teaches you something new and makes you the person you are today,”

Chelsey shared with us her recent biggest challenge that also happens to be based around the journey of stepping into a leadership position. “The biggest challenge over the last 18 months has been transitioning into a leadership role where it was no longer deeply involved in the “doing”. This means that there is a shift in your sense of achievement / satisfaction in your work completely changes. Overcoming it happens gradually over time and the key is knowing that by jumping in to the “doing”, you are actually taking an opportunity away from someone else to showcase their talents. You are there to support your team and ensure they can be successful,” she said. Great advice that resonates with many who may have already or plan to step into a leadership position within the near future.

Chelsey is based in Perth and is extremely grateful that Macquarie is supportive of her working in her home city in a role that traditionally would have only been available in Sydney. Besides Chelsey’s impressive career, she shared that she loves dancing and has done various forms her whole life from jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet to now giving swing dancing a go and loving it! Chelsey shared that her “favourite WA holiday destination is Rottnest Island!”. We agree, the quokkas are just too cute!

With a 2022 WiBF Award in hand, Chelsey leaves us with the following advice. “Surround yourself with supportive people who can help share your achievements event when you may find that uncomfortable. Make sure you’re paying it forward by always taking opportunities to celebrate and share other people’s achievements too.” Watch Chelsey Knox WiBF acceptance speech – here.