Cheese all that! Meet some of the amazing Women in Pizza at Domino’s

At Domino’s, we’re privileged to have many inspiring women as leaders in our business. Whether they are leading team members in one of our 800+ stores across Australia and New Zealand as franchisees or store managers, or are based in Domino’s head office leading corporate teams, these women are proof of just how far a career in pizza can take you.

At Domino’s, we are committed to the 40:40 vision, where we are aiming to have representation of 40 per cent women across our Board, Global Leadership, and Country Leadership levels by 2030.

Additionally, Domino’s is a member of the 30 Percent Club, and we’re proud to have surpassed the target of having 30 per cent gender diversity on our Board.

In honour of International Women’s Day 2022, we spoke to some of our incredible female leaders about their careers, experiences, and advice to others.

Maddie McMillan

Long-time Dominoid, Business Partner and multi-unit franchisee

What has been your Domino’s journey?

Domino’s Business Partner and Franchisee Maddie McMillan

I started at Domino’s in 2006, working as a pizza maker. While I was still at school, I progressed to a Shift Runner, and then once I graduated, became a Store Manager, while studying a Bachelor of Business.

However, I was learning so much real-world experience in my role at Domino’s, that after one year at university, I took a leap of faith and decided to focus on where a career with Domino’s could take me.

After a few years, I was given the opportunity to become an owner/operator, and have since become a business partner and franchisee of four stores!

Why do you love working at Domino’s?

I love looking back and seeing how much Domino’s has contributed to my personal and professional growth. I love that I now have the opportunity to mentor and help others grow – it’s my way of giving back.

You’re making strides in your career at Domino’s – how do you lead and inspire the team members in your stores?

I want all the team members to know I genuinely care about each and every one of them. It's important they know that with them as part of our team, we are better off.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #breakingthebias, which is about forging women’s equality, and creating a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. What does this look like to you in the workforce?

To me, this would be a workplace where women feel empowered to be themselves and aren’t worried about being perceived as weak or emotional. It’s a safe space where we don’t feel any less than what we are due to our gender.

Is there someone in your life that has empowered and supported you during your career?

I was lucky to meet my best friend and now business partner, Tegan, at Domino’s. She’s always there to support me, as a business partner and as a friend, and believes in me, even when I don’t believe in myself.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her, and I hope that together, we can inspire other women in business to support one another.

Amanda Oliver

Domino’s New Zealand Training Manager and global career inspiration

Can you tell us a little bit about your Domino’s journey?

I began working at Domino’s Perth during my gap year as a Delivery Expert, before working my way up to a Store Manager, and then a Regional Manager. Following this, I became a franchisee in Sydney with my husband, before having the opportunity to move to New Zealand, where I have been a franchisee, an OER Coach and a Training Manager. I currently look after the Training team and manage the Food Safety Compliance for our stores in New Zealand.

Why do you love working at Domino’s?

I love the variety my role has given me, and I look forward to returning to Australia in a few years’ time to work there and spend time with family. I have a long-term goal to work in Europe, and I love that Domino’s gives you so many opportunities to build a career in both Australia and New Zealand, as well as abroad.

As a Training Manager, a lot of team members look up to you. How do you hope to inspire them?

With my years of experience, I’m aiming to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of Dominoid’s. I want to ensure we are doing the right thing always, one store and one Manager at a time, to ensure we are always improving.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #breakingthebias, which is about forging women’s equality, and creating a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. What does this look like to you in the workforce?

When I began my career, I was the only woman working in my store. Over the years, it’s been great to see more and more teenagers and women come up through the ranks to become senior staff members and managers. For a business that was reasonably male dominated when I started, it is so good to see more and more women both in stores and in head office roles.

Shalini Singh

Domino’s Australia franchisee and devoted mum

Can you tell us about your Domino’s, and life, journey?

I grew up in the tropical paradise of Fiji, before moving to New Zealand in 2006, where I worked in banking and insurance. In 2015, my husband and I made the move to Australia, and not long after, I became the franchisee of Domino’s Rouse Hill.

Being a business owner appealed to me because it allowed me the flexibility to spend time with my son while he was young. This year, he completes high school, and I’m lucky to have been able to devote so much time to him.

Domino’s Franchisee Shalini Singh with her son

Why do you love working at Domino’s?

No two days are the same as a Domino’s franchisee, and I’m always kept on my toes. I love the people I work with, and my staff are like family. Having the ability to watch my team grow and evolve into amazing young people is the best feeling.

I also love that other franchisees, their team members, and the larger Domino’s business are so supportive – many people have become like family during my time at Domino’s, and that is one aspect I absolutely love.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #breakingthebias, which is about forging women’s equality, and creating a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. What does this look like to you in the workforce?

