In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Sally Stannard, the Director General of Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads. Sally’s journey from a farm in New South Wales to leading one of the most ambitious transport reform agendas in Australia is one of grit, curiosity, and transformation. In this powerful conversation, Sally reveals her insights into the importance of leadership, inclusivity, and how women are breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated infrastructure sector.

From the challenges of starting in a country town to leading large-scale infrastructure projects, Sally shares her experiences of creating change in the transport industry. She discusses how crucial it is to understand both design and construction, the importance of leadership during high-stakes moments, and why she believes infrastructure is about people, not just concrete and contracts.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Female Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Building Support

• The power of mentorship and inclusion in fostering female leaders
• Balancing career, family, and leadership responsibilities
• Creating an environment where women can thrive and lead

Transforming Public Transport

• How the 2032 Olympics is reshaping Queensland’s infrastructure
• Building sustainable, accessible transport systems for future generations
• The role of public transport in connecting urban and regional communities

Collaborative Contracting: Partnership Over Paperwork

• Moving beyond contract forms to foster true collaboration
• How shared risks and rewards create stronger project outcomes
• The importance of communication and transparency between sectors

Shaping People and Culture

• Mentorship and its impact on long-term industry success
• Building a culture where talent is nurtured and valued
• Creating lasting change through inclusive leadership

Infrastructure as Lifeline

• The crucial role of infrastructure in remote and crisis-stricken areas
• Rebuilding communities quickly after natural disasters
• How regional infrastructure supports broader economic stability

Technology Transforming Infrastructure

• How digital twins and AI are making infrastructure smarter and safer
• Leveraging technology for more efficient and sustainable systems
• The future of infrastructure: anticipatory solutions for safer communities

Key Quotes from Sally Stannard:

• "Your career is shaped by the people you talk to."
• "I used to think that everything was about what I was working on, but I recognize now that how we work and who we work with, the team that we show up with every day,  that's the thing that changes what it feels like to go to work."
• "Sitting on the outside knocking wasn't letting me have the kind of change that I wanted to have, so it motivated me to go inside."
• "A team’s job is not to critique each other. It is to find the things that are real issues and resolve them, not just throw them across the table at each other."

About Our Guest

Sally Stannard is a visionary leader and a driving force behind the transformation of Queensland's transport systems. She is passionate about creating inclusive, forward-thinking infrastructure projects that address the needs of the community while embracing cutting-edge technologies. Throughout her career, Sally has worked across multiple facets of the transport sector, championing digital innovation, sustainable practices, and collaborative approaches to infrastructure development.

Connect with Sally Stannard on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is dedicated to helping professionals unlock their potential. Through insightful interviews and real-life stories, Lauren empowers listeners to create opportunities and thrive in their careers.

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