BMD interview series for International Women’s Day – Janelle Hodgson

At BMD our business is our people. BMD recognises the importance of gender diversity in the construction industry and believes in the value that different perspectives can add to our business. During an interview series in the lead up to International Women’s Day, meet some of our female employees to learn how they are breaking the bias.

JANELLE HODGSON, GROUP PAYMENTS MANAGER

I AM…

I am the Group Payments Manager at BMD. I look after the team here in Brisbane and our team in Manila. I started my working life as a nurse, working in the aged care sector while raising my children who are now adults. When I was 33 a back injury led me to change careers. I went back to study and undertook a Bachelor of Business. From there I worked as a project accountant looking after multi-million dollar maintenance contracts across the Bowen Basin. The downturn in coal prices and work in Mackay was a big factor in me moving to Brisbane.

In 2014 I started working at BMD as a temp in our Invoice Registration department. It was supposed to be a three-week contract, but here I still am, eight years later! I started in the finance department as a graduate accountant and now I manage our payments division.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BREAK THE BIAS?

Bias isn’t just related to gender. Bias comes in many forms – physical, educational, mental, religious, financial, and cultural.

My upbringing and nursing background have given me a strong grounding in not forming prejudices and giving everyone the opportunity to feel equal and valued.

I believe #breakingthebias comes from increasing diversity, visibility and inclusion. BMD’s core values are really important in achieving this – ensuring that everyone feels valued and has a sense of belonging. I always try to get this across in team meetings – it’s about respect for one another. We are all here for the same reason and no one is better than anyone else.

HOW DO YOU COMMIT TO HELPING BREAK THE BIAS?

As a business, BMD is committed to increasing the numbers of women in the construction industry. For the young people in the office it is about seeing diversity at the top levels – seeing that a woman can be a manager. Then it’s about mentoring them and giving them the drive they need to get going.

Beyond gender, I believe it is about trying to really create diversity across all sectors, whether it be increasing the number of indigenous employees, or people living with disabilities. It’s important that the whole team come together to support each other – seeing beyond people’s diversity and seeing them firstly as people. Then instilling in them that it doesn’t matter who is what, we are all part of the team and all accountable for our positions.

WHY DO YOU SEE A LONG TERM CAREER AT BMD?

Working here, for the first time in my working life, I’m just keen to get up and get going every morning. Each day brings something different. I’ve made some wonderful friends here and it’s like being part of a family. I really feel as though I am part of something special at BMD.

International Women’s Day is held on March 8. It recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The IWD 2022 theme, Break the Bias, envisages a world free of bias where difference is valued and celebrated.