A commitment to learning drives career

Forget climbing the corporate ladder, Rebecca Ryan’s stellar career path is more akin to ‘choose your own adventure’.

“Early on in my career it was suggested that the best way to grow professionally was to move around, get as much exposure to different regions as possible, and partner with mentors along the way – this diversity of experience would make for a better, more well-rounded rural manager,” she fondly recalls. 

It was sage advice that set her career compass, and a professional pathway as intrepid as it has been rewarding.

Rebecca began with Rabobank whilst finishing her Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing at the University of Queensland, just seven and a half years ago.

Prior to this she had worked throughout her university years in the cotton industry.

“I was so fortunate to work for Ag Pro Services during the merger of Dunavant and Louis Dreyfus, under some amazing mentors, with many of these people having been instrumental in shaping my career. It was also a really exciting time for the cotton industry in Australia, and it really cemented the fact that agriculture was the industry for me.”

During her Rabobank tenure she’s worked across Australia, grabbing opportunity with both hands and soaking up every inch of knowledge and experience along the way.

“I started in Emerald as an analyst, where I spent 18 months, before moving to Rockhampton as a rural officer for a further 18 months, which included the opportunity to support cotton clients in North West NSW, back in an industry I was passionate about,” she explains.

Soon, a role in Toowoomba as a senior rural officer came her way, and in 2019 Rebecca jumped at the chance to attend DARE, the Rabobank leadership experience in the Netherlands.

“This was an amazing opportunity, bringing together Rabobank employees from all around the world, to explore together how we as a bank are contributing to our mission: Growing a Better World Together,” she said.

It also provided her with an introduction to some of the Central NSW leadership team, and upon her return Rebecca once again relocated, this time to Orange where she is currently a rural manager – and where she intends to stay put.

“Orange is the very best of both worlds, I can be in a job that I love working with farmers every day, and still access all the perks of city living such as buzzing bars and restaurants, coffee shops, Pilates studios and beautiful retail. Orange is the definition of contemporary rural living.”

And while certainly adventurous, Rebecca’s journey with Rabobank was equally strategic.

Dalby born and raised, the passionate young professional made the brave decision early on to avoid the comfort of familiarity for the challenge of the unknown, choosing postings that would expose her to commodities outside her traditional cotton and beef skillset.

“I knew that to progress I had to learn, learn, learn so I spent my early years moving, soaking up information and embracing some of Australia’s wonderful rural communities.”

Her aim was always to progress into a managers role in which she felt confident enough to take a longer-term view with clients, and it’s in the Orange branch she believes she’s found this stability.

“There’s a diversity of industry such as sheep, grain and cattle, I have a fantastic supportive, team and I feel ready to settle in for the long run.”

“The past decade was all about learning from managers who were achieving great things professionally. Seeing how they supported clients through some of the toughest seasonal conditions many had seen was humbling. I’m now really looking forward to drawing on that experience, partnering with my clients to help them achieve their long-term goals and grow with their businesses.”

Reflecting on her experiences across rural Australia, she encouraged young professionals to venture into the unknown, reassuringly suggesting ‘you’ll find your people’.

“When I came to Orange I didn’t know a soul, so I immersed myself in the community, I went to networking events on my own to meet like-minded women, and was fortunate that Jumbled, a popular Orange retail store, hosted ‘The Huddle’ not long after I arrived – it was a great opportunity to meet people.”

Admittedly, she said arriving in Orange in January 2020 amid the social upheaval of Covid did present challenges, however friendships were perhaps cemented more quickly, and friends soon became family whist everyone ‘leaned on each other’ during the uncertainly.

“In all the towns I’ve lived in, the key is to get involved. I’ve volunteered as the treasurer of the Moura Rugby Club through to volunteering at ‘The Huddle 2022’  and continue to support friends with their fundraising or community events.

“When you put yourself outside your comfort zone opportunity awaits, both professionally and personally – you can gain so much for hearing other peoples’ stories.”

Likewise, Rebecca credits Rabobank for contributing so generously to her career, and personal success.

“I’ve been encouraged to embrace opportunity every step of the way, and there is such a wonderful team mentality within Rabobank, you’re not just siloed into your division.

Everyone just wants to support each other to do well, because ultimately it’s our clients who benefit from this strong culture, and depth of experience.”