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Molly Hillman was born in New Zealand, with a family love of travel and adventure a strong influence in her childhood years. In the unusual position of having to choose a College online, due to COVID-19, she looked for somewhere that would challenge her. A University of Sydney scholarship confirmed her decision to relocate to Australia, and she soon established herself in a new College and new city.

With a passion for innovation and fast-paced work, a series of internships helped Molly gain the skills she needed to start climbing the ladder in marketing, strategy and sales. She shares how there’s no ‘perfect moment’ to make a difference, the importance of creating a great work culture and her advice for current Androvians.

Could you share a bit about your background? Where are you originally from, and where did you grow up?
I’m half Australian, half Kiwi, and grew up in Auckland. My parents met while travelling in Turkey in the late ’80s, and their love for adventure played a big role in shaping my and my older sister’s childhoods. Although we were based in Auckland, we travelled extensively as a family. We also spent a lot of time in New Zealand, splitting our time between Waiheke Island—where my parents have now retired—and our boat in the Hauraki Gulf.

Why did you choose to reside at �鶹ԭ�� College?
Choosing a college during COVID meant doing all my research online since I couldn’t visit in person. �鶹ԭ�� stood out for its competitive environment and impressive alumni network. I wanted to be somewhere that would push me, and it felt like the right fit. Receiving a scholarship to the University of Sydney further solidified my decision to move to Sydney. I always knew I wanted to study or live overseas as soon as possible, and I wasn’t going to let New Zealand’s closed borders hold me back.

Which aspects of college life were you involved in, and do you have a favourite memory you’d like to share?
Moving to a new city where I didn’t know anyone was not easy, but college gave me such an inclusive community to establish myself in a new city. In my first year, I tried a bit of everything—extracurriculars, sport, and lots of social events alongside working part-time at ZURU. By my second year, I was more focused on my full-time role at Crimson, but I still stayed connected to the social aspect of the college. It felt so good to have a place to call home. I have so many wonderful memories, our half locked down social gatherings in the main library were probably a favourite!

During your studies, you completed several internships in marketing and innovation at organisations like Crimson Education, ANZ, ZURU Edge, and Dose & Co. What inspired you to pursue these internships, and how did they contribute to your career development?
I’ve always been driven to work in fast-paced, innovative environments, which led me to pursue internships at Crimson, ANZ, and ZURU Edge (Dose & Co.). Each offered a range of experiences that helped me quickly figure out the type of role and company where I thrive, while giving me the opportunity to make a tangible impact and gain real-world experience.

Being appointed to a senior leadership position so early in my career is uncommon, but I credit it to the culture at Crimson and the diverse experience I’ve gained in a short time. If I hadn’t started working in companies like this at 16, I wouldn’t have developed the skills needed to manage the role I have today.

Transitioning from a Senior Sales Executive to Country Manager at Crimson Education is a significant leap. What prompted this change, and what have you learned so far in your new role?
Transitioning to Country Manager was a big shift—from managing my own sales to leading a team and developing a market strategy. But I’m always up for a challenge, and stepping into new roles has kept me engaged and really supercharged my personal growth. The biggest learning curve has been finding my feet in managing a larger team. It takes time to establish your own leadership style, but I’ve focused on being direct, honest, and contributing what experience I have. I definitely don’t claim to have years of leadership experience, but there’s still a lot to learn, and I’m excited to keep growing and taking on new challenges.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your current position?
One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing strategic leadership with hitting revenue targets, especially with a team spread across different countries. Keeping everyone on the same page can be tricky, but I’ve learned to lead from the front—getting involved in everything, from high-level planning to hands-on work. I believe in creating a culture where everyone feels a shared responsibility and is excited about our goals. By jumping in alongside the team and staying focused on what we’re trying to achieve, I’ve found we stay energised, aligned, and committed.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?
Last month, I had the chance to travel to Tokyo for the annual Country Managers Summit. It all happened quickly—I got the call to interview for the Country Manager role, went through the case study and interview process, and then flew to Tokyo, all within a couple of weeks. The summit felt like an intense crash course in global leadership, with CMs from over 25 countries sharing their experiences. It reinforced how much I value learning from others and the power of bringing everyone together to tackle challenges.

You’re a GirlBoss National Award Winner. Can you tell us what that award was for?
In my last year of high school, I won the GirlBoss Trailblazer Award for starting a nonprofit called Second Step. The award was about recognising young women who break the mould and take action to make change.

In high school, you founded the charity Second Step. Can you share the story behind its creation and what inspired you to start it?
In high school, I started Second Step when I noticed kids in my community without proper shoes. It struck me that this was something I could actually do something about. At 15, I didn’t have the resources to make a huge change, but I knew small actions could still have a big impact. I started by collecting shoes from local families and redistributing them to those in need. Over the next three years, what began as a simple initiative grew into a nationwide effort.

The experience showed me that you don’t need to wait for the “perfect moment” or a grand opportunity to make a difference—you just need to start. That sense of taking action and building momentum, even in small ways, has been a guiding principle for me ever since. Second Step taught me that leadership is about identifying a problem, stepping in, and doing what you can with what you have. It’s a lesson I carry with me in everything I do.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? How do you unwind?
My secret to maintaining balance is definitely sleep—I never compromise on getting my 8 hours. Outside of work, I love spending time in the ocean, doing pilates, or catching up with friends. I do work long hours, but I’m an early riser, which gives me a couple of hours to myself before the team in New Zealand starts their day. I usually spend that time at the gym, surfing, or swimming at Clovelly. On weekends, I make it a point to disconnect from work when I can, either by getting out of Sydney to visit friends or I’ll head to the beach.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests that you’d like to mention?
Travel has always been a significant part of my life, so the ability to work from anywhere is something I make the most of. Right now, I’m on my way back from Vietnam, where I’ve spent the past couple of weeks working remotely. It’s allowed me to stay productive while still enjoying the flexibility that comes with remote work.

What’s next? Where do you envision yourself in five years?
I’m constantly driven by the need for new challenges and opportunities to push myself further. I see myself working across different countries, potentially launching my own venture or getting involved with an early-stage startup. I’m always generating ideas and building the skills necessary to lead something from the ground up. I’m passionate about products and services that create meaningful global impact and solve real problems, so I’m excited to see where that takes me next.

Do you have any advice you’d like to share with current students who are thinking about their life after college?
Character, integrity, and being able to communicate well—that’s what counts. Age doesn’t really matter; being young is often an advantage because you see things differently and you’ve got a lot less to lose. Don’t wait for opportunities—go after them, build connections, and ask questions. Try not to think of work as just ticking a box; it should mean something to you. And make the most of your time at college—learn as much as you can and build relationships. It’s a small world, and those connections will matter!!