Curiosity is Marnie’s cup of tea
08/03/2024. By Carmelle Wilkinson.
T2 Global Director of People, Dr Marnie Gibson.
Dr Marnie Gibson was just three years old, when she entered full time schooling to quench her thirst for knowledge and the world around her.
With more questions than her mum could answer, a decision was made to place her in a Montessori School, where her strong interest in learning could be nurtured.
As Global Director of People for popular tea brand T2, Marnie is a born leader, and a highly qualified HR professional with expertise in employee engagement, leadership development, cultural transformation and management.
Add to that growing list a natural flair for acting and presenting and a fascinating side hobby as a competitive roller-skater – and you have one impressive and colourful resume.
Marnie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology from Curtin, a Master’s in Human Resource Management, Diploma in Business and a Doctor of Business Administration, HR and Leadership.
“I never really thought that was a lot, but now that you mention it,’’ she laughed.
“I just like lots of things, I love variety and I’m naturally very curious.”
Marnie said a good education was always cherished in her family, and she never took the opportunity to study for granted.
“My grandparents met in a concentration camp in Poland before they were relocated to a refugee camp. It was here, in the refugee camp that they had my mum,’’ she said.
“One day they managed to escape and fled to Australia by ship, arriving in Perth.
“When my grandparents got here, they didn’t speak English. They didn’t have a great deal of money either, so they never had a car or wore great clothes, but any money they did have they invested in their children’s education.
“My mum and her brothers were sent to good schools and following high school, mum went on to become a teacher.”
Marnie said growing up she was that annoying child following her parents around wanting to know the answer to a flurry of burning questions.
“When I was three, mum decided childcare wasn’t enough for me, so she enrolled me in full time school. She was happy with the Montessori approach to learning so off I went. I absolutely loved it,’’ she said.
Before tackling her many university degrees, Marnie originally had dreams of becoming a performer.
“I actually wanted to be the next Bette Midler,’’ she laughed.
“Acting and performing was and still is my happy place, which is why I never gave it up. I still have an agent.
“However, it was while studying at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and juggling a number of random jobs as a barista, night club hostess and waitress, that I also discovered my interest in connecting with others.
“While carrying out temp work in a HR department someone noticed this interest and suggested I pursue human resources as a career.
“Shortly after, I re-enrolled at Curtin to study a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology, and I’ve never looked back.”
In her current role as T2’s Global Director for People, Marnie is passionate about leadership, people and positive engagement.
Marnie is passionate about leadership and human connection.
“As human beings, we have an innate need to connect and are social animals,’’ she said.
“We seek to care, progress and cooperate, not only in society but in our workplaces. And building employee engagement is key to cultivating a positive work culture.”
Marnie said when employees felt overlooked, undermined or downtrodden they were prone to disengaging.
“It’s been quoted that employees don’t leave jobs, they leave managers, and this is so true,’’ she said.
“My advice to employers is, provide feedback, have your employees’ backs, listen, be understanding and recognise potential,’’ she said.
With International Women’s Day this month, Marnie was hopeful more girls would be empowered to chase those senior, leadership roles in their chosen careers.
“Currently in Australia, 57% of retail employees are female and just only 17% are CEO’s,’’ she said.
“I’d love to see those figures improve in my lifetime.”
Marnie also encouraged young women to embrace change, step out of their comfort zone and fuel their curiosity.
“Don’t stop asking questions,’’ she said.
“To this day, if I’m in a meeting and I don’t know an acronym, you better believe I’m going to google it straight after.
“Don’t take yourself too seriously either. I certainly don’t. I crack a lot of jokes, I like Kylie Minogue and wear sequins whenever I can, but I also know when to focus,” she said.
With a diverse portfolio of work experiences spanning various industries, including lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland and People and Culture Director at Treasury Wine Estates in Melbourne, Marnie has learnt to bank on herself and her ability.
“Earlier in my career, I did struggle with imposter syndrome. At the time I was working in an Asia-Pacific role, where I was the youngest and only female in the leadership team,’’ she said.
“That took some adjustment, and I found myself constantly trying to prove myself, even though at the time I was studying for my doctorate.
“Nowadays, and as I’ve gotten older, I’m more confident in my strengths and whilst it used to make me cringe, I don’t mind if people call me Dr now, as I know I’ve earned it.”
Marnie’s desire to always push herself, saw her take up roller skating classes after the Covid pandemic.
With her mean roller-skating skills, she now competes at State competitions.
Marnie is an avid roller-skater, regularly competing at State competitions.
“Oh gosh, I’m really not that good,’’ she laughed.
“During Covid my sister and I started roller skating around the neighbourhood together. After she stopped and became bored with it, I continued, enrolling myself in roller-skating classes where I was the only adult.
“After completing the five levels and earning my gold stars, I asked the instructor where to now? And he suggested I start competing. Now I compete and had to source a costume because there aren’t a lot in my adult size.
“It’s pretty funny, I have a coach and everything.”
Marnie said at her last comp she was she cheered on from the sidelines from the kids she formally trained with.
A big kid at heart, Marnie is always open to new experiences.
“It was so cute. There were shouting ‘go Marnie!’ I’ve now got many 14-year-old friends,’’ she said.
“I don’t know how I got here, but I just embrace new experiences and I don’t quit. I probably should. Haha.
“Maybe I’ll try for the national skating team, now that would be exciting.”
A big kid at heart, Marnie said she was always open to new experiences and had her sights set on immersing herself in a new culture and working overseas at some stage in the future.
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