The Forward Women

A leader throughout her career, a past Australian rower, now mum, pregnant with baby number 2 and an absolute inspiration

Tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, age, family & where do you currently live? 

I am Maja Wells, 37 years old and I would say that I’m from the country. We moved around a lot growing up:  I was born in Adelaide, we lived in The Riverlands area and Woomera but majority of my childhood was spent in the middle of the dessert, at Coober Pedy.

We then moved back to Adelaide to finish school from grade 11 and 12, where I got myself involved in every single sport as I felt more comfortable out of the classroom, rather than in the classroom. I am now, currently back at work, having returned from maternity leave September 2022 and feel very lucky that my husband is currently on parental leave now. We’re in a really fortunate position to not only have a family but to be able to share the roles equally at home and at work.

Do you have a memory in particular about your childhood and how has it influenced you today?

I have lots of memories from my childhood but since becoming a mum, I have reflected on my childhood a lot and how my mum managed 4 kids. Prior to motherhood I never fully appreciated my values and how my childhood has influenced them.

I was asked the other day why I always send out actions after a meeting and follow up that they are closed out. My reflection was that that’s probably an influence of my mum having managed four kids in the country and when she asked us to do something and if we hadn’t done it in a certain amount of time that she would ask again, and in a stronger way.

I think a lot of women probably go through this of, reflecting “how did mum cope with 4 kids in the country?” I find having 1 kid, in the city, with my in laws and my parents available, still a challenge.

I am very grateful for my mum, family and up-bringing in the country.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

• Action Orientated
• Family Orientated as I am very close with my family having moved around and growing up with them.
• Currently working in diversity and I feel really strongly about equality. Growing up and seeing people with, and without, has made me feel it’s really important for us to lean in and support people that need it and we all deserve a fair go.
• And I strongly believe that there’s not much that can’t be achieved with a team effort and hard work.

What education, qualifications do you have and how you have arrived in your current position?

After school, I was offered a scholarship for rowing which meant rowing became a big part of my life which I did professionally for 8 years. The highlight was rowing in Germany representing Australia at the World Championships.

I then decided to return to university and graduated with a degree in Health Science and HR Management.

My career then started in manufacturing at General Motors where I worked in the health services department. What I loved about this role was the fantastic team environment and thrived being out in the field getting to know lots of different individuals.

After the announcement of General Motors manufacturing closing in Australia, I moved on to work in supply chain for a retailer. Again, I really enjoyed the team. They’re all very action oriented and allowed me opportunities to do improvement projects, work on my portfolio, travel around Australia and implement change across all areas of their supply chain. I loved how warm and supportive team around me were. It was fantastic to be out there on the shop floor and work with all levels of our organization.

I then decided to obtain my Masters in Business Administration, as I realised I would rather be the decision maker, than influencer and advisor.  

An opportunity then came up in mining, and I applied for that, and was very taken back when they were happy to onboard me and show me the ropes as a Superintendent of Production.  I am very proud of my time leading a high performing team and what I learnt during this role. I have recently returned from maternity leave to lead an inclusion and diversity improvement project that impacts all employees, which heavily aligns with my values.

What do you think is that the biggest achievement in your career?

Definitely, when I represented Australian for rowing. It changed me as a person, my confidence and my ability to work towards something. Having grown up in the desert and then having a lot of success on the water was a big turning point.

The current role you’re in now the inclusion and diversity improvement project, what do you love about it?

I love that I have the opportunity to influence and make sustainable change for all people and their experience within the business. I didn’t realise the reach I have to make improvements for everyone.  

People know the benefits of diversity: the business and safety benefits, but there’s also cultural benefits to all genders when we have diverse teams. And to me, that’s really important.

It’s not about getting on my soapbox and only supporting women.

I have 3 brothers who are all big advocates for supporting everybody and diversity does that. Diversity changes how we look at jobs, makes them lighter and faster and it changes the language with how we talk to each other to be more inclusive.

It’s just about all the benefits to both parties.

Looking back 7 months ago prior to returning to work, how were you feeling?

I’m really lucky that my husband was able to have a year off, so for me, I felt excited for him and all the memories he was going to make with our daughter. Speaking to other women though, it is a totally difference experience having their children start at childcare at the same time. So I wanted to highlight that we realise how lucky we are and the fortunate position to be where we are both able to contribute equally to parenting and work.

For myself, I was feeling excited to get out of the house, wear clothes that didn’t have food on them, and be able to have a lunch & toilet break. But I was equally just as nervous about starting a job I didn’t know. I hadn’t been in this office before and had been predominately on site prior, so I didn’t really know many people either.

I went from being at home with a baby to what felt like working in a role and a project on my own and I just finished breastfeeding to return to work. I was not prepared for how emotional it would be to stop breastfeeding and the extreme emotions I experienced.

I really found it difficult to let go of control and felt I went from having a lot of identity in my previous life as a rower, employee, and leader and a mum.

I was lost for a few months: What’s my identity here? How am I contributing?

I explain going back to work as “I want to run, but I don’t know how to crawl”. I felt restricted. But I am unsure if there’s anything you can do about that, because you had time off to care for your baby. It is going to be life changing.

What advice do you have for others planning to return to work after parental leave?

My advice would be to give yourself a lot of time and be kind to yourself.  You will find it challenging not being able to go at the speed you use to, so you will need to manage your expectations of yourself.

You won’t be able to just return where you left things, things would have changed and you have changed. Instead, go in with the mindset that you need time to warm up, if you tell yourself not to be frustrated, and to expect it, then you’ll find the change interesting.

Congratulations on baby number two on the way, how many weeks pregnant are you and do you know the sex of the baby?

I’m 24 weeks pregnant and due in July and I believe we are having a little champion.

How is the second pregnancy going, especially working fulltime with a toddler at home?

Being pregnant the second time around, with a toddler, I am definitely more tired.

There’s no getting home and putting your feet up.  But to be honest, I have forgotten what pregnancy is like and exactly how I felt back then. As I have gone through this pregnancy I think “Oh, that’s right…then this happens”.

What are you most excited about for baby number 2 and what are you most nervous about?

Honestly, I am nervous about getting the baby blues again. After my first baby I couldn’t help but feel sad, even though she was a beautiful, healthy baby. I just could not stop feeling sad and I hadn’t ever felt emotions like that before in my life, and it was exhausting.

So, I’m nervous about that coming back.

What I’m looking forward to the most is baby cuddles. When I found myself sad and emotional last time, I gave away so many cuddles. So, it will be nice to enjoy them while they last.  

Is your husband going back to work?

Yes, my husband and I will swap over again and he will return to his role in a FIFO role.

I am not too worried about it and remind myself that people do this life all the time, so you got to carry on.  Lots of people have done it and I’m far from the most extraordinary mum going around but we will make it work.

What is the next forward step for yourself?

I am focusing on having a healthy baby, continuing to kick goals at work while I’m here and continue to volunteer outside of work.

This could potentially be my last maternity leave, so I am really going to switch off and take a break for a few months once the baby is here. I want to absorb all of this time, even the hard days.

Career wise my goal is to continue to:

1. Say yes to opportunities that make sustainable improvements and change. As long as I’m learning new things and contributing, I’ll be happy and
2. I have a fantastic support system around me that includes some great mentors that I will continue to stay in contact with.  I have always tried to maintain those connections as it invaluable when you need directional support.

I have learnt that mental health is not just about sleeping, eating well and exercising, but it’s about learning something new and giving back. So, I think having mentors and mentees is extremely important. It is important to keep those relationships going, because it’s good for them as well to support other people. Why not lean on your support system? We don’t have to do it ourselves.