She’s currently riding a career high, too, winning a scholarship for the Women on Boards program, and stepping into governance opportunities with Sunbury Neighbourhood House and other organisations.

But Immacolata’s path to success hasn’t been straightforward. As a migrant from Italy, and a mother of young children, Imma has had to contend with her share of hurdles, challenges and new horizons.

Throughout it all, Imma has drawn inspiration from the people around her, and now, reflects on the difference she wants to make to women following in her footsteps.
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Let’s start by going back a few years – when you came to Australia from Italy. What was that like?

Before coming to Australia, I was excited but also a little uncertain about what to expect. My hope was to build a fulfilling life, find meaningful work, and contribute to my community.

My first year in Australia was a time of big adjustments and difficult decisions. I had to step back from my career to focus on my family, which was both necessary and challenging.

One of the hardest parts was the language barrier—I arrived knowing only a few words of English, which made everything from daily interactions to finding opportunities much harder. I also struggled with being financially dependent on my husband for the first time, which was a big shift for me – I’d had twenty years of customer service experience, admin experience.

On top of that, I felt the loss of my network and connections, which had always been a source of strength. It was a tough period, but it also pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t expected.

What has helped you achieve professional success in Australia?

Being proactive, adaptable, and detail-oriented helps me keep everything on track. Communication and problem-solving are key, especially in a role that supports different teams. I also value collaboration—helping others succeed.

At Spectrum, this position was pretty new for me, but I think my background in customer service supported me to do this at my best.

And I enjoy learning, the most. Learning from different people, different teams, it supports me to grow. At Spectrum, learning from different executives, HR, Senior Leaders, admin and team members. I can grab everything, learning everything, put it in my bucket, and maybe in two years I will use that [skill].

I’ve learned so much about procurement from Alma, about risk and compliance from Alison and Anna, project management from Zoe, being supported by Bevan and Paul, Kathy has helped me to grow and build confidence. And of course Rebecca (Spectrum’s CEO).

[Meet our Executive Team here]

Also from the RISE Project. It has been so great to be on the same table together (with other CARM women) sharing personal experiences. The feeling that you are not the only one going through your experiences, and seeing them try and achieve a top level after having done the same journey as you – it gives you power.

Professionally, I’ve developed stronger leadership, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills. I’ve grown more resilient and adaptable, learning to navigate new challenges while maintaining a strong sense of identity and purpose.

Tell us more about working with Rebecca (Spectrum’s CEO) and what you’ve learned from her approach.

She’s a great leader. In the beginning, I would look at things like the cup being half empty, in a negative way. She raised me up, but naturally. Just suggestions, helping me see the other angles that I never looked [at]. Supporting me to go up and over, but not feeling under pressure.

She guides from the back. She gives feedback, so I can reflect, look from a different angle, and make my next move. That’s how I built my confidence.

Speaking of next moves – you oversee our Administration and Reception staff and have recently hired Diana. How did you know she was going to be a great fit for the role?

In many ways, I see her journey in myself. She has lots of experience, so she’s a very calm and patient person. She’s looking outside the box. She has a lived experience background, and that makes you an asset, because if you know about being in the situations [like our clients], it changes your view to see the world. She’s eager to learn, and grow. The way that she respects people, the way that she puts herself forward.

Reception at Spectrum is different [because of the diversity of aged, refugee and migrant clients that we service and our commitment to helping them all feel at home], we need someone who has the capacity to handle different situations – Diana’s professional approach is invaluable. And I think of how I was supported, and I want to support her to succeed too.

Having support really does make the difference. You also manage this at home, raising children in a new culture. Can you tell us more about this?

Yes! I make sure my children stay connected to our Italian culture through language, food, and traditions. We speak Italian at home, celebrate important cultural events, and share stories about our heritage.

At the same time, growing up in Australia gives them access to diverse experiences, education, and opportunities that will help them develop a broad, open-minded perspective.

I’m trying to lead by example — sharing my work days with them, helping them understand the impact we’re making for clients who come from challenging backgrounds. I want to teach them the values of respect, love, and inclusion — just like the culture we nurture here at Spectrum.

[Find out about our Parenting in a New Culture program here]

So what are you up to now, both professionally and as a family?

As a family, we’re navigating work, school, and making the most of the opportunities that come our way.

For me professionally, I’m in a phase of growth. I’m developing my leadership style, gaining new skills, and exploring opportunities to contribute at a board level.

A key part of my journey is also supporting CARM women—helping them build confidence, trust in themselves, and achieve their full potential.

I am applying for more board positions, and it will be challenging because I need to speak in front of people. But I will say – this is my best, and if it does not fit right now, I will learn and next time I will do it. It is important to be positive.

At this point in my career, between Rebecca’s help and the RISE program, I am like – why not?

Just try. Because if you never try, you never know. (It’s my motto).

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After our conversation, I’m left feeling inspired by Immacolata’s journey, her patience and her energy.

It’s a reminder that for migrants of all backgrounds – particularly women – the path to stability and success is rarely straightforward.

For most, the ‘career ladder’ more closely resembles the childhood game of ‘snakes and ladders’, where you have no choice but to keep going from wherever you landed.

It also shows how important it is for employers to see the time that many migrants have spent on this winding and difficult path not as time lost, but as valuable experience gained.

By doing this, we welcome more people like Immacolata into our businesses and communities – people with joy and passion and enthusiasm for change, with vital insights into work and families and diverse industries, who believe strongly in supporting those who come next.

Who ensure that our clients are met by staff that understand them, and that we work in professional and thoughtful ways with each other.

Who make us all better for working alongside them.

Kelsey Dattoli, Communications Coordinator
Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre