We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maryann Tsai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Maryann , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
For me, finding my purpose wasn’t a single defining moment—it was a journey shaped by my own lived experiences. I grew up watching my single mother struggle to rebuild her life and career after migrating to Australia when my father passed away with cancer. I saw firsthand how capable, talented women could face barriers not because of a lack of skill, but because of a lack of opportunity, confidence, or support.
Those early experiences stayed with me. Over the years, I found myself drawn to community work, mentoring women, and creating spaces where others felt seen and supported. It wasn’t about chasing success—it was about creating change.
When I founded Reach Her Inc., everything clicked. I realised my purpose was to empower women—especially those from diverse and multicultural backgrounds—to rise with confidence, access opportunities, and lead fulfilling lives. My purpose is deeply personal; it’s about transforming struggle into strength, and giving others the tools, networks, and belief to reach their fullest potential.
Ultimately, purpose found me when I stopped asking, “What should I do?” and started asking, “Who can I serve?”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At Reach Her Inc, we’re passionate about empowering women from all walks of life to rise, lead, and thrive. We’re a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing gender equality through wellbeing, education, and employment pathways. Our programs are designed to help women rebuild confidence, develop business and leadership skills, and create sustainable opportunities for themselves and their families.
What I find most exciting about our work is witnessing transformation in real time — seeing women who once doubted their abilities go on to launch businesses, secure meaningful employment, or step into leadership roles. It’s about more than skill-building; it’s about unlocking potential and creating ripple effects of empowerment across communities.
Every woman’s journey is unique, and that’s what makes Reach Her Inc so special — we meet women where they are, providing tailored support through mentorship, training, and community connection.
We’re thrilled about some new developments on the horizon! In 2026, we’re expanding our reach through the launch of our online learning portal, which will make our programs accessible to women in regional and remote communities. We’re also growing our mentorship programs and leadership programs, helping women take their ideas from concept to growth.
At its heart, Reach Her Inc is about building inclusive communities where every woman feels seen, valued, and equipped to reach her fullest potential.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been truly transformative: resilience, curiosity, and authentic leadership.
Resilience has been essential because every venture, initiative, or project comes with challenges—some expected, some completely surprising. Learning to embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn, rather than obstacles, has allowed me to keep moving forward even when things felt impossible.
Curiosity has kept me open to new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities. I’ve always asked questions, sought out mentors, and explored areas outside my comfort zone. This willingness to learn continuously has been crucial, both personally and professionally.
Authentic leadership—leading with integrity, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose—has been the foundation of the work I do at Reach Her Inc. When people see that your actions are aligned with your values, it builds trust and inspires others to step up and contribute meaningfully.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to cultivate these qualities actively:
1. Build resilience by embracing challenges rather than avoiding them. Treat failure as feedback and not a reflection of your worth.
2. Nurture curiosity by seeking out mentors, learning from diverse perspectives, and experimenting with new ideas. Never stop asking questions.
3. Develop authentic leadership by reflecting regularly on your values and purpose. Lead in ways that feel true to you, and you’ll naturally inspire others to follow.
In the end, these qualities don’t just shape your career—they shape the impact you can have in the world. Focus on them, and your journey becomes both meaningful and transformative.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely—partnership and collaboration are at the heart of the work we do at Reach Her Inc. We’re always looking to connect with like-minded change makers, organisations, and individuals who share our vision of empowering women, fostering gender equality, and creating pathways for underrepresented voices.
Specifically, we’re interested in collaborating with:
1. Community organisations that support women and multicultural communities.
2. Businesses and corporates who want to sponsor programs, provide mentorship opportunities, or partner on initiatives that create real social impact.
3. Educational institutions that are interested in co-designing programs, workshops, or research projects around leadership, entrepreneurship, and wellbeing.
4. Media outlets or creatives who want to amplify the voices of women and emerging leaders.
If you’re reading this and feel inspired to collaborate, the easiest way to connect is through our website – https://reachherinc.org/ or by reaching out directly via email at [email protected]. We love exploring partnerships that are meaningful, action-driven, and aligned with our mission—so don’t hesitate to reach out and start a conversation!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reachherinc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram/reachherproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reachherproject
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-tsai-21a547140
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/maryann.tsai/
Image Credits
Miwako Lucy Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
