In the dynamic world of human resources, few careers embody the blend of operational insight, global experience, and leadership wisdom quite like that of Heidi Mayhew-Sanders. With a career spanning continents—Europe, the United States, and Australia—Heidi’s story is a compelling testament to the evolution of HR and the importance of commerciality and leadership in this field.
From her early days in operations and investment banking to her role as a senior HR leader in professional services, Heidi’s journey offers invaluable lessons for both early-career professionals and seasoned practitioners. This article dives deep into her experiences, challenges, and advice, crafted to inspire and guide those navigating the complex landscape of human capital management.
From Country Roots to Global Horizons
Originally a country girl from Australia, Heidi’s career took a global trajectory early on. After finishing school, she spent 17 years living and working abroad, primarily based in England but with extensive coverage across Europe and the United States. Her initial roles were rooted in operations, a foundation that profoundly shaped her approach to HR.
Her work with a major American utility firm, Southern Energy, involved supporting mergers and acquisitions—where she coordinated operational activities for teams often crossing international borders. This exposure to diverse cultures and business environments helped her appreciate the nuanced people side of operations, which eventually sparked her transition into human resources.
Transitioning from Operations to Human Resources
Heidi’s move into HR was a natural progression driven by the increasing emphasis on managing people within her operational roles. She began recruiting, onboarding, and facilitating expatriate transitions, which led her to pursue formal HR studies. This pivot marked the beginning of a dedicated HR career that would see her embrace a broad range of responsibilities.
Early in her HR journey, Heidi worked with Nordi Securities, a Scandinavian bank operating in London. Here, she managed comprehensive HR functions including recruitment, training, and performance management. Her role evolved into a business partner capacity, aligning HR initiatives with strategic business goals and working closely with head office teams in Stockholm.
A Rich Career in Financial Services and Private Equity
Heidi’s HR expertise deepened in the fast-paced financial services sector. She worked with private equity firms like The Carlile Group and asset managers such as Fidelity International. These roles required her to be a generalist, covering all facets of HR—from talent acquisition to learning and development to employee relations.
Her diverse portfolio allowed her to develop a commercial mindset, understanding how HR initiatives impact business performance. This perspective became a hallmark of her approach, blending operational pragmatism with people-centric strategies.
Returning to Australia: Challenges and Opportunities
In 2009, Heidi made the pivotal decision to return to Australia to prioritize her children’s education and family life. Settling initially on the Gold Coast, she quickly realized that her extensive international experience was not immediately recognized in the local job market. Despite her global credentials, she faced the common hurdle of lacking “Australian experience.”
This challenge was compounded by the economic climate at the time, with many companies undergoing redundancies. Heidi spent four months searching for the right role, eventually securing a position with Bentley’s Queensland, a professional services firm. Starting with limited resources, she grew the HR function into a robust team of eight, including learning and development, recruitment, and offshoring coordination.
The Unique Challenges of Reintegrating into the Australian Market
Heidi’s experience highlights a broader issue faced by many professionals returning from overseas: the difficulty of translating international experience into local opportunities. She observed that many Queensland-based firms were smaller, more domestic-focused, and sometimes hesitant to hire candidates whose experience seemed “too global.”
This wariness, she believes, stemmed from uncertainty about how international HR practices would fit into local business contexts. However, Heidi notes that this barrier is gradually diminishing, especially as organizations increasingly embrace remote workforces and global collaboration.
Why Heidi Loves Human Resources—Despite the Challenges
Human resources, as Heidi candidly shares, is not always easy. The role is inherently people-focused and involves navigating complex challenges ranging from generational differences to rapidly evolving technology and regulatory environments. These factors make HR both stressful and demanding.
Yet, Heidi thrives on the challenge. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations become the best they can be. For her, HR offers a unique opportunity to influence culture, support employee well-being, and drive business success through strategic people management.
Advice for Early-Career HR Professionals
Reflecting on her early career, Heidi encourages those starting out to embrace every opportunity and believe in themselves. She admits that she sometimes hesitated due to self-doubt but credits her success to leaders who threw her into “sink or swim” situations, forcing her to adapt and grow.
Her key advice is simple yet powerful:
- Back yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks.
- Be inquisitive and respectful in all interactions.
- Seek support and mentorship when needed.
