From Finance to Construction: How Claudette Gajda Built Her Presence as a Global IT Delivery Leader
Claudette Gajda has built an impressive career in technology leadership. Her journey has taken her through major industries, from Westpac to Origin Energy, and now construction, where women in senior technology roles remain notably underrepresented. She now leads global IT delivery at Multiplex and has spent the past three years in this role.
Claudette acknowledges that her career trajectory hasn't followed a traditional path. “A lot of where I’ve landed has been through promotions rather than me actively driving my career,” she reflects. “I’ve had real support from managers and mentors who have pushed me forward for most of my roles as they have seen my potential.”
Her transition from financial services at Westpac to Origin Energy, and eventually into the construction sector at Lendlease and Multiplex, wasn’t initially about industry preference. As a contractor working part-time for many years while raising two young boys, flexibility was paramount. However, as she progressed into more senior roles, alignment with organisational values became increasingly important.
“I really wanted to work for organisations that aligned with my core values,” Claudette explains. “At Lendlease and similarly at Multiplex, you feel really proud of the tangible things you’re helping contribute to – beautiful buildings, new spaces like Barangaroo. There’s this feeling that we are contributing to something long-lasting that makes you feel good.”
Navigating Leadership Challenges as a Woman in Tech
The construction and technology sectors present unique challenges for women, particularly those stepping into senior leadership positions. Claudette’s experience leading the Technology Office at Lendlease demonstrates these complexities. Despite being handpicked for the role, within the hierarchical nature of a traditional industry, she encountered resistance from some colleagues.
“Being a younger person, female, and maybe not as experienced, I had this real challenge to try and bring everyone along.”
The feedback that she lacked “executive presence” became a turning point rather than a roadblock. “I was like, well, what does that even mean? So, I went and found out what that means,” she says. “I invested heavily in my personal growth, sought support where it was needed, and developed the confidence and resilience to navigate challenges”.
Investing in Professional Development
Claudette’s approach to professional development shows what happens when you take charge of your own growth. After repeatedly seeing colleagues nominated for leadership programmes, she took matters into her own hands. Speaking of the Leading Women’s Programme – a three-month intensive course with personal coaching – she says, “I kept getting invited to presentations by participants but was never invited to apply. So, I nominated myself”.
This self-advocacy led to bigger development opportunities. During her role leading Lendlease’s Google Cloud transformation programme, she requested one-on-one coaching to navigate calls with CEOs and senior stakeholders. “I wanted support to navigate that environment, so I asked if I could have a professional coach, which they agreed to do.”
At Multiplex, her manager nominated her for a global executive leadership programme – making her the first person from IT to be selected. “It was really intense; immersive workshops with an amazing cohort of 16 people from all across the globe,” she describes. “That was quite pivotal and life-changing as far as my leadership presence and growth.”
Mentoring the Next Generation
Having benefited from mentorship throughout her career, Claudette is passionate about paying it forward. She established an IT graduate programme at Lendlease and continues to mentor both men and women. Her advice to the next generation is practical: “Get to know yourself – know what your strengths and weaknesses are, and then absolutely utilise and build on those. Find yourself supporters who are going to help propel you in your career.”
She believes that self-awareness is a foundation for career success. “If you don’t know your values and what’s important to you, you can be all over the place. I learnt to only go after what matters to me.”
Best for Business
When asked to describe her leadership presence today, Claudette’s response reveals the authentic style that has served her well: “I turn up every day, I’m consistent, I’m always authentic. I don’t change who I am according to who I’m speaking to.”
Additionally, she says, rather than getting caught up in rigid structures, she is a leader who operates with strategic intuition while maintaining flexibility. As such, she has created a work environment characterised by trust and psychological safety.
And with the assistance of Damien Sweeney at Allura Partners, she has built a track record of successful placements. “I’m really straight with Damien, and the broader team at Allura Partners, about the culture and what we're looking for," she explains. “He’s come to know me and the organisation, and he’s been able to find candidates who fit. We’ve had a really good success rate.”
For women considering similar paths, Claudette’s message is one of optimism and confidence: develop resilience, find your supporters, and stay true to your values. Most importantly, “Making business decisions is not about ego – it’s always about what’s best for the organisation.”