Chiou See Anderson | Bold Steps, Big Impact

In this inspiring article, QUT alumnus Chiou See Anderson shares her remarkable journey as a successful businesswoman and advocate for women’s rights. Drawing on her depth of experience, Chiou See offers valuable insights and advice for creating meaningful impact in our communities.

In my past and present roles as a student, parent, accountant, business owner, and advocate, I have discovered that driving real change requires personal commitment and resilience. Impact comes when you recognise a better perspective and rally others toward action. One of my key catalysts for creating change has been an intrinsic gravitation to chaos and order. Chaos points me toward my goal as I seek ways to bring things into order.

What stirs your passion for positive change? Apply your skills and cease opportunities to improve peoples' lives and strengthen our communities.

Bold steps bring real impact

After 13 rewarding years in accounting and management, I took a bold step in 2003 and began working on my own business. Three years in, I took another bold step by returning to university to study my PhD, where I explored the design of senior communities in Australia. My research introduced me to the science of ageing and inspired me to incorporate the ‘soft infrastructure’ of successful aging, with the ‘hard infrastructure’ of housing, as I designed my retirement living business. After a lengthy seven-year appeal process, I proudly opened Elements Retirement Village in 2010. This incredible sanctuary is set in native bushland in Brisbane, and includes 123 purpose-built retirement homes, earning me industry awards for innovation.  I’m proud to be the only female owner and operator in a field where women make up 70% of residents, and to offer a place where their needs at the forefront. Drawing from my earlier operational experience, I also developed a successful software application, Conpago, to encourage retirement communities to adopt technology that enhances service delivery for residents.

Passion fuels change

My workplace experience in the 1990s with pervasive gender discrimination, fuelled my advocacy for women’s rights. The disparate inequality was something I couldn’t ignore. Three decades later, the same problems still existed and I knew I needed to have a seat at the table where discussions and decisions were taking place. I served as President of the National Council of Women of Queensland from 2019 - 2023, President of the National Council of Women of Australia from 2021 - 2024 and I am a current Board Member of the International Council of Women. In 2022, the Prime Minister’s office appointed me to the inaugural Women’s Economic and Equality Taskforce, and this year I am honoured to lead Australia’s delegation to the G20 Women’s Engagement Group (W20).

If you have a passion for advocacy and want your voice to be heard, make sure you're in the room.

Impact requires engagement

Advocacy transcends a single platform or issue; it’s about assessing the interconnected layers. As we work through a systemic history of gender inequality, our taskforces are addressing issues from pay disparity and gender-based violence, to the demands of unpaid care, and the devastating impact of war on women and children. True impact requires engaging every available platform to listen, consult, connect, and learn, then translate those insights into actionable recommendations. Since beginning my advocacy journey, I have been part of many gender-balancing changes in Australia and have been pleased to see amendments to Respect@Work legislation, gender pay gap reporting, Flexible Working Arrangements, Domestic Violence Leave, Reproductive Leave, and improved provisions under the Paid Parental Leave Act. Further changes are ahead as we continue to engage in these discussions and advocate for greater gender equality and respect for women.

Commitment is key

My ongoing work with G20 member constituents has brought urgent international issues to the forefront of my advocacy, with such devastating atrocities happening abroad. I’m fortunate to share my life with my husband, Brendan, a former war crimes investigator, and together, we remain dedicated to fighting injustice and restoring order in the world. Each one of us can play a role in improving lives and communities, and that work begins with you.

QUT degree – Bachelor of Business (Class of 1993)
Do you have a question for Chiou See? Connect with her on LinkedIn.