When I sat down with Belinda Berg, CEO of Mackay Women’s Services, I knew it would be a conversation full of insight and courage. Belinda’s career has taken her from teaching, to the NSW Police, to healthcare, and now to leading a not-for-profit that provides vital support for women and children impacted by domestic and family violence and sexual violence in the Mackay region.
Belinda described her early realisation that she was “naturally drawn to management and leadership roles” and that even from her days running a large McDonald’s store at 19, she was set on a path towards leadership. That path eventually led her to take a leap of faith into the not-for-profit sector.
“What people’s perceptions about not-for-profit really don’t stand true today and that not-for-profit really is a business,” she explained. She emphasised that while the purpose remains central, organisations like Mackay Women’s Services are modernising and becoming powerhouses in their field.
The service is far-reaching. “We are servicing or supporting anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 women and children this year.” The organisation provides intake and safety assessments, therapeutic counselling, and programs that support women, children, and men who want to change their paths. Their partnerships with police and other agencies are critical to ensuring a coordinated response.
Reflecting on her early months, Belinda shared that her priority was to raise the bar on the environment for both clients and staff. “I really wanted to raise the bar in terms of what the impression was and the experience for the client, for the victim survivors when they walked in through that front door of our facility.” Quick changes to the facade and waiting space set the tone for her leadership.
She also focused on rebuilding trust in the community. This meant being visible, engaging stakeholders, hosting events, and counteracting misinformation with positive stories. “It was purposeful, it was a commitment, it was intentional,” she said of their communication strategy.
After ten months, Belinda is proud of the leap she took. Recent milestones include a sector audit passed with no non-conformities and a nomination for a community award. As she put it, “It says how far we’ve come.”
Listen to the full interview and hear from Belinda in her own words via Spotify. You can connect with Belinda here on LinkedIn.