Meet Kalindi Commerford - lawyer and former Hockeyroo. Kalindi joined the Minerva Network in 2019 and has had two mentors, Francis Drummond and Sarah Zeljko.
”Minerva is a space to connect with aspirational, highly accomplished women who I can relate to on matters that are unique to women in sport. Powerful, strong women aren’t always celebrated. In fact I think sometimes it raises the threat level which can lead to poor treatment. I have never felt that in this network and I love that it is a space where women genuinely support women to succeed, in sport and beyond.”
I’ve always been drawn to strong women who I believe stood tall against conformity perhaps at their own personal cost. I’ve always been in awe of Princess Diana (Diana Spencer), particularly in the era where she wasn’t bound by the rules of the monarchy and was able have genuine impact and influence by expressing her true self.
Closer to home, I hold the Hon. Julia Gillard in high regard. She was one of our most effective Prime Ministers and was subject to an immature Parliament that was not ready for a woman to lead. She was constantly the subject of sexist commentary and in my opinion, didn’t stoop in her response.
I’m proud of the life I have created post my long-term concussion which rendered me unfit for work and sport. I have returned to work as a lawyer with Redemont, relocated to the Gold Coast, built an amazing network of powerhouse players in Queensland, continued my work advocating for athlete welfare, and have even picked up a hockey stick again (watch this space).
My life is bigger than it was and I love every minute of it.
I am a practicing lawyer with Redemont on the Gold Coast and I sit in the generalist space. I would love to grow a practice area in the sports and entertainment space. I also run a talent agency, Kagency Management, in which I help athletes commercialise on opportunities.
Outside of this, I sit on three advisory boards, all in the concussion and brain health space: Hit IQ, Dementia Australia, Concussion Legacy Foundation Australia. I have also been appointed as a tribunal member to the Netball Australia disciplinary tribunal.
And just for fun, I have been exploring commentatingopportunities. I’ve been considered a bit of a mouthpiece, may as well use itfor professional development.
It’s a space to connect with aspirational, highly accomplished women who I can relate to on matters that are unique to women in sport. Powerful, strong women aren’t always celebrated. In fact I think sometimes it raises the threat level which can lead to poor treatment. I have never felt that in this network and I love that it is a space where women genuinely support women to succeed, in sport and beyond.
The ability to juggle many things at once. There was a period in my life where I was training full time with the Hockeyroos, completing post graduate legal studies and working. I have learnt how to optimise my time and not place a glass ceiling on myself.
During my two-year concussion I leant into a lot of my learnings through sport. In fact my relationship with my body and my ability to trust my gut instinct in what I was feeling was genuinely the difference between my recovery and sanity at times. I relied on exercise at a time when everything else in my life wasn’t attainable or possible.
The importance of being able to advocate for myself, understanding my strengths and remaining open to growth are hugely important and underrated in the workplace.
Most importantly, I will never dim my light.
Brokering deals. Networking. Trying my hand at any new skill.
When I was needing to return to life post-concussion, I reached into the Network. Minerva has always connected me with women who genuinely had connections to place me in the right rooms and connect me with the right people to get my life back on track. Beyond this, my mentors were simply just a safe space for me to stay connected with and impart their tacit knowledge on to me. My goal is to shift from mentee to mentor… let’s make that happen.
