Her mentor played a pivotal role in helping her navigate this challenging situation. “I was really stuck where I felt like I was being underpaid,” Cassandra recalls. “Through our formal mentoring relationship, she guided me on how to structure a conversation with the CEO about my compensation.” With her mentor’s support, Cassandra gained the confidence to make the difficult decision to leave the organization in search of a role that offered fair compensation aligned with market standards.
“Leaving a job I loved was a tough decision, but I knew it was necessary because staying would have meant continuing to be paid unfairly,” she reflects. “If I didn’t have that formal mentor, I’d probably still be sitting there now, getting grossly underpaid.” Her mentor’s influence was instrumental in empowering Cassandra to advocate for herself and ultimately transform her career trajectory. Today, she looks back with gratitude for the guidance and support that helped her achieve the career growth and opportunities she enjoys.
Why are you so passionate about mentoring others?
“I informally started mentoring back in 1997 when I created one of the first tech education programs. I was taking redundant Telstra technicians, giving them interview coaching, and helping them get their MCSE certifications so they could secure jobs at IBM, which was in desperate need at the time. That’s where my mentoring and coaching journey began—helping middle-aged men find new opportunities in the evolving tech landscape.
Today, the joy I felt then continues to drive me. Seeing the emotional reactions of those men, many in their 50s who thought their careers were over, as they received amazing offers from IBM was incredibly rewarding. That’s why I mentor and coach, dedicating personal time to helping others. It’s the joy of seeing people succeed that motivates me.”
Ms Ashworth is a champion for equality, and passionate about elevating women of all ages. Serving on the board for Business in Heels for the past 5 years and leading many industry initiatives, like the Gender Equity Awards, Rapid Circle is proud to have secured a strong DEI leader, which also bolsters Rapid Circles Global leadership team to 50% women with Ms Ashworth’s appointment.
Exciting Times Ahead: Leadership Summit for Women in Tech, Cyber & Telco
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Leadership Summit for Women in Tech, Cyber & Telco, set to take place on Thursday, October 31st, in Melbourne. This event aims to inspire, encourage, and support women in the industry to step into senior leadership roles.
The summit will feature a dynamic mix of keynotes, thought-provoking panels, professional development sessions, industry updates, and networking opportunities. Kicking off the day, we have a keynote address from a prominent leader in the tech sector, setting the stage for a series of engaging discussions with superstar panellists from leading companies in tech, cyber, and telecommunications.
Now in its fourth year, this event has successfully connected over 100 early to mid-career female leaders at each gathering. Our past attendees have praised the summit, with Michelle K. calling it a “brilliant session… informative and thought-provoking,” and Archana describing it as a “fantastic event, jam-packed with lots of inspiring keynotes, discussions, and workshops.”