Her career has now matured to a point where she is deservedly recognised as a leader in her field. In addition to earning the prestigious national Women in Digital Award, she is a guest lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Design and at Monash University, she mentors for the Ocean Impact Accelerator Program, she regularly speaks at various events, including the Business School’s Women Leading in Digital Breakfast and Panel Discussion in March this year, and she continues to innovate in her role at Amazon Music.
Outside the world of business, Elisa is a scuba divemaster, freediver and snowboarder. She travels to remote parts of the world and takes incredible wildlife photographs (elisaschan.com), while living her passions of sustainability and marine conservation by mentoring and volunteering with the Ocean Impact Organisation, the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, ORRCA marine mammal rescue and WIRES wildlife rescue.
It’s a well-rounded life that maximises her impact by honouring her personal values and unique strengths, both at work and outside it.
“Knowing who you are, your skills, your values, your passions, and what makes you unique as a person is what’s going to serve you,” Elisa says. “Being able to share your story will help you to stand out in your career, just as in life. Your degree is just one of those components – it’s not the deciding factor in itself.”
Elisa Chan’s top reads
Brené Brown, Dare to Lead and I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t)
“Brené Brown’s books have helped shape how I relate to people – family, friends, colleagues. They’ve helped me to read between the lines and made me a more empathetic person (and leader).”
Ali Wong, Dear Girls; Anh Do, The Happiest Refugee; and Kevin Hart, I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons
“Who doesn’t love a read that makes you laugh, cringe, and teaches you something all at the same time? Books written by comedians often have deep narratives – sometimes stories that are a little dark or socially difficult to approach – that are delivered in much more approachable ways, with humour. Some of these books have been a positive influence on how I communicate – in life and at work.”