Human on the Inside with Pathfindr AI’s Lindsay Page
Human on the Inside. We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Maxme: Welcome Lindsay, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
Currently, you’re the AI Upskilling Lead for Pathfindr - an AI Accelerator recognised as one of AFR's Most Innovative Companies of 2024.
In 1 sentence - what does this role entail?
Lindsay Page: Thanks for having me! Being in a startup means wearing a lot of hats, but if I had to sum it up… as the AI Upskilling Lead at Pathfindr, I run our Accelerator programs that take people from “I have no idea where to start” to confidently using AI in their everyday work and life.
M: You’ve been with Pathfindr since inception in early 2024, however your career in systems design and complex platform delivery is of course much deeper.
Prior to Pathfindr, you spent over four years at Accenture, progressing from an Application Development Associate to a Business Architecture Associate Manager.
In this time, you honed your expertise in software design, development, and business analysis. You also gained experience as a technical specialist at Apple and as an academic demonstrator at the University of Sydney, where you earned First Class Honours in a Bachelor of Design Computing.
With certifications in Agile and Salesforce, and a passion for bridging the gap between people and emerging technologies, you’re one bright spark in the figure of AI and UX!
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
LP: I’ve always been a curious and creative person. Growing up I was the kid who’d be up late teaching myself how to code a sparkly pink MySpace layout and figuring things out by trial and error.
I’ve always been a huge consumer of technology, and even though I’ve had many “technical” roles in my career, I never felt “technical enough” in the traditional sense - I struggled to shake that feeling. Then I started to realise that tech is only adopted if people are comfortable using it … and my whole career from design to delivery has been about closing that gap.
Now, through the Accelerator programs we run at Pathfindr, it’s all about removing that barrier. Whether it’s AI or any emerging tech, we want people to feel confident rather than overwhelmed by using it, even if they don’t come from a technical background.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
LP: Funnily enough, when I finished high school, I actually wanted to be a dancer or performer, so ending up in tech wasn’t exactly the obvious path. But working in the creative arts gave me the confidence to back myself and gain confidence being outside my comfort zone.
When I came across Design Computing at the University of Sydney it felt like the perfect mix. The course blended creativity, tech and problem-solving in a way that really clicked with me. It was a relatively new degree at the time with a small cohort compared to other fields, and I’m so grateful for professors and peers that I met during my time there. They constantly pushed me to think outside the box and explore how tech could solve real problems.
Looking back, my path has actually been quite linear; from working at the Apple Genius Bar, tutoring at uni, change management at Accenture and now leading AI upskilling at Pathfindr, it’s always come back to helping people understand something new.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 18 year old self it would be ...
LP: Say yes to things that scare you a bit. Back yourself, and don’t waste time trying to fit into a box you were never meant for.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in the AI consulting space right now?
LP: In my opinion, humans are what make or break AI adoption at the moment. You can throw all the tech at a team, but if people don’t feel confident, supported, or believe in its potential to actually solve their problems, it won’t stick.
At Pathfindr we’ve found that it's all about how you communicate, how well you listen, and whether you can make AI useful. In the work we do, it’s not about pushing specific tools, it’s about helping people feel capable and curious enough to give it a go.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
LP: I think one of my strongest traits is being able to break things down in a way that feels approachable. I’ve had a lot of moments in my own journey where things felt confusing or out of reach, so I really try to create space for others to feel comfortable asking questions.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
LP: I’ve really had to work on letting go of perfectionism, because things don’t always go to plan. I used to want everything “right” before putting it out into the world, but I’ve learned that progress matters more than perfect. Getting feedback early, being open to change, and not taking it personally has made me way better at what I do, and way less stressed.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to explore the world of system design or UX, what would it be?
LP: At Pathfindr we have the culture of learning by doing, not just by planning. You can only get so far by thinking without actioning - real growth happens when you build something, test it, and see how people interact with it.
M: You’ve been granted approval to add one University graduate to your team, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
LP: I’d want to talk to them to see if they’re curious, open, and willing to learn, or whether they think they’ve got it all figured out. I’m way more interested in someone who asks thoughtful questions and wants to grow, than a candidate who simply wants to be the smartest in the room. The best people I’ve worked with are collaborative, humble, and always learning.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
LP: With the huge growth and success we’ve had at Pathfindr, I’ve been working more across product design and sales, so upskilling in both areas is a big focus. A huge item on my learning agenda is designing with a product mindset. Thinking about scaling, long-term value, and if it's fit for purpose. On the sales side, I’m keen to sharpen my skills around storytelling, discovery, and understanding what really drives decision-making.
Lindsay Page
AI Upskilling Lead, Pathfindr AI
AI is daunting to most people, but Lindsay breaks it down so it's easy to understand and most importantly easy to use. With a background in system's design, she now is the AI Upskilling Lead at Pathfindr which was announced as one of AFR's Most Innovative Companies of 2024. Lindsay works with teams to get the most out of AI, from training them how to use off the shelf tools, to designing new ones specifically for their needs.
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