Human on the Inside with EY’s Simone Stella
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 Simone, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
You’re Head of Corporate Affairs, Oceana, for EY.
In 1 sentence - what does this role entail?
Simone Stella: Building and protecting organisational trust and reputation
M: Joining in May 2025, you’re new to the world of EY, but certainly not corporate affairs. With over 11 years at ANZ alone, you’re a seasoned corporate affairs professional with over 20 years of experience across diverse sectors including financial services, automotive, manufacturing, and grocery retail.
Your previous role sat within the Commercial Banking division of ANZ and focused on leveraging strategic communications to support reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and organisational goals. Your multifaceted career at ANZ also included roles in government relations, stakeholder engagement, institutional communications, and executive messaging, both in Australia and internationally.
Earlier in your career, you held roles at General Motors, O2 Arena in London, Baldwin Boyle Group, and O-I, where you developed a strong foundation in media relations, executive counsel, and internal communications.
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
SS: I am naturally a curious person, enjoy learning, and working with a diverse range of people that brings about the opportunity to understand different perspectives. I believe that engaging consistently and transparently can help to create meaningful relationships which drive value for individuals, communities and organisations.
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?
SS: I completed a Bachelor of Communication some years ago now, and one of the most formative experiences was my first professional job at GM Holden. I finished my degree while working fulltime where I was able to apply the theory in real-time. I’ll never forget a week spent running from exams in the morning to Melbourne’s Flemington racetrack where I was responsible for hosting media and GM customers throughout the spring racing carnival. I also joined the organisation at a challenging time for the company. It was undergoing a major transformation due to changing consumer preferences. During this time I witnessed the importance of many companies to local communities, and the role of big business in making a difference to people's lives, and saw clearly the importance of considered communications in supporting various stakeholders, navigate uncertainty. My formal qualifications are closely aligned to my career today, although at the time they could have been a little more practical, but I am sure curriculums have evolved.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
SS: Say yes to every opportunity (I have, but I’d still tell myself in case there was any wavering doubt), and place greater value on the role and skill of listening.
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 corporate affairs space right now?
SS: This is something I have considered frequently in the past 12-months given the rise of AI. This is making some of the skills built through formal education and experience available to others, while delivering greater efficiency and productivity to the skilled practitioner. But one thing I don’t think AI is able to achieve is truly understanding what motivates, inspires, and engages an audience. There’s often so much history and context that influences these factors, and building relationships, engaging with others, and looking externally for potential risks, are equally as important as a succinct sentence in making sure a message lands. Also, I think AI is going to continue to dilute authenticity, which will create further trust and credibility issues for corporate affairs practitioners to solve. Of course I was tempted to run my responses through CoPilot, but I believe authenticity is key, and I hope anyone who knows me that reads this hears my voice.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
SS: Being able to adapt. Uncertainty is growing and the world is transforming at an unparalleled pace. Being able to keep up with those changes, and consider ways to leverage them, or mitigate the associated risks, is something I am keenly focused on.
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?
SS: It goes back to my early comment about listening. I love to talk and I love to solve issues quickly. But taking the time to understand other peoples’ views, and the importance of bringing people along, is something I have learned over the years.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to explore the world of corporate affairs, what would it be?
SS: Get experience and work hard. Before being accepted into GM’s cooperative program aimed at people midway through their university degrees, I spent a year volunteering in a PR related capacity at the Cancer Council of Victoria, while studying, working part-time, and enjoying the busy social life of someone in their early 20s (those were the days!). I wouldn’t have got a look in at GM without that experience. Also consider the various graduate programs on offer by some of the larger corporates (EY has an excellent one), and network, network, network.
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?
SS: Curiosity did NOT kill the cat, at least not in corporate affairs. Someone who wants to understand an issue deeply, is open to feedback, and is keen to continually learn is top of my list.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
SS: Good question. And coming from a family of educators, I couldn’t agree with this statement more. EY offers its employees a range of AI accreditations, so that’s next on my list and I am also considering a company directors course.
Simone Stella
Head of Corporate Affairs, Oceana at EY
Simone is a corporate affairs professional with 20 years of experience in various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, grocery retail, financial and professional services. She’s skilled in reputational and stakeholder management and is passionate about communications ability to achieve social and economic outcomes both for organisations and communities.
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