Finding Your Path: Jacqui’s Story

Jacqui Dalby-Payne, Class of ’85 is a Paediatrician and Clinical Stream Director at Westmead Children’s Hospital. Her journey is one of perseverance and passion. Despite facing bullying in her school years, she found strength and her people along with her love of science and art. With a passion to study medicine, Jacqui missed the marks for medicine by only one point, leading her on a different pathway to attain her dream and ultimately becoming a paediatrician. With a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for the broad, holistic education she received at Loreto, Jacqui is a strong advocate and mentor for junior doctors. She has remained engaged in the arts and sings in a choir. Her key message to students today is clear: setbacks can lead to better opportunities, and the most meaningful legacy is inspiring the next generation. “There’s no greater legacy than inspiring the next generation of young people.”

Leading with Purpose: Lucy’s Story

Lucy Hovanec, Class of ’95 is General Manager ACT, SNSW, PNG – GHD. Lucy’s career in leadership and organisational consulting was shaped by the values she developed at Loreto—resilience, discipline, and a commitment to social justice. Engaged in sports and debating, she was inspired by an ex-student’s experience in India and made a pact to work in Africa with one of her best friends, a dream she later fulfilled. Armed with an Arts degree in contemporary European Studies and a master’s in international relations her career journey has taken her from an ESL teacher in Rome, to investment banking in London, and finally to leadership consulting working across the globe. Guided by strong mentorship, she now helps others find their own paths, reinforcing the importance of service, leadership, and staying true to one’s purpose. “What I did know is I wanted to make my life extraordinary.”

Soaring High: Emma’s Journey

Emma Christensen, Class of ’04 is a First Officer on the Boeing 747. Emma’s path to becoming a First Officer at Atlas Air was shaped by the resilience and adventurous spirit she developed at Loreto Normanhurst. She embraced every opportunity in academics, music, and sport, which laid the foundation for her future success. A chance discovery of aviation in Year 12 ignited her passion for flying, propelling her into a career that has faced industry downturns, relocations, and gender biases. Throughout these challenges—including the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19—Emma’s belief that there were no limits to what she could achieve kept her moving forward. She also credits the school’s emphasis on service, as her volunteer flying roles helped her build critical experience. “There are no wrong paths. If you make a decision to study something or start working somewhere straight out of school and you enjoy it, great. And if not, you can change your mind.”

In honour of International Women’s Day and to mark 150 Years of Loreto in Australia, Library Specialist, Millie has also created a beautiful dress, displayed at our Women of Influence evening, hand cut from the pages of a dictionary. Each leaf represents Loreto sisters, former Loreto school principals and alumnae from diverse areas of life. This dress has been created to symbolise the power of a Loreto education to empower women to use their words to “be seekers of truth and doers of justice”.

As these inspiring alumnae shared their experiences, they embodied the strength, resilience, and pioneering spirit of a Loreto education. Their stories remind us that challenges are stepping stones to success and that the true measure of achievement lies in lifting others as we rise.