Karen Forsyth
Karen Forsyth – Service Manager Victoria, is one of the incredible female leaders making a difference and paving the way for other women at Calvary.
As one who loves a challenge, Karen has put her hand up for different roles at Calvary, each time stretching herself. Joining Calvary almost six years ago, Karen started her journey as a Client Services Officer. From there she transitioned to the NDIS team as Team Leader, before moving into her newest role as Service Manager, with responsibility for the operations of the Melbourne Home Care Service Centre. Every day she works tirelessly with staff so they have the resources they need to make a real difference in our community and lives of clients.
As a female leader, Karen is always learning and has the view that we strengthen ourselves by strengthening others. She recognises each person’s circumstances and sees the passion and ambition in our people, all the while, ensuring a positive and equal experience for everyone involved. More specifically, she encourages participation and the sharing of information to get others excited about work.
The values she holds close are family, positivity and inclusion. “I am extremely happy where I am. I am grateful my workplace has given me many opportunities to thrive. I love my job and feel proud to be here. We deliver the best care, because we care.”
Karen is surrounded by strong women in the workplace and in her personal life, including her mother and two daughters. “I am definitely my mother’s daughter and I can also see myself in my daughters. I’m just not capable of being anyone other than who I am, that is, an honest and authentic self. The tenacity and the desire to never give up is all I ask. No matter what you do, do your best.”
On one of her achievements, Karen is fond of gardening and considers herself a green thumb. She has created a small greenhouse along her office ledge. Like her career, she nurtures the plants and gives them every opportunity to grow and likes the colour and ambience they bring to her day. When she is not engaged with work and being in the office, you can find Karen skiing on the steepest slopes of the mountains, or relaxing on the beach with sand between her toes and a good book. An avid walker, Karen is a Calvary Health and Wellbeing Ambassador and takes pride in a healthy body and mind.
The ability to see the long game, even when mired in crisis or an unprecedented pandemic, she has maintained her ferocity, kindness and fearlessness in her many years as a woman working in the healthcare sector.
