Julie Mundy

Read on to find out, all about Julie Mundy, Chief Executive of Marie Stopes International Australia, a new and rapidly expanding international aid organisation based in Australia working to improve access to family planning and reproductive health in the Asia Pacific region. A key partner in an international network of 39 partners globally, headquartered in London, Julie established MSIA in Australia in 1998, having been MSI's Director of Asia Programs since 1993. Now with a team of 14, programs in 7 countries in the region as well as Australia and a charity turnover of AUD$3m in 2000, MSIA is well on its way to becoming a key player in the region. Julie's partner, who she met in Egypt while travelling, is English, and they have two small children.

To find out more about this vital organisation visit www.mariestopes.org.au


Dr Marie Stopes - 1880 - 1958

Profile
Julie Mundy is Chief Executive of Marie Stopes International Australia (MSIA), an international development agency working in the field of women's health in Australasia, East and Nth Asia and the Pacific. With a professional team of 15 now in place in Melbourne, MSIA is making its presence felt in reproductive health services in Australia and the region, and in 1999 the organisation had a charitable turnover of almost AUD$6 million, thanks to project funding received from the United Nations and other private donors, including the Australian public. Julie established the organisation in Australia in 1998, after having worked for the affiliate 'parent' organisation, Marie Stopes International, in London for more than 5 years. As Director of Asia Programs of MSI in London, Julie was responsible for a not-for-profit program remit spreading over 12 countries, growing it from a GBP?5 million project portfolio to over ?33 million in less than 4 years.

Julie notes that she fees enormously privileged to be working with an outstanding group of capable and committed women and men in many countries to improve the lives of women and their families. 'The more I see of what it means to a woman in Myanmar, the Solomon's or China, not to be able to access the basic health services and information which we in Australia take for granted, the more passionate I become about the work I am involved in, even if it only makes the smallest difference to just one woman. It's about improving and saving women's lives'.


Occupation/Title
Aid worker: Chief Executive and Regional Representative


Company/Organization
Marie Stopes International Australia


State
Victoria


Age
36

1. Where did you grow up?
   A farm in Country Victoria and then Biloela in Central Queensland -a long way from anywhere but fantastic place to grow up.
   
   
2. What was your first job?
   After school: Accounts Clerk at a rural hospital, pre university; after university: Special Projects Officer, Queensland Treasury
   
   
3. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
   Hmmm - well travelled and challenged. Because I was good at English everyone suggested law, so I applied for it at uni, was accepted, then took a 3 year break: a year as an exchange student in Japan and 2 years working before deciding that management and people were my interest.
   
   
4. How did you get to where you are now?
   Flexibility, enthusiasm, persistence, great opportunities and bosses who believed in me.
   
   
5. How many hours a week do you work?
   Probably around 45, including evenings because of time differences involved in international work, but nothing like I used to when getting established, which was crazy - I work more effectively now I have a young family - have to get more done in less time.
   
   
6. Where would you like to be in ten years?
   Hard one, geographically, as my career and personal life are both international. If I continue in Australia, then heading up the leading reproductive health agency in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, working with an inspiring team of professionals here in Australia and abroad, increasingly focussing on the international advocacy and leverage side of what I do: working with governments, donors and community groups to help effect positive change in the status, and particularly the health, of women.What advice would you give to somebody embarking on their first business or aspiring to achieve extraordinary career goals?
   Believe in yourself, be positive, take risks and make the most of opportunities, and the day you can't remember what is was that you learned that was new is the day to move on or out.
   
   
7. What do you class as your biggest career achievement?
   Identifying and mentoring potentially outstanding women in developing countries and supporting them to become leaders of national significance in their field. Helping bring out their strengths and courage to facilitate them making a difference in the very controversial are of reproductive health.
   
   
8. What is the best piece of advice anybody has given you?
   At the end of the day, always ask yourself, 'Now, what have I learned today that I didn't know yesterday'. If the answer is ever nothing, you're either in the wrong job or organisation or have a stale approach - either way it's time for a hard look at yourself and what you are doing.
   
   Julie's Fast Facts
   
   • Who living or dead would you most like to invite to dinner?
   • Dame Freya Stark, an amazing solo British explorer of the Middle East in the late 19th Century.
   • Name a movie that actually inspired you?
   • The Sheltering Sky, to travel and learn about others and myself.
   • Your favourite toy as a child
   • My bicycle and our farm, for exploring.
   
   
   
9. What are you reading?
   The Simarillion - JRR Tolkein
   
   
10. Which song transports you to another place when you hear it and why?
    Family Life (Blue Nile) - special people in my life.
    Peace Train (Cat Stevens & 10,000 Maniacs) - Paris and Jordan; late nights; fellow travellers and kindred spirits.
    
    
11. Your favourite place in the world, and why?
    Almost impossible, so many, but up there would be the Knoydart Peninsula in Scotland for the wildness, or Wadi Rum in Jordan, because the ancientness, the colours and the stillness of deserts are truly profound. Part of me will always be on Queensland's beautiful island beaches.
    
    
12. What is your idea of the perfect Sunday?
    Waking up with my family and kids (usually jumping on my head!) on a bright blue day while camping followed by wild walking in the hills and mountains.

To find out more about this vital organisation visit www.mariestopes.org.au