With more than a decade spent at STEPS, Wendy is one of the quiet forces behind the success of our STEPS Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program.
As Senior Training Administrator, Wendy supports our SEE teams across Queensland and the Northern Territory, offering them guidance and always leading with empathy.
Based in Cairns, Wendy’s role spans far beyond a single site. She works with admin staff and support coordinators across our many regions, helping everything from onboarding and training to audits and compliance run smoothly.
“I’ve always loved helping people,” Wendy said.
“STEPS just felt like the right fit. There’s so much heart here.”
A career built on care
Wendy’s background is rooted in service. She spent 25 years as a Dental Nurse and Office Manager, later moving into education and community support.
Before joining STEPS, she worked in a specialist school for vulnerable youth and took on office relief roles with IFYS, supporting programs in foster care and domestic violence.
“Wherever I worked, it was always about people. But STEPS has a special kind of community spirit that really stood out to me.”
She joined STEPS in 2013 as an Administration Officer and quickly became an essential part of the team. Over time, her role expanded, as did her impact.
A natural mentor
These days, Wendy plays a key part in training and mentoring STEPS admin staff. She’s the go-to for questions and support during change or transition.
“I really enjoy this role and love seeing my team members succeed and find joy in their work.”
She credits her colleagues, particularly STEPS Education and Training Manager Cassie Stanley, for reigniting her motivation after the disruption of Covid.
“I just love her and her enthusiasm for STEPS and what we do,” Wendy said.
“I’ve always enjoyed my job and been proud to work here, but Cassie brought a renewed sense of passion that’s fuelled me and my team to go above and beyond.”
Words of wisdom
Wendy’s advice to anyone considering a career in administration? It’s about more than just being organised.
“Attention to detail is my number one tip. Of course, that applies to your technical work, but it equally applies to your interactions with other people.”
“A lot of people think it’s just about being friendly, but you need to be empathetic and understanding and treat every person and their circumstances as unique, whether they’re a participant or a client or another team member.”
A moment that stayed with her
One of Wendy’s favourite memories at STEPS is a simple graduation celebration for participants of the STEPS Certificate III in Individual Support course.
“The look on those participants’ faces… I think for many of them, they thought they’d never graduate or achieve something like that,” she said.
“It was incredibly humbling and heartwarming. How lucky are we all to be part of an organisation that helps people like this?”
About STEPS Spotlight
STEPS Spotlight is our way of celebrating the incredible people who make up the STEPS team.
Each month, we share the story of a staff member whose passion, dedication, and unique journey help shape the heart of our organisation.
Stay tuned for more stories from across the STEPS community, or in the meantime, revisit our previous profiles!
