From discovering her passion for manufacturing at just 12 years old to over 25 years in leadership, Tara Moses, COO of R.M.Williams, has built a career grounded in impact, resilience, and innovation. She reflects on the experiences, pivotal career moments, and mentors who have shaped her approach, and shares the lessons that continue to guide her leadership in the evolving Australian fashion and textiles industry.

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey?
I started my career journey when I was 12 years old and went to a "Women in Science and Engineering" Event at the University. I remember clearly listening to the woman explaining her job as an Industrial Engineer. I loved that she was helping to make factories better for the workers through ergonomics and efficiency. I was hooked from then on with manufacturing!

2. Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?
There are so many pivotal moments and they generally solidify in job changes within an organisation and moving from one company to another. I have been driven by making things better, by capitalising on the potential in any space.

3. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?
One influential mentor for me was a Chief Marketing Officer, Mary. I was able to observe her in many executive meetings and ask her questions on her mindset and approach. One particular thing resonates with me today. I noticed she was always engaged in the topics regardless if marketing was impacted or involved.

She asked curious questions and was genuinely interested. I told her this observation in one of our sessions and she said "Tara, I hold a "C-Level" position and that is my job to know, learn and engage in all aspects of the business and I feel everyday that I'm doing that". It was and is a good example of a great leader.

4. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?
I am grateful that I've had over 25 years of experience to know that my biggest challenges and barriers have come from my own internal limitations and expectations of myself and others. I have at times not seen my gifts and stayed small, I have not communicated clearly and created tensions for myself and others.

5. Our industry is 77% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?
At R.M.Williams,  67% of the executive leadership is female and I'm so honoured to be a part of this diverse group. I have seen and experienced outside of R.M. amazing female leaders and executives. Australia is not lacking in fantastic female leaders! We all need to support, encourage, seek out, and promote female leaders. In a fashion industry where most employees are female and most customers are also female the more women that are at the table, the better.

6. What's one piece of advice you’d share with someone aiming to follow in your footsteps?
My advice, the thing I whisper to my younger self, is to build strength. The strength needed to be out in front where the wind hits hard, the strength to make the tough decisions, the strength to realise you might be causing the problem, the strength to have the hard conversations, the strength to speak up, the strength to think BIG, and the strength to carry forward no matter what. 

Find more about R.M.Williams here