5 minutes with … Caroline Hong

I’ve been a member of AuSAE since…

1997, when I became CEO of my own professional body, the Australian Dental Association NSW. I have now been on the AuSAE board for five years and I am CEO of the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.

The most valuable thing about my AuSAE membership is…

Knowing that I am never alone if I want to talk about issues that only another association manager understands.

Before I was an association executive I was…

A dentist – and I am still registered to practise, so go on, show me your smile!

If I wasn’t an association executive I would be…

So many things – a collector of shoes, fashion, jewellery or art, or perhaps a singer, a dancer or a musician… But I also really like being an association CEO.

The thing that gets me out of bed every morning is…

Knowing that my family loves me, and living in Sydney, one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

My career highlight would have to be…

The day I fulfilled my childhood ambition and obtained my first University qualification from the University of Adelaide. As a Mum and a student in a new country it was a struggle, but it taught me resilience and to believe that anything is possible in life.

I love working in this sector because…

I work with brilliantly-minded people who do great work to benefit society and the community both locally and globally.

The trouble with some associations is…

Not much really… except when you and your staff are already performing like super heroes and everyone wants better results, but there are no extra resources to help you make that happen.

Association managers become very clever at thinking outside the square to find solutions and to perform beyond what was thought possible.

As a manager it’s important to…

Know humility and to know that success is not mine alone. I need smart, strong and supportive people on my team… and I need to always remember to say thank you.

The relationship between CEO and board is…

A very precious one. If you get it right, you will not only enjoy your work and excel in it, but you will also achieve so much more than you thought was previously possible.

I am inspired by…

Stories of how people overcome adversity and work against all odds to become successful in life.

When I am not working you can find me…

Appreciating and enjoying food, wine, song, dance and being in the company of my family and the people that I love – these are enough to sustain happiness for me every day.

Kim Haworth

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