I feel lucky to have worked in organisations that value and encourage women, however I firmly believe that both men and women need to look out for each other, and call out any prejudices or bias that we see around us. Organisations now clearly understand that in order to succeed, there is an inherent need to create a team encompassing diversity from various backgrounds and skill sets.

Women in the workforce are now each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Through supporting and celebrating each other, it only gives more strength to us all.

What’s your best piece of advice?

Learning is a never ending process, and is something we should all be constantly doing. Learn from your mistakes, strive to do your best at all times, and don’t shy away from apologising if you have made a mistake.

However, I believe the most important advice is to always remember you are worthy, and that you must give your physical and mental health priority over everything else.

Ruby Thompson

Turning just 19 this year, Ruby is an inspiring young Domino’s Store Manager

Why do you love working at Domino’s?

There are so many things! I love seeing my team’s faces when they achieve a goal, or when they get through a busy period, or make a customer happy.

Personally, I love the rush, operations, figuring out the most efficient way to do something, and then executing on this. Every day brings a new challenge, and a new chance to grow, and I love that!

What challenges have you experiences as a woman in business?

At times, you can feel unheard, and I tend to put pressure on myself as a result to prove that I can achieve the same things as men. As I am only a young Store Manager, being underestimated is also a challenge I face often, which can be intimidating. However, I remind myself to be bold and unapologetic in business.

As a young Store Manager making career strides, how do you lead and inspire the team members in your store?

There’s a lot of responsibility with leading a team of young people, and often, Domino’s is their first job, and experience working. This is something I take very seriously, and I am conscious of three things as their leader:

1. Lead by example, and never ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself.

2. Ensure each and every team member feels valued and a part of the team.

3. Invest in in-depth training and one-on-one conversations so they understand their responsibilities and goals.

You have a goal of becoming a Domino’s franchisee. Is there someone who has inspired or supported you on this journey?

I wouldn’t be where I am now without my franchisees, who have allowed me the freedom to share my ideas and put them into action. Alongside my franchisees, my parents are my biggest supporters, and it was initially their idea that I look into becoming a franchisee. Finally, the entire Domino’s community is a massive inspiration, with so many people showing me anything is possible!

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #breakingthebias, which is about forging women’s equality, and creating a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. What does this look like to you in the workforce?

At work, I believe all women should feel empowered, treasured and important, because they are. We deserve to have our ideas and opinions heard and valued. Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is so enriching, as we have so much to learn from people who are from different walks of life.

Amy Meli

Domino’s ANZ Supply Chain Manager, passionate leader, and mum of two

Can you tell us a little bit about your Domino’s and career journey so far?

My Domino’s journey has come full circle. I worked as a Delivery Expert while attending university, and then life took me on a different path into the world of procurement and supply chain. However, ten years later, I interviewed for my then-role of ANZ Procurement Manager, and the rest is history!

Domino’s ANZ Supply Chain Manager Amy Meli (right) with one of her team members

During my Domino’s journey, I’ve had the opportunity to grow from a standalone Procurement Manager to the ANZ Supply Chain Manager, consolidating the Procurement and Supply Chain Team and being given the honour of leading a dedicated and resilient group of employees.

What’s your advice to other women starting their careers in the corporate world?

Don’t lose your confidence or drive. Go looking for the opportunity because they don’t come knocking on the door every day. People will change their ways eventually but let’s show them we are already here and willing.

Have you experienced any challenges as a woman in business?

I started my career in the mining and engineering world where, at the time, there was an expectation for women to be “one of the boys”. As a result of my experiences then, I have spent the past 15 years developing into the kind of leader I want to be.

How do you hope to lead and inspire your team?

Through empathy, drive and fairness. We spend so much time with our work colleagues, so it’s important to me that my team see me as someone who they can turn to, and that they feel valued. I want to challenge my team, while ensuring they are given a fair opportunity to grow and develop in their chosen path.

How do you achieve work/life balance?

From the time I was pregnant with my first child, I knew that having a career alongside my family was what I wanted. In my life, there are three areas of balance: family, work and myself, and it’s perfectly acceptable for each of these to take priority when it’s required.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #breakingthebias, which is about forging women’s equality, and creating a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. What does this look like to you in the workforce?

To me this looks like encouraging the removal of barriers for women to return to the workforce and creating non bias equal opportunities for those around me. We need to encourage open conversation without prejudice around family commitments and how we support an inclusive transition to the workforce.

What’s your best piece of advice?

Excellence over perfection. Over time, I learned my desire for the “perfect” outcome could dishearten others from trying or slow down the arrival at a conclusion. I now challenge my team to ensure we are meeting and completing challenges and encourage them to use their initiative without being concerned of criticism. I encourage my team to have the mindset that we don’t have to be perfect, but we would like to be excellent.