Guidance for Senior HR Leaders
For experienced HR professionals aiming to reach the “top table,” Heidi stresses the importance of thinking beyond traditional HR functions. She advises:
- Developing commercial acumen to align HR initiatives with business realities and budgets.
- Sharpening leadership skills such as negotiation, influencing, and decision-making.
- Evaluating whether new HR programs truly fit the organization’s current needs rather than following trends blindly.
This commercial and strategic mindset, combined with leadership excellence, is crucial for HR leaders to effectively influence company culture and contribute to organizational success.
Current Challenges in Human Resources
Heidi identifies the rapid pace of change as the biggest challenge facing HR today. This includes:
- Managing a multigenerational workforce with diverse expectations.
- Adapting to technological advancements such as artificial intelligence.
- Navigating complex industrial relations and employment legislation.
- Addressing resource constraints and talent retention.
She emphasizes that HR professionals are often time-poor and must balance risk management with proactive people strategies. Importantly, she highlights the evolving role of HR from problem solvers to business partners who empower managers to own people management responsibilities.
Balancing Employer and Employee Interests
A common misconception Heidi encounters is that HR solely serves employer interests, often at the expense of employees. She acknowledges that HR ultimately works for the employer but believes a skilled HR professional can balance this by advocating for both sides.
She says,
“If you are a good solid HR person and you’re confident and you invest in yourself and understand the business and the people in it, then your job is to look after everyone’s best interest.”
This balanced approach is increasingly important in an era where employee well-being and engagement are critical drivers of retention and productivity.
Changing Mindsets and Embracing Inclusivity
Heidi notes that traditional hierarchical work structures are evolving into more inclusive, consultative environments. This shift demands HR professionals and managers alike to be flexible and open-minded, embracing new ways of decision-making and employee involvement.
She encourages HR to be agents of this cultural change, helping organizations move beyond rigid frameworks to foster better experiences for both employees and employers.
Personal Passions That Fuel Professional Success
Outside of work, Heidi prioritizes physical exercise and playing the piano—activities that sustain her well-being and mental sharpness. She shares how maintaining physical health is critical for coping with the stresses inherent in HR roles.
Her passion for fitness is matched by a love for travel and adventure. Before settling into her professional career, Heidi spent time hitchhiking across Canada, working odd jobs, and even acting as a movie extra in Los Angeles. These experiences enriched her adaptability and interpersonal skills, qualities that serve her well in HR.
Recommended Resources and Inspirational Thoughts
Heidi recommends the book How to Be Well by Dr. Karen Coats as a valuable resource for HR professionals. The book offers practical strategies to assess and improve one’s mental and physical well-being—a vital foundation for sustaining a successful HR career.
She leaves us with a powerful quote from Lou Holtz, an American football coach:
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”
This embodies her philosophy of resilience and mindful leadership.
Final Reflections
Heidi Mayhew-Sanders’ career is a rich tapestry of operational expertise, global HR leadership, and personal growth. Her journey underscores the importance of commercial insight, continuous learning, and compassionate leadership in human resources.
For early-career professionals, her message is to embrace challenges boldly and back themselves. For senior leaders, she urges a strategic, business-oriented approach combined with strong leadership capabilities.
Above all, Heidi exemplifies how a passion for people, balanced with pragmatic commercial understanding, can drive meaningful impact in organizations worldwide.
Legal Support for HR Professionals and Businesses in Queensland
For HR leaders and professionals navigating complex workplace challenges, having access to expert legal advice is invaluable. South Geldard Lawyers is a prominent legal firm based in Queensland, offering a wide range of legal services tailored to businesses and individuals. With over 60 years of experience and offices in Rockhampton, Yeppoon, and Brisbane, they provide trusted counsel on employment law, business structuring, and dispute resolution.
Understanding employment contracts, workplace investigations, and compliance with industrial relations legislation are critical for HR success. South Geldard’s employment law services help employers manage risks and foster positive workplace environments.
Additionally, for businesses looking to grow or restructure, their expertise in business structuring and business acquisition provides practical guidance to align legal frameworks with commercial goals.
HR leaders facing workforce changes or redundancies can also benefit from South Geldard’s experience with redundancy advice, helping organizations navigate challenging transitions fairly and legally.
